The best hotels in Pemba
Pemba has 8,000+ places to stay and most of them will disappoint you. We reviewed the standouts. these 10 made the cut.
Our 10 Top Picks in Pemba
Click any hotel to check availability and book at the best price.
Avani Pemba Beach Hotel
Pemba
$217/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Pemba Express Hotel
Pemba
$210/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
nZuwa Lodge
Pemba
$210/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Kauri Resort
Pemba
$210/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Chuiba Bay Lodge
Pemba
$208/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
R&A GUEST HOUSE
Pemba
$210/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Pieter's Place
Pemba
$210/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Jardim dos Embondeiros
Pemba
$210/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Kaia Village - Hotel Restaurant & Serviced Accommodation
Pemba
$210/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Wharf Side Inn
Pemba
$60/night Prices are approximate and vary by season
Why These Hotels Made Our List
Here's why each one made the cut.
Avani Pemba Beach Hotel
Sit on Wimbi Beach without going anywhere. At $217 you're paying for the pool, dive center, and reliable AC, not intimacy. It's a proper resort hotel and doesn't pretend otherwise. If you want a base that handles logistics so you can focus on the bay, this wins. Book direct for better rates.
Address:Avani Pemba Beach Hotel, Av. da Marginal, Pemba 5470, Mozambique
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Prices shown for 1 room, 2 adults. Click to see current availability.
Pemba Express Hotel
347 reviews at 4.3 means this place actually works. It's in the town center, which puts you close to the market and local restaurants without needing a taxi every hour. Don't expect beach views. You're here for convenience and a clean room at a fair price, and it delivers both.
Address:Pemba Express Hotel, Nr. 183 Av. da Marginal, Pemba, Mozambique
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nZuwa Lodge
Smaller, quieter, and more personal than the beach resorts. The 4.3 from 151 reviews holds up because the staff actually know your name by day two. You're outside the main tourist corridor, so pack patience for transport into town. Worth it if you want Pemba without the package-holiday crowd.
Address:nZuwa Lodge, Avenida Agostinho Neto 1591, Murrebue, Mozambique
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Kauri Resort
Over 1,000 reviews makes it the most tested option in Pemba. The 4.1 rating with that volume is honest: solid, reliable, occasionally unremarkable. Business travelers and diving groups fill it regularly, which tells you the basics work. Don't go expecting boutique touches. Go expecting a functioning resort at a fair price.
Address:Kauri Resort, Avenida da Mariginal Avenida da Marginal, Pemba, Mozambique
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Chuiba Bay Lodge
Chuiba Bay sits about 12km north of town, and that distance is the point. You get the bay almost to yourself. The 4.5 from 39 reviews is hard-earned at $208. It's not for people who want nightlife options. It's for people who want to wake up to flat water and nothing else.
Address:Chuiba Bay Lodge, XH56+JMC, Pemba, Mozambique
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R&A GUEST HOUSE
22 reviews at 4.5 is a strong signal for a guesthouse. Owner-run places in Pemba live or die by personal attention, and this one clearly delivers. Budget travelers who've stayed report clean rooms and genuine hospitality. You won't get a pool or a restaurant. You'll get value and someone who gives a damn.
Address:R&A GUEST HOUSE, Bairro Cimento, Rua Impasse, C.I. 43/386, Pemba, Mozambique
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Pieter's Place
A 3-star rating with 4.2 from 100 reviews means real travelers keep coming back. The name tells you everything: someone built this and still runs it. That means consistent standards and someone to actually call when something goes wrong. Good midrange pick if you want character over corporate polish in Pemba.
Address:Pieter's Place, Rua da Marginal, Pemba, Mozambique
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Jardim dos Embondeiros
The name means Garden of the Baobabs, and the property earns it. Four stars, 4.3 from 48 reviews, and the kind of setting that makes you slow down. It sits outside the central noise without feeling remote. If you want quiet evenings with actual atmosphere instead of another resort lobby, start here.
Address:Jardim dos Embondeiros, 2HM3+7V2, Pemba, Mozambique
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Kaia Village - Hotel Restaurant & Serviced Accommodation
The serviced accommodation angle is the tell: it works for longer stays. 64 reviews at 4.3 suggests a reliable operation that suits people here for work or extended travel. The onsite restaurant saves you from scrambling every night. Not glamorous. Genuinely practical, and in Pemba that's worth more than it sounds.
