Which place is cheaper, Hermanus or Essaouira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Essaouira or Hermanus?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Essaouira and Hermanus can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Essaouira or Hermanus?
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.
Hermanus
Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEssaouira $47Hermanus $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Essaouira is $47, while the average daily cost in Hermanus is $74. 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 Essaouira and Hermanus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEssaouira $27Hermanus $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEssaouira $54Hermanus $54
Compare Hotels in Essaouira and Hermanus
Looking for a hotel in Essaouira or Hermanus? 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: Essaouira Hotel Prices and Hermanus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Essaouira $2.06Hermanus $8.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Essaouira Airport: $21
- Marrakech : Private Transfer from or to Marrakech Airoport: $22
- Transfer Essaouira Airport to Essaouira: $22
- Private transfer Kaouki to Essaouira or Essaouira to Kaouki: $22
- Airport Transfer From Essaouira Airport To Medina: $22
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $27
- 1-Hour Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $37
- Guided Quad Ride in Essaouira (1 Hour). (free transfer): $37
- Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $39
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport : $42
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Aéroport : $45
- From Scenic Diabat Horseback Ride with Transfer: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Essaouira or Hermanus?
Prices for flights to both Hermanus and Essaouira 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 dayEssaouira $14Hermanus $42
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.44
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Breakfast Crepes$0.52
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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 : $45
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $67
- Essaouirra cooking class: $71
- Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $72
- Essaouira Cooking Class: $77
- Essaouira Food Tour: $92
- Berber Cooking Class at a Farm in the Countryside & shopping at a rural Souk.: $100
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $174
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $176
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Essaouira $12Hermanus -
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Private Tour of Souk Had Dra and Traditional Moroccan Breakfast: $22
- Private City Tour: $27
- Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $27
- Full-Day Essaouira Tour from Marrakech: $28
- KiteSurfing or Surfing Experience in Essaouira: $29
- Explore Essaouira's Secrets: A Guided Tour with a Local!: $30
- Historical & Cultural Sightseeing Tour - half day: $34
- Sports Tour: Wadi(river), Dunes and Panorama Essaouira: $34
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $45
- Half-Day Old Town Guided Tour: $49
- Guided Dromedary Riding Tour: $49
- 3-Hour Camel Tour: $49
Tours and Activities in Hermanus
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:
- 2 Hours Fatbike Sunset Dune Experience : $73
- Cape Town: Hermanus Land Based Whale Watching Tour: $149
- Fatbike Morning Dune Tours: $73
- Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $276
- Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $100
- Hermanus Land based Whale Walking Tour with Dave de Beer: $75
- Hermanus Whale Watching Day Tour: $26
- Hermanus Whale Watching Experience: $225
- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $79
- Whale Watching and Winelands Tour with Tastings: $184
- Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $145
- Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2024: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEssaouira $9.48Hermanus -
Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus
Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $26
- Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $88
- Whale Watching Boat Trip and Wine tasting ,Penguin: $99
- Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $160
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Essaouira and Hermanus, we can see that Hermanus 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 Hermanus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hermanus 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 Essaouira Expensive? and Is Hermanus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Essaouira or Hermanus?
Essaouira has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hermanus. When comparing the sizes of Essaouira and Hermanus, 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.
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.