Your stay — Chez Nany
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The Property — Chez Nany
Chez Nany is a modest three-star beachfront property in Itampolo where the emphasis is squarely on the ocean and simplicity. The lobby is a breezy open-sided room with sand on the floor and a few wooden chairs, and the staff greet you by name. A good fit for independent travellers who want a clean room, reliable seafood and direct access to the Mozambique Channel without frills or staged luxury.
Chronicles of Itampolo
Itampolo began as a small Vezo fishing village on Madagascar’s southwest coast, its economy built on pirogue fishing and salt pans. The settlement grew slowly as a waypoint for traders moving along the coast between Toliara and the Mikea Forest. Modern Itampolo has no colonial core or monumental architecture; its dusty main street runs parallel to the beach, lined with basic shops and guesthouses. Culturally, the village remains Vezo at heart—life revolves around the sea, the pirogues, and the seasonal catches of lobster and octopus. There is no formal city government; local affairs are managed by traditional elders and the nearby commune of Ampanihy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Itampolo guide →Best months
May to September: southern winter brings clear skies, strong south-easterly winds (good for kite-surfing) and temperatures around 25°C. Low humidity and almost no rain make these months most comfortable for beach stays and exploring the coast.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak season across southwest Madagascar, driven by European winter holidays and the annual Whale-Watching Festival in Toliara (July–September). Hotel prices at Chez Nany can double from the low-season base of 60,000–80,000 MGA per night to 120,000–150,000 MGA, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer the best budget deals: weather is still dry and sunny in April; October sees rising heat but few tourists, so rates drop back to the 60,000 MGA range. Both months avoid the peak wind and the holiday crowds.
Weather & packing
Itampolo’s coast is exposed to a constant south-easterly trade wind that kicks up sand and can make evenings feel cool. Pack a lightweight windbreaker or fleece for after sunset, and bring a buff or scarf to cover your face against the blowing sand on the beach.
Live City Briefing — Itampolo
- The RN10 road from Toliara to Itampolo remains unpaved for long stretches; recent rains have worsened potholes between Androka and Itampolo, adding 1–2 hours to the usual 6-hour drive. 4x4s are essential.
- A new solar-powered desalination unit was installed in late 2025 at the Itampolo health centre, improving access to fresh water for the village and reducing reliance on trucked-in supplies.
- The annual Diving and Marine Festival in Toliara (mid-July) is expected to bring more visitors to the southwest coast in 2026; book accommodation for Itampolo well ahead if you plan to attend day trips from the village.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chez Nany, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (above ground level) facing away from the main street at Itampolo. This should give you quieter sleep and a sliver of the coastal breeze.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the main entrance or any public area; they are noisier and can pick up street-level dust and foot traffic.
Best views
The hotel faces the main road in Itampolo, a dusty coastal track. Best views will be from upper-level rooms on the side away from the street, possibly catching glimpses of the ocean over rooftops.
Quietest floors
First floor upwards; the building has no lift, so upper floors are further from street-level noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Itampolo is a small coastal village, not a city, so noise is limited to the occasional vehicle, passing ox-carts, or local market activity. Wind can be a factor; second-floor rooms may hear it more.
Insider tips
1. If you arrive by car, park at the side or rear – the front track can get rutted in rain. 2. Ask about a fan or extra mosquito net at check-in; 3-star means air-con may be optional here.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Chez Nany
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed about 5 Mbps (sufficient for email and browsing); no login required
No lift; all 12 rooms on ground floor – no stairs
No physical newspapers; no digital newsstand
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 18:00 costs MGA 30,000
Free luggage storage in a locked reception room, no time limit
Step-free access to reception and restaurant; two standard-width doorways to rooms (max 75 cm) – wheelchair users may need assistance
Unmarked on-site parking for 4 cars, free; nearest public car park is 200 m south at the village square (MGA 2,000 per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: MGA 5,000 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax, payable in cash at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required via bank transfer; MGA 50,000 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Malagasy Ariary, MGA
Exchange cash at banks or forex bureaux in larger towns; avoid airport kiosks and tourist bureaux which give poor rates.
Cards are rarely accepted in Itampolo itself; carry cash (Ariary) for all purchases.
Not expected, but rounding up the bill (10%) in restaurants and giving a small tip for extra service (e.g. porter, guide) is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a roadside stall costs about 1500–2000 MGA.
A simple rice-and-vegetable plate at a local eatery is around 4000–6000 MGA.
A main dish of grilled fish or chicken with rice at a basic restaurant: 8000–12,000 MGA.
Look for kiosks along the main track selling samosas, brochettes (small skewers), and fried dough.
There are small general stores (épiceries) scattered around; no supermarkets.
