Mozambique requires a visa for most foreign nationals. Citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe can enter visa-free for stays up to 30 days. All other travelers must obtain a visa either at a Mozambican embassy before arrival or on arrival at major entry points including Maputo International Airport. The on-arrival visa costs approximately 650 meticais for a 30-day single entry. Processing takes 30 to 90 minutes depending on passenger volume. Official visa requirements change periodically. Verify current rules at www.embamoc.gov.mz or the nearest Mozambican consulate before booking.
The metical is Mozambique's currency with the code MZN. As of recent exchange rates one US dollar equals approximately 63 meticais though this fluctuates. ATMs operate in Maputo, Beira, Nampula, and other major cities but remain scarce in rural areas. Banco Comercial de Moçambique, Standard Bank, and Millennium BIM have the widest ATM networks. Cards on the Visa network function more reliably than Mastercard. Daily withdrawal limits typically range from 5000 to 10000 meticais. Many ATMs dispense only meticais in 100 and 500 denomination notes. Credit cards see acceptance only at upscale hotels and restaurants in cities. Cash dominates transactions. Bring US dollars or South African rand as backup. Euros work less reliably. Change money at banks or official exchange bureaus called casas de câmbio. Street exchange carries fraud risk.
A basic meal at a local restaurant costs 150 to 300 meticais. Mid-range restaurant meals run 500 to 1000 meticais per person. Budget accommodation starts around 1500 meticais per night for basic guesthouses. Mid-range hotels charge 3000 to 6000 meticais. Chapas, the shared minibus taxis that dominate local transport, cost 10 to 30 meticais for urban trips and 200 to 500 meticais for intercity routes of 100 kilometers. Hired cars with drivers charge approximately 3000 meticais per day excluding fuel. Fuel costs roughly 80 meticais per liter. A beer costs 80 to 150 meticais depending on location. Budget travelers spending carefully can manage on 1500 to 2000 meticais daily excluding accommodation. Comfortable travel requires 5000 to 8000 meticais daily. Coastal areas and tourist zones like Vilanculos and Ilha de Moçambique charge significantly more than inland cities.
Portuguese is the official language. Approximately 50 percent of the population speaks Portuguese as a first or second language with higher rates in cities. Makhuwa dominates in northern provinces including Nampula and Cabo Delgado. Tsonga prevails in Maputo and Gaza provinces. Sena is common in Sofala and Tete provinces. Swahili sees some use in far northern coastal areas near the Tanzania border. English speakers work at major hotels and tourist businesses in Maputo, Vilanculos, and Pemba but English fluency drops sharply outside these centers. Learning basic Portuguese phrases improves rural travel significantly. Road signs use Portuguese exclusively.
Maputo International Airport sits 13 kilometers northwest of central Maputo. Taxis to the city center cost approximately 800 to 1200 meticais. Pre-arranged hotel transfers run 1000 to 1500 meticais. No public bus serves the airport directly. The domestic terminal handles flights to Beira, Nampula, Pemba, Vilanculos, Tete, and Inhambane through LAM Mozambique Airlines. Beira Airport serves central Mozambique. Nampula Airport functions as the northern hub. International connections exist from Maputo to Johannesburg, Lisbon, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Harare. South African Airways, LAM, TAP Portugal, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines operate international routes. Domestic flights cost 4000 to 12000 meticais depending on distance and booking timing.