The local currency is Tanzanian Shilling (Tzs). Many hotels require payment in US$, in particular for accommodation, but also for food and drink and for tours. Taxis and car rentals are also paid in US$. You do need Tzs if you go shopping in the villages or eat at local restaurants (recommended!) and for petrol if you rent a car. Tzs come in notes of 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 shillings. Coins used here are 500, 200, 100 and 50 Shilling.
The Zanzibar Government closed all exchange bureaus on the island a while ago. One can only exchange money at the local banks, their new exchange bureau outlets and at the Post Office in Shangani.
The exchange bureaus inside the airport arrivals and departures halls are open 24/7. A CRDB exchange bureau is at the airport parking lot. Bring $100 and $50 notes for best rates. NB: latest news is that only US$ notes printed after 2013 will be exchanged!
For an indication on current exchange rates check https://crdbbank.co.tz/exchange-rates/
The bigger hotels, restaurants and car rentals have credit card facilities. A surcharge of 5% is applicable. Be aware that at many places credit cards are not accepted.
ATMs: You can only draw Tzs against your credit card or a card with a Visa or Mastercard logo. Two ATMs are at the airport parking lot, there are a few other ATMs in Stone Town (check Google Maps for their location). ATMs have a maximum payout of Tzs 400,000 per withdrawal. You can use your credit card multiple times until your daily withdrawal limit on your credit card is reached. You might have to visit different ATMs though.
The majority of ATMs are in Stone Town, these are the locations of ATMs outside of Stone Town that I know of (beware, they frequently run out of money!):
Paje: An Absa ATM is at the UP petrol station close to the police checkpoint. A NMB ATM is at the Petro Petrol station. Several other ATMs are at the roundabout.
Nungwi: A Barclays ATM is close to the UP petrol station just outside Nungwi on the main road
Dunga: A NMB ATM is between Dunga and Koani (central Zanzibar)
Petrol costs 3139 Tzs per liter for Super (April 2024) and is paid in Tzs. You can also pay in US$ but you’ll get a really bad exchange rate.
Simcard/internet: You can buy a simcard at the airport, 20 US$ for 9.5GB and 30 US$ for 15GB. Zantel has the best coverage on the island.
Zanzibar Insider Buzz 
Thanks Gaby! Totally different subject but what’s the appropriate dress code there for women? Skirts and tank tops okay or should I cover my shoulders?
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Hi, for dress codes please read the page “to do and not to do” of my blog.
Cheers, Gaby
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Hi Gaby,
I had a quick question about ATM withdrawals. I have bought a preloaded travel cash card and have loaded $600 USD on it. I wondered whether the ATM’s provide the option to withdraw in USD or only in TZS? I wanted to withdraw some USD in Tanzania as i’ll be heading straight on to Kenya after that so only wanted to carry half my spends in cash and half on card!
Cheers,
Emma
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Hi Emma, on Zanzibar you can only withdraw TZS at the ATMs.
Cheers,
Gaby
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Hi Gaby
Can I pay the tours with euro to? Or much better with dollars? If I book the tours on the hotel reception, it’s more expensive like the others? Thank you for your help!
Greetings from Vienna :Gabor
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Hi Gabor,
The currencies accepted on the island are US Dollars and Tanzanian Shillings. Hotels usually add a surcharge if you book via them, if possible book the tours directly.
Cheers, Gaby
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Hi, just to add to this comment: i am a hotel owner and we do help our guests with arranging tours aswell. Some hotels might be adding something on top of the ‘direct booking’ price. However, do keep in mind that it is also work for them (us), calling, changing, arranging, enquiring. No one gives their time away for free (usually). Having said that: if you work with official tourcompanies, they usually give us hotels commission on every sold tour. So the price doesn’t increase but the tourcompany earns a bit less than if they would sell directly to the guests. But they ofcourse benefit from our marketing and selling channel. So usually the guests pays the same, its just about what happens behind the scenes that’s different. And last point: we know who we deal with. If the quality is bad, or something happened, or guests lost something, working with a reliable company really helps. They can give some money back, help recover lost items, etc. I know the safety of the boats, cars and reliability of the drivers and companies we use. They pay their taxes (ok, most of them i guess), have proper licenses etc. That costs money, which mostly tours arranged on the beach or via via not always do and have. Anyone is free to choose what fits them best, just make sure yu choose well informed!
