What is the currency of Mozambique?

The official currency is the Mozambican Metical (MZN), plural meticais. It was redenominated in 2006 (dropping three zeros). Banknotes circulate in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 MZN. Coins exist but are rarely used. The metical floats against major currencies and has been subject to periodic devaluation — check current rates before travelling.

Can I use US dollars or South African rand?

Yes — USD and ZAR are widely accepted alongside meticais, particularly at hotels, lodges, dive centres, and tour operators. Luxury lodges typically quote prices in USD. South African rand is common in southern Mozambique. However, local markets, chapas, and small businesses operate in meticais. Carry a mix of meticais for daily expenses and USD for larger transactions.

Are ATMs reliable in Mozambique?

In Maputo and provincial capitals, ATMs at Millennium BIM and Standard Bank generally work with international Visa/Mastercard. Outside cities, ATMs are scarce or unreliable. Bazaruto and Quirimbas islands have no ATMs. Plan cash needs before leaving urban areas. Daily withdrawal limits apply. Notify your bank of travel to Mozambique to prevent fraud blocks.

Is tipping expected in Mozambique?

Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. At restaurants, rounding up or leaving 10% for good service is welcome. Lodge and safari staff, dive guides, and boat crew appreciate tips — 50–200 MZN or the USD equivalent is reasonable. At luxury lodges, tip guidelines are often provided. Small tips in meticais are more practical than foreign currency for local staff.

How much should I budget per day?

Budget travellers spending on local guesthouses, street food, and local transport can manage on 30–50 USD/day. Mid-range travellers (comfortable hotels, restaurant meals, occasional dives) should budget 80–150 USD/day. Luxury lodge experiences on Bazaruto or Quirimbas start at 500 USD/night per person all-inclusive and can exceed 1,500 USD at the top end. Tofo Beach offers excellent value for divers at mid-range prices.

Should I exchange money before arriving?

No — the metical is not available outside Mozambique. Bring USD or South African rand in cash and exchange on arrival at the airport bureau de change or at banks in Maputo. Airport rates are reasonable. ATMs at Maputo airport dispense meticais. For overland arrivals from South Africa, rand works immediately in southern border areas.

Mozambique

🇲🇿

Phone Code

+258

Capital

Maputo

Population

32 Million

Native Name

Moçambique

Region

Africa

Eastern Africa

Timezone

Central Africa Time

UTC+02:00

Mozambique is a Southern African country stretching over 2,500 km along the Indian Ocean coast, bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa. A Portuguese-speaking nation with a rich blend of African, Portuguese, Arab, and Indian influences, Mozambique offers some of the Indian Ocean's most pristine and least developed beach and diving destinations. Maputo, the capital, combines Portuguese colonial architecture with vibrant markets, world-class seafood, and cosmopolitan nightlife. Beyond the coast, the country encompasses diverse landscapes from tropical forests and savannahs to the restored Gorongosa National Park, one of Africa's most ambitious wildlife conservation projects. Mozambique joined the Commonwealth in 1995 and became an observer member of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in 2018.

Visa Requirements for Mozambique

Mozambique requires visas for most nationalities. E-visas are available online for citizens of over 100 countries for tourism or business — apply through evisa.gov.mz with processing taking 3–7 days. South African, Botswanan, Mauritian, Tanzanian, Kenyan, Zimbabwean, and Zambian citizens can enter visa-free (30–90 days depending on nationality). Visa on arrival is available at Maputo International Airport for certain nationalities but a pre-arranged e-visa is strongly recommended. Passport must be valid for 6 months beyond intended stay with at least 3 blank pages. Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from endemic countries. Consult your country's travel advisories for current regional recommendations before planning your trip.

Common Visa Types

E-Visa (Tourist/Business)

30 days single entry; apply at evisa.gov.mz; processing 3–7 days; requires passport scan, photo, yellow fever certificate (if from endemic area), hotel booking, return ticket.

For tourism or business for citizens of 100+ countries, applied online before travel.

Visa on Arrival

30 days; requires passport (valid 6 months), passport photos, yellow fever certificate if applicable, return ticket, accommodation proof. Pre-arranged e-visa recommended.

Available at Maputo Airport and some land borders for limited nationalities.

Visa-Free Entry (Regional)

30–90 days depending on nationality; South Africa (30 days), Botswana, Eswatini, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles (90 days), Zimbabwe, Zambia.

For citizens of select Southern and East African countries under regional agreements.

Important Travel Information

Consult your government's travel advisories before visiting, particularly regarding northern provinces. Southern destinations (Maputo, Inhambane, Tofo, Bazaruto) are the most established tourist areas.

Portuguese is the official language. English is limited outside luxury lodges and upscale areas in Maputo. Basic Portuguese phrases are very useful for independent travel.

Yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from or transiting through endemic countries. Malaria is endemic throughout Mozambique — take prophylaxis and use repellent.

