A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dar es Salaam vs. Cesis for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Cesis?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Cesis can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Cesis?

Dar es Salaam

Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, and The Best Safaris in Tanzania.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Cesis, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Cesis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa and Cesis is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cesis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cesis and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Cesis.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Cesis Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Cesis?

Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam and Cesis, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam or Cesis?

Cesis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Dar es Salaam experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Cesis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Cesis. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Cesis in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dar es Salaam is a little warmer than Cesis. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Cesis averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Cesis. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Cesis in the Autumn?

Both Cesis and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Cesis for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Dar es Salaam is generally much warmer than Cesis. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Cesis fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Cesis. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Cesis in the Winter?

Both Cesis and Dar es Salaam during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cesis because of the cuisine.

The weather in Cesis can be very cold. Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Cesis in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Cesis fluctuates around -5°C (23°F).

Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Cesis. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Cesis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Cesis. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cesis this time of year.

In the spring, Dar es Salaam is much warmer than Cesis. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Cesis averages at about 5°C (42°F).

Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Cesis. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Cesis receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cesis and Dar es Salaam