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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Africa
- Mozambique
- Beira
Beira
Beira is the second largest city in Mozambique. It is situated
in the central region of the country, in Sofala Province, where the
Pungue River and the Indian Ocean meet. It is home to the Port of
Beira, which acts as a gateway for the central interior portion of
the country and the land-locked nations of Zimbabwe, Zambia and
Malawi. The Portuguese Mozambique Company originally developed
Beira in the 19th century. It was developed further by the
Portuguese colonial government from 1947 until 1975, at which point
Mozambique became independent from Portugal. Beira still has
aspects of colonial charm but has deteriorated in some areas.
Beira has a few interesting sights, including the Cathedral of
Beira and the Fort of San Gaetano. Many of the shops, restaurants,
and facilities in Beira are clustered around the Praça do Município
and Praça do Metical squares in the centre of town. There are some
charming houses along the Ponta Gêa and the port, including the
Casa Infante de Sagres.
Macuti Beach, with its iconic lighthouse, is easily the most
fashionable part of town, though many parts are in need of repair.
Savanna Beach is 16 miles (25km) out of town and you have to take a
little boat across to the beach. The water is cleaner than in Beira
and it's a great spot for fishing. It has a simple restaurant with
a pleasant atmosphere. About 8 miles (12km) out of Beira, between
Macuti and the airport, Rio Maria is set between the sea and a
lovely river. There are no facilities there but it is a very
relaxing spot.
Information & Facts
Climate
Beira has a warm, tropical climate. Evenings are seldom cold,
except for a few nights in June and July, it doesn't experience as
much rainfall as other parts of Mozambique. In summer, temperatures
can soar and the humidity levels rise - so it's probably best to
holiday in Beira in the winter (April to August).
Language
Portuguese is the official language, and there are 13
main national languages spoken. English is taught in secondary
schools, but is only spoken in the southern tourist
regions.
Money
The official currency is the New Metical (MZN), which is divided
into 100 centavos. In the southern parts of the country, South
African Rand, US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are also accepted to
pay for accommodation. Credit cards are accepted in some upmarket
hotels in Maputo, but facilities throughout the rest of the country
are limited; it is advisable to carry cash or travellers cheques.
ATMs are limited and tend to be unreliable, but local banks have
branches in most cities.