Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Mozambique depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for MozambiqueEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 117
Currency
- Name
- Mozambican Metical
- Code
- MZN
- Symbol
- MT
Cash economy outside Maputo. ATMs in Maputo and Beira. USD and South African Rand widely accepted. Carry cash for the Bazaruto Archipelago and northern beaches.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type M
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
CAT (UTC+2) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
May–October is the dry season — ideal for diving and snorkelling at Bazaruto Archipelago and Tofo Beach. Humpback whale season is July–October. November–April is wet and hot; north of Beira can be hit by cyclones.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Dive guides | $5–10 USD per dive | — |
| Hotels | MT 200–500 for porters | — |
| Safari guides | $10 USD per day | — |
Dress Code
- Casual and beachwear at beach resorts
- Modest dress in Maputo and towns
- Swimwear only at the beach — cover up when leaving the beach area
Social Etiquette
- Mozambicans are warm and proud of their Portuguese-influenced cuisine — seafood and piri piri prawns are the national dish
- Greeting is essential before any transaction — always say 'Olá' or 'Bom dia'
- Bargaining acceptable at markets; not in restaurants or shops with fixed prices
- Portuguese is the official language; English less common outside tourist areas than in other East African countries
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Check travel advisories for northern provinces (Cabo Delgado) — security situation varies and has seen insurgent activity
- LGBTQ+ activity is no longer criminalised (2015 penal code reform) but social conservatism is significant
- Photography at borders, airports, and government buildings is prohibited
- Malaria is present throughout — take prophylaxis
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Portuguese) | Olá / Bom dia | oh-LAH / bom JEE-ah |
| Thank you (Portuguese) | Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f) | oh-bree-GAH-doh / oh-bree-GAH-dah |
| Please (Portuguese) | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Cheers! (Portuguese) | Saúde! | sah-OO-deh |
| How much? (Portuguese) | Quanto custa? | KWAHN-too KOOS-tah |
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