A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dakar vs. Essaouira for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dakar or Essaouira?

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

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.

Where Should I go: Dakar or Essaouira?

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.

Essaouira

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.


Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Dakar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dakar is $73, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is $55. 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.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dakar $31
    Essaouira $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dakar $62
    Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Dakar and Essaouira

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.

Hotels in Dakar


Hotels in Essaouira


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: Essaouira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dakar $5.16
    Essaouira $1.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $202
  • Transfer - Dakar <-> Saint-Louis (One way): $189
  • Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Round-Trp Private Transfer: $147
  • DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $116
  • Airport Transfer - Aéroport international Blaise Diagne to Dakar: $116
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $89
  • Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Saly Zone (two directions): $77
  • Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $63
  • DSS transfer - DAKAR (one way) : $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira

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

  • Excursion: 1H/Quad+1H/Camels (free transfer): $63
  • Agadir or taghazout: day in Essaouira with transfer: $45
  • Airport Transfer Essaouira - Marrakech : $284
  • Airport transfer, Departure : Essaouira, Arrival : Agadir: $118
  • Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $37
  • Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $133
  • Essaouira transfer to Marrakech : $126
  • 1-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $36
  • 2-Hour Quad Ride (free transfer): $61
  • 3 Hours Quad Ride with Transfer: $81
  • 3-Hour Quad Ride (Free Transfer): $68
  • 3-hour Quad ride (free transfer): $71

Is it cheaper to fly into Dakar or Essaouira?

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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Dakar $33
    Essaouira $23
Typical Food Prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:


  • Breakfast
    $3.95

Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:


  • Baklava
    $1.39
  • Breakfast Crepes
    $0.50
  • Fish for Lunch
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira

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

  • Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
  • Traditional Moroccan and Berber Cooking Classes : $53
  • l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $63
  • Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $66
  • Essaouirra cooking class: $67
  • Essaouira Walking Food Tour: $70
  • 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $192

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dakar $13
    Essaouira $12

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
  • 2 days tour Pink lake- desert of Lompoul 2 people minimum : $232
  • Bandia Reserve Tour from Dakar 2 Persons Minimum : $221
  • Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
  • Dakar City Tour and Goree island (from 3 people): $126
  • Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
  • Private City Tour: $108
  • Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $29
  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $29
  • discover the magic of this city on our guided tour: $31
  • Day Tour Bandia Wildlife Reserve and pink lake : $292
  • Day tour in Dakar museum and monument : $137

Tours and Activities in Essaouira

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.

  • From Marrakech : Ouzoud waterfalls guided trip and boat tour: $10
  • Souk Had Draa: Private Tour and Traditional Moroccan Breakfast: $21
  • Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $26
  • Private City Tour: $26
  • Full-Day Essaouira Tour from Marrakech: $26
  • Historical & Cultural Sightseeing Tour - half day: $35
  • Explore Essaouira's Secrets: A Guided Tour with a Local!: $35
  • 3-Hour Camel Tour: $46
  • Guided Dromedary Riding Tour: $51
  • Essaouira Tour - Half day visit to berber market : $54
  • Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $55
  • 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $56

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dakar $8.66
    Essaouira $9.14


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?.


Which is Bigger, Dakar or Essaouira?

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.