Stuff you need backpacking around Mozambique

The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, though many people speak English in the capital Maputo and in touristed areas. The further north you travel the less likely you are to encounter English speakers, and as you enter more rural areas even Portuguese is limited. Swahili is useful in the far north of the country as you get close to Tanzania, especially along the coast. Some native words from the Shona language can be useful if you are traveling near Cabora Bassa.

The currency of Mozambique is the Metical (plural: Meticais, pronounced 'meta-caysh', abbreviation: Mts.). Prices are often given verbally with the thousands dropped, e.g., Mts 150,000 would be 'one hundred fifty'. From March 2006 all prices have to be displayed in both Meticais (old currency - Mt) and Meticais Nova Família (new currency - Mtn). The practical effect of this is to just divide everything by 1000. From the end of June 2006 the new banknotes and coins will start being issued, and the old currency will cease to be legal tender at the end of December 2006. However you can exchange old currency for new at any bank up to the end of December 2012. Full new meticais pricing is now in effect (December 2006). One consequence of this is that you have to be careful when settling prices. People still refer to things as if priced in old Meticais, therefore if someone asks for "1 Million" they generally mean one thousand New Meticais. So don't give them 1million Mtn! Alternatively someone may quote something as being five hundred, meaning five hundred new meticais, and will be very upset if you give them 500 old meticais: which to confuse things even further is only 50 new Centavos. Centavos are available in denominations of 10, 20 and 50: there are 100 centavos to 1 new metical. Note that many businesses in the tourist centers are run by South Africans and prices are often quoted in Rand (for which the usual abbreviation is ZAR). In this guide we've also quoted in Rand when applicable. US$, ZAR, British pounds and Euros are freely convertible at commercial rates at any bank or exchange. Other currencies such as Canadian or Australian dollars or Japanese Yen, are not accepted anywhere, even at official banks and exchanges. There is very little black market currency exchange, since the commercial exchanges offer the best market rate. You cannot exchange meticais outside Mozambique, but you can convert them back at exchanges prior to leaving the country. Also you cannot buy meticais outside Moçambique. In all towns you will find cash dispensers (ATMs) which accept all major creditcards. Be aware that many businesses including banks will not accept older US banknotes. Only the latest series of US notes with the large presidential portraits should be used.