Which place is cheaper, Flores 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 Flores?
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 Flores 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 Flores?
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.
Flores
The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Tours for Seniors to Guatemala, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Guatemala.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesFlores Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Flores $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Flores is $43. 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 Flores in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Flores $8.80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Flores $18
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Flores
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Flores? 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 Flores Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Flores $8.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Zanzibar transfers and Taxi: $35
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Zanzibar Private Transfer – From Airport to Any Hotel: $50
- Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
- Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $88
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $40
- Zanzibar Private Arrival Transfer from Airport to Jambiani Beach: $40
- Zanzibar Must-see Sights with Lunch and Transfers: $249
- Zanzibar Island Private Taxi Airport and Hotels Transfers: $50
- Zanzibar Island Private Taxi Airport and Hotel Transfer: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores
Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Rio Dulce, Izabal: $39
- Belize/Caye Caulke/San Pedro Van or Ferry Transfer: $20
- One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
- Tikal National Park Guided Tour with Transfers: $24
- Transfer from Flores to Semuc Champey, Lanquin, Tourists Only: $40
- From Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Tikal: $39
- Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores: $160
- Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
- Transfer : Mayan World Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Flores?
Prices for flights to both Flores 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 $28Flores $23
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 $13Flores $20
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Private Stone Town City Tour: $50
- 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $50
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $68
- 5 HOURS Stone Town Tour Including Pick-up and Drop off: $70
- A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
- A Half Day Private Nungwi Village Tour (With Turtles Aquarium): $78
- A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
- A Half Day Private Stone Town Tour: $85
- A Half Day Private Tour To Jozani Forest: $87
- A Half Day Private Tour To Spice Farm: $80
- A Half Day Private Tour to Spice Farm: $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Tikal Entrance (for 2)$39
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Map of Tikal$3.29
Tours and Activities in Flores
For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tour and transportation with tour guide to Tikal.: $20
- Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
- Yaxha Shared Sunset Tour with Transportation & Guide: $25
- From Flowers Sunset Tour in Tikal: $25
- Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
- Shared tour to Tikal from Flores Island: $30
- Tikal Sightseeing Tour: from Mundo Maya Airport in Flores: $30
- From Tikal Ruins Guided Tour: $31
- Tikal Ruins Day Tour from Flores: $31
- From Yaxha Ruins Guided Tour: $36
- From Tikal Sunrise Archaeological Tour: $37
- From 2-Day Semuc Champey Tour with Caves & Tubing: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Flores $21
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:
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Two Margaritas$2.63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Flores, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Flores 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 Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Flores.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Flores Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Flores?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Flores, 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.