If you’re looking for a budget-friendly vacation spot, The Gambia is a great place to visit that offers cheap food, affordable accommodation, and a long list of unique and exciting activities to choose from. Planning a budget-friendly trip to The Gambia is an excellent choice for travelers seeking a relaxed and peaceful vacation destination. In this article, we’ll discuss ways to manage Gambia airport fees and other related expenses.
Why Visit The Gambia?
The Gambia is an African country on the west side of Africa, on the Atlantic coast. It’s a perfect vacation spot, with endless sandy beaches, swaying palm trees, a subtropical climate, and warm-hearted people.
Uncrowned and Beautiful beaches
The coast of The Gambia is the prime attraction for visitors. It consists of long stretches of sand that hit the hearts at once. The beaches are peaceful and calm because you won’t see a single soul. Even during the tourist season, the golden sand is not crowded.
Unique Hotel Line
The Gambia is full of luxurious and budget-friendly hotels. Each hotel is special in its own profound way. From the elegance of Mandina Lodges to Coco Resorts and Spa, you name it, and you will find a hotel according to your needs and budget.
Friendly Locals
The Gambia is known as the ‘Smiling Coast of Africa,” and there is a reason for that. People in The Gambia are extremely warm-hearted, welcoming, and friendly. Plus, you won’t have any difficulty communicating your needs because the country’s national language is English.
Colorful Culture
From polyphonic rhythms to dancing, people hang around in the markets while drumming their hearts out. You will find a variety of people with amazing traits. You will love the culture of The Gambia, as it’s bright and full of color.
The Best Time to Visit The Gambia
The perfect time to plan your trips to The Gambia is during the dry season, from November to mid-May. People who don’t like a lot of rain should visit The Gambia during the mentioned period. You will be able to enjoy a lot of sunshine with a minimal amount of rain.
This period lets tourists enjoy multiple outdoor activities, such as seeing wildlife, visiting beaches, and bird watching. During this period, humidity is pretty low, and the temperature ranges from 24°C to 28°C. That’s why it’s a comfortable time to visit.
Remember that if you are considering visiting The Gambia in the wet season from June to October, expect higher humidity and rainfall. The worst part about choosing this time is that you may meet a lot of mosquitoes, and frequent flooding may lead to an abundance of road blockages.
Gambia Travel Cost
One of the significant factors you should keep in mind while traveling to any part of the world is cost. The Gambia is a perfect vacation spot when you talk about the budget. However, this is also subjective, as it depends on when you plan to visit, the activities you want to do, and, of course, your travel style.
If you plan to visit The Gambia alone, expect to spend $109 or 6,492 Gambian dalasis (D) daily. But if you’re traveling with your partner, the figure will increase to 8,232 Gambian dalasis or $138. These include accommodation expenses, lunch, and entertainment activities.
So if you plan a week’s trip, you’ll need around $1,526 or 90,668 Gambian dalasis in your pocket for a single person, including flights and Gambia airport fees. While for a couple, it will cost approximately $2,380 or 141,412 Gambian dalasis.
Average Cost of Flights to The Gambia from the USA
The high season for flights to The Gambia is July through September. You must have $737 or more for return flights to The Gambia. However, the average cost drops to $428 in the off-season. Prices vary across the seemingly endless vastness of vendors, and they are constantly changing, so you can find great deals with a bit of luck and planning.
Average Cost of Accommodation in The Gambia
The high season for hoteling in The Gambia is from June to October. A night’s stay in a hotel during these months may cost you $35. A night in a Gambian hotel during the off-season may cost you $19. If you are looking for AirBnB, the average cost is $29 per night. Prices go 23% higher in the high seasons.
Average Cost of Food in The Gambia
The average price of street food in The Gambia is 124 dalasis or two dollars. The cost will likely exceed 589 dalasis or nine dollars for two people dining in The Gambia. The price of a water bottle or soft drink costs 18 Gambian dalasis or $0.30, and a beer would cost you 60 dalasis or one American dollar.
Average Cost of Car Rental and Transportation
The price for taking a taxi for 30 minutes is approximately 22 Gambian dalasis (0.40 USD).
Some Tips for Travelling to The Gambia
There are plenty of smart ways to travel cheaply to your desired travel spots. Here are some tips to help you reduce your costs while traveling:
- Plan Early To Know Travel Costs
Yes! If you start planning your trip ten months before, you will be able to track the flight’s cost. This way, you will know the best time to travel and when the flight costs have lowered.
- Travel in the Off-Season
You can take advantage of low prices, particularly in the off-season when the place is not too crowded with tourists. In the low season, the costs of flights and hotels are often reduced.
- Use local currency
Some credit card companies charge an extra amount when you use your credit card anywhere in the world; this is the foreign transaction fee for making a purchase – around 3% of the total. So get your hands on the local currency to avoid unnecessary costs.
Wrapping Up
Overall, The Gambia is a great place to visit, especially if you’re thinking of having a relaxed, peaceful vacation. If that’s what you’re looking for, you found the right spot! Just keep these travel tips in mind, including budgeting for Gambia airport fees, and allow your bank account to share in your tranquility.
Happy traveling!