Info for Travellers

MOZAMBIQUE, one of the African Countries that have reconciled peace after some 19 years of war, is perhaps best know for its magnificent beaches. Places like Ponta do Ouro, Maputo Elephant Reserve, Inhambane, our oldest second town, with is different architectures and know as one of the best spots in the world for Diving, the archipelago of Bazaruto. If going up North the Quirimba Islands with is amazing snorkeling, Mozambique Island with is Arabic Influence, the Old Man Head in Manica, Beira, one of the best spots in the world for seafood. This country has one of most growing economy in the world, not only for its geographic situation but also for his agricultural e mineral resources. Is supported by The World Bank and most of the biggest economies in the world, maybe because of being the only country in the world that after signed the peace accord did have peace. Maputo is its Capital, a very cosmopolitan city with all its multicultural influences where you can see it in the different kinds of Cultural Centers, Restaurants & Bars, Night Life, Art & Crafts, and especially in the warm welcome of the friendly people. VISA'S, any Embassy, cheaper when you wait for 5 days. You can also get a 30-day Visa at any border/airport. Cash money in Mozambique: Travelers Cheques are not cashable in Mozambique. Better to cash them before coming into the country. AMERICAM EXPRESS can only be cash in the big cities like Maputo.

VISA is the best one to have with you. You can cash them at any BIM (Mozambique International Bank) ATM in any of our major cities. Master Card can become a problem also, since you can only cash them inside Austral Bank, with branches all over the country. Bring some cash is advisable. MOZAMBIQUE is a very safe country, comparing to our neighboring South Africa, even if things do happen sometimes. We do have Warnings of the places and areas that you shouldn't walk in Maputo and other places in the country; so, bringing cash with you is not a big problem, if you are carefully. You should be aware of Petty Theft, a direct result of the extreme poverty of the local inhabitants. Be particularly careful in crowded places, like markets, bus station, and don't leave valuable items like photo or video cameras or money lying around, especially in your car. Don't leave your car alone in crowded places like markets.
Malaria is a fact, so be very careful, and always make sure that you have your repellent with you. You should always sleep under mosquito nets. You should wear long trousers and even long sleeves in the interior areas. Hospitals are fine and very efficient when it comes to trace Malaria or other tropical diseases, so use them. They are all over the country, even in very small villages. They always use a disposable needle, special when they see a foreigner. Local transport is not a problem, they are very cheap and efficiently. You would be surprise to get to the Bus Station 5 minutes later and the buses have already gone. They leave every day at 06.30am towards North and the same happens towards the south. From Beira towards the northern provinces they leave even earlier. There is also Minibuses, which we don't recommend for long distances. Taxis, only in the big city's and they are not cheap. Rent-a-Car Services are very expensive. We do organize cheaper ones. Not many companies in South Africa or even Swaziland allow they cars to come into Mozambique. Make always sure that you have an authorized letter from them. Bringing your own car, always make sure you have the blue car papers with you, and if an authorized letter to do so. Pay the Third Party Insurance at the border, very handy in case of an accident. There is a fee for the car that you have to pay in our currency. Always make sure you have your seatbelt, don't drive faster them 40km/hour inside any city/villages and always pay notice to the signs on the road and if another car flash is lights, normally means police. Try to exchange some money at the border (any border) with the ladies standing on the side of the road just before the border gate. Don't change a lot, since the rate is always better in Maputo. Every single passport holder has to pay a fee in to the country. Bringing goods into Mozambique can be a problem, if you are bringing like 6 cases of beer, our 15 different bottles of spirit, well… besides that they are fine.
Anyway, with the backpackers there is no real problem. They know you are on holidays!!!
So, come for a visit and enjoy this beautiful country!!!

MARKETS

They are open every day from 06.00-18.00, Sunday 06.00-13.00

Mercado Central is located at 25 de Setembro Ave lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, Indian spices, and art crafts. It is a nice walk. Be aware of pickpockets. Right in front is the Casa Elefante, a unique shop that sells the colourful fabrics (capulanas) from Moçambique. Open office hours.
Mercado Janet, at the end of Mao Tse Tung Ave/V. Lenine Ave, where you can find all the fresh vegetables and fruits that you need. There is also a second hand clothing market where you'll find anything from Levis to Yves St. Laurence for almost nothing. Bargaining is necessary.
Mercado Estrela, where you can find anything from food to furniture, car spares, electro domestics, etc. Estrela is well known as the thieves market, so beware. It is located in Alto Mae area in Maguiguana/Karl Marx Ave.
Mercado Xipamanine, where you will find anything to do with Witch Doctors (curandeiros), and traditional spices for cooking and the best "capulanas". Look out for pickpockets and the like.
Mercado do Peixe (fish market), you can find them along the beach, on Marginal Ave opposite the Maritimo Club. For the freshest and best variety of seafood.
Mercado do Artesanato, Art crafts Market, happens every Saturday from early morning
Until lunchtime, here you can deal directly with the artist who will always willingly bargain with you over a nice chat!! The best place to buy souvenirs

