What actually happens to travelers here.
Drink bottled or properly treated water. Skip ice at budget venues and street vendors. Brush your teeth with bottled water where tap is questionable.
Routine care is available in major cities; complex trauma, cardiac, or surgery typically requires air evacuation to a regional hub. Travel insurance with $250K+ evacuation coverage is essential.
The system.
System: Limited public healthcare system. Government hospitals in Maputo provide basic care but are overcrowded. Private clinics in Maputo and some tourist areas offer better services. Rural areas and northern provinces have very limited healthcare. Portuguese is the primary language in medical settings.
Quality: ★★☆☆☆ Limited
Private clinics in Maputo provide acceptable basic care. Government hospitals are severely under-resourced. Coastal tourist areas (Vilanculos, Inhambane, Tofo) have very limited medical facilities. Northern Mozambique has almost no reliable healthcare. Serious cases require evacuation to South Africa.
Mozambique is not a medical tourism destination. Patients who can afford it travel to South Africa (Johannesburg or Nelspruit) for medical care.
Where to actually go.
One of the best private clinics in Maputo. Portuguese-speaking staff; some English available. Good for basic emergencies and general care.
Private hospital with reasonable facilities. Emergency department. Portuguese is primary language.
Main government referral hospital. Overcrowded and basic. Use private facilities if possible.
Basic government hospital serving the tourist area. Very limited capabilities. Serious cases evacuated to Maputo or South Africa.
Finding what you need.
Access: Limited
Hours: Pharmacies in Maputo open 8am-7pm weekdays, reduced hours weekends. Very limited pharmacy access outside Maputo and major towns.
Prescription rules: Prescription requirements exist but enforcement is inconsistent. Some antibiotics available OTC. Carry all medications in original packaging with a doctor's note in Portuguese if possible.
Bring all essential medications. Pharmacies in Maputo are reasonably stocked but selection is limited. Outside Maputo, pharmacy availability drops dramatically. Medications are labeled in Portuguese. Counterfeit medications exist — use reputable pharmacies only.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- oral rehydration salts
- antimalarials
- antihistamines
- basic antibiotics
- insect repellent
- sunscreen
Useful pharmacy phrases
- Preciso de remédio para dor de cabeça
- Estou com dor de estômago
- Tenho alergias
- Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?
- Preciso de um médico
Chains you'll see
- Farmácia Progresso — Green cross signage (Maputo, multiple locations)
- Farmácia Central — Central pharmacy (Maputo city center)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracetamol / Ben-u-ron
Widely available at pharmacies - ibuprofen → Ibuprofeno / Brufen
Available at pharmacies in Maputo - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium / Loperamida
Bring your own supply for travel outside Maputo
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications with generic names — Portuguese translation helpful. Keep medications in original packaging. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country. Bring extra supplies of all critical medications.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Codeine · Xanax · Opioids
Carry original prescription and doctor's letter. Ideally have documentation in Portuguese.
Carry documentation and keep in original packaging.
Controlled substance. Carry prescription and doctor's letter.
If something breaks.
Availability: Limited. Private dental clinics available in Maputo. Very limited or unavailable elsewhere.
Cost range: $20-80 for basic treatments
Dental care in Maputo is basic but serviceable at private clinics. Sterilization standards vary. Get dental work done before traveling.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $40-70/week
Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential. Serious cases require evacuation to Johannesburg, South Africa. Ensure coverage includes diving and water sports if visiting coastal areas. Air ambulance from remote beach destinations can cost $20,000-50,000+.
Filing a claim
Cash or card payment usually required upfront at private facilities. Keep all receipts and medical reports. Request documentation in Portuguese and English if possible. File claims after returning home. For evacuations, contact your insurance emergency line immediately.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $25-70 |
| ER visit | $60-200 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $100-350 |
| Ambulance | $50-200 |
Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private facilities in Maputo. Costs in tourist areas may be higher. Government hospitals are cheaper but very basic. Medical evacuation to South Africa costs $20,000-50,000+.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Johannesburg, South Africa
Secondary destination: Nelspruit, South Africa (for southern Mozambique)
Typical cost band: $20,000-50,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS, Netcare 911
Medical evacuation to South Africa is standard for serious conditions. From northern Mozambique, evacuation distances are considerable. Pre-arranged evacuation coverage is essential, especially for beach and island destinations.
What to get done before you fly.
Required
- Yellow Fever (required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country)
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Cholera
- Rabies
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTaP, polio)
- COVID-19
- Malaria prophylaxis (essential for entire country)
Malaria is endemic throughout Mozambique and prophylaxis is essential — including in Maputo. Yellow fever certificate required when arriving from endemic countries. Cholera outbreaks occur, especially during rainy season (November-April).
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Not safe — bottled only — Tap water is NOT safe to drink anywhere in Mozambique. Use only bottled water with intact seals or purified water. Avoid ice in drinks except at upscale hotels and resorts. Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Waterborne diseases are common.
Food safety
Exercise caution with food. Hotel restaurants and upscale establishments in tourist areas generally maintain reasonable standards. Avoid raw seafood from informal vendors despite the coastal setting. Street food carries risk. Stick to well-cooked dishes served hot. Fresh seafood at reputable restaurants is generally safe.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: Contact your embassy for assistance
English-speaking therapists: Very limited. Some international NGO staff in Maputo may provide referrals.
Mental health services are extremely limited in Mozambique. For crisis situations, contact your embassy or travel insurance assistance line.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Accessibility infrastructure is very limited. Most buildings and public spaces lack wheelchair access. Sandy terrain at beach destinations is challenging.
Hospital accessibility: Hospitals have minimal accessibility features. Private clinics in Maputo may have basic access.
Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Private transfers are the only option. Beach destinations often require boat transfers that may be inaccessible.
Contact accommodations in advance about accessibility. Some upscale beach resorts may be able to accommodate mobility needs with advance notice.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.
Mask policy: No mandatory mask requirements.
Testing availability: COVID testing available at private clinics in Maputo.
Healthcare capacity is very limited. Carry personal health supplies.
Mozambique travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- WHO International Travel and Health
- US Embassy Maputo
- South African Embassy Mozambique
- International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT)