Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Djibouti

Accommodation

$15-35 per night

Basic guesthouses, budget hotels, or shared rooms in local establishments

Food & Dining

$12-30 per day

Local street food, small local restaurants, markets, and occasional self-catering

Transportation

$8-20 per day

Public buses, shared taxis, walking for shorter distances

Activities

$5-25 per day

Free walking around markets, occasional museum visits, self-guided exploration

Eat at local markets and small neighborhood restaurants instead of hotel dining (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use public buses and shared taxis instead of private taxis for transportation (can save 70-85% on transport costs)

Book accommodation well in advance during peak season for potential 20-40% discounts

Purchase food and water from local shops rather than tourist areas (usually 40-60% less expensive)

Join group tours instead of private tours when possible (typically 50-70% cost reduction)

Stay in neighborhoods away from main tourist zones where accommodation is generally 30-50% cheaper

Take advantage of free activities like exploring local markets, walking tours, and public beaches

Relying exclusively on taxis and private transport instead of using public options (can triple transportation costs)

Eating only in hotel restaurants and tourist-focused establishments (typically 100-200% markup over local options)

Not accounting for Djibouti's generally high cost of living compared to neighboring countries (can lead to 40-60% budget overruns)

Booking tours and activities without comparing group vs private options (private tours typically cost 3-5x more)

Not bringing sufficient cash as card acceptance is limited outside major establishments