Which place is cheaper, Diani or Dakar?
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 Dakar or Diani?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar 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: Dakar or Diani?
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
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 Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Dakar Prices
Senegal PricesDiani Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDakar $74Diani $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $74, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. 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 Dakar and Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDakar $32Diani $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDakar $64Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Dakar 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.Dakar $5.27Diani $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $65
- Sedan or Van Arrival Private Transfer Dakar Airport DSS to Dakar: $50
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Dakar Airport DSS by Sedan or Van: $50
- Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $194
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Saly Zone (two directions): $64
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $81
- DSS transfer - DAKAR (one way) : $48
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $118
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $207
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi and Airport transfers: $70
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $70
- Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65
- airport hotel transfer: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani and Dakar 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 dayDakar $33Diani $35
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast$4.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani
For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Romantic Dinner With Transfer.: $39
- 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.Dakar $13Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- Dakar City Tour and Goree island (from 3 people): $129
- City Highlights Guided Tour: $159
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $111
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $30
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
- discover the magic of this city on our guided tour: $32
- Day Tour Bandia Wildlife Reserve and pink lake : $299
- Day tour in Dakar museum and monument : $140
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $156
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Stori Baharini: Story telling walking tour in Diani Beach: $10
- Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
- Mombasa Street Food: Authentic Culinary & Cultures Tour..: $24
- Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $27
- Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
- Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $28
- Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $30
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Samburu: Traditional Activities Experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
- Mangrove Sunset Canoe Tour with Local Guide: $35
- Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDakar $8.84Diani $8.87
When comparing the travel costs between Dakar and Diani, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dakar 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.