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Tofo and Inhambane Services

Doctors

There are one or two English-speaking doctors based at the main hospital in Inhambane.  There are no doctors based in Tofo Beach.  Inhambane hospital is basic but can assist in most cases.  The hospital is located on the road out of Inhambane (heading back towards the EN1), along the harbour front on the left hand side of the road. Ask to speak to one of the English-speaking doctors. For visiting this part of the world, always carry medical holiday insurance and if in doubt, contact your insurance company for assistance if needed. There is no medical facility or pharmacy in Tofo, only in Inhambane.

Pharmacy

Head towards Inhambane pier but take the last road on the left before reaching the water-front. The pharmacy is located on the left opposite BIM Bank. They are pretty well stocked and can offer most medication and first aid materials including malaria medication, antibiotics, antiseptics and also a small selection of toiletries.

Banking, ATM Machines, Currency Exchange and Acceptable Currencies

There are no banking or money-changing facilities in Tofo. Inhambane is the closest for these. There are ATM machines at BIM bank (see above “Pharmacy” for location), BCI Bank and Bank Austral and these accept a variety of international cash point cards, but ones supported by VISA or Mastercard are best.

Travelers cheques are not accepted at any establishment or bank outside of Maputo so please do not bring them. The safest options are VISA and Mastercard credit card (for ATM machines and some retailers and service providers) and cash Rand or US Dollars which are accepted at most facilities but usually at pretty poor exchange rates. For cash currency exchange, the best rate and quickest service is at BCI. You will need your passport with you.  Sometimes the banks refuse to exchange Euros and Sterling so avoid bringing these currencies if possible.

Self-Catering Supplies

There is a small market and shop very close to the beach-front on the main entry road to Tofo Beach. There you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, bottled water, soft drinks and beer, tinned goods, cereals and so on. Prices are a lot higher than in Inhambane so if possible, stock up in Inhambane and use the local market for “emergency” items only. You can also find fresh fish here at certain times of the day when the fishermen bring their catch in.

Inhambane shops and market have most items you will need for your holiday. 

Petrol/Diesel

There is a petrol station located 5 minutes' drive outside of Tofo that also has a shop selling basic groceries, soft drinks and beers, magazines etc. Here is also a shop selling interesting clothes and shoes made from local materials.  Other shops are planned to open here in the near future.  Inhambane has two petrol stations selling fuel only.  Avoid going into Inhambane with very little fuel in your vehicle during busy seasons as there are often very long queues and sometimes petrol is not available at all (usually awaiting a delivery from Maputo). 

Shop and Bank Opening Times

Shops are open from 8.00am until 12.00 noon, then closed between 12.00 noon and 2.00pm (siesta time!). They are then open again from 2.00pm until 5.00 or 6.00pm.

Government offices and banks are open from 8.00am until 3.00pm. They do not close for lunch but service is very slow between 12 noon and 2.00pm.

Transport to Inhambane (Local Taxis)

Local taxis, called chappas, can be found outside of the small shop in Tofo and at the back of the central market in Inhambane. There are no “tourist” and “local” prices – all fares should be the same so check with other passengers to see what they are paying.

The closest car hire companies currently are in Maputo where various internationally recognised car hire companies are located (eg. Avis, Imperial, etc).


Souvenir Shopping

Based just across from the market, on the beach front at Tofo, locals sell wooden carvings, batiks, basket-work and so on at reasonable prices. Bargaining is possible.  There are also some great items in Waterworks Surf and Coffee Shop and Natty Threads (also see Places to Eat and Drink on the Activities page).  A wider range of souvenirs can be found at the central market and various shops in Inhambane.  Moskito clothes shop selling clothes and shoes made from local materials is located at the petrol station just outside of Tofo.