Hi, we went to Zanzibar second week of January 2013. We rented a car at Zanzibarcarhire for 30 dollar a day. We reserved it in advance and let the price confirmed three email. I am really happy I did rent a car, it's very easy to travel with a car in Zanzibar and you can stop when and where you want. You discover better the country.

I would not recommend to wait to get your accommodation, because if you have to look every day for a good hotel it will take you half of your vacation. Read well the recessions at tripadvisor and get something that fits you.

We stayed at Rumaisa Hotel in Stone town. Very basic and good for 70 dollar a night. Then we got the car and wheat to Sazani Beach Hotel in the north. Really good an quite place. See my post there. We went the to the east to Simba beach hotel. It was not good and we went back to Sazani Beach. The last day going back to stone town with the car people from zanzibarcar hire came to get the car back at our hotel. This is service!!! One more thing: read other posts about he police controls. It's better to get informed in advance!!!

One more thing, I advise you to take dollars with you. Estimate what you are going to spend. Changing money is not interesting in Zanzibar. You get very bad rates and besides in Stone Town they are no banks or changing offices through the island. Have a good trip!! Is really paradise!!!

Hello,

I thought that person above post comment without have enough experience with Zanzibar.For sure I lived in Zanzibar many years now,am saw a lot of Bureau de Changes in Stone town,as well many banks they can exchange money with good rates,because all rates from banks and Forex going according to daily exchange notice from bank of Tanzania.

Strong advice people who post on TA,to be so smart with their information otherwise this forum will be no meaning to exchange ideas,helping travelers.

Hope it will help all.

Philllip... Do as you suggested, take your GB Pound Sterling, or US Dollars (you should use the dollars for your visa on entry) and exchange it into the local currency, Tanzania Shillings. Any Forex in Stone Town or elsewhere will be able to do this, very quickly.

Excuse me I wanted to say that the only easy place to change money is in Stone Town. I repeat that in my case I got much better rates getting dollars in my country than changing euros in a changing office in Stone Town. Traveling in the north and east I didnt found any other money changing office. I am right?

Excuse me I wanted to say that the only easy place to change money is in Stone Town. I repeat that in my case I got much better rates getting dollars in my country than changing euros in a changing office in Stone Town. Traveling in the north and east I didnt found any other money changing office. I am right?

Yes the best will be you taking the dollars if you have them. But if you do not have any dollars you will have to change them in some of the Bureau de change that willl offer you the best rates one of them is Eagles it is in shangani area. It is place that most of the drivers know and you will get a better rate from their.

Apart from this thare are also many others than you going to change your dollars any where you might get rates that are not pleasant.