Which place is cheaper, Cesis or Zanzibar?
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 Zanzibar or Cesis?
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 Cesis 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 Cesis?
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.
Cesis
Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesCesis Prices
Latvia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Cesis $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Cesis is $160. 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 Cesis in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Cesis $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Cesis $110
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Cesis
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Cesis? 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Cesis $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ) Private Transfer to Zanzibar: $62
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Private Airport Transfer from AAK Airport to Hotels: $40
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Private Airport transfers to any hotel in Zanzibar (Arrivals): $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Cesis?
Prices for flights to both Cesis 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
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $28Cesis $83
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
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
- Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150
Typical Food Prices in Cesis
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:
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Lunch in town for two$7.77
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Cesis $19
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- City tours zanzibar: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Cesis $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Cesis, we can see that Cesis 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 Cesis is in Europe, 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 Cesis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cesis 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 Cesis Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Cesis?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Cesis, 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 Cesis?
Cesis 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 Cesis in the Summer?
Both Cesis and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Cesis. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Cesis fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Cesis. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Cesis 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Cesis in the Autumn?
Both Cesis and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Cesis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Cesis fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Cesis. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Cesis 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Cesis in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Cesis. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many visitors come to Cesis in the winter for the cuisine.
Cesis can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Cesis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Cesis averages at about -5°C (23°F).
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Cesis. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Cesis -5°C (23°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Cesis in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Cesis. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Cesis for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Cesis. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Cesis fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Cesis. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Cesis 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Cesis and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Cesis | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.