Which place is cheaper, Diani or Merzouga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Merzouga or Diani?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Merzouga or Diani, 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: Merzouga or Diani?
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
Diani
Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Merzouga Prices
Morocco PricesDiani Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMerzouga $24Diani $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Merzouga is $24, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. 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 Merzouga and Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMerzouga $11Diani $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMerzouga $22Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Merzouga and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Merzouga or Diani? 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: Merzouga Hotel Prices and Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Merzouga -Diani $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi and Airport transfers: $70
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Merzouga or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani and Merzouga 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 dayMerzouga $11Diani $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Berber Pizza Cooking Class: $36
- Merzouga Cooking Class Familye: $46
- Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $52
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $59
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $65
- Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $71
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Merzouga Desert Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour: $142
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani
For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Diani Beach: Cooking Class with a Local: $60
- Diani Beach: Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Merzouga -Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- 1 Hour Buggy Can-am Merzouga Desert Experience: $123
- 1 Hour Merzouga Buggy Desert Tour: $83
- 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp: $65
- 1 Night Experience Camel Trekking Merzouga: $83
- 1 hour Quad in the Sahara: Merzouga Off Roading Experience: Nature & Wildlife: $81
- 1 hour tour Quad biking experience: $100
- 1/2 day 4x4 tour of Erg Chebbi: $95
- 2 Hour Merzouga Buggy Adventure in the Sahara Dunes: $207
- 2 Hour Quad Desert Experience with Sandboarding: $39
- 2 days tour in Merzouga Erg Chabbi with 4WD Jeep and Camel Treck: $296
- 2 hours Merzouga Dunes ATV Rental - Desert Quad Biking Tour: $115
- 2-Days Merzouga tour from Errachidia: $200
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
- Stori Baharini: Story telling walking tour in Diani Beach: $20
- Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
- Diani Beach: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $28
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
- Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $35
- Diani Beach: Private African Pool Map Guided Tour: $35
- Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
- Diani Beach: Italian-Swahili Fusion Dining Experience: $41
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Estuary Sundowner Boat Tour: $42
- Diani Beach: Glass Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMerzouga -Diani $8.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Merzouga and Diani, we can see that Diani is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Diani would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Diani than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Merzouga Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.
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.