Maputo

Maputo’s climate is tropical savanna.

Maputo is a rather dry city, with an annual rainfall of 814 millimetres (32.0 inches).

The rainy season in the city is very brief, lasting from November to March.

Maputo sits on the west side of Maputo Bay, near the Estuário do Esprito Santo, which is where the rivers Tembe, Umbeluzi, Matola, and Infulene meet.

The bay is 95 kilometers long (59 miles) and 30 kilometers broad (19 miles).

The island of Inhaca is located to the east of the city and bay.

The municipality of Maputo covers 346 square kilometers (134 square miles) and is bordered on the northeast and east by the city of Matola, the districts of Marracuene to the north, Boane to the east, and Matutune to the south, all of which are part of Maputo Province.

The city is located 120 kilometers (75 miles) from the South African border at Ressano Garcia and 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Swaziland border in Namaacha.

On 95.5 MHz, the BBC World Service broadcasts English (and some Portuguese) language radio transmissions. On 87.8 MHz, local radio station LM Radio transmits entirely in English. Play mostly golden oldies.

Given the expensive expense of internet connection in Africa, and the fact that hotels may give it for a fee or with restricted gratis data packages, it’s good to know that there are a few locations in Maputo that provide it.

Maputo’s airport is used by the majority of international flights to and from Mozambique.

• LAM – Within Mozambique, LAM has a large number of internal flights.
• TAP flies non-stop from Lisbon.
• SAA provides two daily flights from Johannesburg to Maputo, while SA Airlink has five weekly flights from Durban and Cape Town.

Taxis should cost roughly 500 Metecais (around US$18) from the airport to town. Hotels usually send buses to greet planes, but only if there are passengers on the flight who have made hotel reservations. Local SIM cards may be purchased at a store near the terminal’s exit, which also houses a bank.

Rail services to Maputo are gradually improving, however the present lines are of minimal tourist value. The daily service from Ressano Garcia on the South African border is an exception; it is a simple method to go here from Johannesburg and Pretoria since daily trains link with the city of Komatipoort across the border.

The motorway between Johannesburg and Maputo is excellent. Take the N4 towards Nelspruit from Johannesburg (about 400 km). Continue on the N4 from Nelspruit to Komatipoort, the final settlement on the South African side (about 100 km). The Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border post is located just beyond Komatipoort. To get a vehicle through the border, you’ll need current automobile registration documents (or a decent imitation of them) and third-party insurance. Insurance is available (only?) at the border. To get to Maputo on the Mozambican side, just take the N4 (now designated EN4) for another 80 kilometers or so.

It’s also just 186 kilometers from Manzini, Swaziland. The cost of a minivan/taxi from Manzini to Maputo is around US$8 with baggage (price per October 2006). The journey takes 4 hours, including securing a visa at the Namaacha border station. The cost of a visa is $66 USD.

Maputo is 600 kilometers from Durban, on the KwaZulu Natal coast of South Africa, and is easiest reached through the Golele border station into Swaziland. The Goba border crossing is the most direct way from Golele to Mozambique.

Garcia/Ressano Lebombo Control of the Border New (and even returning) visitors to Mozambique may be intimidated by the border controls. As you approach the Mozambican side of the border, a swarm of individuals will rush to your car (some of whom may seem to be official) and instruct you to do this or that. The purpose is most likely to frighten you into using their knowledge (services) to expedite the border crossing, which they accomplish. They will then advise that you pay them a reasonable sum for all of this. In essence, these volunteers’ job is to “speed track” your queue through border check, which means they push regular travelers to the front of the line. This is done with the implicit agreement of border authorities, meaning that they are complicit in the scheme and may benefit financially from it.

Depending on your point of view, it might be seen as promoting an illegal behavior that expedites your entrance, or as something you are adamantly opposed to.

It is feasible to pedal from Maputo to Ponta do Ouro on a mountain bike if you are feeling brave. However, you should be aware that you will have to peddle your bicycle for around 30 kilometers over heavy sand. The trek is certainly worth it, and the expressions on the villagers’ faces when they learn where you’re heading are priceless. However, be aware that it may be hazardous at times, so go in a group.

By day, you may stroll around the city center, but avoid the core business sector at night.