Mechanics
Auto Suiça, Patrice Lumumba Ave, 1113, phone: 423458
Garagem Tip-Top, Julyus Nyerere, 546, phone: 490685
Alcar, Eduardo Mondlane Ave, 1267, phone: 325553. They have a 24 hours break down, cell: 082 303302

Film development and Cameras
ALPHA, Prédio 33, 24 de Julho Ave, 850, Interfranca Shopping Centre on 24 de Julho Ave.
Centro de Informação Fotografica, black white (photo-journalist school), Josina Machel Ave, phone 425545

Language Schools
Instituto de Linguas, for Portuguese, local and other languages, Ahmed Sekou Toré Ave, phone: 425684
Lynden Language School, Portuguese and English, Resistência Str, 1746, 3floor, phone: 417569
Oikos, Portuguese and English, General Pereira D'Eça, phone: 497850
Contacto, Portuguese and English, Tchamba Str, 64, phone: 492479
Brumag, Portuguese and English, Martires de Mueda Ave, 563, phone: 496199
Centro Cultural Brasileiro, for Portuguese courses.

SUPERMARKETS: Interfranca, on 24 de Julho, not cheap.
Supermercado LM, on 24 de Julho, affordable.
O Nosso Supermecado, on Str.General Teixeiro Botelho/Amilcar Cabral not cheap.
Shoprite, Acordos de Lusaka Ave, affordable.

USEFULL PHONE NUMBERS IN MAPUTO:
Airport: 465074/9 - Bookings & Info
Police: 425031/5 - Police Ambulance: 422002/428708
Fire: 197/198 - Central Hospital Causality: 420448/425002/6

MONEY:
Visa Card at the BIM on J. Nyerere Ave, near the Pequim/Lulas Restaurant and just in front a petrol station, they are the only ones that pay in dollars. For Meticais, try any bank on they machines, like the one just around the corner from us, Fatima's Place, on Amilcar Cabral Ave, defront the petrol station.
Cards like Master are only accepted at the Austral Bank. In case your pin number doesn't work on the machines outside, go inside the bank.

Banco de Moçambique (BM), 25 de Setembro Ave 9, phone: 428150/9
Banco Internacional de Moçambique (BIM), 25 de Setembro Ave 47, phone: 423753/4
Banco Comercial de Moçambique (BCM), 25 de Setembro Ave 695, phone: 428151
Banco Standard Totta (BSTM), Praça 25 de Junho, phone: 428107

If you are heading north, change your money here, as you will get the best rate.
Bank Austral and BIM is operating in all main cities and does cash money on credit cards.
Cash money - any Bureau of Exchange, they are on every main street. You can ask for our advice. "S.A. Câmbios" on Mao Tse Tung normally gives the best rates.
Our prices are in Meticais, Dollars, Rands, Euros or Pounds at the daily exchange rate.
We will exchange money for you.

IMIGRATION OFFICE'S in every big city, like Maxixe, Vilankulos (to expensive), Beira, Tete, etc. So make sure your VISA is valid. There is a fine is charged per day.
In case you do want to extend your Visa, and you are in Maputo, please ask us, we can help you.
For passport photos, Estudios Corte Real, on 25 de Setembro Ave 1598, Phone: 425591 and also on 24 de Julho, there is a very small shop just before the Pizza Corner.

POST OFFICES AND TELEPHONES: You can phone locally at public phones at any time. You just need to get a card. There are a couple in Mao Tse Tung Ave or Eduardo Mondlane Ave. Look out for the yellow signs. For international calls, use the post office at Vladimir Lenine Ave/25 de Setembro Ave - open 7 days a week - 07.00-21.00h. Also at 24 de Julho Ave 239, near the 222 Clinic, same hours. After 19.00h and on weekends prices are cheaper. You can phone local, and direct to nearby countries, South Africa (00 27), Swaziland (00 268) with the card phones that you can find in any shop next to a public phone. There are of 100.000.00Mts and 50.000.00Mts. At the post office, International calls are always charged for the first 3 minutes. Collect calls only to Portugal, Brazil, Spain and Italy. You can give our number here to receive calls. From S.A., they have to dial 09 258 1 302994, from other countries just dial (+) 258 1 302994.

