A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Cape Town vs. Hibiscus Coast for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast?

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

Should I visit Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast?

Cape Town

Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.

Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.

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 Camping Tours in South Africa, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa, The Best Safaris in South Africa, and The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa.


Which place is cheaper, Hibiscus Coast or Cape Town?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $95, while the average daily cost in Hibiscus Coast is $56. 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 Cape Town and Hibiscus Coast in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cape Town $37
    Hibiscus Coast $29
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cape Town $74
    Hibiscus Coast $58
Compare Hotels in Cape Town and Hibiscus Coast

Looking for a hotel in Cape Town 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 Cape Town


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: Cape Town Hotel Prices and Hibiscus Coast Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cape Town $17
    Hibiscus Coast $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

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

  • Airport Transfers To Hermanus: $216
  • Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $17
  • Airport transfers: $22
  • 1 Day Durbanville Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Private Transfers: $176
  • 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $148
  • 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $200
  • 1 Day Tastes of Stellenbosch Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $216
  • 1 Day Wine Lover Wander Connoisseur Tour with Private Transfers: $176
  • 1 day Cape Peninsula and Boulders Tour with Private Transfers: $222
  • 1 day Cape Point and Constantia Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $205
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $53
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast?

Prices for flights to both Hibiscus Coast and Cape Town 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
    Cape Town $41
    Hibiscus Coast $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town

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

  • Dinner At Mandela's - Cultural Township Dinner Experience: $28
  • Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $28
  • Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $35
  • 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $42
  • Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $55
  • Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $58
  • African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $59
  • Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $60
  • From CapeTown: African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $61
  • Cruise and Dine Dinner / Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $69
  • Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $74
  • Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cape Town $22
    Hibiscus Coast $4.76

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

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

  • Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
  • District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.15
  • Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.51
  • V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
  • Cape Town 30-minute V&A Harbour Cruise: $4.10
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.10
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.29
  • Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.29
  • Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
  • Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
  • Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: Amble along the amazing False Bay Coast on an audio tour: $5.20
  • Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cape Town $20
    Hibiscus Coast $5.25

Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town

Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.46
  • African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $24
  • Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
  • Wine tasting tour : $36
  • From 3 Regions Wine Tour incl 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
  • Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $38
  • half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $42
  • Fullday Wine Tour: $50
  • Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $51
  • Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $53
  • Private Constantia Wine Tour: $59
  • Cape Point Chapman's Peak Drive Penguins Full Day Tour + Wine Tasting: $59


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Town and Hibiscus Coast, we can see that Cape Town 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town 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 Cape Town Expensive? and Is Hibiscus Coast Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast?

Cape Town has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hibiscus Coast. When comparing the sizes of Cape Town 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.


When is the best time to visit Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast in the Summer?

Both Hibiscus Coast and Cape Town during the summer are popular places to visit.

Cape Town is cooler than Hibiscus Coast in the summer. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Cape Town. In the summer, Cape Town often gets more sunshine than Hibiscus Coast. Cape Town gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hibiscus Coast receives 184 hours of full sun.

Hibiscus Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cape Town usually gets less rain in January than Hibiscus Coast. Cape Town gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Cape Town 21°C (70°F) 
    Hibiscus Coast 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Town and Hibiscus Coast.

In the autumn, Cape Town is cooler than Hibiscus Coast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cape Town in April average around 18°C (64°F), and Hibiscus Coast averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hibiscus Coast this time of the year. In Cape Town, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Hibiscus Coast during autumn. Cape Town gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Hibiscus Coast receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Hibiscus Coast. Cape Town gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Cape Town 18°C (64°F) 
    Hibiscus Coast 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cape Town as well as Hibiscus Coast.

In July, Cape Town is generally cooler than Hibiscus Coast. Daily temperatures in Cape Town average around 13°C (55°F), and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hibiscus Coast. In the winter, Cape Town often gets less sunshine than Hibiscus Coast. Cape Town gets 193 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hibiscus Coast receives 230 hours of full sun.

Cape Town usually gets more rain in July than Hibiscus Coast. Cape Town gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Cape Town 13°C (55°F) 
    Hibiscus Coast 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Cape Town or Hibiscus Coast in the Spring?

Both Hibiscus Coast and Cape Town are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Cape Town is cooler than Hibiscus Coast in the spring. The daily temperature in Cape Town averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Town. Cape Town usually receives more sunshine than Hibiscus Coast during spring. Cape Town gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Hibiscus Coast receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hibiscus Coast. In October, Cape Town usually receives less rain than Hibiscus Coast. Cape Town gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Cape Town 16°C (61°F) 
    Hibiscus Coast 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Hibiscus Coast and Cape Town

Cape Town Hibiscus Coast
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 25°C (76°F) 119 mm (4.7 in)
Feb 21°C (70°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 25°C (76°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Apr 18°C (64°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
May 15°C (59°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 13°C (56°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 17°C (62°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 13°C (55°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 77 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 60 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 14°C (58°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 21°C (69°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Nov 19°C (65°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 20°C (68°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 24°C (74°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)