Zanzibar is not as cheap as some travellers expect, but it suits almost any budget. You can stay in a simple guesthouse or a private-island lodge. Accommodation is the biggest cost, followed by excursions and transfers.
Typical prices
| Item | Rough cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse, double room | $40–$90 a night |
| Mid-range beach hotel | $120–$300 a night |
| Luxury resort or lodge | $400–$1,500+ a night |
| Local meal | $5–$10 |
| Restaurant dinner | $15–$40 per person |
| Spice tour or Prison Island trip | $30–$60 per person |
| Snorkelling trip to Mnemba | $50–$120 per person |
| Private transfer, Stone Town to the north or east coast | $40–$70 per car |
Prices change with the season and are higher from July to October and over Christmas.
Taxes and fees
- Travel insurance: Zanzibar requires visitors to hold insurance through a government scheme. Check the current price before travel.
- Hotel levy: a small per-night infrastructure tax is often added to hotel bills.
- Tanzania visa: needed by most nationalities. It covers both the mainland and Zanzibar.
What makes Zanzibar more expensive
- Many goods are imported, so drinks and Western food cost more.
- Resorts often charge for drinks and excursions on top of the room price.
- Light-aircraft flights from safari parks add cost but save a long journey.
Ways to save
- Travel in June, November or early December, when prices are lower but weather is still good.
- Eat at local restaurants and Forodhani Gardens in Stone Town.
- Choose half board instead of all inclusive if you will eat out.
- Book a package that combines safari, flights and beach. It is often cheaper than booking separately.
See Zanzibar beach week and read how much a Tanzania safari costs.
Frequently asked questions
It varies widely. A mid-range week with hotel, meals, a few excursions and transfers often costs $1,200–$2,500 per person.
No. Zanzibar is part of Tanzania, and a Tanzanian visa covers both.
April and May, during the long rains, followed by June and November.
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