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

Should you visit Jinja or Essaouira?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jinja 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: Jinja or Essaouira?

Jinja

Jinja is a city located at the source of the Nile in Uganda, Africa. Many backpackers travel to Jinja, as it is known for its white water rafting. This city is the third largest economy in all of the East African Community. It has a population of about 72,000 people.

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 Wildlife Tours to Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Jinja?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $92, 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 Jinja and Essaouira in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jinja $44
    Essaouira $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jinja $88
    Essaouira $52
Compare Hotels in Jinja and Essaouira

Looking for a hotel in Jinja 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 Jinja


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: Jinja Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jinja $22
    Essaouira $1.99

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 Jinja or Essaouira?

Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Jinja 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
    Jinja $28
    Essaouira $14

Typical Food Prices in Essaouira

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


  • Baklava
    $1.40
  • 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
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jinja $29
    Essaouira $12

Tours and Activities in Jinja

Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 18 Days African Jungle Safari Tour: $9,433
  • 3days jinja and sipi falls tour: $800
  • David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
  • Half-Day Banana Kayak Experience in Bubugo with Lunch: $25
  • Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
  • Guided Walking Tour with Optional Source of the Nile: $31
  • Three days source of the nile & sipi falls tour: $760
  • Uganda: 4 Day Jinja City Tour Uganda: $1,655
  • White Water Rafting & Source of the Nile Adventure: $760

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jinja $13
    Essaouira $9.16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinja and Essaouira, we can see that Jinja 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 Jinja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinja 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 Jinja Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Jinja or Essaouira?

Jinja has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Jinja 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.

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