Hostels in TOAMASINA, MADAGASCAR

Vivid Beauty and Madagascar’s Pride - City of Toamasina

The province of Toamasina which falls in the Atsinanana region in Madagascar is known for its picturesque beauty and vivid coral reef. The province has Toamasina city as its capital. The place is also called as Tamatave. Apart from its striking natural elegance, the city is the main seaport of the country.

Accommodation Facilities 
As private parties are popular along with other forms of musical nights, the city is a host to all types of accommodations. Luxurious housing like resorts and beach houses are gaining popularity with the tourists. Budget hotels, guesthouses and youth hostels are gaining popularity due to the educational university.

History
There are many distorted theories answering the fable – “origin of the name Toamasina”. The most widely accepted legend and the most popular one as well is that King Radama 1 said – ‘Toa Masina’ which means ‘it is salty’ in the local language of Malagasy which gave the city its name. Due to its importance as a commercial seaport, most European kingdoms of those times were always interested in this naturally beautiful city. The city was once a British colony but according to the treaty of Paris, the city went to the French Union. 

Popular Places
The central market is one of the busiest and the most popular places in the city of Toamasina. Madagascar's public university system, the University of Toamasina is housed in this city making it a popular educational destination in the country.

Both the importance and the existence of the beautiful city is due to the coral reef making is one of the most capacious harbours. The colourful spice markets, the handicraft marketplace and the sea artefact market are very popular with the local people and the tourists. 

Getting Around
The rail route is still in the establishing stages making boat travel an important option, when the coastal areas are at its climatic worst. The period from December to March is considered dangerous due to the existence of cyclones. Travelling through cargo boats should always be the last option. Air travel is safe and regular flights are available to Toamasina from Antananarivo via other cities.  

Toamasina is also connected to the cities of Sambava, Maroantsetra and Antalaha through airways, but the frequency is lower. Guide are easily available and more so in the vanilla season, when the air-travelling options are full.

Places of Entertainment
The city is filled with music bars which flaunt some popular local bands and music groups. Toamasina is known for its seafood which is cooked traditionally and well-served with music and live recitals. The restaurants have their own nightclubs which have their share of loyal followers. Weekend parties with live soulful melodies combined with the local music style make the night life of the city a major attraction.

Languages
Malagasy is the main language spoken throughout Madagascar, including the city of Toamasina. It is a combination of Arabic, Indonesian, African and Polynesian languages.

Currency
The ‘Malagasy Ariary’ is the official currency used here. The exchange of currency is easy and makes travel safe and convenient. Still it is advised to follow the news and updates of the latest details of currency exchange at the airport and even in the hotels.

Toamasina group accommodation | Cheap hostels & budget hotels