Which place is cheaper, Hibiscus Coast 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 Hibiscus Coast?
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 Hibiscus Coast 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 Hibiscus Coast?
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.
Hibiscus Coast
The Hibiscus Coast, or KwaZulu-Natal, is located on the southeast coast of South Africa, just south of Durban. The area is rich in beautiful beaches and lush nature reserves which offer fantastic opportunities for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor adventures. The Hibiscus Coast experiences their summer from December-February, with temperatures in the 70's Fahrenheit, making these the best months to visit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Sightseeing Tours in South Africa, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in South Africa.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesHibiscus Coast Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Hibiscus Coast $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Hibiscus Coast is $82. 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 Hibiscus Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Hibiscus Coast $35
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Hibiscus Coast $70
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Hibiscus Coast
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Hibiscus Coast? 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 Hibiscus Coast Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Hibiscus Coast $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- 24/7 Private Transfers across Zanzibar: $30
- 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa Transfer inclus: $68
- Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
- Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
- Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels: $45
- Airport transfers in Zanzibar: $40
- Airport/port Transfer: $70
- Arrival Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Zanzibar by Luxury Car: $211
- Dolphin Snorkeling and Pungume Island with Lunch and Transfer: $80
- Half Day Zanzibar City Tour with Airport Transfer: $30
- Jet Ski to Zanzibar with photos and video and transfer included: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Hibiscus Coast?
Prices for flights to both Hibiscus Coast 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 $28Hibiscus Coast $38
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
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Cultural Cuisines Cooking Class & Spice Farm Tour: $75
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $77
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Fully Day Private Tour Spice Tour Cooking Class and Stone town: $130
- Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
- Spice Farm with Cooking Class + Lunch and Stone town (City tour): $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Hibiscus Coast $5.66
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $14
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Private Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Private Stone Town Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $18
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
- Stone town walking tour with Akash: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Private Electric Pedicabs Tour in Zanzibar: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.70Hibiscus Coast $6.24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Hibiscus Coast, we can see that Hibiscus Coast is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hibiscus Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hibiscus Coast 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 Hibiscus Coast Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Hibiscus Coast?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 79% larger than the population of Hibiscus Coast. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Hibiscus Coast, 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 Hibiscus Coast?
Hibiscus Coast 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 Hibiscus Coast in the Summer?
Both Hibiscus Coast and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year.
In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Hibiscus Coastin January. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Hibiscus Coast during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Hibiscus Coast receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hibiscus Coast. In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Hibiscus Coastin January. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Hibiscus Coast 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hibiscus Coast in the Autumn?
Both Hibiscus Coast 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.
Zanzibar is a little warmer than Hibiscus Coast in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in April.
In Hibiscus Coast, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Hibiscus Coastin April. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hibiscus Coast receives 206 hours of full sun.
Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Hibiscus Coastin April. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Hibiscus Coast 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hibiscus Coast in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Hibiscus Coast. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round.
In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Hibiscus Coast. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Hibiscus Coast averages at about 17°C (62°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hibiscus Coast this time of the year. In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hibiscus Coast during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Hibiscus Coast receives 230 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Hibiscus Coastin July. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Hibiscus Coast 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Hibiscus Coast in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Hibiscus Coast. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Hibiscus Coastin October. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Hibiscus Coastin October. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hibiscus Coast receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Hibiscus Coast. Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Hibiscus Coastin October. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Hibiscus Coast 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Hibiscus Coast and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Hibiscus Coast | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.