Cheap Accommodation In Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar has a reputation for being a honeymoon splurge destination, all private villas and infinity pools, but that’s only half the story. Behind the glossy resort marketing, this Indian Ocean archipelago off the coast of Tanzania is still a place where a traveler with a modest budget can find a clean room a short walk from the beach, eat extremely well for a few dollars, and spend their days exploring spice farms, coral reefs and centuries-old stone alleyways without spending much at all. Stone Town’s guesthouses, the low-key villages along the east coast, and the backpacker-friendly stretch near Nungwi and Kendwa all offer real value if you know where to look. Use the search box above to compare accommodation options in Zanzibar and find the best deal for your dates.
Getting to Zanzibar on a Budget
Most travelers reach Zanzibar by flying into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, just outside Stone Town, often via Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Doha, depending on which route offers the cheapest fare from Australia. Flying into Dar es Salaam first and then taking a short domestic hop or a ferry across to Zanzibar is often the more affordable option, and the ferry itself is a budget-friendly way to arrive, with tickets costing far less than the short flight. If you’re already island-hopping along the East African coast, the ferry from Dar es Salaam is fast, scenic and runs multiple times a day. Once on the island, dala-dalas (shared minibuses) are the cheapest way to get around, and taxis and shared shuttles are reasonably priced for shorter hops between Stone Town and the beach areas.
Best Time to Visit Zanzibar
Zanzibar sits close to the equator, so temperatures stay warm year-round, but timing your visit around the rainy seasons makes a real difference to both comfort and cost. The long rains fall from March through May, and this is when accommodation prices in Zanzibar drop the most, since many travelers avoid the island during this period. If you don’t mind the occasional downpour, this shoulder season can mean genuine bargains on rooms that would otherwise be booked out. The short rains in November are lighter and less disruptive, and also come with lower prices. The busiest and most expensive months are July through September and the December to January holiday period, when European and Australian travelers alike descend on the beaches. Aiming for June, or October, gives you a good balance of decent weather and more reasonable rates.
Top Attractions in Zanzibar
Stone Town itself is Zanzibar’s biggest drawcard and costs nothing to explore. Wandering its maze of narrow streets, past carved wooden doors, old Omani merchant houses and bustling markets, is one of the best free things to do anywhere on the island. The old fort, the night food market at Forodhani Gardens, and the winding alleys near the harbour are all worth a slow half-day wander. For a small entry fee, the House of Wonders and the old slave market memorial site offer a sobering and important look at the island’s history. Further afield, the famous spice farms just outside Stone Town run inexpensive guided tours where you can see, smell and taste cloves, vanilla, cinnamon and cardamom growing in the ground, a reminder of why Zanzibar was once known as the Spice Island. The beaches at Nungwi and Kendwa in the north are free to visit and among the best in the region, with powder-white sand and turquoise water that doesn’t require a resort stay to enjoy.
Zanzibar for Families and Kids
Zanzibar works well for families willing to keep things simple. The calm, shallow waters along much of the east coast are safe for children to swim and play in, and many of the budget guesthouses in these areas have open, sandy grounds where kids can run around freely. Jozani Forest, home to the rare red colobus monkey, is an inexpensive and memorable outing for families, with short, easy boardwalk trails through the forest that don’t require much stamina from younger visitors. The Forodhani Gardens night market in Stone Town is also a fun, low-cost family evening out, with an array of grilled skewers, Zanzibari pizza and fresh juices to sample while watching the sunset over the harbour.
Outdoors and Nature Around Zanzibar
The reefs surrounding Zanzibar are the main draw for nature lovers, and snorkeling trips to spots like Mnemba Atoll are affordable and consistently rewarding, with colourful coral and reliable sightings of tropical fish and sometimes dolphins. Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park protects the island’s last significant patch of natural forest and is the easiest place to see the red colobus monkey in the wild. Seaweed farms along the east coast, tended mostly by local women, offer a glimpse into a livelihood unique to this part of the world, and several villages run low-cost tours explaining the process. For those wanting more active time outdoors, kayaking and paddleboarding rentals are cheap along most of the tourist beaches, and simply walking the coastline at low tide, when the water pulls back to reveal sandbars and tide pools, costs nothing and is one of the more memorable experiences the island offers.
Local Culture and Heritage in Zanzibar
Zanzibar’s history is layered and complex, shaped by Persian, Arab, Indian, Portuguese and British influence over centuries of trade, and this mix is most visible in Stone Town’s architecture, food and language. Swahili culture, a blend of Bantu African and Arab traditions, is the dominant thread running through daily life on the island, and the call to prayer, the modest dress in local neighbourhoods, and the rhythms of Ramadan (if your visit coincides with it) are all part of experiencing Zanzibar respectfully. The island’s role in the East African slave trade is a heavy but essential part of its history, and the memorial at the old slave market in Stone Town is a confronting but worthwhile stop. Taarab music, a traditional Zanzibari sound blending Arabic, Indian and African influences, can sometimes be heard live in Stone Town during cultural events, and is worth seeking out if you have the chance.