COURIER EXPRESS: World Express, on 25 de Setembro at the Post Office
DHL, on 25 de Setembro, 1622 phone: 307290/4
Skynet, on Samora Machel Av. 8 phone: 305353

There are a few Internet Cafes in Maputo.
Just a minute away from our door, on Lenine Ave, VOBIS Internet Café.
INTERNET CAFÉ, on Karl Marx Ave n.609, has the best prices and you use your time the way you want.
TELEDATA, on 24 de Julho Ave, one block, north, after V. Lenine Ave. Weekdays 08.00h-21.00h
Weekends 09.00h-19.00h.
T.D.M. CAFE, at the Rovuma Hotel, behind the Catedral
CONNECTION TIME, on J. Nyerere Ave cner E. Mondlane Ave, at the Avenida Shopping Centre, 1floor.
Office hours.
Every Shopping Centre in Maputo, like Tiger and Polana, was Internet Café, not the cheapest ones.

EMBASSIES: Open 5 days a week and normally mornings only.
Address of Embassies Consulates from nearby countries:
Malawi: Kenneth Kaunda, Ave 75, Phone: 490224-492676
Besides Canada and Finland, which can change, always check, most of the countries need a visa, and they take about 3 to 4 days. They keep your passport, so have a stamp copy of visa and passport
Israel/Italy/France/Swiss/Belgian. They only accept American dollars. Same day.
Swaziland: Kwame Nkrumah Ave, next to the Polana Church, phone: 491601-491721
Most of the countries don't need a Visa besides African, South America and ex-communist countries.
South Africa: cnr Julius Nyerere - Eduardo Mondlane Ave, phone: 490559-493031
Most of the countries get their Visas at the border, besides the ex-communist ones and African countries.
Tanzania: Martires da Machava Ave 852, phone: 490110-490112-3
UK/USA/Holland Germany/Portugal/Swiss/Italy/etc. Takes 24h. Ex-communist countries and South American/African countries also need a Visa.
Zambia: Argelia Str. 99, phone: 491943-491893
All the countries above mentioned need Visa.
Zimbabwe: Martires da Machava Ave 1623, phone: 490404
USA/UK  at the embassy, but you can get it at the border for a cheaper price. Always check before leaving town.
Israel/South American/(some) African/ex-communist countries also need a Visa. Takes 24h to 72h.
They only accept US Dollars. Tanzania Embassy takes about 24h; Zimbabwe takes between 1 to 5 days to do your visa. So make sure you have a photocopy of your passport and visa, stamped by a local "Notario" before handing your passport to them. The nearest "Notario" is on Lenine Ave. 5 minutes walking from here, Fatima's Place, after the Bank and before the Coffee Shop. Look out for a building entrance with the sign of "Notario" on top of the door. For passport photos try "Estudios Corte Real", 25 de Setembro Ave1598.

Some 24 hours phone numbers of Embassies in case you lose your passport:
American Embassy: 490723 (24h) - 193, Kenneth Kaunda Ave
Holland Embassy: 490031 (to get the number) - 285, Mukumbura Str
Italy Embassy: 082 303 994 (24h) - 387, Kenneth Kaunda Ave
German Embassy: 492714 (to get the number) - 506, Damião Góis Str
Sweden Embassy: 082 303 440 (24h) - 1128, J. Nyerere Ave
Canadian Embassy: 082 311 953 (24h) - 1286, J. Nyerere Ave
Britain Embassy: 420111/17 (only weekdays) - 310, V. Lenine Ave
South Africa Embassy: 496250 (weekdays) - 41, E. Mondlane Ave
Australia: no embassy, contact AUSAID (weekdays) - 794-9floor, J. Nyerere Ave

Business Information and Services
Sociedade Austral de Desenvolvimento, phone: 422780, 25 de Setembro Ave, Prédio 33
B.I.P., phone: 490200, Eduardo Mondlane Ave
C.P.I., phone: 422456, 25 de Setembro Ave, Prédio 33

HEALTH

MALARIA IS REALLY BAD. SO BE VERY CAREFULL

Malaria it's prevalent in Moçambique and it's recommended that visitors should take anti-malaria prophylactics, especially those travelling outside Maputo. The best precaution is to avoid being bitten by using mosquito nets, repellent and wearing protective clothing as soon the sun goes down.

The local hospitals are fine, cheap, and very helpful. Private clinics are good but very expensive.
Malaria symptoms: like flu; headache, diarrhoea, muscular pains and high fever - especially between sunset and sunrise. Should you develop the above symptoms, do not hesitate to go to the nearest hospital for a malaria test. Don't worry, they are competent and safe. If you are taking any prophaelatics, you must let them know. There are hospitals in every town in Moçambique. They only accept meticais. Private clinics do accept foreign currency.
Since you are not used to our bacteria in the tap water, avoid drinking it and boil it first. We have boiled water in the fridge. Do help yourselves. Fruits and vegetables must be well washed.
Seafood is generally fresh but always check by making sure the eyes are not milky and the gills still have a reddish colour. Ask our advice on seafood restaurants.

