'''Toamasina''' is a port city of approximately 145,000 on the east coast of Madagascar. Until 1977 it was known as ''Tamatave''.

Understand

Get in

By plane

By car

By bus

The Postal Service operates a cheap and fast Taxi Brouse from Tamatave to Antanarivo. Look for the van parked outside the post office.

By boat

Get around

See

Do

Canal des Pangalanes. There are overnight trips on this amazing man made and natural canal that effectively extends half way down the east coast of Madagascar. Ask at the Hotel Joffre or the travel agents nearby. The boat service is run by a French man who only runs services when there is sufficient clientele. A brief history and photos of Pangalanes can be found at [http://www.bushhouse-madagascar.com/].

Learn

Work

Buy

Eat

Budget

Mid-range

Splurge

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range

Hotel Joffre [http://www.tamatave-hotel-joffre.com], BP 160 18 Bd Joffre, 501 Tamatave, Madagascar. Tel: (261-20) 53 323 90, Fax: (261-20) 53 332 94. Hotel Joffre is an excellent mid-range hotel. Classic old-style fully renovated hotel in downtown with excellent French restaurant. Try to get the 1st floor rooms - the top floor rooms get very hot through sun on the roof.

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Contact

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