Travel Guide

Mozambique is one of the Indian Ocean's hidden gems — offering world-class diving, pristine beaches, island archipelagos, and authentic African culture at a fraction of the cost of the Seychelles or Maldives. The Bazaruto Archipelago's five islands feature luxury lodges, coral reefs, dugongs, and game fishing. Tofo Beach near Inhambane is a globally renowned whale shark and manta ray diving destination with a backpacker-friendly atmosphere. The UNESCO-listed Ilha de Moçambique preserves centuries of Portuguese, Arab, and Swahili trading history in a compact Stone Town. Gorongosa National Park's wildlife restoration is one of Africa's great conservation stories. Maputo's Portuguese colonial architecture, peri-peri prawns, and vibrant nightlife round out a destination that rewards adventurous travellers willing to trade polished infrastructure for genuine authenticity.

Ways to Experience This Destination

Diving and marine life

Tofo Beach for whale sharks and manta rays (year-round, peak November–April), Bazaruto Archipelago for coral reefs and dugongs, Quirimbas Archipelago for remote reef diving. Mozambique is one of the world's premier destinations for megafauna encounters in warm Indian Ocean waters.

Island archipelagos

Bazaruto National Park (five islands, luxury lodges, dhow sailing, game fishing) and Quirimbas Archipelago (32 islands, remote luxury and community-based tourism). Indian Ocean island experiences at a range of price points from backpacker to ultra-luxury.

Cultural heritage

Ilha de Moçambique (UNESCO World Heritage) preserves centuries of Portuguese, Arab, Indian, and Swahili trading heritage in a compact island setting. Maputo's colonial architecture, the Railway Station (designed by a protégé of Gustave Eiffel), and the FEIMA craft market showcase the capital's multicultural identity.

Wildlife and nature

Gorongosa National Park — one of Africa's most ambitious restoration projects — has seen remarkable wildlife recovery. The park offers safari experiences, birdwatching, and community-based ecotourism in a dramatic landscape of floodplains, rainforest, and limestone gorges at the southern tip of the Great Rift Valley.

Beach and coast

Over 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline with uncrowded beaches, surf breaks, and tropical warmth. Inhambane coast, Vilankulo, and the northern beaches offer authentic African beach experiences far from mass tourism. Affordable accommodation and fresh seafood from beachside restaurants.

Money & Currency

Mozambican Metical (MZN)

Currency code: MZN

Practical Money Tips

Mozambican Metical (MZN) — bring USD or rand

Mozambique's official currency is the Metical (MZN, plural meticais), subdivided into 100 centavos. The metical is not readily available outside Mozambique, so exchange on arrival. US dollars and South African rand are the most useful foreign currencies — both are widely accepted at hotels, lodges, tour operators, and some restaurants, particularly in tourist areas. Euros are accepted at luxury lodges but less practical for everyday transactions. Exchange at banks (Millennium BIM, Standard Bank, BCI) or licensed bureaux de change. Avoid informal street changers.

ATMs available in cities — limited elsewhere

ATMs are available in Maputo, Inhambane, Vilankulo, Beira, and other major towns. Millennium BIM and Standard Bank ATMs generally accept international Visa and Mastercard. Withdrawals dispense meticais. However, ATMs are rare or absent in smaller towns, rural areas, and island destinations (Bazaruto, Quirimbas). ATM reliability varies — machines can run out of cash or be offline. Carry enough cash when travelling outside cities. Notify your bank before travel to avoid card blocks.

Cards at upscale venues only — cash is essential

Visa and Mastercard are accepted at luxury lodges, upscale hotels and restaurants in Maputo, and some tour operators. Everywhere else — local restaurants, markets, transport, small guesthouses, beach towns — payment is in cash (meticais, USD, or rand). Contactless payment is not widespread. American Express has virtually no acceptance. For dive centres, budget accommodation, and daily expenses outside Maputo, plan on cash. Mobile money (M-Pesa, e-Mola) is growing domestically but requires a local SIM and registration.

Affordable destination with wide price range

Mozambique offers a huge price spectrum. Budget travellers find local restaurants serving meals for 200–500 MZN, beach guesthouses for 1,000–3,000 MZN/night, and local transport on chapas (minibuses) for under 100 MZN. Mid-range riads and lodges run 3,000–8,000 MZN/night. At the top end, Bazaruto and Quirimbas luxury island lodges rival Maldives pricing at 500–1,500 USD/night all-inclusive. Dive trips at Tofo cost 2,500–5,000 MZN per dive. Fresh seafood is excellent and affordable outside luxury venues.

USD and South African rand are king

US dollars and South African rand are the most practical foreign currencies in Mozambique. Luxury lodges quote prices in USD. Safari and dive operators accept USD. South African rand is widely used near the border and in southern Mozambique given the strong cross-border traffic. Carry small-denomination USD bills (avoid old, damaged, or pre-2006 series). Banks and exchange offices in Maputo, Inhambane, and Vilankulo provide reasonable rates. Exchange rates fluctuate — check shortly before travel.

Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.

Common Money Questions