Island in Lamu County, Kenya
Lamu
Car-free Swahili island town of narrow lanes, donkeys and dhows, with some of East Africa's best-preserved old architecture. Slow, hot and modest; reaching it needs a flight or boat, and security is an issue on the mainland.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$617–1,080Comfortable, one person · KSh80,000–140,000Details
- Value for money85/100Better value than 84% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Mar, Aug–OctWarmest: Mar, 32°CDetails
- Internet23 MbpsFixed broadband, Kenya medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Getting aroundWalkingVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashMostly cash and M-Pesa; a few hotels and restaurants take cards.Details
Where to stay in Lamu
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Lamu Town (waterfront) | Dhow views, restaurants, guesthouses in restored Swahili houses |
| Shela | Quiet beach village with upscale villas, 3 km along the shore |
| Manda Island | Isolated beach lodges, airport and boat trips |
Apps that work in Lamu
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-PESA: Paying for almost everything
- Madaraka Express: Nairobi–Mombasa train tickets
- Taxis: No cars or ride apps; boats and donkeys are priced by negotiation. Guesthouses arrange transfers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Kenya.
- Mostly cash Mostly cash and M-Pesa; a few hotels and restaurants take cards. Bring shillings from Mombasa or Nairobi; ATMs are limited.
- Currency: Shilling (KES). US$1 ≈ KSh129.56 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Plentiful in towns; use machines inside banks or malls. Few or none in national parks.
- Tipping: About 10% in restaurants unless service is included; safari guides and camp staff expect tips, and operators suggest daily amounts.
- Paying by phone: Register M-Pesa with your passport on a Safaricom SIM and top up at agents; Apple Pay works at some terminals.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Everyone except East African and most other African nationals needs an eTA from etakenya.go.ke before flying: US$30, about 3 working days.
- The eTA asks for flight details and an accommodation booking; apply at least 2 weeks ahead and only on the official site.
- Passport must be valid 6 months with 2 blank pages. Single-use plastic bags are banned and confiscated on arrival.
Emergency numbers
All emergencies 999
Plugs
Type G · 240 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Safaricom has a shop at Nairobi airport arrivals; bring your passport for registration and ask them to activate M-Pesa. Data bundles are cheap. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Kenya
Going to Lamu solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Lamu 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.