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Voykit pocket guide · Tanzania
Paje
Spend 2–3 days in Paje for kite‑surfing, beach walks and relaxed evenings; longer only if you want multiple lessons or day trips.
Paje is a small seaside village on Zanzibar’s southeast coast, famous for kite‑surfing and a laid‑back beach vibe. The village stretches about 5 km, so a couple of days let you surf, explore nearby Bwejuu and Jambiani, and enjoy the local bars and eateries.
- Country
- Tanzania
- Best months
- Jun–Oct, Dec–Feb
- Avoid
- Mar–May (rainy), Nov (short rains)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- TZS
- Money
- Currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS). Tourism is still quoted in US dollars, but since 2025 the central bank requires local transactions to be priced and paid in shillings — check how your lodge bills; dollar notes older than 2013 or damaged are refused.
- Daily spend
- Budget TZS 30,000–45,000 excl. bed · Mid TZS 45,000–70,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom, Airtel, Yas (Tigo) and Halotel sell SIMs at airports; registration takes fingerprints and a passport.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types D, G · 230 V · 50 Hz · UK three-pin is most common; some older round-pin sockets.
- Tipping
- Safari guide: About US$15–25 per vehicle per day from the group — check.; Kilimanjaro crew: About 10–15% of the climb price, shared per a published scale — check your operator's guide.; Camp staff box: About US$10 per guest per day.; Restaurant: 5–10% where no service charge.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Western in hotels and lodges; long-drops at some gates and picnic sites; squat toilets at bus stops.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at local restaurant | $5–7 |
| Pasta or pizza | $10 |
| Bottle of local beer | $2 |
| Taxi within village (per person, shared) | $1.30 |
| Bike or scooter rental per day | $25 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZNZ · Zanzibar International Airport
- Taxi or shared shuttle to Paje about 1 h
Typical fares
- Zanzibar Airport → Paje (taxi)
- about US$60, 1 h (check)
- Shared shuttle ZNZ → Paje
- US$10 per person, 1 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The village is best explored on foot or by bicycle; dala‑dala (local minibuses) run routes 309 and 340. Taxis cost about US$1.30 per person when shared; bike or scooter hire about US$25 USD per day.
See and do
Known for
- Kite‑surfing centre
- Long sandy beach
- Local art stalls
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jambiani | Walk or bike south along the coast, about 1 h | ≈1 h |
| Bwejuu | Walk or bike north, about 1 h | ≈1 h |
| The Rock (Michamvi) | Taxi round‑trip from Paje, about US$40 USD total | ≈2 h total |
Sleep
- Summer Dream Lodge
- Basic rooms, 20 m from beach, $25 USD per night incl. breakfast
- Ndame Beach Lodge
- Bungalows, breakfast included, $40–50 USD per person
- Hakuna Majiwe Beach Lodge
- $250 USD+ for beachfront bungalows
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Samahanisa‑ma‑ha‑ni |
| Thank you | Asantea‑san‑te |
| How much is it? | Ni kiasi?nee ka‑see? |
| Can I pay by card? | Naweza kulipa kwa kadi?na‑we‑za ku‑li‑pa kwa ka‑di? |
| Where is the toilet? | Chocho kiko wapi?cho‑cho ki‑ko wa‑pi? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Shikamoo' to elders, a handshake and small talk first; avoid: Rushing straight to business
- Hands: Right hand for eating, giving and receiving; avoid: Using the left hand
- Dress on Zanzibar: Cover shoulders and knees in town; avoid: Beachwear in Stone Town
- Photos: Ask first; pay agreed fees in Maasai bomas; avoid: Photographing women on Zanzibar without asking
- Affection: Keep it private; avoid: Kissing in public, especially on Zanzibar
- Pace: 'Pole pole' — slow down; avoid: Showing anger in public
Scams and watch-outs
- Low tide can leave a 1 km walk to water; check tide tables (once a month).
- ATMs are limited to the petrol station roundabout; most shops accept cash only.
- Night walks are generally safe but stay on the main beach strip.
Paje is generally safe for tourists; stay on the main beach at night and keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Paje yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kite‑surfing centre
- Long sandy beach
- Local art stalls
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Zanzibar Tourism Board: www.zanzibar.travel/en
- Wikivoyage: Paje, revision 5293767 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5293767
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Paje
Tafadhali nenda hapa
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance112
US embassy in Dar es Salaam; consulate in Zanzibar (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/paje). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.