Zanzibar currency
Zanzibar currency : Zanzibar is one of the visited beach destinations in the world and is popular for its spectacular white beaches and fascinating history dating back to the times of slave trade, Zanzibar Island an Indian Ocean Archipelago is a semi – autonomous island in political union with Tanzania and the unit currency they use is same as of Tanzania.
On a Zanzibar Holiday, guests have to pay for accommodation, food, and park entrance fees, activity fees among others. In regards to prices in Zanzibar they are paid in Zanzibar currency (Tanzania Shillings – TZS), however visitors have to understand the best time to visit Zanzibar as it impacts the availability of accommodations, the prices and flight prices.
Below are the essential details about Zanzibar Currency and what is accepted and not.
What is the official Zanzibar currency?
The official currency of Zanzibar and Tanzania is Tanzania Shillings (TZS) which is subdivided into 100 senti (cents in English).
Notes and Coins
The following denominations are available in Zanzibar
- Notes of: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 & 10,000 shilingi
- Coins of: 50, 100, 200 & 500 shilingi
Shilling currency
In 14th June 1966, The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East Africa Shilling.
The amount in Tanzania shilling is written in the form of x/y, where x is the amount about above 1 shilling while y is the amount in senti. An equals sign or hyphen represents zero amount.
For example. 50 senti is written as “=/50” or “-/50”, while 100 shilingi is written as “100/=” or “100/-”
In common, daily use, the symbol Tsh is used.
Older coins made from nickel brass and cupro nickel with denominations of 20 and 50 have since been updates, on 14th June 1966 the Bank of Tanzania locally known as “Benki Kuu Ya Tanzania” introduced notes for 5,10,20 and 100 shillings also denominated in shillings on the first series of note.
The Tanzania currency exchange rate
Exchange rate of the Tanzania currency is as follows
Currency TZS Shilling Conversion
1 GBP 3,120 Tanzania Shilling
1 USD 2,296 Tanzania Shilling
1 EUR 2,609 Tanzania Shilling
1 DDK 350 Tanzania Shilling
Where do visitors exchange their money?
Visitors can only exchange money at the local banks, their ne exchange bureau outlet and at the Post Office in Shangani in Stone Town.
There are also exchange bureaus inside the airstrip arrivals and departures halls are open 24/7, a CRDB exchange bureau is at the airport parking lot. Visitors should bring $100 and $50 notes for the best rates.
For Visitors wondering how to get to Zanzibar, they can fly to Zanzibar via Zanzibar Airport (ZNZ) which is the main airport of the island, the airport is located 3.1 miles south of Stone Town which is the main city on the island. Visitors are required to present a Zanzibar Visa and certain vaccinations are required while entering the island.
Credit cards in Zanzibar
Bigger hotels, restaurants and car rentals have credit card facilities, however a surcharge of 5% is applicable.
Note: Visitors should be aware that at many places, credit cards are not accepted
Visa is most widely recognized and accepted in Zanzibar followed by MasterCard, 5% surcharge per swipe applies. Credit cards are a safer alternative to cash and are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and upscale souvenir stores.
Note: In Zanzibar, Diners club is unheard of and American Express is accepted at only a few establishments.
Cash Machine in Zanzibar
Automatic Machines (ATMs)
In Zanzibar, visitors can only draw TZS with their credit card or card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, there are 2 ATM machines at the airport parking lot and some others in Stone Town – the main city.
ATMs offer a maximum payout of 400,000 TZs per withdrawal and visitors can use their credit card multiple times until the daily withdrawal limit on their card is reached. However, this may require visiting different ATMs.
Carrying a small amount of Zanzibar Currency – The Tanzania shilling (TZS) is recommended as back – up when paying for items where credit card facilities are unavailable in bars on the many spectacular beaches of Zanzibar and nearby islands of Pamuda, Pemba Island and Chumbe Island.
USD in Zanzibar
US dollars are accepted currency in the tourism sectors of Zanzibar Island such as hotels, guide’s tips, tour payments and some of the souvenir vendors accept payments in USD. Also, payments in Tanzanian shillings are accepted.
Zanzibar Island is a popular destination for newlyweds from U.S, visitors on a Zanzibar honeymoon safari and couples should note that most businesses and tourism sectors accept US currency. However, torn or wrinkled notes are not accepted. This also applies when traveling to mainland Tanzania for a wildlife safari to Serengeti national park or Ngorongoro Crater.
Notes must not be older than 2006, local business will automatically reject notes of 2005 and backwards due to a past issue with counterfeiting.
FAQs
What currency does Zanzibar use?
The main currency on Zanzibar Island is Tanzania Shillings (TZS) and $ 1 USD = 2,296 Tanzania Shilling (TZS)
Do businesses accept credit and debit cards in Zanzibar?
Credit Cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted in Zanzibar at large establishments, in Zanzibar there are many ATM machines and can be used with Visa, Visa Electron and MasterCard.