Longer distances or at night, use a metered (yellow-roofed) cab, but agree on a fee ahead of time since many taxis do not have meters. Request information on fair rates from hotel offices or residents (e.g., Hotel Cardoso to Feira Popular or Mercado Central is roughly Mt 150–200 (US$4–5)).

“Tuk-Tuks” are another excellent method to get about the city. Because they offer their services as tour guides to guests of visiting cruise lines, the drivers are usually more proficient in English.

A minibus or “Chapa” is a fairly cheap method to go around (pronounced SHA-PAA). They operate similarly to miniature buses and have a network of routes that crisscross the city. All main routes start and terminate in either the downtown core/market area, known as “Baixa” (pronounced BAA-SHAA), or in the heart of the city, known as Museu, on Av. 24 de Julho. If you know Portuguese or have a local acquaintance who can take you, this is a wonderful way to travel. Mt 5 (US$0.20) for most journeys and Mt 7.5 (US$0.30) for longer ones are both inexpensive (all one way). It’s a terrific way to see the city even if you don’t know which Chapa to take. If you become lost, just get a Chapa that will take you to one of the city’s two main chapa terminals: “Museu” or “Baixa.” The navigators will generally be screaming the destination (normally from the passenger side door). It’s worth noting that the destination inscribed on the windshield may say “A. Voador” – but worry not, this is only an old name for the Baixa terminal. Drivers will not be able to overcharge you since you will be able to see what the locals are paying, or the locals will protest. Say “paragem” to the assistance to get off.

A colorful band on the windshield distinguishes Chapa routes. The following are some of the most popular tourist routes:

• blue chapas, which go west to Xipamanine
• yellow chapas, which run north and south on Av. Lenine, or on one of the parallel avenues to its east
• red chapas, which go north and south on Av. Guerra Popular
• green chapas, which run east and west along Av. Eduardo Mondlane
• black chapas, which run east and west Av. 24 de Julho
• pink chapas, which use Av. Eduardo Mondlane, Av. Julius Nyerere, and the Marginal to connect downtown to Costa do Sol.

All of these roads continue well into Maputo’s suburbs, where they break off, although this portion of their trip is unlikely to be included in your itinerary.

Chapas are a fun and unique mode of transportation, but they are not very safe. Pickpocketings are common on chapas and while waiting for chapa stops, even for natives. The minibuses are constantly overcrowded, seats are regularly damaged, and many passengers are forced to stand while traveling since there are no handrails or proper places to hold on as there are on a bigger bus.

Chapa drivers are renowned for disobeying traffic laws and endangering passenger safety in order to save a few minutes on the route.

When deciding whether or not to ride in a chapa as a tourist, be aware of the safety concerns (or resident).

Maputo’s fleet of city-owned buses, which utilize the same terminals as the chapas, has also been growing. They have more routes than chapas, which might make them more difficult to use for visitors, but you can always ask the conductor or other passengers whether it’s headed in the right direction. You board at the back of the bus, pay the conductor, and depart at the front.

There are seven major administrative divisions in the city. Each of them is made up of a number of smaller city neighborhoods known as bairros.

Tourist (Backpacker) – 80 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

Tourist (regular) – 200 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

• Tunduru Botanical Gardens (Jardim Bôtanico Tunduru). A lovely (though modest) botanical garden.
• The Railway Station on Praca dos Trabalhadores is sometimes mistaken for a Gustave Eiffel design. However, the structure is impressive and well worth a visit, particularly on Friday or Saturday evenings when live music is often presented.
• The Mercado Central in the Baixa district has fresh seafood, crabs, calamari, fruits and vegetables, as well as a variety of home goods. Safe, bright, and highly recommended, particularly if cooking for one.
• Walk up Avenida Julius Nyerere. Begin at the Hotel Cardoso or Natural History Museum and go down R Mutemba to Nyerere. Turn left (north) and proceed to the Polana Hotel. The comparatively upmarket Polana district is home to boutiques, cafés, curio dealers, and video shops.
• Praça dos Trabalhadores – Gustave Eiffel designed the Praça dos Trabalhadores.

Museum of the Revolution

(Museu da Revolução). 

Chronicles The struggle of Mozambique for freedom from Portuguese colonization. Was shuttered in 2008 and does not seem to be reopening anytime soon.

National Art Museum

Av Ho Chi Min. 

A small but well-curated collection of Mozambican art, including many huge paintings by the internationally acclaimed Malangatana.

