Town in Kilifi County, Kenya
Malindi
Kenya's relaxed Indian Ocean beach town with Italian-run cafés, a marine park, kitesurfing and cheap long stays. Beach hustlers, seaweed in some seasons and limited medical care are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$926–1,540Comfortable, one person · KSh120,000–200,000Details
- Value for money55/100Better value than 54% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJan–Mar, Aug–OctWarmest: Feb, 34°CDetails
- Internet23 MbpsFixed broadband, Kenya medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; water supply can be erratic and salty on the coast.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$12–31Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels and upscale restaurants; M-Pesa is used almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Malindi
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Town centre (Vasco da Gama Road) | Cheap guesthouses, markets, restaurants and buses |
| Casuarina and Silversands | Quiet long stays near beaches and villas |
| Watamu (25 km south) | Better snorkelling, kitesurfing and marine park access |
Apps that work in Malindi
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bolt | Launched in Malindi in 2019; few drivers at night, so check the app |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- M-PESA: Paying for almost everything
- Madaraka Express: Nairobi–Mombasa train tickets
- Taxis: Tuk-tuks are the usual option; agree fares first. Bolt may help at night, but driver numbers are small.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Kenya.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels and upscale restaurants; M-Pesa is used almost everywhere. Carry cash for tuk-tuks, markets and beach vendors.
- 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
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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.