Luanda
Table of Contents: Culture and History / Travel to Luanda, visa requirements Flights to Luanda, airtickets By train By car Buses to Luanda By boat / Get around By Taxi / Luanda attractions and sightseeing / City tours / Learn / Work / Shopping, Luanda souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Budget / Mid-range / Splurge / Luanda nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Splurge 2 / Contact / Stay safe / Cope / Get out More from Angola: Luanda More from Central Africa: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Zambia More from Africa: Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Saharan Africa, Seychelles, Southern Africa, West Africa |
Luanda is the capital of Angola. It is on the Angola's Atlantic coast.
Culture and History
The people of Angola are stoics. They have a deep understanding of patience, and they know that it will always turn out right, no matter what, because now peace has been brought. They can go to school, play, dance, work, and live without fear. One thing that isn't there today will arrive and be here tomorrow. Life is a truly Angolan art.
Travel to Luanda, visa requirements
Visas are necessary for everybody, and cost $50.00 per month. Angola is also the most expensive country in Africa to visit. One spends approx. $100.00 per day in Luanda and other parts of the country.
Flights to Luanda, airtickets
There are flights via Johannesburg, and direct from Europe via Lisbon, Paris and London. TAAG Angola Airlines also has two weekly direct flights to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil There is also the Houston Express a charter run by SonAir for the oil industry. Leaves Houston Mon, Wed, Fri.
By train
There are a few short passenger lines, but they are not very safe. Angola once had a vast rail network whilst it was governed by Portugal, which has fallen into disrepair. It is currently being repaired.
By car
The roads in Luanda are generally of okay standard, as is the case on the main routes between cities, but elsewhere road quality greatly decreases. Don't be surprised if you encounter unexpected problems during the rainy season. In Luanda main streets are paved, but streets in the slums are in disrepair, and most roads have no lines or signals.
Buses to Luanda
The National Bus Service has just re-opened but routes are not organized yet. There are some local services in Luanda and in between cities.
By boat
Luanda is on the coast, after all, but I really do not see what extra purpose that would do for you unless you wanted to fish.
Get around
As you may see below, there are buses, taxis, and cars (rentals too)to transport the visitor.
By Taxi
Mini bus taxis (Candongueiros) are considered dangerous by tourists, and most steer well clear of them. However, they prove to be an exhilirating experience that is sure to give you an adrenaline rush. Consider to use the Macon Taxi a private taxi company (arround 20 / 30 USD trip).
Luanda attractions and sightseeing
- Drive down the beautiful bay.
Additionally, you MUST try the Benfica market, which sells everything from perfume to ivory to animal skins and tourist guidebooks. Also take the boat out to Mussulo, the best beach in town.
City tours
The Ilha de Luanda is where Luanda's elite go to dine and have fun.
Learn
Portuguese would be a very useful language. English is not very common in the least bit.
Work
Jobs are mainly available in the oil sector, but also in the increasing number of international Angola based companies which are investing in Angola now that peace and stability are offering great development prospects for the country.
Shopping, Luanda souvenirs
Local crafts, they are at extraordinary low prices, check out the Benfica HandCrafts Market just south of Luanda.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
The majority of restaurants are on The Marginal or on Ilha De Luanda.
Be careful when eating out do not to drink the tap water.
Budget
- Panela de Barro
Mid-range
- Chez Wu Chinese
- Macau Chinese
Splurge
- Coconuts
- Cais de Quatro
- Pimm's
- Espaco Baia.
- Chill Out (Party)
- Miami (Eat)
- Don Quixote
Luanda nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Luanda city is largely influenced by portuguese culture, - portuguese beer is widely consumed. Cristal, super bock, sagres, and cristal (most consumed)are the most consumed beer from Portugal. besides, you may find a broad range of local beers such as Negola, Cuca (most consumed)and eka.Surrounding countries also try to find lucrative market, so don't be surprise when in other beer brands are served in local restaurants.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
The Hotel Avenida and the Residencia da Kianda are good options, both of which have pretty good services and great views over the beach.
Splurge
- Le President Meridien Hotel
- The Tropico Hotel
- The Alvalade Hotel
- The Palm Beach Hotel
Contact
Stay safe
Don't go out at night alone or into the slums. Stay in your locked car at all times. Try not to be even alone at daytime as some people have been mugged during day time.
Do not give beggars money; if you do, you will soon have a lot of them surrounding you.
Some police in Luanda are very corrupt. Unlike in countries like Colombia and Rwanda where the police will help you and be of great assistance, in Angola they might mean the exact opposite! Check for their identity number (should be located in a arm band near the shoulder) and you may present charges against any abuse.
Cope
The biggest challenge will probably be coping with the fact that you are in one of the poorest countries on earth, and one that in 1999, was rated by UNICEF as the worst country for a child to grow up in. This is due to a former civil war, land mines, poverty, and a lack of medical facilities. However, things are improving, and it should NOT stop you from going here. It is a beautiful and fascinating country.
Get out
Go a bit south of Luanda and you will find the outstanding Parque Nacional Da Kissama (also spelled Quicama in Portuguese), home to palanca antelope, exotic birdlife, ostriches, gazelles, and giraffes, which are still thriving in great numbers but because tourism is just beginning to start in Angola, it still has a bit of a wild side to it.
More from Angola: Luanda More from Central Africa: Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Zambia More from Africa: Central Africa, East Africa, North Africa, Saharan Africa, Seychelles, Southern Africa, West Africa |
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