In the U.S. tipping is customary and expected for everything from lackluster to outstanding service. It is an etiquette which is ingrained in all trades, from wait staff at restaurants to our baristas, valets, cab drivers, porters, and many more trades. Tipping is not as customary in Madagascar, but visitors can do so if they would like to appreciate a good service.

This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.

Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Ariary?

Madagascar uses the Ariary as the official currency. Ariary’s come in 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10000 notes.

Since Madagascar is a former colony, the majority of its visitors are French and the Euro is commonly used by tour operators’ in quoting prices for tours. Many tourism operators recommend taking Euros or dollars to the country and exchanging them at the airport. This is a good move, but if you have a bank card that does not charge you ATM fees, this is not necessary as the ATMs in this country dispense cash just fine.

If you plan to exchange money, we recommend doing so at the airport. The exchange rates given at the airport are good, close to the market spot rate.

As Madagascar’s tourism industry begins to grow, so will the availability of ATMs. As of now, you’ll find most of the ATMs in all the bigger cities of Madagascar. ATMs accept Visa and BNI accepts Mastercard as well (but best to go with Visa to be safe).

Cash is king in Madagascar and it is the only method of payment in 95% of Madagascar. Only ultra-high-end hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Be aware, some of the establishments that do take credit cards will want to charge you a fee. Even the gas stations do not take credit cards!

Prepare to visit the ATM frequently and prepare to carry around cash.

Restaurants: When should I tip? How much is customary?

Tipping in Madagascar isn’t very common for locals, but as a tourist, it is expected to tip and will always be appreciated.

In restaurants, the tipping percentage is determined according to the level of service given in the restaurant and the tipping percentage can go above 10% if the service was superb.

Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?

Tipping is not required but you could round up the change to show appreciation and make things easier.

Tour Guide: Is a tip required?

Yes, if you would like to tip your guide we would recommend between 10,000 and 20,000 per day. 10,000 (about $5 US) is a fine tip and 20,000 ($10 US) is an excellent tip.