Which place is cheaper, Diani or Zagora?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zagora or Diani?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Zagora or Diani? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Zagora or Diani?
Zagora
A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.
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 Adventure Tours to Morocco, The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZagora $50Diani $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Zagora is $50, while the average daily cost in Diani is $55. 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 Zagora and Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZagora $36Diani $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZagora $72Diani $48
Compare Hotels in Zagora and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Zagora 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: Zagora Hotel Prices and Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zagora $1.42Diani $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagora
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagora:
- Airport Private Transfer: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $63
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Zagora or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani and Zagora 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 dayZagora $13Diani $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zagora $2.85Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Zagora
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zagora are as follows:
- 2 Days Tour to Zagora Desert with sunset from Marrakech: $82
- 2 days tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga: $136
- From Agadir 4 Days 3 night Désert Tours to Marrakech: $1,321
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $352
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $352
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $374
- From 2-Day Desert Tour to Erg Chegaga: $287
- Marrakech: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour Zagora & BenHaddou: $111
- Private Day Camel Trekking Tour in Draa Valley from Zagora: $214
- Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
- Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $22
- Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $25
- Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $30
- Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $36
- Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
- Duruma Traditional Wedding Demo, Village Tour and Dance Show: $49
- Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $57
- Wasini island: Marine Park, Dolphin Watch & Village Tour: $100
- Full Day Shimba hills tour with Shifoga nature trail: $120
- 1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZagora -Diani $9.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Diani
Also in Diani, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $43
When comparing the travel costs between Zagora and Diani, we can see that Diani is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zagora 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.