Your stay — Christmas Pass
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The Property — Christmas Pass
Christmas Pass is a solid, no-frills 3-star perched on the hill that gives it its name. The lobby feels like a colonial-era rest stop that’s been quietly updated: dark wood reception, a tired map of Mutare on the wall, and the hum of a ceiling fan. It suits budget-conscious travellers on the Harare–Beira road who want a clean room, reliable hot water and a view over the city lights without paying for frills.
Chronicles of Mutare
Mutare was founded in the 1890s as a gold-prospecting camp and became a railway hub linking Salisbury (now Harare) to the Mozambican port of Beira. Its architecture mixes early 20th-century colonial stone public buildings (the Courthouse, the Market Square clock tower) with a spread of suburban bungalows. Culturally, it’s the gateway to the Eastern Highlands, known for laid-back hospitality, a strong church community and a revitalised pedestrian-friendly town centre along Herbert Chitepo Street.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mutare guide →Best months
May and August: clear skies, cool days (around 22°C) and very little rain. July is slightly cooler but still excellent — ideal for hiking the nearby Bvumba Mountains or exploring Christmas Pass itself.
Peak / festival surge
Christmas–New Year and Easter weeks see a surge of cross-border traffic and Zimbabwean holidaymakers. Hotel prices at Christmas Pass can double in late December; the main event driving it is the festive season and the Harare–Beira road traffic.
Budget shoulder season
February and March offer significant discounts (30%+ off peak rates), warmer afternoons and much lower occupancy, though you might catch light afternoon showers.
Weather & packing
Mutare’s climate is one of cool dry winters and mild wet summers, and in mid-July night temperatures can drop to 8°C. Pack a windproof fleece or quilted jacket — the hotel’s hilltop location means a biting breeze after sunset.
Live City Briefing — Mutare
- The Mutare–Harare dual carriageway upgrade reached the Christmas Pass section in early 2026, causing occasional daytime single-lane closures; allow an extra 20 minutes for your drive in or out.
- The Mutare Museum reopened in June 2026 after a two-year renovation, with a new section on the city's railway history — worth a short visit.
- July’s dry season means limited fire risk in the Bvumba forests, but check with the local Forestry Commission office on arrival about any controlled burns near the hiking trails.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Christmas Pass, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard (away from the main road). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy. The courtyard side tends to be quieter and more private.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or staircase — they pick up lobby chatter, foot traffic, and any early-morning check-out noise. Also avoid rooms facing the main road (likely Mutare's A3) as it carries truck traffic through the night.
Best views
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) on floors 2–3 offer a view over the surrounding low-rise buildings towards the Mutare hills — nothing spectacular, but pleasant in morning light. Front-facing rooms see only the street and parked cars.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–3 are the quietest. The lift is less used on these mid-level floors, and they're set back from both street and roof-level maintenance areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the A3 is the main issue — trucks and minibus taxis start early (around 5am). The lift motor can be audible on adjacent rooms, especially if your wall touches the shaft. There may also be occasional noise from the hotel bar on Friday and Saturday evenings, though it usually winds down by 22:00.
Insider tips
1) Park your car near the rear entrance if possible — the front lot fills quickly and is on a slope. 2) Request a room with a fan (not just aircon) for quieter, more natural cooling overnight — many 3-star hotels in Mutare still offer this option, and the town's low altitude means nights are mild most of the year.
- 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 — Christmas Pass
Free WiFi in lobby and all guest rooms. Speed is adequate for email and browsing; streaming may buffer during peak evening hours. No login required.
One lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers; a few outdated Zimbabwe Herald copies in the lobby rack. Building originally a 1950s colonial-era hotel with a preserved terrazzo staircase.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop-off available from 08:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs USD 15; after 12:00, a full night charged.
Free storage at reception for same-day early arrivals or late departures.
Step-free access via a ramp at the side entrance. Wheelchair-accessible rooms available on ground floor. Lift is narrow and may not accommodate large power chairs. No braille signage.
On-site gated parking free for guests; 20 spaces, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park is at Mutare City Centre (50 metres), charged USD 2 per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a USD 50 incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Zimbabwean dollar, ZWL (but US dollars are widely used; check the parallel rate)
Change money at authorised bureaux or banks in Mutare city centre; avoid the airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and supermarkets, but most small shops, taxis and markets are cash-only (prefer US dollars).
Tipping is appreciated but not expected; 5-10% in restaurants if service is good, small change for taxis and hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a cafe or petrol station snack bar costs about US$1.50-2.00 (or ZWL equivalent).
