Zanzibar Travel Guide: Best Beaches, Spice Tours & Island Adventures 2025

🌍 Zanzibar Travel Essentials: Costs & Tips for a Smooth Trip

💰 Visa & Money Matters:
– Visa on Arrival: $50 | Travel Insurance: $40
– Currency Exchange:
Airport rate: $1 = 2600 TSH (Better city rate: 2660 TSH)
– Taxi from airport to Stone Town: $10
Pro tip: Exit right and follow the parking lot to find taxis. 🛺 Local “dala-dala” vans cost just 15k TSH!

🚗 Island Transportation:
– Car rental: $25/day (Show Tanzanian license proof: 20k TSH or $10)
– Road conditions: Well-maintained and easy to navigate
– Police checks: Quick license glance before waving you through

📱 Staying Connected:
– Best SIM card spot: Darajani Bazaar square (Card fee: 2k TSH)
– Data plans: Tailored options available (e.g., 10GB for 20k TSH)

🏨 Beachfront Paradise: Le Mersenne
– Bookable with Marriott points | Prime Paje location
– Perks: Complimentary boat rides to stunning sandbars
– Low tide adventure: Walk to iconic The Rock restaurant
– Note: Seaweed naturally accumulates on beaches

🐠 Diving Discovery:
– Package: $90 for two dives (full gear included)
– Visibility improves from 10m to 20m+ during dive
– Marine life highlights: Playful octopuses, lobsters, seahorses & vibrant shellfish
– Verdict: Enjoyable experience though not essential

🏄♂️ Beach Hotspots:
– Paje: Kitesurfing mecca with powerful Indian Ocean waves
– Nungwi: Pristine northern beaches with:
• Dolphin tours + snorkeling (quoted 50k TSH)
• Magical sunset cruises (20k TSH, 4-6:30pm)

🛡️ Safety Insights:
Coming from Kenya, Zanzibar felt remarkably secure. While vendors may offer tours, a polite “no thanks” suffices. Evening strolls feel safe with abundant tourist presence.

Bonus: The island’s spice markets offer incredible photo ops – don’t miss the cinnamon and vanilla stalls!