Essentials
- City
- Zanzibar City (Stone Town), Mjini Magharibi, Tanzania
- Population
- Approx. 710,000 (Greater Zanzibar City area)
- Internet Speed
- Stable Fiber in Stone Town is 20-50 Mbps; 4G LTE is common (30 Mbps average)
- Currency & Banking
- Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). 1 USD ≈ 2,580 TZS. Cash is king; few ATMs in Stone Town support international cards.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Use bottled water (Zalin or Kilimanjaro brands, ~1,000 TZS per 1.5L).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) and Type D sockets. Frequent power cuts; look for places with generators.
- SIM Card
- Zantel is the best for Zanzibar; Vodacom/Airtel for mainland coverage. ~25,000 TZS for 10GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Exim Bank or Stanbic Bank. For nomads, Wise or Revolut work at major hotels, but carry TZS cash for local shops.
- Accommodation
- Stone Town traditional houses or Paje beach villas. Airbnb and local long-term rental groups.
- Cashless Friendly
- No. Most local shops, markets, and small cafes are cash only. Hotels and high-end restaurants accept cards.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb options in Hurumzi or Shangani. Average $40-$80/night.
- Budget Accommodation
- Lost & Found Hostel (Stone Town) - Approx. $15/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Stone Town (Shangani or Hurumzi districts) for history and culture.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Paje or Jambiani for a work-life balance/beach vibe; Mbweni for a quieter, more modern residential feel.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Zanzibar Coworking Paje (~$15/day). In Stone Town, 'The Desk' is a notable emerging spot.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Puzzle Coffee Shop (Stone Town) - Good AC, reliable Wi-Fi, and excellent espresso (~6,000 TZS).
- Networking Events
- Sustainable Surf and Digital Nomad meetups at Vuvuzela Paje; NGO networking at Emerson on Hurumzi.
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Expats in Zanzibar' Facebook group and Friday nights at 6 Degrees South.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Bolt (Available in Zanzibar City). For local rates, use established drivers like 'Zanzibar Taxi Service'.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Abeid Scooter Rental (~$20/day). Permits required; police will check paper licenses.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Nakupenda Beach (Sandbank, 15m boat ride) or Kendwa Beach (90m drive for non-tidal swimming).
- Top Regional Airline
- Coastal Aviation or Precision Air (Flying to Dar es Salaam or Arusha).
- Top International Airline
- Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines fly directly to ZNZ.
- Highway Access
- Main road connecting Stone Town to Nungwi (North) and Paje (East) is paved but narrow.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Zanzibar Ferry Terminal (Azam Marine) for boats to Dar es Salaam (~$35-50).
- Public Transport Passes
- Daladala (local minibuses). No passes; pay approx. 500-2,000 TZS cash per trip.
- Regional Travel
- Fast Ferry to Dar es Salaam (2 hours) or small planes to Pemba Island.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Tasakhtaa Global Hospital (Stone Town) - Modern facility with international standards.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Zanzibar Yoga Hub (Paje) or morning sessions at Emerson Spice.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Zanzibar Fitness Center (Stone Town) or outdoor gyms at luxury hotels in Nungwi.
- Laundry Services
- Most hotels offer it, or 'Mama's Laundry' in Stone Town (~5,000 TZS per kg).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Jumia Food (Limited coverage) or direct WhatsApp 주문 with local restaurants.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Zanzibar Pizza at Forodhani Gardens (Not real pizza, more like a stuffed crepe; ~6,000 TZS).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Silk Route (Indian) or Buni Cafe (Stone Town) for fresh plant-based bowls.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Mazzini’s in Stone Town for gelato or Tamu Gelato in Paje.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Darajani Market - Fresh spices, fruits, and meat at local prices.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited; Jumia.tz is the primary mainland source shipping to the island.
- Grocery Delivery
- Zanzibar Grocery (WhatsApp-based services).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Shangani (Stone Town) for bars; Nungwi/Kendwa for full-moon beach parties.
- Local Brewery
- Safari or Kilimanjaro Beer (Tanzanian lagers, ~4,000 TZS). No local Zanzibar craft breweries.
- Wine Bars
- Taperia Zanzibar (Tapas and Wine) in Stone Town.
- Street Food Stalls
- Forodhani Night Market - Mishkaki (skewers) and Urojo (Zanzibar Mix soup).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Archipelago Restaurant (Seafood) or Lukmaan (Swahili-style buffet).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe) and The House of Wonders (Beit-al-Ajaib).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Freddie Mercury Museum ($10 entry) and the Palace Museum.
- Historical Sites
- Old Slave Market/Anglican Cathedral Site ($5 entry).
- Religious Sites
- Malindi Mosque and St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
- Annual Events
- Sauti za Busara Music Festival (February); ZIFF - Zanzibar International Film Festival.
- Cultural Districts
- Stone Town (UNESCO World Heritage area).
- Theater Venues
- Amphitheatre at the Old Fort (Ngome Kongwe).
- Local Markets
- Darajani Market (Main market) and Forodhani Night Market.
- Music Scene
- Taarab music (traditional Swahili music) at the Dhow Countries Music Academy.
- Street Art
- The carved wooden doors of Stone Town (an art form itself).
- Cooking Classes
- Tangawizi Spice Farm Cooking Class (~$35 including tour).
- Art Galleries
- Hurumzi Art Gallery or local Tingatinga painters near the Old Fort.
- Historic Buildings
- Beit el-Sahel (Palace Museum).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Kofia' (traditional hat) and 'Kanga' (textiles with Swahili proverbs).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park - Home to the Red Colobus monkey.
- National Parks Nearby
- Jozani Forest (20 minutes from Stone Town).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Stone Town's narrow alleys (walking only) or cycling the East Coast beaches at low tide.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Tea House Rooftop at Emerson on Hurumzi (Best sunset view).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove forests near Michamvi Peninsula.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Kendwa Beach (Northern tip) - Often has beach bonfires at night clubs.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Zanzibar (Mbweni area).
- Tech Repair Services
- Local shops on Kenyatta Road (Stone Town); quality varies, bring spares.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Some resort hotels like Neptune Pwani have facilities.
- Language Classes
- State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) - Swahili for foreigners.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Zanzibar National Library (Stone Town).
- Community Centers
- Dhow Countries Music Academy (DCMA).
- Gaming Lounges
- Very limited; some local 'playstation' shops for kids in Darajani.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Forodhani Casino (Stone Town).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² in Stone Town (Historical houses expensive to renovate).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² in residential outskirts like Mbweni.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $130,000 for a restored historical apartment.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $85,000 in newer developments.
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $180,000+ (UNESCO regulations impact renovation costs).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $110,000 in areas like Chukwani.
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard rate in Tanzania).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 15% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for residents (living in Tanzania > 183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% for income above 1,000,000 TZS per month.
- VAT
- 18% in mainland, but 15% in Zanzibar for certain goods.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex rules regarding residency of management.
- Property Tax
- Annual property tax varies by size, collected via electricity meters (LUKU).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax and stamp duty (Approx. 4-5% total).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Zanzibar recently introduced 'Strategic Investment' laws for long-term residents/investors, but a dedicated nomad visa is still in transition.