Which place is cheaper, Hibiscus Coast or Essaouira?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Essaouira or Hibiscus Coast?
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 Hibiscus Coast can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Essaouira or Hibiscus Coast?
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.
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 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEssaouira $46Hibiscus Coast $57
The average daily cost (per person) in Essaouira is $46, while the average daily cost in Hibiscus Coast is $57. 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 Hibiscus Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEssaouira $26Hibiscus Coast $30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEssaouira $52Hibiscus Coast $60
Compare Hotels in Essaouira and Hibiscus Coast
Looking for a hotel in Essaouira 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: Essaouira Hotel Prices and Hibiscus Coast Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Essaouira $1.99Hibiscus Coast $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- "Essaouira to Agafay Desert Marrakech: Exclusive Private Transfer: $90
- Airport transfer, Departure : Essaouira, Arrival : Agadir: $118
- Essaouira : Private Transfer from or to Agafay Desert: $160
- Essaouira Airport To city Transfer: $38
- Essaouira private transfer from Essaouira city to Agadir airport (AGA): $139
- Hinterland Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $35
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Aéroport : $22
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport (ESU): $22
- Scenic Hinterland Quad Ride with Transfer: $80
- From Beachside Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $69
- From Private Transfer to Casablanca: $320
Is it cheaper to fly into Essaouira or Hibiscus Coast?
Prices for flights to both Hibiscus Coast 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 $14Hibiscus Coast $18
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava$1.40
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Breakfast Crepes$0.50
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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
- L'Atelier Madada Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $54
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $55
- Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $67
- Berber Cooking Class at a Farm in the Countryside & shopping at a rural Souk.: $97
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $169
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Essaouira $12Hibiscus Coast $4.82
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Highlights Tour with Tasting the Ocean City: $19
- Full Day Tour From Marrakech To Essaouira Mogador: $21
- Private City Tour: $26
- From Marrakech: Guided tour of Essaouira the coastal city: $26
- KiteSurfing or Surfing Experience in Essaouira: $28
- Friend-Guide Essaouira city tour: $31
- 3-Hour Camel Tour: $40
- Cultural & Historical Sightseeing Tour - half day: $40
- Discover Essaouira Full-Day Tour: $43
- Essaouira Adventure Full-Day Excursion from Marakech: $47
- Guided Dromedary Riding Tour: $48
- Half-Day Old Town Guided Tour: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEssaouira $9.16Hibiscus Coast $5.31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Essaouira and Hibiscus Coast, we can see that Hibiscus Coast 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 Hibiscus Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hibiscus Coast 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 Hibiscus Coast Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Essaouira or Hibiscus Coast?
Hibiscus Coast has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Essaouira 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.
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.