City in Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania's busiest port city and main air hub, with beaches, markets and ferries to Zanzibar. Hot, congested and spread out; bag snatching and express kidnaps make Ubers and caution essential.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$944–1,700Comfortable, one person · TSh2.5M–4.5MDetails
- Value for money55/100Better value than 54% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–OctWarmest: Feb, 30°CDetails
- Internet41 MbpsFixed broadband, Tanzania medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDo not drink tap water or use unfiltered ice.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$15–45Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash and mobile money are widely used; cards at hotels, malls and upmarket restaurants.Details
Where to stay in Dar es Salaam
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Masaki and Oyster Bay | Expats, restaurants, hotels and the safest base |
| Msasani Peninsula | Cafés, supermarkets, beaches and longer stays |
| City center (Kivukoni and Posta) | Ferries, markets and museums; busy by day only |
| Kigamboni (south ferry) | Beach resorts and quieter long stays, away from traffic |
Apps that work in Dar es Salaam
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-Pesa: Mobile money payments
- SGR tickets (TRC): Dar–Morogoro–Dodoma electric train
- Taxis: Use apps rather than street taxis. Agree fares first if you hail one, and avoid unmarked cars.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Tanzania.
- Mostly cash Cash and mobile money are widely used; cards at hotels, malls and upmarket restaurants. ATMs are inside banks and malls.
- Currency: Shilling (TZS). US$1 ≈ TSh2,648.20 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Use ATMs inside banks (CRDB, NMB, Stanbic) in towns; they sometimes run out of cash, and parks have none.
- Tipping: Tips are a big part of safari and Kilimanjaro crew pay; follow operator guidelines. Round up or add 10% in restaurants.
- Paying by phone: Register M-Pesa (Vodacom) or Airtel Money with your passport; tap-to-pay is limited outside upmarket places.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Apply for the e-visa at visa.immigration.go.tz before travel; single-entry visas are also sold on arrival at main airports and borders.
- From October 2026 mainland arrivals need NIC inbound travel insurance (about US$44, up to 92 days); Zanzibar-first arrivals buy ZIC's policy instead.
- Show a return or onward ticket at the border. Plastic bags are confiscated on arrival.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type D, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodacom and Airtel kiosks at Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar airports; passport and fingerprint registration required. Coverage in parks is patchy. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Tanzania
Going to Dar es Salaam solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Dar es Salaam meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.