Which place is cheaper, Diani or Hermanus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hermanus or Diani?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hermanus and Diani can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hermanus or Diani?
Hermanus
Hermanus is located on the southern coast of the Western Cape region of South Africa, situated right on the Atlantic Ocean. The area is famous for being the summer home to the Southern Right Whales who migrate there from the Antarctic every September. Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. The best time to visit is during their winter and spring, which runs from April through October. This is the driest time of year, meaning wildlife is easier to spot and the heat is much more bearable!
Diani
Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa, The Best Luxury Tours to South Africa, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.
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Hermanus Prices
South Africa PricesDiani Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHermanus $103Diani $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Hermanus is $103, while the average daily cost in Diani is $69. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Hermanus and Diani in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHermanus $27Diani $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHermanus $54Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Hermanus and Diani
Looking for a hotel in Hermanus or Diani? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hermanus Hotel Prices and Diani Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hermanus $8.72Diani $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani
Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi and Airport transfers: $70
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Hermanus or Diani?
Prices for flights to both Diani and Hermanus change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHermanus $72Diani $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani
For Diani, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Diani Beach: Cooking Class with a Local: $60
- Diani Beach: Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hermanus -Diani $15
Tours and Activities in Hermanus
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hermanus are as follows:
- Half-Day Private Tour to Cape Peninsula with Local Guide: $295
- Hermanus Food and Culture Tour: $127
- Hermanus Land based Whale Tour with Dave de Beer: $82
- Boat Based Whale Watching Experience: $88
- Morning Fatbike Dune Tour: $74
- Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!: $147
- Sunset Fatbike Dune Experience : $74
- Whale Watching Walking Tours (Land-Based) - from JUNE 2025: $71
Tours and Activities in Diani
For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
- Stori Baharini: Story telling walking tour in Diani Beach: $20
- Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
- Diani Beach: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $28
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
- Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $35
- Diani Beach: Private African Pool Map Guided Tour: $35
- Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
- Diani Beach: Italian-Swahili Fusion Dining Experience: $41
- Diani Beach: Kongo River Estuary Sundowner Boat Tour: $42
- Diani Beach: Glass Boat Cruise to Robinson Island: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHermanus -Diani $8.84
Sample the Local Flavors in Hermanus
Also in Hermanus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting in Hermanus with Guide : $27
- Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour: $130
- Private Family Vineyard Safari and Wine Tasting: $161
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hermanus and Diani, we can see that Hermanus is more expensive. And not only is Diani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Diani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Diani 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 Hermanus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hermanus than you might in Diani.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hermanus Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.