Vilankulo hotels and hostels
Casa Babi
Casa Guci
Another new and very nice place about 7km south of town overlooking the water, and signposted from the main road into town. It has modern, well-equipped two- and four-person self-catering chalets set around large, green grounds.
Zombie Cucumber Backpackers
An excellent backpackers, and prime for relaxing, with lots of green space, hammocks, a bar and a circular 10-bed dorm, plus small, spotless chalets, most with double bed, net and fan, and hot water when the weather's cool.
Blue Waters Beach Resort
About 8km south of town past the airport and signposted from the main road into town, with large grounds and good camping, simple double bungalows, self-catering chalets and a beachfront bar and restaurant. You'll need your own transport.
Vilanculos Camping
This large, shaded camping area is in a good setting on the inland side of the beach road and rather lacking in atmosphere, but otherwise is wellkept and a good bet.
Baobab Beach Backpackers
Has a beachside setting (though camping and most accommodation is inland) and a definite party vibe (full moon parties are a regular feature) plus camping space, a kitchen, a bar-restaurant and several chalets.
Vilanculos Beach Lodge
A large, busy resort-style place about 1km north of Aguia Negra Lodge, with accommodation in chalets - each with verandas - set back from the water on a hillside, plus a restaurant and a range of water sports.
Aguia Negra Lodge
About 2km north of the Dona Ana Hotel, the popular Aguia Negra has breezy, rustic six-person A-frame chalets set around a large, grassy compound overlooking the sea, each with an open loft area, plus a bathroom with hot water.
Vila La Mar
This good-value self-catering place has spacious, fully furnished chalets - most with sea views, and all with spotless, modern kitchens, fans, netting and attractive décor. It's between Aguia Negra and Vilanculos Beach Lodge.
Na Sombra
Just southwest of BIM in the Mukoke section of town, with small, no-frills rooms - all with fan and shared bathroom - and the good Restaurante Monica. The owner has a minivan available for rental and can help organise excursions.
Palmeiras Lodge
Spread out on tranquil green grounds bordering the beach at the eastern edge of town, the good Palmeiras has accommodation in very nice whitewashed stone-and-thatch cottages, or in a more rustic eight-person self-catering block.
Smugglers
Just southwest of the Dona Ana Hotel on the inland side of the road, this well-run place has pleasant rooms - most twin-bedded with shared hot-water bathrooms, fans and nets - set around lush, green gardens with two small pools, and rooftop sprin.
Casa Rex
This is the place to go if you're after a small, upmarket getaway.
Complexo Xinhicuane
A new place up the road from Casa Rex on the inland side and just about to open when we passed through. It has a large garden, plush and tastefully appointed rooms and attractive common areas with carved wood décor.
Complexo Turístico Josef E Tina
A local-style place on the beach road just up from Zombie Cucumbers with camping, a self-catering area, no-frills rooms in reed bungalows and several rooms in the main house with bathroom and communal kitchen facilities.