ATMs 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.
Nine cash machines we know of across the island, and the three currencies we take. Machines outside Stone Town and Nungwi are sparse, so draw cash where you can rather than where you must.
Pins mark the village, not the doorway. Use the directions link on each entry for the exact spot.
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ABSA, Exim and Barclays ATMs
Nungwi
Three machines along the same stretch of the village, which makes this the most reliable cash stop on the north coast.
Directions - 9
Nothing matches that. Try a village name such as Paje, Nungwi or Stone Town.
These machines are not run by Zanzibar Travel Buddies and we earn nothing from listing them. We keep the list because our guests ask for it. Opening hours and ownership change without notice, so call ahead where it matters.
What 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.