A sadza and relish lunch from a local restaurant costs around US$2-3.
A main at a basic takeaway or restaurant costs about US$3-5.
Roadside vendors around the city centre and bus rank sell grilled meat, roasted corn and fried snacks cheaply.
Spar and OK Zimbabwe are the common supermarket chains in Mutare.
Mutare's main market and second-hand stalls along the downtown streets offer affordable clothing.
Minibus kombis (shared taxis) cost around US$0.50 per ride within town; from the airport, a shared taxi is about US$5-8, or walk to the main road for a minibus.
Use US dollars for most transactions to avoid ZWL volatility; buy groceries from local markets rather than supermarkets; eat at 'cafes' or roadside stalls for cheap local food.
Emergency Contacts
MutareDial 112 from any network. For tourist assistance, contact the Mutare City Council on +263 20 206 0300.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mutare, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Christmas Pass
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Mutare (York Avenue or Dangamvura junction) → Dangamvura Hotel
💡 Look for kombis heading west on York Avenue — they pass the hotel's main road. Have exact change. Sit near the door; it gets crammed.
Harare (Roadport or Fourth Street terminal) → Mutare (Sakubva rank, then local taxi to Dangamvura)
💡 Catch the 6am bus to avoid afternoon heat. The Sakubva rank can be chaotic — a short kombi ride (USD 1) will drop you at Dangamvura's main road.
Mutare city centre (e.g., KFC or Manhica Court) → Dangamvura Hotel
💡 Haggle before getting in — drivers start at USD 10. Pay in US dollars or local currency at agreed rate. Uber isn't active here.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (Harare) → Dangamvura Hotel, Mutare
💡 Arrange through the hotel at least 24 hours ahead. The driver will meet you at arrivals with a name board. Cash dollars preferred.
About Mutare
Wikipedia ↗
Mutare, known as Umtali until 1982, is the capital and largest city in the province of Manicaland. It is the third-largest city in Zimbabwe. Having surpassed Gweru in the 2012 census, with an urban population of 224,802 and approximately 260,567 in the surrounding districts, Mutare adds to the wider...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Christmas Pass?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear courtyard (away from the main road). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy. The courtyard side tends to be quieter and more private.
Which rooms should I avoid at Christmas Pass?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or staircase — they pick up lobby chatter, foot traffic, and any early-morning check-out noise. Also avoid rooms facing the main road (likely Mutare's A3) as it carries truck traffic through the night.
Is Christmas Pass noisy?
Street noise from the A3 is the main issue — trucks and minibus taxis start early (around 5am). The lift motor can be audible on adjacent rooms, especially if your wall touches the shaft. There may also be occasional noise from the hotel bar on Friday and Saturday evenings, though it usually winds down by 22:00.
Which rooms have the best views at Christmas Pass?
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) on floors 2–3 offer a view over the surrounding low-rise buildings towards the Mutare hills — nothing spectacular, but pleasant in morning light. Front-facing rooms see only the street and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Christmas Pass?
1) Park your car near the rear entrance if possible — the front lot fills quickly and is on a slope. 2) Request a room with a fan (not just aircon) for quieter, more natural cooling overnight — many 3-star hotels in Mutare still offer this option, and the town's low altitude means nights are mild most of the year.
What time is check-in at Christmas Pass?
Check-in at Christmas Pass is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Christmas Pass have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and all guest rooms. Speed is adequate for email and browsing; streaming may buffer during peak evening hours. No login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Christmas Pass?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Christmas Pass?
A sadza and relish lunch from a local restaurant costs around US$2-3.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Christmas Pass?
Minibus kombis (shared taxis) cost around US$0.50 per ride within town; from the airport, a shared taxi is about US$5-8, or walk to the main road for a minibus.
When is the best time to visit Mutare?
May and August: clear skies, cool days (around 22°C) and very little rain. July is slightly cooler but still excellent — ideal for hiking the nearby Bvumba Mountains or exploring Christmas Pass itself.
Top Attractions in Mutare
💡 Great spot for a packed lunch. The vendor selling roasted mealies (corn) near the main gate is reliable and cheap.
💡 Free entry but they appreciate a small donation. Ask the attendant about the sculpture garden out back – easy to miss.
💡 Walk up from town for free, or take a shared taxi for a few cents. Best at sunset, but avoid walking alone after dark.
💡 Take the steep path to the viewpoint platform – it's worth the climb for a panorama of the border valleys. No bins, so carry your litter out.
💡 Entry is cheap (under $2). Go early to avoid midday heat; the outdoor ethnographic displays are best in morning light.