Every year thousands of backpackers travel through Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. It is advisable to spend at least 3 days in Maputo before internal travel to the traditional backpacker destinations of Ja-Jai and Tofu. The history of the colonization of Mozambique by the Portuguese has left a colorful and eclectic legacy in Maputo, where the blend of Portuguese and African cultures gives backpackers.
Maputo has two main backpackers suitable for Fatima Place and The Base travelers. They both provide drum beds, single rooms, and doubles at a reasonable rate. Fatima’s place is usually busier and higher than the base, sometimes making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. The base accommodation is cleaner and more comfortable than the Fatima location, and the location of the base is more central to the bus stops used by the main bus lines that carry passengers to Nelspruit and Johannesburg.
The most famous tourist attraction in Maputo is the Costa Doll Soul Fish Market Chapas or local minibus taxis are relatively easy to get to using the fish market. The fish market sells freshly caught fish and one is greeted by a seafood sightseeing walk. Walking through the fish market, one can see huge buckets, endless piles of live shrimps, large lobsters and crayfish, and dozens of local fish species. Fish and other seafood are sold by weight, and customers expect to discuss prices. Store-owners will often initially cite inflated prices that they are willing to reduce through negotiations.
In a section adjacent to the fish market, there are various restaurants where patrons can sit and eat seafood bought at the fish market. These restaurants efficiently clean, spice, cook and serve seafood to their patrons. Buying fresh seafood from the market as well as enjoying it as a delicious meal is a memorable experience.
Mozambique is well known as a producer of cashew nuts, and visitors to Maputo can buy freshly fried cashew nuts as well as raw cashews sold per kg. Cashew nuts are also used in the making of local alcohol, Kazon, as it is known to be very strong should not be associated with vain-mind.
Maputo also has a lively nightlife and plenty of live music venues to the south and east of the city. There are also several popular nightclubs, the most famous of which are Coconut and Naval, both local and frequented by travelers.
Catacomb Island, a small island across the waterfront in front of Maputo Harbor, is also an attraction for backpackers. There is a ferry that transports passengers between the port and the island and the journey takes about 20 minutes. Visitors will be able to explore the island, enjoy food at the local restaurant and drink a local beer at one of the island’s many bars.
Maputo is a traditional city. Using Maputo as Mozambique’s entry point, backpackers should spend a few days exploring the sights and enjoying all the offers the city has to offer.
