Which place is cheaper, Hibiscus Coast or Cape Town?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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.
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Cape Town Prices
South Africa PricesHibiscus Coast Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCape Town $179Hibiscus Coast $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Town is $179, while the average daily cost in Hibiscus Coast is $76. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCape Town $83Hibiscus Coast $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCape Town $166Hibiscus Coast $64
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cape Town $18Hibiscus Coast $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers To Hermanus: $237
- Retun Transfer - Cape Agulhas - Where Two Oceans Meet Cape Town : $144
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $58
- 1-3 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $30
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $46
- Airport Transfer (Cape Town ) Bus: $19
- Airport and day tour transfers to Cape Town International Airport: $33
- Airport transfers and tours: $39
- Airport transfers to and from Cape Town City center. : $107
- Aquila Safari Game Drive, Lunch & Shared Transfers from Cape Town: $270
- Arrival Transfer Cape Town Airport CPT to Cape Town by Sedan: $76
- Arrival Transfer: CPT Airport to Cape Town in Business Car: $71
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
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Food Meals for one dayCape Town $77Hibiscus Coast $35
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:
- From African Dinner and Drumming Experience: $73
- African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $75
- Cape Malay/Creole Cooking Class and Local Shopping in Salt River: $77
- Sunset At Signal Hill Constantia Wine Tasting and Dinner: $83
- Food Tour in “Little Mogadishu,” Bellville, Cape Town: $95
- Half Day Cape Town African Dinner Restaurant with Live Music Show: $98
- Cape Town Shore Excursion| South African Cooking & Port Transfers: $106
- Private Street Food Tour of Cape Town with Local Guide: $108
- The Cape Town Essentials Food Tour: $117
- Cooking and Lunch Experience at SPYCED Restaurant: $136
- Cape Town Bo-Kaap Guided Walk & Authentic Cape Malay Cooking Tour: $159
- Private Tour : The Great Gatsby Food Tour Cape Town: $208
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cape Town $25Hibiscus Coast $5.23
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.85
- Half Hour Seal and Harbour Cruise from Cape Town: $4.15
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.70
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.70
- 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
- The Village in the City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bo-Kaap: $5.34
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Slavery in the Cape: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Cape Town's Slave History: $5.40
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.71
- Cape Town Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.81
- 30 Minute Harbour Cruise in Cape town: $7.11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCape Town $22Hibiscus Coast $5.77
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:
- Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $12
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $14
- Urban Wine Tasting: $30
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $30
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $47
- Uncork the Cape : Stellenboch Half Day Wine Tour : $53
- From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $55
- Aquila Reserve Safari with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $59
- Full Day shared Stellenbosch and Franschhoek Tram Wine Tasting : $72
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $74
- Wine tasting tour : $74
- Wine Tour in Stellenbosch : $77
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryCape 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilCape 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyCape 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberCape 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) |
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.