Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Mozambique

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dormitory beds in backpacker hostels, basic guesthouses, budget pensions, or camping where available

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food, local markets, basic restaurants, self-catering from supermarkets

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Local buses (chapas), shared taxis, walking, occasional long-distance bus

Activities

$0-15 per day

Free beaches, walking tours, local markets, occasional museum entry

Eat at local markets and street stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use chapas (local minibuses) instead of private taxis for transport (usually 70-90% savings)

Stay in Maputo or other cities rather than beach resorts, then take day trips (often 40-60% accommodation savings)

Travel during low season months for significantly reduced accommodation and tour prices

Buy fresh seafood directly from fishermen at beaches rather than in restaurants (typically 50-70% cheaper)

Book accommodation directly with guesthouses rather than through international booking sites to avoid commission markups

Use local tour operators rather than international companies for activities (generally 30-50% less expensive)

Only staying in beach resort areas which typically cost 100-200% more than inland alternatives

Taking private taxis everywhere instead of learning the local chapa system (3-5x more expensive)

Eating exclusively at hotel restaurants and tourist-oriented establishments (typically 150-300% markup over local spots)

Not negotiating prices for activities and tours, especially for multi-day packages (can save 20-40%)

Traveling only during peak season without considering shoulder season savings (missing 30-50% potential savings)