Is Merzouga expensive to visit?
Merzouga is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Merzouga can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $17 (MAD160) per day, mid-range travelers spend $23 (MAD216) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $31 (MAD293) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Merzouga.
Within Africa, Merzouga is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Africa for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Merzouga.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Merzouga Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Merzouga?
The average Merzouga trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Merzouga travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Merzouga cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Merzouga, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
What Does It Mean to Be a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $17 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Luckily, Merzouga has plenty of hostels like Le Gout Du Sahara Hostel, Merzouga Camp and Hostel, and Hostel La Palmeraie. At these hostels, you can find affordable dorm beds and a vibrant social scene, but amenities tend to be quite limited.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. It's a common desire for visitors to Merzouga to experience the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $23 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for a complete getaway that features every luxury and a high level of service, plan on a cost of about $31 daily. To enjoy nicer hotels, dine at award-winning venues, indulge in extravagant experiences, and travel around the destination with taxis or private drivers, you'll need to set aside a luxury budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as 2 Nights in Luxury Camp and Camel Trekking in Merzouga Desert - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Merzouga
The price of hotels in Merzouga can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury and amenities, but with much higher price tags, especially during peak season. Off-season averages are around $62, while peak season averages can reach $116. Prices range from $33 to $293, but hostels are usually cheaper. Traveling during the low season and booking early are good ways to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Merzouga for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $22 (MAD205). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $11 (MAD102) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Merzouga? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Merzouga include:
- Kasbah Azalay Merzouga starting at $56
- Takojt starting at $41
- Kasbah Panorama starting at $45
- Berber Camp starting at $41
- L'Homme du Desert starting at $40
By skipping and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Food Budget in Merzouga
One of the biggest draws for travelers is the food, so be sure to savor the local flavors.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Merzouga can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Merzouga is $11 (MAD103) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$11
MAD103
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Merzouga is around $11 (MAD103) per person, with previous travelers spending from $11 to $11. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Merzouga are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $3
- Lunch: $2 to $4
- Dinner: $3 to $8
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $2
Most people in Merzouga find their meals in their hotels, but a few restaurants are scattered around town should you feel so inclined. Visit the Mac Aldi for a good place to try the Berber tajine (or tagine). Prepare for a bit of a wait, though, as tajine is always made fresh.
Some hotels include breakfast in the overall cost, while others add it as an extra charge. The quality and price of breakfast can vary greatly depending on the hotel. Being informed beforehand can help you determine if you need to set aside additional funds. The hotel's buffet may be worth it, or you might consider visiting a local bakery or cafe for a more budget-friendly option.
Opt for a water bottle rather than spending on drinks all the time. It's also a more sustainable choice.
If you're going to take a tour, make sure you understand which meals are included. You could end up paying for some food yourself, which might affect your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Merzouga, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner for $43 details
- Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast for $50 details
- Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD for $64 details
Merzouga
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.