After getting your Madagascar Visa on Arrival at Antananarivo Ivato International Airport, your next priority is to get yourself some cash.
Madagascar is very much a cash country. Don’t think you can get by with paying by card. In fact, in six weeks, I couldn’t pay by card at all.
The currency in Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary MGA. There are notes in the following denominations: 20,000 Ar, 10,000 Ar, 5,000 Ar, 2,000 Ar, 1,000 Ar, 500 Ar, 200 Ar and 100 Ar. There are no coins in circulation.
ATMs and money changers inside the Ivato Airport (TNR)
In the arrivals hall, you have three options, with another option just across the road from the parking lot.
There is the MCB MADAGASCAR ATM, which offers free withdrawals. When you enter the arrivals hall, you’ll see it ahead of you, a little to the left:
There is the BFV-Societe Generale ATM, which wasn’t working when I arrived in Madagascar. The BFV-SG ATM is way down in the right corner of the arrivals hall. I later found out that the withdrawal fee is 9,500 Ar:
Then there is the B€$T CHANGE Bureau de change:
The rates as of June 11, 2023, at the Antananarivo Ivato airport (€1 = 4,400 Ar):
Money changer outside the airport
Then there is the option to get cash at the money changer across from the parking lot. The rate for €50, €100 and €200 was slightly better at 4,500 Ar:
With cash in your pocket, you are ready to start your backpacking adventure in Madagascar.
Money changers in Antananarivo offer a much better rate.