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Hi Gaby,
wir kommen Ende August auf deine traumhafte Insel.
Vielen Dank für deinen sehr informativen Blog.
Eine Frage hätte ich noch.
Hälst du es für sinnvoller € mitzubringen und diese in den EXCHANGE BUREAUS in TZs zu tauschen, oder nur wenig Bargeld mitzunehmen und direkt vom ATM zu ziehen?
Vielen Dank für Rückmeldung
Beste Grüße aus der Heimat.
Martin
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Hi Martin,
ich würde Euro mitbringen und in Stone Town in Tzs umtauschen. Solltet ihr mehr Tzs brauchen könnt ihr sie bei einer ATM ziehen (der Kurs ist schlechter).
Sofern ihr nicht Vollpension gebucht habt braucht ihr auch US$ – ihr könnt hier nur in US$ oder Tzs bezahlen, nicht in Euro.
Sonnige Grüße
Gaby
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Hi Gaby,
vielen Dank für die Info.
Wir haben bereits ein Appartment gemietet und sind aktuell auf der Suche nach einem Mietwagen.
US$ sollten wir daher nicht benötigen.
Einzige was ich nicht so gerne mag, ist dann direkt so viel Bargeld in der Tasche zu haben und dann erst damit in die Stadt zu müssen.
liebe Grüße
Martin
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Hi Martin,
Euer Apartment sollte einen Safe haben!? Wenn nicht dann würde ich den schlechteren Kurs bei der ATM in Kauf nehmen, d.h. keine Euro umtauschen.
Beim Mietwagen bitte unbedingt eine Firma wählen die aktuelle Reviews hat. Es gibt sehr viele unprofessionelle Anbieter hier. Auch 24/7 Pannenhilfe ist wichtig.
Cheers, Gaby
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Hi Gaby,
danke für den Hinweis.
Wir haben nochmal bei unserem Vermieter nachgefragt. Ein Safe ist vorhanden.
Mietwagen werden wir wahrscheinlich bei Kibabu anmieten.
Freuen uns schon sehr, bald das bezaubernde Tanzania besuchen zu dürfen.
LG
Martin
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This is the most amazing information found thus far! Thanks to everyone for amazing questions and to Gaby for wealth of information! So we are traveling to Jambiani next year, staying at the Uzuri Village – I know you are not on that side of Zanzibar, however, would you have information regarding managing doing some work (ugh) will vacationing? I know the resort has wifi but I also know it is not 100% reliable/strong. Additionally, if I need to fax/scan/print something – is there somewhere to do that nearby? I dislike the thought of working while there, but it is a necessary evil so I can afford the trip.
Many thanks in advance for your help.
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Thank you, I am thrilled that my info and the questions of all my wonderful readers help.
Please check with Uzuri Villa regarding WiFi, it very much depends on which system they use and also on how much access each guest gets.
You might want to get additionally a local simcard for internet. I use Halotel 3G. Check http://halotel.co.tz/en/service/mobile/3g-internet for internet packages. It works very well in Bwejuu (close to the Halotel transmitter, about 10 km from Jambiani). Not sure how it works in Jambiani, rather check with Uzuri.
Fax machines are very uncommon on the island. To my knowledge you can only scan/print documents in Stone Town. Check with Uzuri, they might have a scanner/printer.
Hope this helps.
Sunny greetings, Gaby
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Hi Gaby,
So thrilled to have found your website. I’m sure you’ve heard it enough that the information you’ve put together has been sooo helpful. But I want to thank you for making it so easy. My husband and I are travelling to Zanzibar post Eid for 8 days in June. After reading your blog we feel like we should have booked for more days! There’s so much to do! We’re also considering staying at the South East coast as compared to nungwi/kendwa but we also do love sunsets actually which we might miss on the east coast!
We have a couple of questions:
1. We are landing at 1.30am. is it safe to take a taxi at that hour to stone town? Or should we wait till 6am at day break to get a cab. We’re concerned that in case our flight is delayed and we take time for visa the prebooked cabbie might leave or we won’t be able to get in touch since we won’t have a working number.
