Hostels in ANTSIRABE, MADAGASCAR

City Antsirabe in Madagascar

With a population of nearly 190,000, Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar. It is also the capital of the Vakinankaratra region in Madagascar and is located at a height of around 1,500 meters from the sea level.  Home of Tiko that is milk and other food products, brasseries that is beverages, cotona that is textiles and kobama that is grain.

Accommodation Options
There is no dearth of accommodation options for any type of visitor in Antananarivo. One can find luxury and budget hotels, guest houses, as well as the bed and breakfast in plenty here. In addition there are resorts and youth hostels though for short stay the hotels and guest houses or resorts at the watersides are more preferable. Youth hostels are available in the city as well.

Brief History
Founded by one of the Norwegian missionaries in 1872, it was known for salty climate in the beginning. Cool climate as well as therapeutic thermal springs contributed to selection of the location. Subsequently the French people made it the ideal gateway from the din as well as the bustle of Antananarivo.

Getting Around
Located at the end of the Tananarive-Antsirabe railway, the city does not have any passenger train as the railway lines are used for freight trains alone. Guide books and sites on Antsirabe will inform that getting around is possible using the National road 7 that connects Antsirabe with Fianarantsoa and Toliara. Mini bus services are available in the city as public transport. They also cost one third of what the taxis charge. For those requiring privacy and independence, car hire services can be traced using guide books or travel agencies. Finally, the local version of Asian Rickshaw is not too comfortable for journey but comes cheapest.

Places of Interest
It has a warm spring and thermal bath as well that were very famous during the 19th century.  Beautiful lake and spectacular countryside sceneries make the place worth for travel. Greatest attraction of Antsirabe is as a spa town. First spa in the city was established in 1917. Soon the city became the venue for the spa lovers. Immediate surroundings of Antsirabe include the circular Andraikiba Lake, and the Tritriva Lake that is 17 kilometres to the south west of Antsirabe.  Another exotic venue is the Mount Ibity and the orchids around it with valley of Shatany at the foot of it. About 22 Kilometres to the west is Betafo, with the lake Tatamarina.  Many visitors travel to Antsirabe only to visit these spots.

Currency
As in other parts of Madagascar, the currency in Antsirabe is the Madagascar Ariary or MGA. The current exchange rate of one US dollar is around 2152.34 MGA. However keeping track of the international currency exchange news would be good to remain updated on the latest developments.

Antsirabe group accommodation | Cheap hostels & budget hotels