Zanzibar travel tips for a first trip
6 min readUpdated July 2026Written by the Zanzibar in One booking team
Most nationalities get a visa on arrival for 50 to 100 USD in cash, Tanzania requires an inbound travel insurance certificate, cards are unreliable outside big hotels so carry USD and shillings, and outside the beach you should cover shoulders and knees.
Zanzibar is an easy island to travel, but a handful of local rules catch people out at the airport door. These are the ones we get asked about every week.
Visa and entry
Most visitors get a visa on arrival, 50 USD for most passports and 100 USD for US citizens, payable in cash. You can also apply online in advance through the Tanzanian immigration portal. Your passport needs six months validity.
Zanzibar requires all inbound visitors to hold travel insurance, and there is a mandatory local policy purchased on arrival for most non residents. Budget around 44 USD per person and keep the confirmation on your phone.
Money
Tanzanian shilling is the local currency but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere for tours, transfers and hotels. Bring dollar notes printed 2009 or later, older ones get refused. Card machines exist in bigger hotels and fail often, so do not rely on them. ATMs in Stone Town, Nungwi and Paje dispense shillings.
- Carry small USD notes for tips and entry fees
- Tip guides 5 to 10 USD per day, drivers 3 to 5 USD
- Bargaining is normal in markets, not in restaurants
Dress and local etiquette
Zanzibar is a majority Muslim island. Swimwear is fine on the beach and inside resorts, but in Stone Town and the villages cover shoulders and knees. During Ramadan avoid eating and drinking openly in the street during daylight.
Health and safety
Do not drink the tap water, bottled is cheap and everywhere. Malaria risk is real but low in the main tourist areas, so use repellent in the evening and speak to your doctor about prophylaxis. Zanzibar is safe, with normal precautions: do not walk a dark beach alone at night and keep phones out of sight on Stone Town side streets.
Common questions
Do I need a visa for Zanzibar?
Most nationalities do, and it is issued on arrival for 50 USD, or 100 USD for US passport holders, payable in cash. You can also apply online in advance.
Is travel insurance mandatory in Zanzibar?
Yes. Zanzibar requires inbound visitors to hold cover, and most non resident travellers buy the mandatory local policy on arrival for around 44 USD per person.
Can I use my credit card in Zanzibar?
In larger hotels usually yes, often with a surcharge. Everywhere else assume cash. Bring US dollars and change some into shillings.
Is Zanzibar safe for tourists?
Yes, with normal precautions. Petty theft is the main risk. Violent crime against tourists is rare and the beach areas are well patrolled.
Plan it while it is fresh
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