Zanzibar island guide
Practical, independent information for Zanzibar: cash machines, hospitals, police stations, the Dar es Salaam ferry, live beach cameras and a day-by-day trip planner.
The practical half of a Zanzibar trip: where the cash machines are, which hospital is nearest, how the ferry works, and what is on this week. None of it is a service we sell. We keep it because our guests kept asking, and because the answers were scattered across a dozen forum posts of varying accuracy.
Top things to do in Zanzibar this week
What is actually on across Zanzibar over the next seven days, by day, with the place and the time.
OpenPlan a tripZanzibar itinerary builder
Build a day-by-day Zanzibar itinerary from real tours, swap any day you do not like, then send the finished plan to us on WhatsApp.
OpenCash and ATMsATMs and money in Zanzibar
Every cash machine we know of on Zanzibar, on a map, plus which currencies are accepted and the note rule that catches visitors out.
OpenMedicalHospitals and clinics in Zanzibar
Hospitals, clinics and dentists across Zanzibar, on a map, with directions to each.
OpenPolicePolice stations and emergency numbers in Zanzibar
Police stations across Zanzibar, on a map, with the national emergency number.
OpenTransfer pricesZanzibar taxi and airport transfer prices
Every taxi and airport transfer price on Zanzibar, per car rather than per person, for the airport, hotel changes and the run back to Stone Town.
OpenFerryZanzibar to Dar es Salaam ferry
Fares, classes, luggage limits and the practical advice for the Stone Town to Dar es Salaam fast ferry.
OpenWhat we accept
You can pay Zanzibar Travel Buddies in US dollars, euros or Tanzanian shillings. Whichever is easiest for you is fine, and the price is agreed on WhatsApp before you travel either way.
US dollars
Notes must be printed 2013 or later. Older notes are refused almost everywhere here, including by banks.
Euros
Taken at the day rate. Bring notes rather than coins, because coins cannot be changed anywhere on the island.
Tanzanian shillings
The local currency, and what every cash machine on this page dispenses.
- Cash machines dispense shillings. They do not dispense dollars or euros.
- ATMs run dry on public holidays and over long weekends. Draw what you need before one, rather than during.
- Tell your bank you are travelling. A card frozen for suspected fraud is the most common money problem visitors have here.
- Small notes are worth more than large ones in practice. Paying a 5,000 TZS taxi fare with a 50,000 note usually means waiting while somebody goes to find change.
Anything here you cannot find an answer to, ask us. We live here, we answer seven days a week, and it usually takes under an hour.
Ask on WhatsApp