What it actually costs
When to go
Heavy rains — flooding, some beaches impassable, limited boat trips.
Stone Town: walking at dusk when the heat breaks and the Forodhani Gardens night market fires up (seafood for $3-8).
What locals know
Spice tour ($20-30) is essential — you taste cinnamon bark, smell fresh vanilla, see pepper growing. Interactive and fascinating.
Nungwi (north) has the best beaches. Paje (east) is for kitesurfing. Stone Town is for culture. Budget 3 areas minimum.
Jozani Forest for red colobus monkeys ($12 entry). They are habituated and you get within 2 metres.
Prison Island (30 min boat, $35 including snorkelling) has giant tortoises you can hand-feed.
Honest warnings
Zanzibar is Muslim — dress modestly in Stone Town and villages (cover shoulders and knees). Beaches are fine.
Malaria risk: take prophylaxis. Use DEET spray at dusk and dawn.
Many beaches disappear at high tide. Check tide tables before choosing a hotel — some are only swimable 6 hours per day.
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