Some addresses of private clinics in Maputo:
Cruz Azul, on Karl Marx Ave, next to the Central Market has the cheapest malaria test. Phone: 305146/7
Clinic 222, 24 de Julho cnr Str. Com. Augusto Cardoso. Phone: 222
Clinica Especial, at the Central Hospital, E. Mondlane Ave, phone: 429522
They do the malaria test and you only have to see the doctor in case the test is positive.

Dentists
DENTA-MED, Francisco O. Magumbwe Ave, 954, phone: 493370
TM - Consultório Dentário, Mao Tse Tung Ave, 1386, phone: 499303
DENTE FELIZ, on Julyus Nyerere Ave, Mundo's Building, phone: 082 390581

Pharmacies
Some near by,
Carreira de Tiro, Mao Tse Tung Ave, 637, phone: 497038
Calêndula, Eduardo Mondlane Ave, 2078, phone: 310909/312000
Rotunda, V. Lenine Ave, 2791, phone: 415693
Medi-Optica, if you need optic glasses, 24 de Julho Ave, 2317, phone: 423215

Hairdressers
The Cutting Room, Julyus Nyere Ave, 657, phone: 497331
Rought Cut, 24 de Julho Ave, 666, phone: 426273

Car-hire
All the companies allow you to go up north and outside of the country. All located at the airport and same have branches in town. Mostly have expensive prices. We can organize cheaper ones.
Avis Rent-a-Car, phone: 465497/8 - Emauto, phone: 422506 - Europcar, phone: 465622/16
Hertz, phone; 494982 - Ibérica Rent-a-Car, phone: 422341/300531 - Imperial, phone: 493545

Exercise and Sports
Horse-riding: at Centro Hípico next to the Zoo, on Moçambique Ave. Tel.427383.
Swimming: at Mini Golf on Marginal Ave
Oasis off V. Lenine Ave, in the area of Coop
Clube Naval, on Marginal Ave
Clube Desportivo, on V. Lenine Ave - downtown.
Maxaquene, on Ave Sekou Touré/S. Allende
All charge a fee entrance. Most of the hotels have swimming pools but are usually expensive.
Karate-Aerobics: at the Hotel Polana, at Physical on 24 Julho Ave and in the Maxaquene Sports Institute. Also at the playing fields in Mao Tse Tung Ave and next to the fairground (25 de Setembro).
Tennis: at the Tunduru Gardens

CINEMA: there are only two cinemas that show new release movies.
Cinema Xenon, Ave Julius Nyerere, defront of E. Mondlane Ave
Cinema Gil Vincente, Ave Samora Machel, opposite the Machel Statue
The other local Cinemas, are usually a great experience, it's like being inside the movie yourself.
Theatre in Moçambique is really good, and most of the time you don't need to understand Portuguese, to find what it is all about. Depending on the situation, it is mostly about our society and politics. Themes like women liberation, street kids, and AIDS and, of course, corruption are very common. Try Teatro Avenida on 25de Setembro. Highly recommended is Gungu, on the street just behind the 25 Junho Square where the Art Craft Market happens is another very good group. Weekends only.

Fatima's Place, Mao Tse Tung Ave 1317/1339, phone: 302994 - 082 414573
Click here for prices
Centrally located, near the markets and Internet Café. Clean, safe and relaxed. Vegetarian's paradise. Mozi food. Info on nightlife, arts and culture. Phone or email us: fatima@virconn.com for the Free Pick Up.

Top End Accomodation:
Hotel Polana, Julius Nyerere. phone: 491001- fax: 491480***
Holiday Inn, Marginal Av. phone: 495050 - fax: 497700***
Hotel Avenida, Julius Nyerere cner Eduardo Mondlane, phone: 492000 - fax: 499600***
Hotel Tivoli, on 25 de September cner Lenine, phone: 307600 - fax: 307609 **
Hotel Santa Cruz, on 24 de Julho cner Amilcar Cabral, phone: 303004 - fax: 303066**
Hotel Monte Carlo, Patrice Lumumba, 620, phone: 304048 - fax: 308959 **
Hotel África, Paulo Samuel Kankhomba Str, phone: 312437/8/9 **
Vila Das Mangas, on 24 de Julho Ave, 401, phone: 497078 **
Pensão Alegre, on 24 de Julho, next to Santa Cruz Hotel, phone: 307742*
Pensão Central, on 24 de Julho cner Olof Palme, phone: 424476 - fax: 425552*
Pensão Continental, on Felipe Samuel Magaia 162, phone 427353, near the Central Market. *
Costa do Sol, at the end of Marginal, phone: 450115 - fax: 450162*
Vila dos Pescadores, after the Costa do Sol, pass the bridge, phone/fax: 450301*