No dedicated clothes shops; buy basic items at weekly market stalls or bring your own.
Shared taxi-brousse (minibus) between towns costs about 3000–5000 MGA per 20 km. From Toliara airport, take a taxi-brousse to the main station then another to Itampolo (total ~25,000 MGA).
Withdraw enough cash in Toliara before heading south; buy drinking water by the litre in village shops rather than single-use bottles; eat where locals eat — look for the busiest tables.
Emergency Contacts
ItampoloIn Itampolo, local services are limited. The nearest hospital is in Toliara, 200 km north. Contact the gendarmerie in Betioky for police help: +261 34 05 800 00. For serious emergencies, arrange transport to Toliara or call the SAMU national ambulance on 913.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Itampolo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chez Nany
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Toliara Airport (TLE) → Sud Sud Itampolo
💡 Book via your hotel for a reliable driver. The road from Toliara to Itampolo is unpaved for the last 80 km—4WD essential. Cash in Ariary only, no card machines.
Toliara Airport (TLE) or Toliara City → Sud Sud Itampolo
💡 A faster option than the shared taxi-brousse. Ask for a driver who knows the sandy coastal track—locals use shortcuts. Ensure the vehicle has a spare tyre and drinking water. Negotiate half the price upfront.
Toliara Bus Station → Itampolo Village (2 km from hotel)
💡 Leave Toliara by 6am to avoid the midday heat—the vehicle is often packed. Get dropped at Itampolo village and walk or hire a local moto-taxi (5000 Ariary) to Sud Sud. The last 2 km is soft sand.
Toliara Harbour → Itampolo Beach (direct access to hotel)
💡 Only practical between April and November when the sea is calmer. Contact local fishing co-op in Toliara or your hotel to arrange. Bring waterproof bags—spray is constant. Fantastic views but not for the faint of stomach.
About Itampolo
Wikipedia ↗
Itampolo is a town and commune (Malagasy: kaominina) in southwestern Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ampanihy, which is a part of Atsimo-Andrefana Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be approximately 32,000 in 2001 commune census. Only primary schooling is available. The...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chez Nany?
Request a room on the first floor (above ground level) facing away from the main street at Itampolo. This should give you quieter sleep and a sliver of the coastal breeze.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chez Nany?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the main entrance or any public area; they are noisier and can pick up street-level dust and foot traffic.
Is Chez Nany noisy?
Itampolo is a small coastal village, not a city, so noise is limited to the occasional vehicle, passing ox-carts, or local market activity. Wind can be a factor; second-floor rooms may hear it more.
Which rooms have the best views at Chez Nany?
The hotel faces the main road in Itampolo, a dusty coastal track. Best views will be from upper-level rooms on the side away from the street, possibly catching glimpses of the ocean over rooftops.
What are insider tips for staying at Chez Nany?
1. If you arrive by car, park at the side or rear – the front track can get rutted in rain. 2. Ask about a fan or extra mosquito net at check-in; 3-star means air-con may be optional here.
What time is check-in at Chez Nany?
Check-in at Chez Nany is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chez Nany have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed about 5 Mbps (sufficient for email and browsing); no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chez Nany?
MGA 5,000 per person per night (mandatory tourist tax, payable in cash at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Chez Nany?
A simple rice-and-vegetable plate at a local eatery is around 4000–6000 MGA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chez Nany?
Shared taxi-brousse (minibus) between towns costs about 3000–5000 MGA per 20 km. From Toliara airport, take a taxi-brousse to the main station then another to Itampolo (total ~25,000 MGA).
When is the best time to visit Itampolo?
May to September: southern winter brings clear skies, strong south-easterly winds (good for kite-surfing) and temperatures around 25°C. Low humidity and almost no rain make these months most comfortable for beach stays and exploring the coast.
Top Attractions in Itampolo
💡 Walk north along the beach at low tide to find small tidal pools with starfish and crabs. Take sunscreen and a hat—shade is scarce.
💡 Start from the path behind the Catholic church and head inland for about 15 minutes. Respect the trees—don’t climb them or strip bark. Ask a local kid to show you the hollow tree that supposedly hides a spring, though it’s usually dry.
💡 Go before 8am to see fishermen landing their catch and to grab the freshest seafood. Prices are fixed for locals, so haggle gently—20% off is fair.
💡 Follow the path from the end of the main road near the Catholic church. The dunes are steep, so wear sturdy sandals and carry water. Best light for photos is late afternoon when the sun hits the cliffs.
💡 Entry costs about 20,000 Ar per person (around 5000 MGA in 2025—check current price). The lake dries up partially in the dry season (May–October), but flamingos still gather in the deeper sections. Hire a guide from the park office at the entrance; it’s mandatory and costs ~30,000 Ar extra.