Is Zanzibar expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Zanzibar is mid-priced: local food, dala-dalas and Stone Town guesthouses are cheap, but beach resorts, imported drinks and excursions are priced in US dollars at near-European levels, so a mid-range day is about US$175 per person. Visa fees and the mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance add to the cost of getting there.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$25 | US$80 | US$300 |
| Food & drink | US$15 | US$35 | US$80 |
| Sights & tickets | US$15 | US$40 | US$90 |
| Local transport | US$5 | US$20 | US$50 |
| Per person, per day | US$60 | US$175 | US$520 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Zanzibar day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Chai or coffee at a local café | about US$0.50–1.50 |
| Zanzibar pizza at Forodhani Gardens | about US$2–4 |
| Grilled seafood skewer at Forodhani | about US$3–8 |
| Local beer (Kilimanjaro, Safari) in a beach bar | about US$3–5 |
| Dala-dala ride | well under US$1–2 |
| Spice farm tour with transport | about US$20–30 |
| Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park | about US$15–20 |
| Sunset dhow cruise | about US$25–50 |
| Mid-range double, Nungwi or Kendwa | about US$100–250 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest variable: Stone Town guesthouses and Paje bungalows start around US$40–80 a double, while beach resorts on the east and north coasts run from US$100 to over US$1,000. Excursions are the second large cost: spice tours, Prison Island, dhow cruises, snorkelling at Mnemba and Jozani each cost US$15–50 or more, and private transfers between coasts US$30–60. Alcohol in tourist restaurants is fairly expensive; local food and street eating are cheap.
When it is cheaper
During the long rains (roughly April to May), and in November during the short rains, many hotels cut rates by 30–50% or close. Prices peak from late June to October and over Christmas–New Year.
How to spend less
- Agree prices for taxis, tours and Forodhani food before you buy.
- Use dala-dalas between Stone Town and the coasts if you travel light and have time.
- Book excursions with small local operators or through guesthouses rather than resorts.
- Pay small purchases in Tanzanian shillings; dollar prices are often rounded up.
- Eat at local restaurants in Stone Town and the villages rather than resort restaurants.
- Travel in the shoulder months (early June, late October, February) for lower rates.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Zanzibar cost?
About US$60 per person on a budget, US$175 mid-range and US$520 for comfort, sharing a double. Add the visa and mandatory Zanzibar travel insurance.
Is Zanzibar expensive?
Local food and guesthouses are cheap, but resorts, alcohol and excursions are priced in dollars at near-European levels.
Do I need to pay in dollars in Zanzibar?
Tourist services are often priced in US dollars, but small purchases are cheaper in Tanzanian shillings.