2. While visa on arrival is available. My travel agent recommended doing it in advance since getting it at Zanzibar airport apparently is a hassle and they ask too many questions and it takes long. Is it true?
3. Also is there any other cheaper SIM card option available at the airport or stone town?
And again your blog is reallllyyy good!
Thanks,
Mrinal
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Hello Mrinal,
Thank you. I am always thrilled to hear that my blog helps.
As to missing sunsets at the south east coast: You could stay at Michamvi. Due to the shape of the peninsula you can enjoy sunsets even at the south east coast, for example at Michamvi Sunset Beach hotel.
Regarding your questions:
1) Rather book a taxi with your hotel. They know that planes can be delayed. No need to wait at the airport till daybreak.
2) Usually you get forms to complete on the plane. There might be long queues at the visa counters but as you get to the front it is a quick process. You can also apply for the visa online: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa
3) You can buy a simcard package at the exchange bureau on the airport parking lot, they are open 24/7. For other simcard options best check with your hotel.
Cheers,
Gaby
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Thank you so much Gaby! We feel more at ease to now take the cab at night! Could you help us with another question: Which snorkelling trip would you recommend the one from Stone town to Prison Island or the one at Mnemba Atoll? Which one is better? Also to go Mnemba Atoll, does safari blue operate from Paje or Jambiani?
Thanks,
Mrinal
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You are welcome. Snorkelling at Mnemba atoll got very good reviews.
Safari Blue starts from south of Stone Town, please check http://www.safariblue.net There are cheap copycats that start from Paje/Jambiani, they call themselves Blue Safari. Please be careful, there is a huge difference between those two.
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Hello Gaby
Can you tell me if Pounds Sterling can be used in Zanzibar? Alternatively, can they be exchanged for Tzs? Which denomination notes are best?
regards and thanks
Vince
PS I’m visiting 5 November next week.
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Hello Vince,
You can only pay here in US$ or Tzs. You can buy Tzs or US$ with your Pound Sterling at the exchange bureaus. Larger notes get better exchange rates.
Cheers, Gaby
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Greetings,
i’m going to Zanzibar in December. Can i exchange money and buy a sim card at the Zanzibar airport? I don’t want to deal with the hustlers in stonetown.
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As I have written on this page:
The exchange bureaus inside the airport arrivals and departures halls are still open 24/7, as well as outside the airport at the parking lot where you get better rates. Bring $100 and $50 notes for best rates. NB: latest news is that only US$ notes printed after 2013 will be exchanged!
Simcard/internet: You can buy a simcard at the airport or in the villages (cheaper). A Zantel simcard with 12 GB costs US$ 20 at the airport. Zantel has the best coverage on the island.
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Hi Gaby,
We will arrive on Zanzibar airport @ca 4am. Do I understand correctly, that it is still possible to exchange on airport USD for shillings? Eventually do you have some experience with exchanging euros? We will travel straight to Kendwa, so I believe to get some shillings is best on the airport.
Thank you,
Jan
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Hi Jan,
The exchange bureaus inside the airport arrivals hall or at the airport parking lot are open 24/7. You can exchange USD or Euro to Tanzanian Shillings (Tzs). There is also an ATM at the airport parking lot where you can draw Tzs with your credit card. If needed there is also an ATM at the outskirts of Nungwi (close to Kendwa).
Cheers, Gaby
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Hi Gaby,
Thank you for your reply. One more question, do you know if to Exchange the money on Airport is generally “cheaper” then draw from ATM? Sometimes the exchange bureaus especially on airport have not very good exchange rates. Any experience how is this on the airport on Zanzibar?
Thank you und Gruess :),
Jan
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The exchange rates on the island are government controlled. I heard that the exchange bureau on the airport parking lot has slightly better rates than inside the arrival hall. I suppose the rate at the ATM is less favourable, not sure though.
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Hi Gaby
Sooooo glad I bumped into this site, I am planning on being around Kendwa Rocks ,you mentioned there is an ATM nearby do you know where specifically?
Thanks a million
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Hi Betty, best ask at your hotel or a taxi driver.
