A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arusha vs. Hibiscus Coast for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Arusha or Hibiscus Coast?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Hibiscus Coast can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Arusha or Hibiscus Coast?

Arusha

Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.

Hibiscus Coast

The Hibiscus Coast, or KwaZulu-Natal, is located on the southeast coast of South Africa, just south of Durban. The area is rich in beautiful beaches and lush nature reserves which offer fantastic opportunities for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor adventures. The Hibiscus Coast experiences their summer from December-February, with temperatures in the 70's Fahrenheit, making these the best months to visit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Hibiscus Coast or Arusha?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $176, while the average daily cost in Hibiscus Coast is $57. 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 Arusha and Hibiscus Coast in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Arusha $129
    Hibiscus Coast $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Arusha $258
    Hibiscus Coast $60
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Hibiscus Coast

Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Hibiscus Coast? 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.

Hotels in Arusha


Hotels in Hibiscus Coast


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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Hibiscus Coast Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Arusha $13
    Hibiscus Coast $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha

Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
  • Airport transfer: $45
  • Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
  • Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi: $65
  • Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75

Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Hibiscus Coast?

Prices for flights to both Hibiscus Coast and Arusha 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Arusha $24
    Hibiscus Coast $18
Typical Food Prices in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Lunch (for 2)
    $2.14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha

For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $27
  • NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
  • Africa health cuisine food tour: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Arusha $45
    Hibiscus Coast $4.82

Tours and Activities in Arusha

For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Coffee making tour in Arusha: $27
  • Cycling toure in Arusha villages: $31
  • Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha : $35
  • Tanzanite experience tour - Tanzanite shopping in Arusha: $35
  • Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
  • Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
  • Sunset Tour in Arusha: $36
  • Kingstone asilia and Coffee tour : $40
  • The Arusha City walking Tour And Local Lunch.: $40
  • The Real Arusha City walking Tour, Tanzania.: $41
  • Guided Mountain bike tour through Arusha village: $43

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Arusha $11
    Hibiscus Coast $5.31


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Hibiscus Coast, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Hibiscus Coast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hibiscus Coast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hibiscus Coast 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Hibiscus Coast.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Hibiscus Coast Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Arusha or Hibiscus Coast?

Arusha has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Hibiscus Coast. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Hibiscus Coast, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.