"Backpacking in MAPUTO" Top 5 Page for this destination Maputo by georeiser

Maputo Travel Guide: 331 reviews and 952 photos

Maputo, the capital of Mozambique

Maputo is the largest city and capital of Mozambique. It has an official population of approximately 1,5 mill. people, but is estimated to be much higher because of the slums and other settlements around the city.
Maputo is like Lisbon with an upper and a lower area. When you see the city on distance it looks like a big, modern city. The skyline looks great with the harbour and the buildings behind. The avenues are wide with old Jacaranda trees, and you can walk in quiet parks. But when you get closer and walk through the streets, you can see the dilapidated buildings, streets with holes and garbage on the pavements.

Million dollar mansions overlook the sea while massive slums ring the city. Dilapidated concrete buildings from the communist era stand next to beautiful Portuguese colonialist villas. There are few tourists or white people in the city, and begging is almost non-existent. The streetlife is active with street traders and markets.

The real African life starts where the concrete buildings ends. Densely populated areas without asphalt paving are just outside the city centre. Take a taxi or a chapa, and visit the suburban areas like T3, C4, Cella-D, Cella-F. (Those places in Maputo are called by numbers and not names). Burning barrels outside cafes replace lights in the nights. The locals looks at you and smile. Explore this exciting African atmosphere.

Maputo is also a city with beaches. A visit to Catembe beach or Mira Mar beach is a must. (see photos, videos and tips)

Maputo city was known as Lourenco Marques before 1975.

Maputo map

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A Google Earth map of Maputo. Some places in my Virtualtourist tip are marked in this map. Like Catembe beach, Mira Mar beach, the ferryport, Maputo Fort, Miradouro, Carocol road, Maputo Cathedral, the train station, Hotel Escola Andalucia and the main avenues in the city.

Mercado do Pau, Maputo

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Mercado do Pau, also called Bazar Artesanato (The Saturday Market). This is located in the Baixa (lower part of the city).

Last visit to Maputo: Oct 2008
Intro Updated Jul 1, 2009
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Reviews (80)

The night life in T3 Nightlife (5)

T3 is a suburban area in Maputo and is usually not visited by foreigners. The night life in the dusty streets of T3 are... more travel advice

Street sellers & shoe shine workers Favorites (19)

There are streets sellers and shoe shine workers everywhere in Maputo. They find their own space on the pavements and... more travel advice

Driving outside Maputo, part 2 Off The Beaten Path (5)

The local people lives in harmony with the nature. You can see shepherd boys walking along the road with their goats and... more travel advice

Driving outside Maputo, part 1 Off The Beaten Path (5)

Driving outside the centre of Maputo is interesting. It's a complete different world, a real off the beaten path. more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (6)
See All Mozambique is a oligarchy
Things to Do (22)
See All Avenida 24 de Julho
Shopping (6)
See All Sunglases, wallets, watches, etc.
Sports & Outdoors (3)
See All Basketball is popular in Maputo

Restaurants (6)
See All The "Cinema" in Baixa
Transportation (6)
See All From Maputo to Swasiland
Hotels (2)
See All Holiday Inn, Maputo Beach Hotel
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Comments (6)

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georeiser Sep 7, 2011 at 5:07 PM

Fala portuguese :-). You are right, Mozambique is a country you should speak the local language.
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Wafro Sep 7, 2011 at 12:33 AM

Is it a problem when you don't speek Portuguese and love to travel around the country???
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MarioPortugal Aug 8, 2009 at 3:43 AM

Great to see that Maputo / Mozambique is being written about. Goods tips. Very nice reading. Thanks.
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Jenniflower Mar 24, 2009 at 3:12 AM

An underrated place for sure - lovely page!
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junecorlett Mar 20, 2009 at 4:09 AM

The Holiday Inn Maputo is very nice, I have stayed there.
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hunterV Mar 3, 2009 at 8:19 AM

Wow, you've paid a visit there... Good for you, Geir!