How Much Does Zanzibar Cost? A Budget Travel Guide

Zanzibar is many things to many travellers — a budget backpacker paradise, a mid-range holiday destination, and a genuine luxury retreat. The island caters for all budgets, and understanding what things actually cost will help you plan and avoid surprises. Here's a breakdown of real prices across every category.

Accommodation Costs

• ✦Budget guesthouses (Paje, Jambiani, Stone Town): $30–70/night for a double room
• ✦Mid-range boutique hotels: $80–150/night
• ✦Upper mid-range resorts: $150–300/night
• ✦Luxury 4–5 star resorts: $300–600/night
• ✦Private villa / ultra-luxury: $600–1,500+/night

Food & Drink Costs

Zanzibar is excellent value for food, especially if you eat where locals eat. Tourist restaurant prices are higher but still reasonable by Western standards.

• ✦Street food (Zanzibar pizza, urojo, mishkaki): $1–3 per dish
• ✦Local restaurant meal (rice + fish/meat): $4–8
• ✦Mid-range restaurant (Stone Town or beach): $10–20 per person
• ✦Upscale restaurant or resort dining: $25–50 per person
• ✦Fresh coconut on the beach: $0.50–1
• ✦Cold local beer (Kilimanjaro or Safari): $2–4
• ✦Coffee or tea at a local café: $0.50–1.50

Activity & Tour Costs

• ✦Spice farm tour (half day, includes guide): $20–35 per person
• ✦Prison Island boat trip + entry: $25–40 per person
• ✦Snorkelling at Mnemba Atoll (full day): $40–70 per person
• ✦Dolphin swimming at Kizimkazi: $35–55 per person
• ✦Stone Town walking tour (2–3 hours): $20–30 per person
• ✦Sunset dhow cruise: $30–50 per person
• ✦Kite surfing beginner course (3 days): $350–450 per person
• ✦Diving (2 dives + equipment): $60–100 per person

Transport Costs

• ✦Taxi from airport to Stone Town: $15–25
• ✦Taxi from Stone Town to Nungwi: $40–60
• ✦Shared dala-dala minibus (local bus): $0.50–2 per journey
• ✦Tuk-tuk within a local area: $2–5
• ✦Scooter rental per day: $20–35
• ✦Car hire with driver (full day): $60–100

Daily Budget Estimates

• ✦Backpacker budget: $60–80/day (dorm/guesthouse, street food, shared transport, 1 activity every 2 days)
• ✦Mid-range budget: $120–200/day per couple (boutique hotel, mix of local and restaurant food, 1 activity/day)
• ✦Comfortable holiday: $250–400/day per couple (good resort, dining out, activities most days)
• ✦Luxury: $600–1,200/day per couple (5-star resort, private tours, fine dining)

When to Get the Best Prices

Zanzibar's peak season (July–August) sees resort prices rise by 30–50%. The best value months are January–February and September–October — shoulder seasons with excellent weather but fewer tourists. March–May (rainy season) offers the cheapest prices of all, but the weather is unreliable.