Currency: The metical (MZN) is the local currency. US dollars, euros, and South African rand can be exchanged at banks and bureau de change in cities. ATMs are available in Maputo, Beira, Nampula, and larger towns, but unreliable elsewhere — carry enough cash when heading to coastal resorts or rural areas. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket hotels and restaurants in Maputo but rarely anywhere else. You cannot legally import or export meticais.
Language: Portuguese is the official language and widely spoken in cities, schools, and commerce. Outside urban areas, most people speak Bantu languages as their first tongue — Makhuwa in the north, Tsonga/Shangaan in the south, Sena in the Zambezi valley. In tourist areas along the coast, English is spoken at lodges and dive centres, but don't count on it in towns.
Visas: See Getting There for current visa and ETA requirements.
Safety: Mozambique is safer than its reputation suggests, but the usual urban precautions apply. Petty theft and mugging occur in Maputo — don't walk with valuables after dark, and use taxis at night. The north of the country — particularly Cabo Delgado province — has seen insurgent violence since 2017. Travel advice from multiple governments recommends against non-essential travel to most of Cabo Delgado; check current advisories before visiting Pemba or islands in the Quirimbas. The rest of the country is broadly safe for tourism. Post-election unrest in late 2024 has largely subsided as of early 2025, but stay aware of local conditions.
Traffic: Road accidents are one of the leading causes of traveller deaths in Mozambique. Buses are overloaded, roads are poorly lit, and night driving is particularly dangerous. Don't travel by road after dark if you can avoid it.
Health: Malaria is present throughout the country — prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Consult a travel clinic at least six weeks before departure. The usual vaccinations for sub-Saharan Africa apply (hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus). A cholera outbreak has been ongoing since 2022; the cholera vaccine is worth considering. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. Tap water is not safe to drink outside of top-end hotels; stick to bottled or filtered water.
Electricity: 220V, South African-style three-round-pin plugs are standard. Bring a universal adaptor.
Time zone: CAT (Central Africa Time), UTC+2.
Emergency: Police 119 | Ambulance 117 | Fire 198.