How Much Does Zanzibar Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Zanzibar presents a tiered financial landscape, where backpacker budgets and ultra-luxury island escapes coexist. Daily expenditures typically range from $99 / TSh256,116 for budget-conscious solo travelers to over $501 / TSh1,298,874 for those seeking high-end resort experiences. While basic costs for local food and public transport remain low, the island's heavy reliance on tourism and imported goods can drive up mid-range and luxury prices. Visitors should expect a moderate cost of living compared to mainland Tanzania, though it remains significantly more affordable than high-end Indian Ocean destinations like the Seychelles. Strategic planning regarding transport and dining locations is essential for maintaining a balanced budget.
Is Zanzibar expensive to visit?
Zanzibar is a mid-range destination that offers extreme flexibility, with daily costs ranging from $99 / TSh256,116 to $501 / TSh1,298,874 depending on whether one chooses local guest houses or all-inclusive resorts.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Zanzibar
$99
per person /day
$215
per person /day
$501
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $297 | $646 | $1,504 |
| 5-Day Trip | $494 | $1,077 | $2,507 |
| 7-Day Trip | $692 | $1,508 | $3,510 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 10–20% budget buffer is recommended to cover the mandatory Hotel Infrastructure Tax, which ranges from $5.41 / TSh14,025 to $11 / TSh28,051 per person per night depending on hotel star rating. Additionally, travelers must account for the standard $54 / TSh140,254 tourist visa fee ($108 / TSh280,508 for US citizens) payable upon arrival.
How Does It Compare?
See how Zanzibar stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Zanzibar
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cheap Local Meal (e.g., Lukman/Ma Shaa Allah) A filling meal of rice and octopus curry costs ~$4.65 / TSh12,044. | $4.65 TSh12,044 |
| Mid-range Restaurant Dinner Per person cost is ~$21 / TSh55,187 including a drink in tourist areas. | $21 TSh55,156 |
| Local Beer (0.5L in Pub) A local Kilimanjaro or Safari beer costs ~$2.18 / TSh5,641. | $2.17 TSh5,610 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dala-Dala Public Transport (Longer Routes) Minibuses are very cheap (~$1.18 / TSh3,049) but often crowded and have no fixed schedule. | $1.17 TSh3,019 |
| Airport Taxi to Stone Town (Official Rate) This official rate is ~$16 / TSh42,076. Taxis outside the official rank may try to charge more. | $16 TSh42,107 |
| Airport Taxi to Nungwi or Kendwa (Official Rate) A 90-minute drive costing ~$38 / TSh98,178. It's best to pre-book or use the official airport desk. | $38 TSh98,269 |
| Scooter Rental (Daily Rate) Costs ~$27 / TSh70,127 per day. Note that a temporary Zanzibar driving permit (approx. ~$11 / TSh28,051) is often required by law. | $27 TSh70,188 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Budget Hostel Dorm Bed (Stone Town) Budget options in the old town usually cost ~$14 / TSh35,064 per night. Prices spike during the Sauti za Busara festival in Feb. | $14 TSh35,094 |
| Mid-range Boutique Hotel (Nungwi/Paje) Mid-range hotels typically cost ~$93 / TSh240,871 per night and often include breakfast and AC. | $93 TSh240,627 |
| Luxury Beach Resort (All-Inclusive) Premium resorts can exceed ~$523 / TSh1,353,756 per night. Includes private beach access and high-end amenities. | $523 TSh1,353,543 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Prison Island (Changuu) Sanctuary Entry The international adult fee is ~$3.88 / TSh10,062. Does not include boat transport. | $3.87 TSh10,031 |
| Prison Island Boat Transfer (Private/Upper) Private boat hire is ~$27 / TSh70,127. You can negotiate down to ~$16 / TSh42,686 for shared boats. | $27 TSh70,188 |
| Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park Entry Fee for non-residents is ~$4.65 / TSh12,044. Mandatory guide fee is usually included in the price. | $4.65 TSh12,044 |
| Slave Market Museum & Anglican Church Entry Entrance is ~$5.41 / TSh14,025. An emotive and highly educational site in Stone Town. | $5.41 TSh14,025 |
Connectivity (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Vodacom Tourist SIM Card The physical SIM is only ~$0.39 / TSh1,006, but you must buy a data bundle separately. | $0.39 TSh1,006 |
| Vodacom 10GB Data Bundle (30 days) This robust 30-day package costs ~$12 / TSh30,094. | $12 TSh30,094 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Zanzibar varies from affordable street food at the Forodhani Gardens Night Market to high-end seafood grills in Nungwi. A filling local meal of octopus curry at Lukman or Ma Shaa Allah Cafe costs approximately $4.65 / TSh12,044, while a standard mid-range dinner for one person typically reaches $21 / TSh55,156 including a beverage.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Lukman Restaurant
$3.1–$5.8 / TSh8,019–TSh15,032Stone Town · Local chain
Try the grilled octopus or the pilau rice; it's the best value meal for ~$4.71 / TSh12,196 in the city.
Forodhani Gardens Night Market
$1.93–$7.74 / TSh5,000–TSh20,062Stone Town Waterfront · Night market
Negotiate the price of seafood skewers before they are grilled to avoid paying more than ~$8.24 / TSh21,343.
Ma Shaa Allah Cafe
$3.87–$8.51 / TSh10,031–TSh22,044Stone Town · Local chain
Their fresh fruit juices are legendary and cost only about ~$1.77 / TSh4,574.
