Toliara is a coastal city at the southern terminus of RN7 in the Toliara Province of Madagascar.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Rickshaws, locally called, "pousse-pousse" are seemingly everywhere in Toliara. They are the cheapest form of transport available and are great to get you out of the hot sun or to go short distances with heavy luggage or shopping bags. While it may seem a bit odd for the first-time tourist to be pulled around the street by a man, rest assured that this awkwardness is only one way. These guys are proud of their pousse-pousse and the work they do. These aren't just for tourists, everyone uses them so go ahead and hop on-board!
1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, ☏ +261 34 07 600 15, info@antsokayarboretum.org. 07:30-17:30. This impressive botanical garden outside of Tulear gives you a taste of the spiny forest. English speaking guides are extremely knowledgeable of the plant life. Birds, chameleons, and other lizards are sure to be spotted. 15,000 Ar includes an optional guide. 2 La Table. La table is a small table mountain outside of Tulear. The 15-minute climb to the view point is fairly scenic. From the Arboretum d'Antsokay, it's 3 km further out of Tulear, walkable in 45 minutes. Free. 3 Musée Rabesandratana (Rabesandratana Oceanographic Museum), Av.
Etoile de Mer (Main coastal road not for from center of town). Open for lunch and dinner. Large restaurant with a thick menu, this restaurant serves French and Indian dishes as well as pizza. There is a wide, breezy terrace and a pool table. Occasionally the restaurant is closed to the public for marriages or private events. Free Wifi. 12,000 Ar. La Maison, Avenue d'Independence (Across from the post office). French restaurant and bar with a slick atmosphere a big TV (usually playing music videos softly) and a pool table. Many of the French residents of Toliara frequent this restaurant for a taste of home. Free Wifi 12,000 Ar. La Terrase (Pizza Jeff), Toliara Centre, near Galana station.
Traveaux (Brochette alley) (Behind (towards town) B52 Casino and Etoile de Mer). The local watering hole, this is where Toliara's residents turn out in force to drink beer and spirits, each kebabs, grilled chicken, and taro and generally just hang out. Food and bars start serving around 18:00 but the place doesn't get going until 20:00. This is the only place to get food in Toliara past 22:00.
As of 2023, Batterie Beach (just north of Toliara) has been the scene of violent crime, with some fatalities. Global Affairs Canada has issued an Avoid All Travel advisory for the area, and the government of New Zealand has issued an "Exercise increased caution" warning for Batterie Beach.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Toliara typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 1 rainy days.
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