Zanzibar on a Budget: How to Save Without Missing Out

Think Zanzibar is expensive? Think again. With a bit of planning and the right insider knowledge, you can experience everything this incredible destination has to offer on as little as $20 per day. That is not surviving — that is genuinely enjoying yourself.

Here is your complete guide to visiting Zanzibar, Tanzania without draining your savings account.

The Bottom Line: Daily Budget Breakdown

Category	Budget	Mid-Range
Accommodation	$7	$21
Food	$6	$18
Transport	$3	$9
Activities	$4	$12
Daily Total	$20	$60

Affordable Accommodation

The Stone Town — labyrinthine alleys with Arab, Indian, and Swahili architecture area offers the best value for budget travelers. Look for guesthouses, hostels, or budget hotels in this neighborhood — you will save significantly compared to staying in the tourist center while still being within easy reach of the main sights.

• Hostels/Guesthouses: $5–$9 per night
• Budget hotels: $18–$24 per night
• Pro tip: Book at least 2 weeks ahead and check for weekly discounts

Eating Well for Less

Zanzibar has a phenomenal food scene that does not require a big wallet. Street food and local eateries serve authentic dishes at a fraction of restaurant prices.

Must-Try Budget Eats

• Zanzibar Pizza — street food crepe filled with meat, egg, and vegetables from Forodhani Gardens — The local staple. Look for busy stalls with high turnover (freshness guaranteed).
• Octopus Curry — tender octopus in coconut curry sauce — Ask locals for their favorite spot; it is never the one in the guidebook.
• Mandazi — fried dough balls, the Swahili doughnut — Perfect for a quick, cheap bite between sightseeing stops.
• Pilau — spiced rice with meat, a Swahili coast staple — Visit morning markets for the freshest and cheapest options.

Money-Saving Food Tips

1. Eat your main meal at lunch — many restaurants offer lunch specials at 30–50% less than dinner prices.
2. Shop at local supermarkets for breakfast supplies and snacks.
3. Carry a reusable water bottle — buying bottled water adds up fast.

Free and Cheap Things to Do

Not everything worth doing has an entrance fee. Some of Zanzibar's best experiences cost nothing at all.

• Walk through Paje — east coast kite-surfing and boho beach vibes — The architecture and atmosphere are attractions in themselves.
• Visit Mtende village — quiet southeast coast settlement with barely any tourists — Peaceful, photogenic, and free.
• Explore Kizimkazi — dolphin-watching village with the oldest mosque in East Africa — Window shopping and people-watching at its finest.
• Stone Town UNESCO old quarter — Very affordable or free entry on certain days.
• Sunset watching — Find a scenic viewpoint and enjoy the show.

Getting Around Cheaply

Transport can eat into your budget if you are not strategic. Here is how to keep costs down:

• Dala dalas (minibuses) are cheap but crowded for long routes
• Boats and dhows connect Stone Town to nearby islands
• Avoid taxis from the airport — public transit or shared shuttles cost a fraction of the price.
• If you are staying for several days, look into multi-day transit passes for additional savings.

Pro Tips for Saving Even More

1. Travel in shoulder season — Prices drop 20–40% compared to July to August and Christmas-New Year period.
2. Learn basic phrases in Swahili, English — Locals often offer better prices to travelers who make the effort.
3. Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card to avoid currency conversion charges.
4. Book activities through TripGenie — our AI finds the best-value experiences automatically.
5. Avoid tourist-trap restaurants directly facing major attractions. Walk one block back for the same food at half the price.

Is Zanzibar Worth It on a Budget?

Absolutely. Budget travel in Zanzibar is not about deprivation — it is about traveling smarter. You will eat incredible food, see world-class sights, and have authentic experiences that big-spending tourists often miss entirely.

---

Planning a trip to Zanzibar? Let TripGenie create your perfect itinerary — it's free and takes just 60 seconds.