Essentials
- City
- Lamu Town, Lamu Island, Kenya
- Population
- Approx. 30,000 (Lamu Island)
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-30 Mbps via 4G/LTE; Starlink is increasingly common in boutique hotels
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 130 KES, 1 EUR ≈ 142 KES. ATMs available at KCB and Equity Bank on the Seafront.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water (Keringet, 1.5L approx. 100 KES) or filtered water provided by guest houses.
- Power
- 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style). Frequent power outages; many villas use solar backup.
- SIM Card
- Safaricom is the most reliable (approx. 500 KES for SIM and 5GB data).
- Banking for Expats
- M-Pesa (mobile money) is essential; KCB and Equity Bank accept international Visa/Mastercard.
- Accommodation
- Restored Swahili townhouses and beach villas (Airbnb, Lamu Homes).
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly cashless via M-Pesa; credit cards accepted only in high-end hotels.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like Discover Lamu; prices range $40-$150/night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Jambo House (approx. $30/night) or Subira House (approx. $45/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Shela Village for beaches and upscale dining; Lamu Town for culture and history.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Shela Village (quieter, better backup power, closer to the beach).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove forests surrounding Manda Island.
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Kiunga Marine National Reserve (remote snorkeling/diving).
- National Parks Nearby
- Dodori National Reserve (mainland, requires armed escort).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Beach walk from Shela to Kipungani (approx. 2 hours).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The dunes behind Shela Village for sunset views.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Remote beaches on Manda Island (with local guide permission).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Lamu Space (pop-up style desks at Peponi Hotel library) or Natural Lamu.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Whispers Coffee Shop in Lamu Town (quiet courtyard, decent Wi-Fi).
- Networking Events
- Lamu Yoga Festival (annual) and informal meetups at Peponi Hotel bar in Shela.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday night drinks at Peponi Hotel or Sunday dhow cruises.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- None. Transportation is by Boat Taxi ($2-$10) or Donkey. Moped taxis (Boda Boda) operate on the mainland.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not applicable (streets too narrow). Walking and dhows are the main modes.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Shela Beach (12km of white sand, 15 min boat ride from Lamu Town).
- Top Regional Airline
- Safarilink and Fly540 (flights from Wilson Airport, Nairobi).
- Top International Airline
- Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines (via Nairobi or Mombasa).
- Highway Access
- None (Island). The Lamu-Garsen road connects the mainland jetty to the rest of Kenya.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Manda Airport (LAU) on the adjacent island; Mokowe Jetty on the mainland.
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Negotiate boat rates individually or use 'shared' boats for 100 KES.
- Regional Travel
- Dhow trips to Kiwayu or flights to Malindi/Mombasa.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Lamu County Referral Hospital (Lamu Town) or King Fahad County Hospital.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Banana House Wellness Centre (Shela) - offers daily classes for $15.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Most fitness is outdoor (swimming/running); some high-end villas have private gyms.
- Laundry Services
- Provided by most guest houses for approx. 500-1000 KES per load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Local runners can be hired for small fees via WhatsApp.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Coconut Ginger Crab and Biryani at Sahane Restaurant.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Moonrise Restaurant (Shela) - Excellent vegetable tajines and lentil dishes.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Lamu House Hotel for Italian gelato and Swahili halwa.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Lamu Town Market for fresh produce and spices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia (delivery takes 5-7 days via boat from the mainland).
- Grocery Delivery
- Local vendors at the Seafront Market; no formal app service.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Floating Bar (located in the channel between Lamu and Manda).
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Tusker Beer is the Kenyan standard ($3-$5).
- Wine Bars
- Peponi Hotel has the most extensive wine cellar in the archipelago.
- Street Food Stalls
- Seafront stalls for Bhajias and Mishkaki (meat skewers) - approx. 200 KES.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kijani Hotel (Italian/Swahili fusion) in Shela.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Lamu Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Seafront.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Lamu Museum and the German Post Office Museum.
- Historical Sites
- Lamu Fort and the Takwa Ruins (reachable by boat).
- Religious Sites
- Riyadha Mosque (center of Islamic study in East Africa).
- Annual Events
- Lamu Maulid Festival and the Lamu Cultural Festival (November).
- Cultural Districts
- The stone town area of Lamu Town.
- Theater Venues
- Open-air screenings and performances at the Lamu Fort.
- Local Markets
- Lamu Town Fish Market and the nightly food market at the Seafront.
- Music Scene
- Traditional Tarabu music during festivals and weddings.
- Street Art
- Intricate Swahili wood carvings on almost every door in the town.
- Cooking Classes
- Swahili Cooking Classes at Subira House (approx. $30/session).
- Art Galleries
- Aman Lamu (boutique gallery and textiles).
- Historic Buildings
- Lamu Town Hall and restored 18th-century mansions.
- Local Heritage
- Maritime history focusing on the 'Dhow' trade.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- G4S or Wells Fargo Courier (offices located in Lamu Town).
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; basic mobile repairs in Lamu Town. Major repairs require Nairobi.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Lamu Youth Center.
- Language Classes
- Swahili lessons available at local language schools for approx. $10/hour.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Lamu Fort Library and Riyadha Mosque library.
- Community Centers
- Lamu Conservation and Trust center.
- Gaming Lounges
- Small 'PlayStation' shops in the backstreets of Lamu Town.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Lamu is a conservative Islamic society).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² ($88,000 for 40 m² in a restored townhouse).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 per m² ($60,000 for 40 m² in Manda Island areas).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² ($120,000 for 60 m²).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,300 per m² ($78,000 for 60 m²).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² ($144,000 for 80 m²).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² ($96,000 for 80 m²).
- Corporate Tax
- 30% for residents, 37.5% for non-residents.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 5% for residents, 15% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Resident based; taxed on income accrued in or derived from Kenya.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (over 800,000 KES monthly).
- VAT
- 16% standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Kenya has introduced rules to curb tax avoidance via foreign entities.
- Property Tax
- Yes, annual land rates based on property value set by Lamu County.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty at 4% for urban land, 2% for agricultural land.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Kenya has launched a Digital Nomad Visa (2024) allowing 0% tax for those working for foreign employers.