Updated 27 October 2026
Quick answer: on rates published by the properties themselves and read on 25 October 2026, you can sleep at the Kenyan coast from about KSh 2,300 a night for two people in a self-catering Diani apartment, KSh 3,000 to KSh 4,500 for two with breakfast at a Diani glamping site or bungalow, and KSh 8,000 a night for a double room with breakfast at a beach hotel in Bamburi, Mombasa. Full beach resorts in Diani start at about KSh 10,600 per person per night sharing on bed and breakfast outside the festive season, on rate sheets published by tour operators. Prices jump from about 20 December to early January, so book early or travel in the quieter months.
This is a list, not a ranking: properties are grouped by area and price, and every price shows its source and the date we read it. Rates change without notice, so confirm with the property before you pay a deposit.
How to Read the Prices
- Per room means the price covers the room, usually for two people.
- Per person sharing (PPS) means each person pays that amount when two share a room. A couple pays double.
- BB is bed and breakfast, HB half board (breakfast and dinner), FB full board (all meals).
- Resident rates apply to Kenyan citizens and residents with ID, and are much lower than the US dollar rates for international visitors.
Diani: Budget Stays Under KSh 6,000
| Property | Type | Published price | Basis | Source, date read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frangipani Cottages | Self-catering apartments with pool, about 750 m from the beach | From KSh 2,300 a night | Per apartment for 2 guests, no meals; cooking gas included | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Bahati House and Glamping (Sunset Road) | Glamping house | KSh 3,000 a night | 2 people, breakfast included | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Bahati House and Glamping | Garden bungalow for 1 to 4 | KSh 4,500 a night | 2 people, breakfast included | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Bahati House and Glamping | Set-up camping tent, shared bathroom | KSh 1,100 | Per person per night, breakfast included | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Diani Cottages | Six cottages, weekly cleaning | From KSh 5,250 | Per person per night sharing, breakfast included; seasonal | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
These are small, owner-run places. Expect fewer facilities than a resort, and walk or take a tuk-tuk to the beach where they are not beachfront.
Diani: Beach Resorts on Resident Rates
| Resort | Dates | BB per person sharing | BB single | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa | 6 Apr to 19 Dec 2026 | KSh 10,700 | KSh 18,900 | Rate sheet published by Boze Adventures, read 25 Oct 2026 |
| Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa | 20 Dec 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 (festive) | KSh 23,300 | KSh 36,800 | As above |
| Swahili Beach Resort | 1 Jul to 22 Dec 2026 | KSh 15,400 | KSh 24,800 | Rate sheet published by Boze Adventures, read 25 Oct 2026 |
| Swahili Beach Resort | 23 Dec 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 (HB only, minimum 3 nights) | KSh 28,400 (HB) | KSh 43,600 (HB) | As above |
| The Sands at Nomad | 11 Jan to 19 Dec 2026, Garden Room | KSh 22,230 | KSh 31,120 | Rate sheet published by B Hudson Tours, read 25 Oct 2026 |
Diani Reef’s half board was KSh 12,200 per person sharing and all inclusive KSh 19,900 for the same April to December period on that sheet. Resort rates from agents can include conditions such as minimum stays, so ask for a written quote.
Mombasa North Coast: Budget and Mid-Range
| Property | Area | Published price | Basis | Source, date read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boko Boko Porini | Kikambala, north of Mombasa | From KSh 3,250 | Per person, bed and breakfast, Kenya resident | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kahama Hotel, Bamburi Beach (Superior Room) | Bamburi | KSh 6,500 single, KSh 8,000 double, KSh 11,000 triple | Per room, bed and breakfast | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Kahama Hotel, Bamburi Beach | Bamburi | KSh 12,000 double HB, KSh 16,000 double FB | Per room | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
| Travellers Beach Hotel and Spa | Bamburi, Malindi Road | From about KSh 20,786 a night (Standard Plus Room) | Online booking price shown for sample dates; varies by date | Property website, 25 Oct 2026 |
Kahama asks for a 50% deposit to guarantee a booking and takes cash, M-Pesa and cards; check-in is at noon and check-out at 10am, according to its website.
How to Pay Less at the Coast
- Avoid 20 December to 3 January. Diani Reef’s published festive BB rate is more than double its standard rate.
- Travel mid-week and in the quiet months. The Sands at Nomad lists lower rates from 15 March to 15 June 2026.
- Compare BB with half board. Eating out in Diani or Bamburi can cost less than resort dinners, but resorts far from shops make half board better value.
- Book direct and ask for the resident rate. Small properties often reply faster on WhatsApp or phone.
- Count transport. SGR economy is the cheapest way down; see how to book SGR tickets online for fares and steps.
- Pay safely. Pay a deposit only to the property’s own till, paybill or bank account, and keep the confirmation. Fake booking pages are common in December.
Sample Two-Night Budget for Two Adults (Bed and Breakfast)
| Option | Two nights (KSh) |
|---|---|
| Bahati glamping house, Diani | 6,000 |
| Kahama Bamburi Beach, double room | 16,000 |
| Diani Reef, 2 people sharing (Apr to 19 Dec 2026) | 42,800 |
| Swahili Beach, 2 people sharing (Jul to 22 Dec 2026) | 61,600 |
Add transport, lunches, dinners and activities. Planning a December trip? Check public holidays for 2026 and 2027 and bank and M-Pesa hours over the holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest place to stay in Diani?
Among properties with published prices that we checked on 25 October 2026, Frangipani Cottages lists self-catering apartments from KSh 2,300 a night for two, and Bahati House lists a camping tent at KSh 1,100 per person with breakfast.
How much is a night at a Mombasa beach hotel?
Kahama Hotel at Bamburi Beach lists KSh 8,000 a night for a double room with breakfast. Larger North Coast resorts showed prices from about KSh 20,000 a night when we checked.
When is the cheapest time to visit the coast?
Outside the Christmas and New Year peak and school holidays. Some properties publish lower rates for roughly March to June.
Do resident rates need ID?
Yes. Carry a Kenyan ID, alien card or work permit to check in on a resident rate.
Prices read on 25 October 2026 from frangipani-cottages.com, bahatidianihouseandglamping.jimdofree.com, diani-cottages.com, porini-kenya.com, kahamagroup.com and travellersbeach.com, and from resort rate sheets published by bozeadventures.com and bhudsontoursltd.com.
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