Toliara, often still called by its former French name Tuléar, is a major city and important port located on the southwest coast of Madagascar, near the Tropic of Capricorn.

It is best known as:

• The “City of the Sun” (La Ville du Soleil): Due to its hot, dry, and sunny climate.
• The Gateway to the South: It is the terminus of the famous Route Nationale 7 (RN7) and the jumping-off point for exploring the south and southwest regions.
• A Beach and Reef Destination: While the city beach itself isn’t the best for swimming, it serves as the access point for popular nearby beach and lagoon resorts like Ifaty (to the north) and Anakao (to the south). These areas offer excellent opportunities for diving, snorkeling on the Great Reef, and whale watching (in season).
• The Spiny Forest Region: It’s close to unique dry ecosystems like the Reniala National Park (spiny forest) and the Antsokay Arboretum, which showcase the bizarre and highly endemic flora of southern Madagascar.
• A Cultural Melting Pot: The city is home to several different ethnic groups, including the Vezo (nomadic fishermen) and the Mahafaly and Antandroy, whose unique funerary art and traditions (elaborately decorated tombs) are a key cultural highlight.

In short, it’s a bustling port city that serves as the essential travel hub for accessing the unique nature reserves and stunning coastal villages of Madagascar’s arid south.