Museum of Natural History

(Museu de História Natural), Praca Travessia de Zambezi (close to Cardoso Hotel),  +258 21 485 401. 

A charming tiny museum. Numerous plush animals, birds, and reptiles, as well as full-size elephant sculptures. A fascinating collection of wooden carvings, including a range of traditional and somewhat unattractive wooden cushions. Mtn 50.

Visit some of the area’s most gorgeous beaches, including Catembe and Ponta d’Ouro. It’s extremely joyful in these environments, and they’re typically secure, but be cautious of pickpockets and avoid carrying valuables on a beach walk. Ponta D’Ouro and Ponta Malongane both provide stunning scuba diving locations, as well as campsites and chalets directly on the beach.

Consider a wedding. Beautiful tribal singing and ululations by ladies. Civil ceremonies are held next to the Avenida Hotel. Numerous weddings scheduled on Saturday morning.

Local cuisine is a fusion of African, Portuguese, Middle Eastern, Indian/Pakistani, and Indian/Pakistani influences. All of these distinct cuisines are available across the city.

Numerous little eateries sell inexpensive basic food and drinks. Unless you’re feeling adventurous, avoid most roadside booths, particularly those offering meat. Cashews (often fire-roasted without salt and served in little paper cones), fried bean cakes called Bhajia, uncut and unwashed fruits (cut and wash yourself with bottled water), and soft-serve ice cream are all considered safe roadside cuisine. You should budget between Mt 15 and 50 (US$0.60 and $1.50).

Fruit purchased at roadside stalls is typically good, much more so if it has a tough peel, which the majority do (banana, mango, pineapple, tangerine, papaya etc.). They anticipate selling the fruit by the kilogram, so expect weird glances if you just want a few solitary fruits. Prices vary according to season, with the exception of bananas, which are always accessible – a pair of bananas should cost between 5 and 10 MTn.

The most intimate cafés will provide egg sandwiches, fries, grilled chicken, little pastries, and straightforward hamburgers. Pay between Mt 15 and 75 (US$0.60 and $3).

Keep an eye on your credit or debit cards; otherwise, they may be cloned. Rather than that, always pay in cash at restaurants.

Cantinho do Brasil

Av. Vladimir Lenine 1057. 

Brazilian appetizers and feijoada are excellent. A pleasant spot for a bite, decent coffee, and fast internet.

Gelati

Av. Julius Nyerere 794.

Excellent ice cream, either on its own or with crepes.

Mercado Janeta

(Corner of Av. Vlademir Lenine and Av. Mao Tse Tung). 

Numerous food booths are positioned throughout the market, offering a basic menu of meals that include a lot of starch, a piece of meat, and a lot of sauce. Rice or, on occasion, xima may be substituted for starch; chicken or beef can be substituted for meat; common sauces include peanut curry and guisado, a kind of tomato stew. 40-60 meters. Generally, food is offered just at lunch; during supper, only a few establishments will be open, and you will be eating leftovers. However, if you’re in the mood for a drink, there are lots of alternatives available at all hours.

Zambezia

Av. Mao Tse Tung. 

Excellent Zambezian chicken cooked with coconut milk and spices. Conveniently located near Fatima’s.

Twingo

Av. Vlademir Lenine. 

A varied and reasonably priced meal (the prato do dia is especially affordable) is complemented with an excellent bakery.

Gracianna

In the Parque dos Continuadores, which is bound by Av. Mao Tse Tung, Av. Armando Tivane, and Av. Martires de Machava, one block west of Av. Julius Nyerere.

Mozambican cuisine, often between 150 and 180 MTn. Quite delectable. Consider the mucapata.

Mamma Mia

Also in the Parque dos Continuadores, right next to Gracianna.

Mozambican and Italian cuisine, all of which are delectable. Priced somewhat more than Gracianna.

Mimmo’s

two locations, one on Av. 24 de Julho and Av. Salvador Allende, the other on Av. Vlademir Lenine near Av. Agostinho Neto.

Menu is mostly Italian. Tuesdays offer half-price pizza (takeout only) and similarly lengthy wait times.

Chicken Piripiri

near the corner of Avda. 24 de Julho and Avda.

Nyerere’s menu includes grilled chicken and excellent prawns. The chicken is famous and served in a nice place; it also costs twice as much as it would at a takeout shop.

