Daily costs per person in US dollars. Stone Town and Zanzibar are affordable by international standards — budget travellers eat and sleep well, while mid-range visitors enjoy boutique hotels and private tours at very reasonable prices.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: TZS (Tanzanian Shilling) (USD widely accepted; carry small TZS notes)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10–25 | $40–90 | $150+ | Dorm/guesthouse → boutique hotel → beach resort |
| Food | $8–15 | $20–40 | $50+ | Market food → local restaurants → rooftop dining |
| Transport | $2–8 | $10–25 | $40+ | Dala dala → shared taxi → private car/driver |
| Activities | $10–20 | $25–50 | $80+ | Self-guided → group tours → private guides |
| Entry Fees | $4–12 | $12–25 | $25–40 | Museums and parks — carry USD for entry fees |
| Daily Total | $30–80 | $100–230 | $350+ | Budget backpacker → comfortable mid → luxury resort |
Money-saving tips
Eat at Forodhani market
The Forodhani Gardens night market serves full meals for $3–8 USD — grilled seafood, Zanzibar pizza, and fresh juice at a fraction of restaurant prices. This is where locals eat and the food is freshly cooked in front of you.
Stay in Stone Town guesthouses
Stone Town has dozens of family-run guesthouses inside converted Swahili merchant houses for $15–40 per night. They are central, characterful, and far cheaper than beach resorts — many include breakfast.
Use dala dalas for transport
Local dala dala minibuses connect Stone Town to beaches and Jozani Forest for 2,000–5,000 TZS ($1–2). Taxis charge 10–20x more for the same route. Agree the price before boarding any vehicle.
Negotiate tour prices
Spice tours, dhow cruises, and snorkelling trips are all negotiable — book through your guesthouse or compare 2–3 operators before committing. Avoid booking from touts at the port who charge double.
Carry small TZS notes
Vendors at markets and dala dala drivers rarely have change for large notes or USD. Withdraw TZS from ATMs in Stone Town and keep small denominations (1,000–5,000 TZS) for daily spending.
Visit in shoulder season
June–July and December–January are peak and priciest. Visit in early June, late October, or mid-February for the same weather with fewer tourists and significantly lower accommodation rates.
