Town in Inhambane, Mozambique
Vilankulo
Small beach town on Mozambique's coast, the gateway to Bazaruto dhow trips, snorkeling and kitesurfing. Good for a few relaxed days; few activities on land, high prices for trips and basic healthcare.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$862–1,490Comfortable, one person · MT55,000–95,000Details
- Value for money70/100Better value than 69% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–OctWarmest: Feb, 28°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; many lodges provide refills.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$23–55Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundChapa minibusWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCards work at lodges and dive/kite centers; cash meticais for chapas, markets and small restaurants.Details
Where to stay in Vilankulo
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Vilankulo beachfront (Praia) | Beach lodges, dhow departures and kite schools |
| Town center (Vilankulo Cidade) | Markets, bus stops, cheaper guesthouses |
Apps that work in Vilankulo
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-Pesa: Mobile money used by locals
- Taxis: No apps. Use hostel or lodge transfers, or agree fares with taxi and tuk-tuk drivers before leaving.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Mozambique.
- Mostly cash Cards work at lodges and dive/kite centers; cash meticais for chapas, markets and small restaurants. ATMs can fail.
- Currency: Metical (MZN). US$1 ≈ MT63.83 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in cities dispense meticais; fees apply and machines sometimes fail. Withdraw more in Maputo before heading to beach towns.
- Tipping: 5–10% at restaurants if no service charge; round up for drivers and guides.
- Paying by phone: M-Pesa and eMola are used locally; visitors need cash or cards. Apple and Google Pay are rare.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most nationalities need a visa; many can use the e-visa system or visa on arrival, with fees in USD. Check the official site for your passport.
- Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from risk countries; passport needs 6 months validity and blank pages.
- Carry your passport copy and register your stay as required by hotels.
Emergency numbers
Police 119 · Ambulance 117 · Fire 198
Plugs
Type C, F, M · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodacom and Movitel SIMs sold in shops and kiosks; passport registration required. Data is pricey by regional standards.
More places in Mozambique
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.