Which place is cheaper, David 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 David?
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 David 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 David?
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.
David
In the Pacific West of Panama, David is the capital city of Chiriqui province. The city's population of almost 150,000 is among the wealthiest in the country. There is a well established middle class and unemployment remains low in the area. The area has grown rapidly in recent years with growing commercial and banking sectors. The city is well connected to the rest of the country by the Pan American Highway.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Panama, and The Best Budget Tours to Panama.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesDavid Prices
Panama Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62David $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in David is $39. 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 David in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24David $12
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48David $24
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and David
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or David? 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 and David Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11David $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure: $20
- Private Airport Transfers in Zanzibar To Stone Town: $20
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Aiport transfer services: $23
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar airport/port - Pick & Drop off: $25
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer Service with Wifi and Aircon: $29
- Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or David?
Prices for flights to both David 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 $28David $17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $76
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $100
- Zanzibar Private Tour & Cooking Class: $110
- Fully Day Private Tour Spice Tour Cooking Class and Stone town: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13David $4.37
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Stone Town Self Audio Guide Tour With Tourist Map: $6.00
- Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.04
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- City Tour with French guide: $18
- Walking City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $20
- Zanzibar old town historical walking tour: $20
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
- Stone town walking tour with Akash: $20
- Best Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Fruits & Spices Adventure: $21
- Discover the Hidden Histories of Stone Town Walking Tour: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75David -
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and David, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is David much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and David is in Central 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 David would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in David 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 Zanzibar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zanzibar than you might in David.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is David Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or David?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of David. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and David, 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.
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.