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location.beaches.districts
location.beaches.districts_subtitle
Masaki / Oysterbay
hotelsUpscale peninsula - embassies, expat homes, beach clubs, restaurants. Where wealthy live. Slipway shopping, Sea Cliff hotel. Safest area for tourists. Ocean breezes. High-end but character-less.
Kariakoo
hotelsMassive market district - biggest in East Africa. Chaotic, crowded, fascinating. Where Dar does business. Every product imaginable. Watch belongings! Daytime visits only. Real African market energy.
Kivukoni / City Centre
hotelsDowntown waterfront - ferry terminal, fish market, colonial buildings. Where city began. National Museum, Askari Monument. Busy, gritty, interesting. Fish market auction at dawn memorable. Transit point to Zanzibar.
faq.title
faq.subtitle Dar es Salaam
E-visa required for most - apply online before travel ($50 single entry). US citizens can get visa on arrival but e-visa faster. Yellow fever certificate required if coming from endemic country. Easy process, tourism-friendly.
Fast ferries 2 hours from Kivukoni terminal - Azam, Kilimanjaro. ~$35-50 one way. Several daily. Or fly 20 min ~$80-150. Ferry is the experience - dolphins, ocean views. Book ferries morning of or day before. Book flights ahead.
Most tourists transit to Zanzibar or safaris. But 1-2 days interesting: fish market at dawn, Kariakoo market, National Museum, Coco Beach. Real East African city life. Not beautiful but authentic. Good food scene.
No - capital moved to Dodoma in 1974, but Dar remains largest city, commercial capital, and where everything happens. Most embassies, businesses, flights still in Dar. Dodoma is administrative only. Dar is Tanzania's real center.
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Dar es Salaam
Take ferry to Zanzibar for the experience - 2 hours, dolphins, ocean views. ~$35-50. Azam Marine or Kilimanjaro fast ferries. Book at Kivukoni terminal or online. Morning departures best. The journey is part of the adventure.
Visit fish market at Kivukoni at dawn (5-6 AM) - incredible scene of auction, boats, catches. Authentic, photogenic, unforgettable. Hire local guide for safety/context. Best early morning before heat. The real Dar experience.
Use Uber or Bolt - works well in Dar. Avoid dala-dalas unless adventurous and watching belongings. Traffic terrible - allow extra time. Bajaji (tuk-tuks) ok for short distances. Apps safer and not much more expensive.
Try Swahili food: ugali (maize porridge), nyama choma (grilled meat), pilau rice, mishkaki (kebabs), fresh fish, coconut dishes. Safari and Serengeti beer local. Indian food excellent (large community). Cheap eating everywhere.
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
24°
24°90%4 м/с
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32°
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30°
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29°
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29°
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29°
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30°
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31°
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31°
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32°
24°Dec
Water temperature
29°
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location.transport.title
location.transport.subtitle
location.transport.bus
—location.transport.taxi
—location.transport.ferry
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Prices
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Cafes & Restaurants
Budget meal
5,000 - 15,000 TZS
~10,000 $
Mid-range
25,000 - 60,000 TZS
~42,500 $
Fine dining
80,000 - 200,000 TZS
~140,000 $
Street Food
Local dish
2,000 - 8,000 TZS
~5,000 $
Drinks
Coffee
3,000 - 10,000 TZS
~6,500 $
Local beer
3,000 - 8,000 TZS
~5,500 $
Groceries
Water 1.5L
500 - 2,000 TZS
~1,250 $
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Accommodation
Hotels and rental prices
Hostel dorm
25,000 - 50,000 TZS / night
~37,500 $
Guesthouse
60,000 - 120,000 TZS / night
~90,000 $
Hotel 3★
150,000 - 350,000 TZS / night
~250,000 $
Hotel 5★
400,000 - 1,200,000 TZS / night
~800,000 $
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.title
location.payment.subtitle
location.payment.accepted_cards
VisaMastercard
location.payment.atms
common
location.payment.mobile_payments
M-PesaTigo PesaAirtel Money
location.payment.cash
Cash preferred! Mobile money (M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money) popular for locals. Cards in big hotels, malls. Shilling (TZS) local currency.
location.payment.currency_exchange
Cash economy! Mobile money massive - M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money used by locals (tourists cannot easily access). Banks: CRDB Bank, NMB Bank, Stanbic - ATMs in city center. Cards at Serena, Movenpick hotels, Mlimani City mall, Sea Cliff area. USD widely accepted at hotels, safari operators. AVOID: Airport exchange. Bring USD to exchange. Gateway to Zanzibar!
location.payment.tipping
10%
10% appreciated in restaurants. Safari guides $10-20 per day per person. Hotel staff 5000-10000 TZS.
Safety
Medium safety level
Follow standard precautions
Dar es Salaam moderately safe for East Africa. Petty theft exists - watch belongings, especially at beaches and markets. Use registered taxis. Avoid walking at night in unfamiliar areas. Most tourists transit to Zanzibar, safaris. Normal precautions work.