Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Dakar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dakar or Essaouira, 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.
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.
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $61, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $46. 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 Essaouira in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Dakar or Essaouira? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Essaouira 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dakar and Essaouira, we can see that Dakar is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Dakar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dakar than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dakar Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Dakar has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Dakar and Essaouira, 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.