Know This Before You Go

Language - the main language is Swahili but most people, especially working in the tourism industry speak pretty good English.

Currency - Tanzanian shilling is the official currency, however, the American dollar is also well accepted around the island.

How to Pay - credit cards (Visa & Mastercard) are widely accepted, but smaller and local businesses may only take cash.

Getting Cash - ATMs are quite sparse, most of them located around the airport, Stone Town (the capital) and popular tourist places like Paje, Nungwi, Jambiani, Matemwe and Pwani Mchangani.
Bonus tip: ATM withdrawals are typically capped at 400,000 TZS (~$170) per transaction, so it’s best to withdraw enough, especially before traveling to more remote areas.

Visas - a visa is required for most traveLlers and can be obtained online or upon arrival. However, e-visa application processing can take unexpectedly long, so I would opt for a visa on arrival.
Bonus tip: currently the visa costs $50, I highly recommend bringing cash with you as card payments usually don’t work at immigration and you’ll have to withdraw cash at a higher rate.

Insurance - since the beginning of 2025, Zanzibar introduced a compulsory Zanzibar travel insurance that needs to be obtained before entering the island. You can do it before the trip to save time and hassle at the immigration.

Plugs - British-style plugs (Type G - three square pins) are generally used around the island, though some accommodations and establishments may also offer European-style (Type C) sockets. However, I recommend bringing a universal adapter just in case.

Getting around - best ways to get around the island - private taxi, tuk tuk for more adventurous travellers and to get around short distances, and finally rental cars and scooters.
Bonus tip: to drive a rental car in Zanzibar you need to have your driver’s license converted into Zanzibar driver’s permit, which can be arranged for an fee of $15. Make sure to bring your original license with you as you drive.

Connectivity - Wi-Fi is available at most hotels, but speeds may be slow. The best for connectivity is getting an eSIM, we used Holafly throughout our whole stay and it worked generally really well. They offer unlimited data packages starting from $29.90 for 5 days.

Mosquitos - bring a mosquito repellent, although the island is quite windy and during the day they don’t bother too much, they get more active around dusk and dawn. There is a very small risk for malaria, so it’s best to assess it personally.

Ocean Tides - most of the island (except for 2 areas up north) experience noticeable tides. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t swim or enjoy the beach - many accommodations offer tide-friendly pools, guided reef walks, or other activities like seaweed farming tours that turn the changing tides into unique experiences.

Drone - bringing your drone into Zanzibar is possible if you land in Zanzibar airport. If you arrive through Dar Es Salam or mainland Tanzania, you will need a permit. Drones without permits are prohibited in Tanzania because of poaching and to protect wildlife.