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hi Gaby we are coming in 2 weeks and have been trying to get USD printed after 2013, are you sure all others are rejected?
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Hi Steve, These are the official rules and regulations. I don’t know if older notes will be rejected. Maybe post your question on Tripadvisor Zanzibar Forum to get feedback from people who arrived in the last few weeks.
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I was wondering about US $ bills too. I just bought some from my local Post Office and specifically requested bills printed from 2013 onwards. I was assured they only “had all new notes”. When I got home and checked them I have 7 $100 bills printed in 2009! Anyway you say any bills before 2013 will not be exchanged, but I was wondering if they are acceptable in hotels as payment? Or is there a blanket no-go on the older bills? Personally I can’t see any difference.
Thank you. Great blog and information by the way. I’m arriving in two weeks to meet my daughter who is currently volunteering in Arusha.
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I honestly don’t know how strict these rules are since I don’t pay anything in US$ notes. You might want to post your question on the Tripadvisor Zanzibar Forum to get input from travellers who visted the island fairly recently. Alternatively email your hotel and ask about their policy.
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Hi Gaby . I just got here from the Facebook page . This blog is so helpful ! I plan on making a trip early December but the dates clash with work so I will be having to do some work remotely . From what I’ve gathered it seems like the best bet is to get a local sim and then use that as a hotspot to connect vs relying on Wifi . However, I just want to find out if that would also work well for video conferencing/presenting ? It would be a short session of about an hour but it’s a fairly important work commitment and whether I will be able to safely connect without any major issues will determine whether or not I can make my trip on my planned dates . Thanks for your help
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Hi Yuri, I can only say that my local simcard works very well for WhatsApp video calls.
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Hi,
I am still marvelous about your details and informations, thanks.
One question, Zantel still has the best coverage on the island?
Vodcom is the secondest?
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Hi Pedro, glad my info helps.
In general, Zantel still has the best coverage on the island. However, there are areas where the Zantel Internet doesn’t work properly.
I have no knowledge of the Vodacom coverage.
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Hi,
Thanks for your blog, it’s been really helpful! Do you know if the airport currency exchange have much worse rates than other areas on the island? Hoping to bring British pounds as changing money twice seems silly and the rates on your link seem to say it’s not worth changing to dollars first. Any opinion on this please?
Thanks again
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Hi Tony, the exchange rates here are regulated by the Government. As much as I know you get the same exchange rates everywhere.
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Hi Gaby thanks so much for this really useful information! Just wanted to check whether I need to bring US dollars with me – had been planning to just rely on my credit card and ATMs to get Tanzanian shillings. Are US dollars necessary? Thanks!
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Thank you, great that my blog helps. It depends on where you eat out. Some restaurants charge in US$, if you pay in TZS cash you get a bad exchange rate. Not everywhere are credit cards accepted. Also, taxis charge in US$.
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Thanks Gaby! Sounds like I definitely need to bring US dollars. I really don’t like carrying lots of cash – but do you think I need to bring enough for the whole trip (hotels paid for, so just for meals, drinks, gifts, excursions etc)? Or enough to cover about half of my expenses? Thanks
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I can’t comment on this, it is entirely your decision
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Hi Gaby,
Feeling very confused about currency, especially as I have heard that small dollar notes are not very welcome.
Taxi drivers charge in USD. And a trip from the airport to Stonetown is about $15. Will the driver accept a $10 and a $5?
And if paying in a restaurant which only accepts dollars. Do they give change in dollars? Can smaller notes be used to get to the total amount? And if you round up to include the tip, will the staff see any of it?
Thanks !
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Hi Lynne,
You can pay your taxi with a 10$ and 5$ note. I don’t know if the restaurants give change in $ or Tzs, I suppose it depends on the restaurant. Rather use your credit card in case of doubt.
Any tips usually go to the staff.
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Hi Gaby
Thank your for your informative site.
A question I have. If a restaurant in a hotel charges in Tzs, can you pay the bill using a credit card in Tzs? Thanks
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Hotels and their restaurants on the island usually charge in USD. Rather check with them before you order if you can pay with your TZS credit card, to be on the safe side.
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Thank you Gaby for your reply. I will be able to pay with my card in US dollar currency.
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