Best cheap hotels & guesthouses in Zanzibar (under $80 a night)
August 20, 2025 · by Sébastien Joumel
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.
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 — the best-value picks under $80 are flagged by area.