Maputo — 3-Day Guide | ThreeDayGuides

Maputo pairs sub-Saharan Africa's finest Portuguese art-deco streetscapes with world-class piri-piri prawns, marrabenta music, recovering elephant herds and pristine Indian Ocean beaches.

Also explore Maputo for:

📋 General guide ⭐ Highlights

Municipal Market, Eiffel Iron House & Art Deco Baixa

Maputo Special Reserve Elephants & Jazz Night

Dhow to Machangulo & Contemporary Art

📋 General 3-day guide ⭐ Highlights

Book tours, tickets and experiences via GetYourGuide — free cancellation on most activities.

Browse all activities →

Language	Portuguese official; Changana spoken locally; English in hotels and tourist restaurants
Currency	Mozambican Metical (MZN); USD and South African Rand widely accepted; ATMs in Polana and low town
Transport	Chapas (shared minivans) for locals; taxis and Uber/Bolt for tourists; car hire recommended for reserve and peninsula trips
Best time	Apr–Nov dry season; Jun–Nov whale shark/humpback season offshore; Dec–Mar hot and rainy
Getting in	Maputo International Airport (MPM) — direct flights from Johannesburg (1 hr), Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Lisbon; land crossing from South Africa at Ressano Garcia/Komatipoort
Tipping	10% at restaurants; $5–10 for guides; tip at safari lodges $10/day
Safety	Maputo city centre safe by day; avoid walking at night; pickpocketing in markets; car doors locked when driving; political situation in northern provinces does not affect Maputo
Budget tips	Street food (matapa, grilled fish) under $3; Dois M beer $1 at local bars; public chapas to Costa do Sol for 15 cents; book reserve trips through guesthouses for best rates