place in Sofala Province, Mozambique
Caia is a city in Central Mozambique.
Caia is most notable for being a crossing point on the Zambezi river, the lowest crossing point before the Indian Ocean. In 2009 a road bridge was opened, largely bypassing Caia.
The main national EN1 highway runs through Caia. The main town is south of the bridge.
There is an ATM at the Standard Bank in the gas station, on the highway. If you are relying on ATMs and going anywhere further afield (e.g. Sena, Chemba, Marromeu) make sure to get cash here - there is an intermittently functioning ATM in Marromeu and none at all anywhere else.
The highway corridor just south of the bridge has lots of things for sale: food, tires, DVDs, car parts, clothing, etc.
Accommodation is available in Caia.
Pensao Maia, close to the highway, has inexpensive rooms (up to 800 MT) with fans and shared bathrooms.
To the south of the city is the Hotel So-Artes, locally known as the Luisa Diogo hotel, after its owner (who is also the former Speaker of the Mozambican Parliament). Take a bicycle taxi to get there (10 MT). Rooms are expensive, at 1200 - 1800 MT, but come with comfortable beds, hot running water, and satellite TV. The restaurant is decent.
Marromeu is a 2-hour drive on a dirt road down stream. Mutarara / Vila de Sena, the location of the Dona Ana Bridge is a 2-hour drive in the other direction.