Paje Food Court
$4.65–$9.67 / TSh12,044–TSh25,063Paje Beach · Food court
The best spot on the East Coast for a variety of cheap meals under ~$9.42 / TSh24,392.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is most affordable via the Dala-Dala minibuses, which cost roughly $1.17 / TSh3,019 for longer routes but offer limited comfort. Taxis are the standard for tourists, with official rates set at $16 / TSh42,107 from the airport to Stone Town and $38 / TSh98,269 for the 90-minute journey to northern beaches like Nungwi.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from budget-friendly Stone Town dorm beds at $14 / TSh35,094 to boutique hotels in Paje for roughly $93 / TSh240,627. For travelers seeking complete seclusion, luxury beach resorts average $523 / TSh1,353,543 per night, often including private beach access and comprehensive amenities.
Accommodation Budget in Zanzibar
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the local Dala-Dala minibuses for just $1.17 / TSh3,019 to travel between major hubs like Stone Town and Nungwi instead of private taxis.
- 2 Eat at Lukman Restaurant or Ma Shaa Allah Cafe in Stone Town for high-quality local meals at a fraction of resort prices, typically costing around $4.65 / TSh12,044.
- 3 Negotiate shared boat transfers to Prison Island to bring the cost down from the private rate of $27 / TSh70,188 to approximately $16 / TSh42,686 per person.
- 4 Purchase a Vodacom tourist SIM for $0.39 / TSh1,006 and add a 10GB data bundle for $12 / TSh30,094 rather than relying on expensive international roaming or spotty hotel Wi-Fi.
- 5 Visit during the shoulder months of June or September to find mid-range hotel prices between $118–$177 / TSh304,900–TSh457,350 without the extreme humidity of the rainy season.
- 6 Rent a scooter for $27 / TSh70,188 per day for regional exploration, but ensure the mandatory Zanzibar driving permit is obtained for $11 / TSh28,051 to avoid police fines.
- 7 Avoid the peak price spikes in February during the Sauti za Busara festival when accommodation rates in Stone Town can double.
- 8 Refill reusable water bottles at hotels or large gallon jugs bought at supermarkets to save on the $1.18–$2.35 / TSh3,049–TSh6,098 cost of small plastic bottles at beach bars.
- 9 Pre-book the airport taxi to Kendwa or Nungwi at the official rate of $38 / TSh98,269 to avoid higher quotes from unofficial drivers at the arrivals hall.
- 10 Stock up on snacks and essentials at the Darajani Market in Stone Town before heading to the more expensive beach resorts in the north or east.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan
+35-50%
Mar, Apr, May
-30-40%
Jun, Sep, Oct
The 'long rains' in April and May offer the biggest discounts, but many beach resorts close. June and September provide the best weather-to-price balance, with costs around ~$118–$177 / TSh304,900–TSh457,350 for decent mid-range hotels.
Events to Watch
- ● Sauti za Busara (mid-Feb): Stone Town hotels +40%
- ● Zanzibar International Film Festival (July): Hotel shortages
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Explore the labyrinthine UNESCO World Heritage alleys of Stone Town on foot.
- 2 Watch the sunset from the public beach areas of Nungwi or Kendwa.
- 3 Visit the courtyard of the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) in Stone Town.
- 4 Observe the traditional seaweed farming process at Paje Beach during low tide.
- 5 Soak in the social atmosphere and local coffee culture at Jaws Corner.
- 6 Walk through the Darajani Market to experience the sights and scents of the spice trade.
- 7 View the exterior architecture and carved doors of the House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib).
- 8 Watch the 'Zanzibar Jumpers' perform acrobatic dives into the ocean at the Stone Town waterfront every evening.
- 9 Visit St. Joseph's Cathedral in Stone Town during non-service hours.
- 10 Relax on the public stretches of beach at Matemwe for a quieter, non-commercial experience.
- 11 Wander through the Forodhani Gardens during the day to see the gathering spot of the local community.
- 12 Walk the coastline between Nungwi and Kendwa during low tide to see the various rock formations.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
The Rock Restaurant Dining
It's an iconic dining experience on a literal rock in the ocean. Entrees cost ~$54 / TSh140,254.
Safari Blue Full-Day Boat Excursion
The ultimate snorkeling and seafood lunch trip on a traditional dhow. Costs ~$87 / TSh225,626.
Emerson Spice Rooftop Sunset Dinner
A 5-course seafood tasting menu with the best sunset view in Stone Town for ~$60 / TSh155,499.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Zanzibar
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Zanzibar and what they cost
Mnemba Atoll Snorkeling
$43 / TSh110,282 by boat
Free
$66 / TSh170,439
Spice Farm & Stone Town Combo
$23 / TSh60,157 by private driver
$12 / TSh30,094
$46 / TSh120,314
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
1 $ ≈ 2,590 TSh
Yes
Cards accepted at major resorts and high-end Stone Town restaurants, but cash (TZS or USD) is vital for markets, daladalas, and smaller cafes.
Tipping is expected. Guides appreciate ~$5.89–$12 / TSh15,245–TSh30,490 per day, and 10% is standard in tourist restaurants. Round up taxi fares by ~$1.18–$2.35 / TSh3,049–TSh6,098.
ATMs are plentiful in Stone Town (Barclays/ABSA and Stanbic are best), but extremely rare in beach villages like Nungwi or Paje. Max withdrawal is usually ~$153 / TSh396,370.
Essential at Forodhani Gardens and Stone Town markets. Aim for 50-60% of the first price offered and settle around 75%.
Connectivity
eSIM: $13–$18 for 5GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$14 / TSh30,490–TSh36,588 including 10GB data bundle
WiFi: Reliable in Stone Town hotels and major beach resorts, but patchy in smaller guesthouses.
Buy a local Vodacom SIM at the airport; it's much cheaper (~$12 / TSh30,490 for 10GB) than eSIM and has better island-wide coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Zanzibar.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Complete Cost Guide
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