Mercado do Peixe

The market for fresh fish. Behind the Sasol Garage on Av. Marginal, you may choose your own prawns, clams, crab, Grouper, Coral and Rock cod, Squid, and a galaxy of other tropical fish still fluttering at the market, then go to one of the numerous little restaurants behind the stals where they are prepared to perfection. Everyone’s favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Mundo’s

next to Avenida Hotel on Av. Julius Nyerere.

A multiracial gathering spot with a bar and restaurant serving pizza. Numerous TVs set to South African sports stations. Internet access is free for the first 30 minutes each day, and is afterwards charged at a reasonable fee.

Restaurante Escorpiao

in the Feira Popular (in the Baixa district).

Has a sizable cuisine, a respectable wine selection (by Mozambican standards), and is priced reasonably. Not fancy, yet popular among locals. Delectable mariscos arroz (seafood stew with rice). The city’s soggiest veggies; for more authentic Portuguese cuisine, visit Restaurante Cristal, Costa do Sol, or Monte Alentejano.

Waterfront

Av. 10 de Novembre,  +258 21 301408. 

On the seaside, a good restaurant specializing in seafood.

Restaurante 1908

Av. Eduardo Mondlane/Av. Salvador Allende. 

Good meal in a charming old building.

Cristal

Av. 24 de Julho/Av. Tomas Nduda. 

The Portuguese find it quite popular. A largely high-priced and mostly Portuguese menu. Consider the accordion.

Monte Alentejano

Av. Julius Nyerere. 

Another well-known Portuguese location.

Costa do Sol restaurant

Av. Marginal in Costa do Sol (5 km north of Maputo by the sea – take a taxi, they will wait and bring you back),  +258 21 450115. 

Over 70-year-old icon. Average seafood in a low-key setting. Reservations are advised on weekends and if you like to sit outside. Additionally, they have a few motel rooms.

Restaurant Sheik

Av. Mao Tse Tung. 

This is a component of the Sheik entertainment complex. In an attractive setting, this restaurant serves upscale Chinese and African food. The disco downstairs is open until the small hours of the morning and features dancing, drinks, and entertainment.

Zambi

Av. 10 de Novembro (On the bay in the center of town, a few kilometers south of Club Naval). 

Modern, elegant cafe with an excellent meal choices. The large terrace in front views the road to the sea, and the inside has an open kitchen dining room. Worth the money (which, by western standards, is still rather inexpensive!).

Filini

The restaurant and bar of the Radisson Blu Maputo provide delectable Italian food in a modern setting. Straightforward, easily prepared Italian cuisine. Unpretentious and kind service. Numerous wine selections.

Unfortunately, fruit juice is often sweetened syrup rather than pure 100 percent juice. Additionally, the standard varieties of fizzy sugar water in a bottle (soft drinks) are available. Sugar cane juice that has been pressed is sold in certain stores.

Pepsi and Coca-Cola are commonly available, as are fruit-flavored pops such as Sprite, Mirinda, and Fanta (Orange and Pineapple are most common, Grape is also sometimes available). Coca-Cola is more widely available than Pepsi. Fruit-flavored pop from the “Sparletta” brand is also readily available. You should budget between Mt 15 and 50 (US$0.60 and $1.50). Shop owners are often rather stringent when it comes to empty bottles; since they are costly and reusable, do not attempt to retain one without first paying the entire amount for the bottle.

The wine selection is adequate, with a variety of South African, Portuguese, and Chilean wines available depending on your budget. The most affordable South African and Portuguese wines are the most prevalent, although you may buy some fine wines (at a premium) at upscale restaurants and select bottle shops or delis. Generally, wine by the glass is served from a box.

Beer is readily accessible, with the most popular brands being 2M (‘dois-em’), Laurentina, Manica, and Raiz. Laurentina is available in two varieties: ‘Clara,’ a lager, and ‘Preta,’ a very dark lager with coffee and chocolate notes. Locals often order Laurentina types by just mentioning Clara or Preta, omitting Laurentina. The most costly beer is Preta, followed by Manica and 2M. Raiz is a relatively new beer aimed for the budget market and is classified as a ‘cheap’ beer. Larger beer bottles are likewise more costly and should be returned or bought whenever possible. The beer itself is rather affordable and quite tasty, costing between Mts 30 and 50 (US$1–$2).

