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- Destinations
- Africa
- Mozambique
- Inhambane
Inhambane
As Mozambique continues to establish itself on the global
tourism map, exciting new tourist areas are springing up. One of
these areas is Inhambane, a small city on the southeastern coast,
about 290 miles (470km) north of Maputo and easily accessed by a
tarred road.
Previously tourists merely passed through Inhambane on their way
to the spectacular beaches of Tofo, Cocos and Barra. These days
more and more are stopping over to savour the historic city, with
its sleepy atmosphere, faded colonial architecture and famously
friendly local population. In fact, the city's original name -
Terra de Boa Gente, meaning 'Land of the Good People' - was
bestowed on it precisely because of the inimitable charm of its
locals.
Must-see tourist sights in Inhambane include the Church of our
Lady of Conception - a 175-year-old building that features a rusted
ladder leading to its top spire, from where visitors gain panoramic
views of the city's old quarter and the harbour - and the Mercado
Central (Central Market), where a colourful array of fresh produce,
including spices and nuts, is for sale. Adventurous travellers can
strike out for the more remote areas of Inhambane Province, where
picturesque villages and mangrove swamps are waiting to be
explored.
Although most tourist activities like diving, snorkelling and
whale-spotting take place at the beaches located about 14 miles
(22km) up the coast, tourists to Inhambane are urged to take a ride
in a traditional dhow to Maxixe; a larger city located across the
bay. The experience of approaching a historic trading-port in a
historic trading-vessel is unique, and very memorable.
Of particular interest to those planning a tour around southern
Africa, is the fact that Inhambane can be directly accessed from
Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport via flights landing
at Inhambane International Airport.
Information & Facts
Climate
Inhambane has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures and
relatively high humidity all year round. In the summer (November to
February), daytime temperatures hover around 84F (29C), and there
is a lot of rainfall. The best time to visit Inhambane is during
the winter (May to August), when it doesn't rain and the days
remain sunny and warm (72F or 22C).
Language
Portuguese is the official language, and there are 13
main national languages spoken. English is taught in secondary
schools, but is only spoken in the southern tourist
regions.
Money
The official currency is the New Metical (MZN), which is divided
into 100 centavos. In the southern parts of the country, South
African Rand, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are also accepted to
pay for accommodation. Credit cards are accepted in some upmarket
hotels in Maputo, but facilities throughout the rest of the country
are limited; it is advisable to carry cash or travellers cheques.
ATMs are limited and tend to be unreliable, but local banks have
branches in most cities.