Which place is cheaper, Hibiscus Coast or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Hibiscus Coast. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesHibiscus Coast Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Hibiscus Coast $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Hibiscus Coast 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 Mombasa and Hibiscus Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Hibiscus Coast $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Hibiscus Coast $58
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Hibiscus Coast
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Hibiscus Coast Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Hibiscus Coast $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers to Watamu and Malindi : $75
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $65
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $113
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $78
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Nyali, Bamburi & Shanzu: $35
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Vipingo and Kilifi: $91
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $94
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast?
Prices for flights to both Hibiscus Coast and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Hibiscus Coast $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1-Hour city tour, food tour, cultural tour: $25
- Fort Jesus Sound & Lights Show And Romantic Dinner.: $39
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Fort Jesus Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $49
- Swahili food Cooking Class Experience: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $50
- Spicy Food Tour in Mombasa Streets And City tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Hibiscus Coast $4.75
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa City tour; Old Town,tusks,Fort Jesus: $20
- Mombasa Half Day City Tour: $20
- FortJesus,OldTown,NatureWalk near Giraffes DayTour.: $26
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
- Mombasa City: Swahili Cuisines Food Tasting Guided Tour.: $30
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa Old Town Walking Tour: $30
- Mombasa :City Historical And Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour: $32
- Diani Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $33
- Mombasa City: Private Shore Excursion And City Walking Tour.: $33
- Mombasa City: Shore Excursion And Historical Guided Tour.: $33
- Day Tour with Haller Park and Fort Jesus: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Hibiscus Coast $5.24
Sample the Local Flavors in Mombasa
Also in Mombasa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Coastal Pub Crawl - Bamburi Drunk Tour: $25
- Mombasa Bar Crawl and Matatu Experience. Pickup from Diani Beach: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Hibiscus Coast, we can see that Mombasa is more expensive. And not only is Hibiscus Coast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hibiscus Coast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hibiscus Coast 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 Mombasa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mombasa than you might in Hibiscus Coast.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Hibiscus Coast Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Hibiscus Coast. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast?
Hibiscus Coast has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast in the Summer?
Both Hibiscus Coast and Mombasa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Hibiscus Coast in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 25°C (76°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the summer, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Hibiscus Coastin January. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hibiscus Coast receives 184 hours of full sun.
Hibiscus Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Hibiscus Coastin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Hibiscus Coast 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Hibiscus Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
In the autumn, Mombasa is a little warmer than Hibiscus Coast. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Hibiscus Coast averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hibiscus Coast this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Hibiscus Coast during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Hibiscus Coast receives 206 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Hibiscus Coastin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Hibiscus Coast 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Hibiscus Coast. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Hibiscus Coastin July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hibiscus Coast. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Hibiscus Coastin July. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hibiscus Coast receives 230 hours of full sun.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in January than Hibiscus Coastin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hibiscus Coast 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Hibiscus Coast in the Spring?
Both Hibiscus Coast and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
Mombasa is a little warmer than Hibiscus Coast in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Hibiscus Coast during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Hibiscus Coast receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hibiscus Coast. It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Hibiscus Coastin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Hibiscus Coast 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Hibiscus Coast and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Hibiscus Coast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
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.