> Where to find good cheap hotels and guesthouses in Zanzibar under $80 — the best-value areas, real picks, and how to keep costs down without ending up far from the beach.

*Source : https://hotels4travelers.com/blog/cheap-hotels-zanzibar/*

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# Best cheap hotels & guesthouses in Zanzibar (under $80 a night)

August 20, 2025 · by Sébastien Joumel

![Best cheap hotels & guesthouses in Zanzibar (under $80 a night)](https://hotels4travelers.com/img/zanzibar/3.jpg)

Zanzibar has a luxury reputation, but you don't need a five-star budget to wake up near a turquoise sea. With the right area and a bit of timing, comfortable beachfront rooms and characterful guesthouses come in well under $80 a night.

At a glance

-   **Cheapest areas:** Jambiani, Paje (east coast) and Stone Town guesthouses.
-   **Realistic budget rooms:** $36–70 a night.
-   **Cheapest months:** March–May and November.
-   **Watch out for:** tide-dependent swimming on the cheap east coast.

## Where the value is

Budget travellers should look **east** (Paje, Jambiani, Bwejuu) and at **Stone Town guesthouses**. The lively north (Nungwi, Kendwa) has some affordable rooms but generally costs more. The east coast trades easy swimming (tide-dependent) for the island’s lowest prices and a relaxed, sociable scene.

## Real cheap picks

-   **Demani Lodge** (Paje) — laid-back garden lodge a short walk from the beach, from ~$48.
-   **Jambiani Villas** — simple beachfront rooms, from ~$54.
-   **Paje by Night Boutique Hotel** — beachfront with a pool, from ~$72.
-   **Stone Town guesthouses** (e.g. around Shangani) — characterful doubles from ~$40.

**Tip:** A guesthouse with a pool on the east coast is the budget sweet spot — you get cheap beachfront _and_ guaranteed swimming when the tide is out.

## How to keep costs down

-   **Travel in the shoulder/low season** (March–May, November) for the lowest rates.
-   **Stay east, day-trip elsewhere** — base in Paje and take excursions to Stone Town or the north.
-   **Eat local** — Zanzibar pizza, biryani and fresh seafood at local spots cost a fraction of resort dining.
-   **Compare every site** — the same room often varies by 15–30% between booking platforms.

## What you give up (and don’t)

Under $80 you won’t get butler service or an infinity pool, but you will get clean, characterful rooms, friendly hosts and genuine beachfront in many cases. The main compromise is the east-coast tide — fine for most, a dealbreaker only if you must swim off the sand at any hour.

## Cheap Zanzibar hotels FAQ

### What’s the cheapest area to stay in Zanzibar?

The east coast — Jambiani and Paje — followed by guesthouses in Stone Town.

### How much is a budget room in Zanzibar?

Expect $36–70 a night for a comfortable guesthouse or simple beachfront room, less in low season.

## Find the cheapest rooms

Compare live rates and sort by price in our guide to [hotels in Zanzibar](https://hotels4travelers.com/tanzania/zanzibar/) — the best-value picks under $80 are flagged by area.

[→ Compare hotels in Zanzibar and find the lowest price](https://hotels4travelers.com/tanzania/zanzibar/)

SJ

Written & researched by Sébastien Joumel Entrepreneur and travel enthusiast · founder of Hotels4Travelers

I personally research the destinations we cover — comparing prices, reading reviews and digging into neighbourhoods — to help you travel smarter, off the beaten track.