Eating in Zanzibar
Food is one of the easiest ways to stretch a budget in Zanzibar, and also one of the most enjoyable. The Forodhani Gardens night market in Stone Town is the classic budget experience, with vendors grilling fish, octopus, meat skewers and the famous Zanzibari pizza, a stuffed savoury pancake, all sold for a few dollars a plate. Small local eateries away from the main tourist strips serve generous plates of pilau rice, coconut fish curry, chapati and beans at prices aimed at locals rather than visitors, and these are almost always the best value option for a filling meal. Fresh tropical fruit, particularly mango, pineapple and jackfruit, is sold cheaply from stalls across the island and makes for a great budget breakfast or snack. Along the beach areas, guesthouse-run restaurants often serve fresh seafood caught that same day at reasonable prices, and asking your accommodation host for their personal food recommendations usually turns up better and cheaper options than anything listed in a guidebook.
Accommodation Options in Zanzibar
Zanzibar’s accommodation scene spans the full range from ultra-budget guesthouses to high-end beach resorts, and the good news for cost-conscious travelers is that the budget and mid-range end of the market is genuinely well developed, particularly around Stone Town, Paje, Jambiani and the Nungwi-Kendwa area.
Budget and Cheapest Accommodation
Stone Town has a solid cluster of budget guesthouses tucked into the old town’s side streets, offering simple fan-cooled or air-conditioned rooms at low nightly rates, often including a basic breakfast. Along the east coast, particularly in Paje and Jambiani, small family-run guesthouses just back from the beach are the cheapest way to wake up near the water, and many offer both dorm-style and private room options.
Beachfront Accommodation
For travelers who want to be right on the sand without paying resort prices, the east coast villages and the Kendwa strip in the north have a good number of modest beachfront lodges and guesthouses. These tend to be simpler and less polished than the big resorts nearby, but the beach access and the sunrise or sunset views (depending on which coast you choose) are the same.
Resort Accommodation
Zanzibar does have a well-established resort scene, concentrated mainly around Nungwi, Kendwa and parts of the east coast, ranging from mid-range all-inclusive properties to high-end luxury villas. Travelers chasing a resort experience on a tighter budget will find better value by booking mid-range properties outside of peak season, or by choosing a resort slightly further from the most built-up beach strips.
Romantic and Couples Accommodation
Zanzibar’s reputation as a honeymoon destination is well earned, and there are boutique guesthouses and small lodges, particularly along the east coast and around Nungwi, that offer a romantic, private atmosphere without the price tag of the island’s top-end resorts. Look for smaller properties with just a handful of rooms, as these often deliver a more intimate experience at a lower cost than larger resort complexes.
Long-Stay Accommodation
Zanzibar attracts a steady stream of long-term travelers, remote workers and volunteers, and many guesthouses across the island offer discounted weekly or monthly rates for those staying longer. This is particularly common in Paje and Jambiani, where a slower pace of life and reliable internet in some properties have made these villages popular with longer-term visitors.
Shopping in Zanzibar
Stone Town’s markets are the best place for affordable souvenirs and everyday essentials alike. The Darajani Market is where locals do their daily shopping, and it’s a lively, inexpensive place to buy fresh produce, spices and household goods. For souvenirs, small shops throughout Stone Town sell packaged spices, handwoven baskets, kanga and kitenge fabric, and simple wooden carvings, and prices are almost always negotiable, so a bit of good-natured bargaining is expected and can save you a fair amount. Beach vendors along the east coast and in Nungwi also sell handmade jewellery and textiles, usually at lower prices than the shops in Stone Town, though quality varies, so it pays to look closely before buying.
Nightlife and Free Fun in Zanzibar
Zanzibar’s evenings tend to be relaxed rather than raucous, and much of the best entertainment costs nothing at all. Watching the sunset from Forodhani Gardens or from one of the beach bars along the west coast is a nightly ritual for good reason, and many guesthouses and small bars have no cover charge, just the cost of a drink if you choose to have one. Stone Town has a handful of low-key bars and rooftop terraces where a beer or a fresh juice comes with a view over the old town’s rooftops. Along the east coast, some beach bars host occasional live music or bonfire nights, and these are usually free to attend. For a quieter evening, simply walking the beach after dark, with the sound of the waves and a sky full of stars away from major light pollution, is one of the simplest and most memorable free activities Zanzibar offers.
Suggested Budget Itinerary for Zanzibar
Start the day early with a walk through Stone Town before the heat sets in, taking in the old doors, the fort and the harbour front, then grab a cheap breakfast of chapati and tea from a local stall rather than a tourist café. Mid-morning, join an inexpensive group tour of a nearby spice farm, which typically includes a light lunch of local dishes as part of the price. In the afternoon, head to the beach, whether that’s a short trip out to Nungwi or Kendwa for swimming and snorkeling, or simply relaxing at a guesthouse along the east coast if that’s where you’re based. As evening approaches, make your way to Forodhani Gardens (if you’re near Stone Town) for a cheap, filling dinner of grilled seafood and Zanzibari pizza while watching the sun go down over the water, or find a similar beachfront spot wherever you’re staying. Round out the night with a slow walk along the sand or a quiet drink at a low-key beach bar, keeping the day’s spending modest while still making the most of what Zanzibar does best.