$10–15 puts you straight from Terminals A/B to downtown
The Airport Taxi Rank at Maputo (MPM) sits just outside Terminals A and B arrivals, and drivers quote around $10–15 for central Maputo hotels or guesthouses. This is a basic curbside taxi line: no apps, no meters on many cars, and everything runs on cash and negotiation before the door closes.
Most drivers first quote in USD if you look like a visitor, but locals in Maputo groups say the same ride often comes cheaper in meticais. Have something like 700–900 MZN ready and treat that as your ceiling for a standard sedan into the city, then hold that line when you talk price.
There’s no fixed tariff board at the rank, so agree every detail out loud: total fare, currency, and if the price is per car, not per person. TripAdvisor posters report drivers “adjusting” the fare upward on arrival at hotel desks when nothing was confirmed at the airport, especially for first‑timers coming off long-haul flights.
Regulars say the sweet spot is asking your hotel by email the day before what a taxi should cost to or from MPM, then using that exact number at the rank. If your guesthouse says “about $12” or gives a metical figure, open the conversation with “I pay this amount” instead of “how much?”, which Facebook commenters say avoids tourist pricing.
One thing to know: a Skytrax reviewer had their taxi stopped by police at the airport entrance for document checks, calling it intrusive and intimidating. That can add a few extra minutes to the ride in or out, so don’t cut it close if you’ve got a regional departure from Terminal B inside a 60–75 minute window.
Watch for anyone trying to load your bags before you’ve finished talking numbers; that’s the soft close. Keep your hand on the luggage handle until you’ve locked in a total of $10–15 or the metical equivalent. One last tip: keep small notes ready in either currency so you can pay the exact agreed fare and avoid any “no change” games at your hotel curb.