Consume water from a bottle (25-40 MT/1,5 l) rather than from the faucet.

Mozambique officially adopted the second metical on July 1, 2006, by removing three zeros from the previous currency. As a consequence, any costs quoted in thousands in this article or elsewhere on the internet should be multiplied by 1,000. As a consequence, Mts. 10,000 has been renamed MZN 10. The new currency is abbreviated locally as MTn.

The best area to purchase tourist souvenirs is in the Parque dos Continuadores (affectionately known as FEIMA), which is located at the junction of Av. Julius Nyerere and Av. Mao Tse-Tung. The variety is extensive, thanks to the presence of several merchants. Prepare to haggle. Additionally, sellers line the Marginal and some in the baixa, especially on weekends.

Visit one of the several city markets for counterfeit DVDs, mobile phone components, and secondhand clothes; the two most handy are probably Mercado Janeta, on the junction of Av. Mao Tse-Tung and Av. Lenine, and Mercado do Povo, on Av. Karl Marx. Or you may just explore the many sidewalk merchants – a concentration is especially dense in the baixa, near the chapa station at Av. 25 de Setembro and Av. Guerra Popular. From here, you may also take a chapa to Xipamanine’s huge market, which offers almost everything conceivable.

• Coconut Club, Maputo, Costa de Sol. 10PM till late/early. A cutting-edge dance club. Prepare to be awestruck by the architecture, the dancing, and the buzz, if not by the pricing.301Mts.
• Xima’s bar, on Av. Eduardo Mondlane, is popular with residents and has live music on weekends.
• Africa Bar nightclub is on Av. 24 de Julho near Av. Karl Marx.
• Gil Vicente is a bar attached to the Gil Vicente theatre, across from the ‘Jardim Tunduru.
• Centro Cultural Franco-Mozambicain There is live music and cultural activities throughout the year.
• Central Train Station houses a jazz lounge on weekends.
• Feira Popular is in the Baixa, and houses many bars and restaurants.
• La Dolce Vita, Av. Julius Nyerere 800. New, upmarket bar with blue lighting.
• Havana Bar. During the day, it’s a pub; at night, it’s a disco.
• Coconuts is a discotheque located directly on the beach. A very remarkable feeling.

The Maputo festivals’ primary objective is to introduce Maputo to the rest of the world via celebrations that showcase the city’s cultures, customs, arts, and outstanding tourism locations. Maputo is Mozambique’s capital city. It is a low-key region of Africa that is steadily blossoming.

Avante Mozambique Festival is a two-week event held in Maputo from late August to early September. This event is dedicated to the promotion of national identity, unity, and communal peace and harmony. Additionally, this festival aims to showcase the cultural diversity of the country’s most attractive locations as a means of promoting Maputo to visitors and the rest of the globe. There is an international performing arts concert held during this event. Apart from that, the festival includes award ceremonies for winners in a variety of disciplines, a forum, an exhibition of Mozambique’s traditional arts and cultures, an art performance, a film festival, as well as workshops, seminars, and sporting events.

Maputo International Music Festival is a two-week event that takes place in Maputo in late May or early June. Each day, a variety of free and paid events are held. Jam sessions, seminars, performances, and a variety of other musical events are available. Several internationally renowned musicians are invited to perform during the event.

While violent crime is not on the same scale as in Johannesburg, it is nonetheless an issue. Pickpocketing attempts do occur on occasion and are nearly certain on crowded streets. It is advisable to avoid walking alone at night, although you are normally secure in the well-lit neighborhoods of Avenida 24 de Julho. Regardless of the hour, walk carefully: avoid carrying too much on the streets, and if you do have a bag, keep it near to you.

If you have a mobile phone, do not flaunt it: pickpockets have been known to steal people’s telephones while they are conversing on them.

Local police are out of control and will target foreigners in the vicinity of major backpacker hostels, bus terminals, and other tourist attractions. Carry a certified copy of your passport (not the original) as well as a copy of your visa to avoid any possible issues with the police.

-Malaria prophylaxis is critical in Mozambique.
-Avoid drinking tap water. “Your tummies are unaccustomed to it.”
-There is a significant prevalence of HIV. Avoid unprotected sex for your own safety.
-Prostitution is not a wise course of action.