A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Asuncion for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Asuncion?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Asuncion can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Asuncion?

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

Asuncion

Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.


Which place is cheaper, Asuncion or Zanzibar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Asuncion is $67. 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 Zanzibar and Asuncion in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Asuncion $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Asuncion $44
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Asuncion

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Asuncion? 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 Zanzibar


Hotels in Asuncion


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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Asuncion Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Asuncion $8.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • transfer from airport to Makunduchi Zanzibar: $44
  • Zanzibar:Prison Island,Nakupenda Sandbank Tour with transfer: $141
  • Zanzibar:Hotels & Airport Transfer Services: $50
  • Stone Town to Airport Private Transfer: $23
  • Safari blue tour with Lunch and Transfers: $180
  • Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town: $23
  • Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • One-Way Airport Transfer to Your Hotel: $50
  • Jozani Forest and Spice Farm Tour With Transfer: $110
  • Island Transfers: $50
  • Fishing Boat Tour with Transfer: $109
  • Baraka Turtle Aquarium Tour with Hotel Transfers: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion

Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
  • RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
  • Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
  • Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
  • Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
  • Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Asuncion?

Prices for flights to both Asuncion and Zanzibar 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
    Zanzibar $17
    Asuncion $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.

  • Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
  • Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
  • Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
  • Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Asuncion $16

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • 4 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
  • Spice Tour & Mangapwani Cave Tour: $80
  • Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $130
  • Stonetown Private Half-day Walking Tour: $35
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour : $47
  • 10 DAYS MOSHI TO ZANZIBAR BIKE TOUR: $4,286
  • 2day Zanzibar adventure: Prison Island & Sandbank (all-incl): $538
  • 3 HOURS PRISON ISLAND TOUR IN ZANZIBAR: $60
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $30
  • 3-Day Selous Game Reserve Safari & Cultural tour with Flight: $1,345
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $26

Tours and Activities in Asuncion

For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Asuncion: $34
  • Walking Tour with a Local in Asuncion "The Mother of Cities": $35
  • Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
  • Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
  • Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $85
  • Golden Triangle Tour: $110
  • Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
  • Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour from Asunción: $160
  • Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
  • Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
  • Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
  • Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    Asuncion $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:

  • Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30

Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.21


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Asuncion, we can see that Asuncion is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Asuncion is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Asuncion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asuncion than you might in Zanzibar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Asuncion Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Asuncion?

Asuncion has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Asuncion, 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 Zanzibar or Asuncion?

Asuncion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asuncion in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Asuncion. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Zanzibar is cooler than Asuncion. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zanzibar in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Asuncion averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zanzibar this time of the year. In the summer, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Asuncionin January. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asuncion receives 249 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Asuncion. Zanzibar usually gets less rain in July than Asuncionin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Asuncion 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asuncion in the Autumn?

Both Asuncion and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.

In October, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Asuncionin April. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (78°F), and Asuncion fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Asuncion during autumn. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Asuncion receives 199 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. In October, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Asuncionin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Asuncion 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asuncion in the Winter?

Both Asuncion and Zanzibar during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Zanzibar is a little warmer than Asuncion in the winter. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Asuncion fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the winter, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Asuncionin July. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asuncion receives 191 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets more rain in January than Asuncionin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Asuncion 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Asuncion in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Asuncion. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.

In the spring, Zanzibar is around the same temperature as Asuncion. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zanzibar in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Asuncion averages at about 25°C (77°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asuncion this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Asuncion during spring. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Asuncion receives 206 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Asuncionin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Asuncion receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Asuncion 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Asuncion and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Asuncion
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 19°C (66°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 21°C (70°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)