Currency in Zanzibar: What Currency is used in Zanzibar?
Wondering what the official currency in Zanzibar is?
You are in the right place as this article will guide you through the currency in Zanzibar.
Before flying into Zanzibar many people wonder what currency is used on the island. Is it the Tanzanian shilling? Does Zanzibar have its own currency since it’s a semi-autonomous state?
These are important questions that need to be answered before heading to the beautiful tropical island. With this information, you can estimate how far your money can go while in Zanzibar.
Luckily, I’ve visited Zanzibar over five times now as it’s one of my favorite destinations in East Africa.
After converting various currencies during my trips, I’ve created this ultimate guide for you. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the currency in Zanzibar.
So let’s dive right into it!
Currency in Zanzibar
The official currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling.
The Tanzanian shilling has been the official currency in the United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzanian mainland and Zanzibar archipelago) since 1966 when it replaced the East African shilling.
The Tanzanian shilling abbreviation is written as TZS as its currency abbreviation. This is similar to what USD is to the American dollar or GBP for the British pound.
The Tanzanian shilling is available in notes and coins. The banknote denominations available are:
- 10000 TZS
- 5000 TZS
- 2000 TZS
- 1000 TZS
- 500 TZS
Denominations of coins are; 500, 200, 100, and 50 shilling coins. As a traveler, you may spend a couple of weeks on the island and not see any coins below 50.
The Tanzania shilling has had a weaker conversion rate to the USD resulting in the introduction of the 500 coin. While 500 TZS notes are still in circulation, you are more likely to see a 500 coin than a note.
Currency in Zanzibar is quite easy to differentiate, so don’t worry about mixing it up when shopping. The notes have different colors and animal pictures making them even easier to identify.
Similarly, coins are also easy to identify as they are all copper except the 500 shilling coin which is silver.
I find the old coin denominations very unique especially the 10 shilling coin of 1977 and the 5 shilling coins of 1971. Note that these are also rare to find.
While coins make great souvenirs, it’s illegal for tourists to take any Tanzanian currency out of the country.
As a major tourist destination, the other unofficial currency in Zanzibar is the USD. American dollars are widely accepted in most tourist areas such as Stone Town.
When buying souvenirs in the market, some sellers will often quote the price in local currency and USD. But this is mainly for large and higher-priced items such as paintings. For small items, you can pay in local currency.
In addition to the USD, other currencies accepted include Euros. Most resorts and lodges accept Euros but this may not be acceptable among local vendors.
Zanzibar currency exchange rate
Currency exchange rates are obviously changing daily not only in Zanzibar but across the globe. So be sure to check the current exchange rate when you plan on traveling to Zanzibar.
As of January 2024, these are rough exchange rates for the Tanzanian shilling. This will give you a general idea of how far your money will go during a trip to Zanzibar.
| Currency | Tanzanian Shilling |
| 1 USD | 2515.00 TZS |
| 1 EUR | 2740.56 TZS |
| 1 GBP | 3204.25 TZS |
| 1 AUD | 1657.28 TZS |
| 1 ZAR | 133.28 TZS |
| 1 KES | 15.38 TZS |
what’s the best currency to take to Zanzibar?
The best currency to take to Zanzibar is the American Dollar (USD).
The USD is widely accepted in Zanzibar, especially in tourist areas.
As mentioned above, tourists are prohibited from taking the Tanzanian currency out of the country. Tanzanian legislations prohibit importing or exporting Tanzanian currency with an exception made for Kenya and Uganda citizens only.
Since you can’t exchange your currency outside of Tanzania, it’s better to bring the USD as it’s accepted globally and will be easier to convert.
If coming from Kenya into Tanzania by road, exchange rates at the border are better than in the towns and banks. I wouldn’t recommend exchanging huge sums as it’s not safe carrying bundles of cash anywhere.
where to exchange money in Zanzibar
The best place to exchange money in Zanzibar is at currency exchange offices or in a bank.
Banks have the best rates and are generally safe. If you feel cautious or are wary of getting scammed always use banks.
Currency exchange offices are also safe but may have different exchange rates from the banks. So check who has the best rates before converting your money. Exchange offices can be found at airports and in major tourist towns.
In addition to banks and currency exchange offices, Tanzania currency is also exchanged on the streets. I would only recommend this if you are exchanging small amounts or have a trustworthy local/guide with you.
Is Cash or Card better in Zanzibar?
Cash is better in Zanzibar especially when exploring the towns, buying souvenirs, and paying for transportation.
Cards are better when at resorts, paying for safaris, tours, or dining at fancy restaurants and cafes. Generally when large sums of money are involved credit cards are always better and safer.
However, keep in mind that commissions and taxes apply. Commissions will vary depending on your bank. A 3.5% standard commission rate applies to all non-cash payments in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Commissions also vary among resorts and lodges. If regularly paying using your card you will notice the differences in commissions you end up paying at different locations.
atm in Zanzibar
When visiting places far from the main towns always have enough cash with you. ATMs in Zanzibar can be difficult to find but only when heading outside the main tourist areas.
In Stone Town, you won’t encounter any challenges though.
The ATMs in Zanzibar only dispense cash in Tanzanian shillings and no USD. Also, you can only withdraw 400,000 shillings at a time but no limit to the number of times you can withdraw.
When planning a day trip far from town carry enough cash for snacks and small expenses along the way.
currency in Zanzibar: FAQ
$100 US in Tanzania is 251,500 Tanzanian shillings.
A dollar is currently worth 2,515 Tanzania shillings in Zanzibar
Yes, you should take some cash with you when visiting Zanzibar. Having cash will help you get around when you first arrive on the island. The best currency cash to take to Zanzibar is USD
The official currency used in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian shilling. Other currencies accepted include the American Dollar (USD), Euros, and GBP.
Yes, Zanzibar accepts US Dollars. USD is accepted in tourist areas including hotels, lodges, and resorts.
Currency accepted in Zanzibar includes Tanzanian shillings and USD. Euros and GBP are also accepted in a few areas.
If carrying large amounts of cash exceeding $10,000, you must declare this upon arrival or before exiting Tanzania or Zanzibar.
Money in swahili is Pesa or Fedha.
Yes, you can pay in dollars in Zanzibar. US dollars are widely accepted in Zanzibar, especially in the tourist areas.
The highest currency in Tanzania is the 10,000 shilling note, which is equivalent to 3.98 USD.
No, you cannot withdraw dollars in Zanzibar. ATMs in Zanzibar only dispense money in the local Tanzanian currency (Tanzanian shilling).
Conclusion: currency in Zanzibar
There you have it, a complete guide to currency in Zanzibar.
To sum it up, the official currency used in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian shilling. The next currency widely accepted on the island is the USD. Other currencies that may be accepted include the Euro and the pound.
Enjoy your trip to Zanzibar, it’s a beautiful island with lots of history and beautiful beaches.
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