Can I afford this?

Alright, let's talk money, honey! Just like back home prices in Zanzibar can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride. It really depends on where you are and what you're up to. I have based this info on the prices offered on the beaches around the island where most of the travelers spend their time.

And some people ask in social media what’s a reasonable budget is… that’s like asking how long a rope is. Of course it’s impossible to even give a remotely correct answer to that. So instead, a price overview is what you want.

Now, Stonetown isn't always pricier, sometimes it's actually the opposite (surprise!). But, be warned, those fancy hotels and their well-heeled guests can sometimes inflate prices by 20-30%. Ouch!

You'll find some variety between beachfront spots and those tucked away in the villages. Those little local shops are your budget's best friend, but let's be real, you'll probably be spending most of your time at hotels, bars, and restaurants. So, here's a little peek at what your wallet can expect:

Just a heads up: Prices in Zanzibar, like everywhere else, are doing a bit of a dance thanks to the global situation. Excursions, in particular, have been practicing their high kicks lately.

Here's the lowdown on the local currency (TZS):

Soda: Around 3,000 TZS (water is sometimes free, but often up to2,000 TZS) - Stay hydrated, my friend!

Local beer (0.5l): 6,000 - 8,000 TZS - Cheers to that!

Wine (bottle): 35,000 - 40,000 TZS (mostly South African wines) - Time for a little vino therapy!

Cocktails: From 12,000 TZS to 20.000 TZS (check out happy hour offers, they are almost everywhere) - Let's get this party started!

Smoothies/shakes: From 7,000 TZS - Sip, sip, hooray!

Lunch: Typically between 18,000 - 30,000 TZS - Fuel up for more adventures!

Dinner: From 20,000 - 35,000 TZS (fancy stuff like lobster, 45,000+ TZS) - Treat yo' self!

Pizza: Around 20.000 to 28,000 TZS - Pizza is always a good idea.

Entrance to concerts, nightclubs, etc: Usually 10,000 TZS - Dance the night away!

Local fruits: Varies a lot from vendor to vendor and type of fruit, but as an example you should get a bunch of those delicious bananas, mangos ++ for 10,000 TZS even as a tourist - Zanzibar is really fruitilicious!

Some places might list prices in USD, but you'll mostly be dealing with Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). And don't worry, you can always pay in shillings even if they show you the USD price. You’ll save money too 👍

Taxis varies so much it's impossible to do a guide and keep it updated, just remember to negotiate a price beforehand if you don't use your hotel's drivers, which for most visitors is what I would recommend - safe and reliable.

Same with excursions, they often use the same names but the quality and what you really get is not even remotely the same sadly. Prices are also all over the place. I'm working on an blog post on this topic specifically so follow my blog and you'll soon be able to dive more into this.

Karibu Zanzibar!