Which place is cheaper, Diani or Antsiranana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Antsiranana or Diani?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antsiranana or Diani, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Antsiranana or Diani?
Antsiranana
Antsiranana is the capital of Madagascar's northernmost province, Diana, and until 1975 it was known as Diego Suarez. The city has a port that has become a site for naval repairs and is the largest in the entire Indian Ocean. The port is mainly used for tinned fish and bottled drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). The city has a population of a little over 100,000. The French used the city as a military base after independence from 1960 until 1973, after the socialist revolution.
Diani
Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Madagascar, The Best Wildlife Tours to Madagascar, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntsiranana $88Diani $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Antsiranana is $88, while the average daily cost in Diani is $55. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Antsiranana and Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntsiranana $42Diani $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntsiranana $84Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Antsiranana and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Antsiranana or Diani? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antsiranana $14Diani $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- airport hotel transfer: $36
- Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $72
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Antsiranana or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani and Antsiranana change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAntsiranana $34Diani $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani
For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Diani Beach: Special Dinner with a Local: $50
- A ROMANTIC BEACH BONFIRE DINNER SET UP: $58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antsiranana $18Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185
- 3 nights Vipingo Golf Safari & Flight Tour: $1,575
- Chale Island: Dolphin Sighting Adventure: $399
- DAY TOUR TO KISITE NATIONAL PARK & WASINI ISLAND FROM DIANI: $173
- DAY TOUR TO TSAVO EAST FROM MOMBASA/DIANI: $277
- Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
- Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $28
- Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $42
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
- Diani Beach: Private Boat Cruise Charter: $200
- Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntsiranana $9.79Diani $8.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Diani
Also in Diani, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antsiranana and Diani, we can see that Antsiranana is more expensive. And not only is Diani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Diani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Diani and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Antsiranana would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Antsiranana than you might in Diani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antsiranana Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.