Tulear

Tulear, also known as Toliara or Toliary, is a port and coastal town on the south west coast of Madagascar. There is over 100,000 inhabitants from various tribal origin, such as Vezo, Masikoro, Mahafaly, Antandroy and Karana.

Tulear's colonial style buildings, grand lanes and many multi-coloured rickshaws will leave a lasting impression on its visitor.

Since locals prefers this form of transport, there aren't many motorised taxis and less cars in comparison to other cities of its site, which makes Tulear a pleasant city location for a few days.

While Tulear itself is missing a perfect beach for swimming, Playa de la Batterie (close to the light tower), an approximately an 4-kilometre walk north of town and across some salt-fields may be worth visiting if not only for its large and beautiful sand dunes. Other nearby attractions suitable for day-excursions is the botanical park of l'Arboretum d'Antsokay (or Antsokay Arboretum) 12km south east of Tulear, the Reniala Nature Reserve - a 45 hectare nature reserve 27km north of Tulear. Perfect beaches can be found either further north of Tulear, at Ifaty, Madiorano, Salary and Andavadoaka, or to the south, at St. Augustin Bay, Sarodrano, Beheloka, Itampalo and Anakao. For tourists, Tulear is usually a gateway to one of these destinations.

An airport connects Tulear with Antananarivo and other major airports with daily scheduled Air Madagascar flights.