How I Spent a Week in Zanzibar Without Breaking the Bank

 How I Spent a Week in Zanzibar Without Breaking the Bank

Gotta be real with you.

The first time Zanzibar crossed my mind? I kinda laughed. Not out loud — more like that internal “yeah, okay” kind of laugh.

 Actually, my wallet laughed.

I mean, in my head I saw all those dreamy Instagram shots — the kind where people are sipping coconut drinks by some infinity pool, waves crashing in the background, the sun doing that golden hour thing. It looked beautiful. It also looked... expensive.

So I figured I’d save the idea for a time when my bank account didn’t feel like a joke.

But fast-forward a bit, and there I was — standing barefoot on Kendwa Beach, sand between my toes, fresh coconut in hand, thinking to myself:

“Wait... this didn’t break me?”

Zanzibar gave me a different reality than what I expected — and not the one you find in those fancy travel brochures or sponsored YouTube vlogs.

This is what actually went down — the unfiltered, do-it-on-a-budget, still-had-the-time-of-my-life version.

Day 1: Arrival — Stone Town & the Smell of Clove

Soon as I stepped off the plane at Abeid Amani Karume, man... something hit me. Not the heat — the smell. Zanzibar’s got this weird mix of ocean, spice, and something old. It’s different. Kinda hard to explain.

 It’s this mix of clove, sea salt, and something ancient. A scent that sticks to your memory.

I took a shared taxi with two backpackers from Nairobi — Mercy and Josh. We got to talking about politics, overpriced travel agencies, and how none of us wanted to be broke by the time we left the island.

We split the fare to Stone Town: 10,000 Tanzanian shillings each. That’s under $5.

Our guesthouse? It was squeezed between a mosque and some tiny shop selling fried cassava all day. The room wasn’t anything special — bed was okay, Wi-Fi worked when it wanted, but the people running it were super warm. Felt right.

$17 per night. Breakfast included.

We dumped our bags, and Mercy insisted we head to the Forodhani night market. “You're not in Zanzibar till you've burned your tongue on bad pizza,” she joked.

She was right. The Zanzibar pizza was overhyped. But the grilled octopus? Changed my life.

Day 2: Getting Lost in Stone Town

Stone Town is a maze.

I mean that literally. You will get lost.

But it’s beautiful when you do. Old carved doors, hanging laundry, kids playing football with plastic bottles. I wandered aimlessly, ended up at the old slave market museum. Five bucks entry. Felt heavy, but necessary.

Later, I ducked into a little café called Zuri Vibes. Locals and tourists sipping ginger tea, Bob Marley playing softly in the background. I spent hours journaling there, watching life pass by.

When I got back to the guesthouse, Josh had found a flyer for an island tour.

Prison Island + snorkeling + lunch = $25. We booked for the next day.

Day 3: Turtles, Coral, and the Ugly Sunburn

Prison Island was humbling — giant tortoises older than my grandparents and a quiet history that felt loud.

The snorkeling was insane. I had never seen that many fish up close. It was like swimming inside a National Geographic episode.

Lunch was grilled fish and pilau under a palm-thatched shack.

The sun, though?

Didn’t play fair.

We got back into town and my shoulders were done. Like, properly roasted. I sat there wondering why I didn’t just suck it up and buy that $18 sunscreen back at the airport. Could’ve avoided the burn if I wasn’t trying to act tough. Lesson learned. I still think about that $25 boat ride though — fried shoulders and all, it was stupid worth it.

Day 4: Beach Bound — The North Calls

So, we all threw in some cash and jumped on a dala-dala heading to Nungwi. Cost us about 2,000 shillings each — less than a buck, if you ask me.

Nungwi is where the beaches go from “nice” to “am I even alive right now?” Turquoise water that doesn’t look real. Sand that squeaks under your feet.

We checked into Mwezi Inn — a budget spot recommended by some German girl Mercy met at breakfast. $22 per night, per person. Shared room, mosquito nets, and a fan that only worked when the power did (Zanzibar problems).

But just down the beach, there were private resorts charging $400+ a night. And we still had access to the same sea, the same sunsets.

It was our version of luxury without the price tag.

Day 5: Cheap Massages & Better Decisions

Okay, so this part surprised me. We were walking past a high-end resort when Josh noticed a tiny sign outside:

"Open to non-guests: Spa services - 40% off until 4PM"

We walked in like we belonged there.

Let me tell you — 45 minutes later, I was horizontal on a massage bed with hot stones on my back, thinking about nothing for the first time in months.

$18 total. I’ve paid more for bad pizza back home.

We found out a few resorts offer hotel with discounted spa services even if you're not a guest. You just have to ask or check early in the day.

Day 6: The Sandbank Picnic & New Friends

We met a French couple — Anaïs and Louis — who invited us on a sandbank tour. A boat ride, swimming in shallow, clear-as-glass waters, and a beach picnic.

They had booked it through a local guy named Omari, who charges $20 per head. No middlemen, no tourist tax. We were sold.

Lunch was seafood again (Zanzibar runs on seafood), and it hit just right.

The best part? We saw dolphins on the way back.

I’d read blog posts about affordable holiday bundles in Zanzibar — this was it in real life. No fancy brochures. Just local connects, good people, and honest prices.

Day 7:

 rolled around and man, we were all kinda beat — sunburnt, sandy, and way too attached to the place. Josh kept saying he didn’t wanna leave. I get it. Mercy was already planning her second trip. Me? I felt richer — not just in experiences, but in clarity.

We'd spent under $250 for the entire week, including accommodation, food, tours, and transport.

No credit cards were maxed. No banks were robbed.

And yet, we got the full Zanzibar experience.

So yeah, we had the whole Zanzibar thing going on — beaches, food, fun — and didn’t have to blow the bank. There’s a lot of hype about travel being expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.That paradise is only for the wealthy.

But the truth? Paradise just needs curiosity, connection, and a little bit of hustle.

Zanzibar taught me that. And I’ll never forget it.

Look, if cash is what’s stopping you from going, don’t sweat it. There are ways to make it happen without fancy hotels or big budgets. You just gotta be smart about it.

 It’s about how the place makes you feel.

Quick Budget Tips Recap (from someone who lived it):

Stay in guesthouses, not hotels — you'll meet more people and save money.

Eat like the locals — grilled fish, chapati, cassava. Cheap and unforgettable.

Use dala-dalas and shared taxis — under $2 almost everywhere.

Book activities directly from locals — skip tour offices.

Ask about off-menu discounts — like spa services or bundled day trips.

Got questions? Drop them in the comments. Or DM me if you want Omari’s contact.

I’m not a travel agent. Just a guy who chased a dream... and found it without breaking the bank.