Transport options and safety
In Maputo there are a multitude of transport options to choose from if you do not have a car or just want an alternative option. It can be quite difficult to work out a decent price and what is available where, so I have created a list of all the main options for transport around Maputo city, with a summary of everything you need to know about each.
In some places further down, I have mentioned that some areas of the city are not safe. If you stay around the more touristy spots, it is pretty safe, but try not to go too far from these areas as there are safety issues in some areas. You will most likely not accidentally end up in many of the particularly bad spots, but there is one to specifically avoid. There is a set of rainbow coloured stairs that go from Rua dos Desportistas up to the roundabout next to Campo Das Acacias; these stairs are infamous for muggings and are definitely best avoided.
Taxis
There are various options of taxis in Maputo City, each with their own benefits. On the whole taxis are much cheaper here than in Europe, but comparable or more expensive that South Africa, however the price varies depending on the type of taxi.
Street Taxis:Â Â
There are general street taxis in some places in Maputo. They use yellow and green cars. These taxis do NOT use a meter to measure and don’t have a set price. It is important that you agree the price before the journey so as to get a fair price. These taxis are generally more expensive than other types. It is usual to have a price between 200 and 500 meticais, for travel within the city, however this depends on distance, traffic, time of day etc. Taxi drivers will often offer you a price much higher than the ride should be, as some people may accept it, remember that the prices are up for debate.
Taxi Apps:
There are a few different taxi apps available, however if you are a tourist in Mozambique these may be slightly difficult to use as they almost all require a Mozambican SIM card and some level of Portuguese. These are the top three I recommend;
Yango
Yango is the cheapest option available, taxis within the city generally cost between 50 and 250meticais, depending on the distance. It is mostly possible to use Yango with limited to no Portuguese, as you enter the pick-up spot and destination into the app. Despite this, the drivers almost always call to confirm the location. To tell the driver to follow the map you can say “Pode usar a mapa” (it is pronounced phonetically)
There are rumours of some safety issues with Yango, therefore it is advised to only use it in the day or with a group.
Viva Taxi
Viva taxi is a more safe option then Yango, however the price is a bit higher. The Viva Taxi app is slightly more difficult to use and requires a higher level of Portuguese language skills as you often have to describe your location to the drivers.
Taxi Marcello
Taxi Marcello is quite a lot more expensive than the other apps, but it is known to be much safer. When travelling at night or if children or women are travelling alone, this is the best option. There is an app for Taxi Marcelo, and you can just call them. Taxi Marcello also have WhatsApp, so you can use Google translate to message them if required and you do not need a Mozambican SIM card. Just note that they often take up to twenty minutes to arrive, so call ahead of time.
TukTuk
Tuktuks are a popular alternative to taxis. They are quite cheap and very fun! I would advise anyone visiting to go in a Tuktuk at least once. In Mozambique they are called “Txopella”, which is pronounced like “chopela”. They are named after a game that Mozambican kids play, chasing cars. Within the city, the price of Tuktuks is generally between 150 and 300 meticais. If you need to go a long distance it may be better to take a taxi however, as they are relatively slow and have small gas tanks.
Public Transport
There are a few different options of public transport within the city, however none of them are very safe. There are minibuses, called “Chapa” in Moz which is the transport that most of the locals use, however, they’re always way overpacked and can be dangerous. There are also buses, “Machinabombo” however these have the same issues. On top of this, there are the unofficial form of public transport, known as “My Loves”. They are called that as it is required to hug everyone as if you love them so that you don’t fall off. They are open back pickup trucks, with the back filled with many people. These are very dangerous and often fall over.
In general, it is strongly advised to avoid public transport.
Biking, Scootering, etc.
Generally, in Maputo biking is not too bad, however there are a few things to watch out for. Firstly, biking around rush hour (8-9am or 17 to 18) can be very difficult and slow. Cars are generally inconsiderate of bikes, so it’s best to avoid main roads at these times as they will be full and potentially dangerous. While biking, make sure to especially avoid “Chapas” which are the minibuses mentioned earlier, as they often drive very poorly. There have also been some incidents of people having bikes stolen. Despite this, during day time biking is pretty safe, just make sure to be aware of the road around you.
Walking
Walking around Maputo can be nice in areas and perfectly safe, however there are some places and times to avoid. I would strongly advise not walking around in the dark (especially if you’re not in a group) as there can be a problem with mugging and some other issues. Despite this, for a lot of the city walking can be safe, and in places enjoyable. For people interested in walking or running as a form of exercise, I would advise going along Marginal on Costa do Sol. It is the road along the beach, it has a good view and a large, mostly smooth pavement and is pretty safe there.
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