Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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 Roatan?
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 Roatan 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 Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Zanzibar Prices
Tanzania PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $62Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Roatan $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Roatan? 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 Roatan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Roatan $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $15
- Premium Private Transfer in Zanzibar – Airport, Hotels, Beaches: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers Pickup and Drop off/departure: $20
- Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Arrival Transfer: Zanzibar Airport to Hotel: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Transfers to Hotels: $20
- Zanzibar Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Abeid Amani Karume Airport Pick-Up & Hotel Transfer in Zanzibar: $20
- Private Airport Transfers to Stone Town and Beyond: $20
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$3.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan -Round-Trip Transfer: $113
- King Kong Extreme Zipline, City Tour and Transfer: $130
- Let's Go Native Roatan City Cultural Tour, Transfer: $80
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
- Private Transfer from Honduras Roatan Airport (RTB) to Roatan Hotels: $153
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $99
- Roatan Private Transfers: Airport, Cruise Port or Hotel: $110
- South Side Horseback Riding, Beach Break & Roundway Transfer: $120
- Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
- Ultimate West Bay Beach Day: Pass & Transfers Included: $55
- West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 $28Roatan $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
- Zanzibar Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $50
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
- Cooking Class Tour: $90
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $107
- Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
- Zanzibar Full-Day Tour Jozani Forest and Swahili Cooking Class: $130
- Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
- Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
- Cooking classes from a Local!: $245
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Roatan $25
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Zanzibar Unveiled From Slaves to Sultans Audio Tour: $7.08
- Nyange Sandbank & Snorkelling tour with BBQ lunch: $12
- Stone Town Hidden Gems: Historical Walking Tour with Local Guide: $13
- Private Stone Town Cultural & Historical Walking Tour - Zanzibar: $16
- Private Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Tour: $16
- Guided Stone Town Tour In Zanzibar: $18
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour Experience: $18
- Stone Town Walking Tour in Zanzibar: $18
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: Shopping, Culture & History: $18
- Stone Town tour: $18
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $19
- Zanzibar Green Tour Spice Farm and Butterfly Centre: $20
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Roatan Fun Bus Group Sightseeing Island Private Tour: $37
- Roatan Private and Public Action Snorkel Tours and Charters: $39
- Roatan Island Tours, Sightseeing and Shopping Adventures: $39
- Roatán Ron and Chocolate Custom Tour.: $40
- Private Customize Roatán Island Tour chocolate Rum local guide: $42
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $43
- Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
- Roatán Private costume Tour Chocolate Rum Culture & Local Snacks: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- Roatan Private Tour , Culture and Views Experience: $45
- Roatan VIP island tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.75Roatan $6.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Roatan, we can see that Zanzibar is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Roatan 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 Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Roatan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Roatan?
Zanzibar has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Roatan. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Roatan, 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.