Address:Kaia Village - Hotel Restaurant & Serviced Accommodation, Mahate Estrada Koba, Terreno 308, Pemba 3203, Mozambique
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Wharf Side Inn
Six reviews is thin, but $60 near the wharf makes it the most affordable verified option in town. You're close to the port action, which is either a feature or a nuisance depending on why you're in Pemba. Worth a shot for budget travelers who don't need certainty. Verify before you commit.
Address:Wharf Side Inn, Rua do Porto, Pemba, Mozambique
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Didn't find your match above? Here's every hotel in Pemba.
Every scored hotel in the city. Filter by price, rating, or type to find yours.
| # | Hotel | Our Score | Guest Rating | Reviews | Type | Price/Night | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avani Pemba Beach Hotel | 4.2 | 935 | 4★ | $220/night | Book → | |
| 2 | Pemba Express Hotel | 4.3 | 347 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 3 | nZuwa Lodge | 4.3 | 151 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 4 | Kauri Resort | 4.1 | 1 017 | 4★ | $210/night | Book → | |
| 5 | Chuiba Bay Lodge | 4.5 | 39 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 6 | R&A GUEST HOUSE | 4.5 | 22 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 7 | Pieter's Place | 4.2 | 100 | 3★ | $210/night | Book → | |
| 8 | Jardim dos Embondeiros | 4.3 | 48 | 4★ | $210/night | Book → | |
| 9 | Kaia Village - Hotel Restaurant & Serviced Accommodation | 4.3 | 64 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 10 | Wharf Side Inn | 4.2 | 6 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $60/night | Book → | |
| 11 | Pemba Magic Lodge | 4.1 | 247 | 4★ | $210/night | Book → | |
| 12 | Pemba Express Hotel | 4.2 | 14 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 13 | Rezz Apart-hotel | 4.1 | 98 | 3★ | $210/night | Book → | |
| 14 | P. Residancial Reggio Emilia | 4.3 | 17 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 15 | Kirimizi Hotel & Restaurante | 4.3 | 23 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 16 | R A GUEST HOUSE PEMBA - Deluxe Room | 4.4 | 8 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 17 | nZuwa Lodge | 5.0 | 1 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |
| 18 | The Nautilus Hotel | 4.0 | 837 | 3★ | $80/night | Book → | |
| 19 | Wharfside pemba | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → | |||
| 20 | Arti Lodge Pemba | 3.8 | 15 | Apartment / Guesthouse | $210/night | Book → |
Where to Stay in Pemba
The neighborhood you pick matters more than the hotel.
Wimbe Beach: where to actually stay
Wimbe Beach is a 3 km stretch of white sand about 6 km from Pemba's Baixa. The main strip runs from the Pemba Beach Hotel down past Complexo Nautilus and Pemba Dolphin to Avani at the far end. Every property here has direct beach access or is within a 3-minute walk of the water.
Book anything on the northern end of Wimbe near Nautilus if you want to walk to Kairo Beach Bar at sunset. The southern end near Avani is quieter but more isolated. you'll need a taxi or mototaxi to get anywhere. Mid-strip is the sweet spot.
The Baixa: good value, bad beach access
Baixa is Pemba's commercial center, sitting around Avenida Eduardo Mondlane and the port area. Hotels like Hotel Rani and Hotel Cabo Delgado are here. Rooms cost $75-200/night less than Wimbe equivalents and the business infrastructure is better: faster Wi-Fi, easier airport transfers, ATMs on your doorstep.
The honest trade-off: you're 30-40 minutes from Wimbe by chapa or 25 minutes by taxi ($10-15 each way). If your trip is mostly meetings with leisure as a side note, Baixa works. If you came for the ocean, don't do this to yourself.
Paquitequete: local character, honest prices
Paquitequete sits on the peninsula north of the Baixa, about 10 minutes by mototaxi from the city center. It's where the fish market is, where the dhow boats still operate, and where Pemba feels like a real Mozambican town rather than a tourist zone. Pemba Residencial is here at $45-70/night.
Karibu Lodge on the far end of the peninsula is the area's luxury option at $190-240/night, and the location on the water is genuinely special. Don't expect Wimbe Beach amenities. this is bay-facing, not ocean-facing. But the snorkeling and diving access is arguably better.
Mecufi Coast: worth the drive if you're splurging
Coral Lodge 15.41 sits on the Mecufi Coast about 70 km south of Pemba city, roughly 90 minutes by road. It's isolated by design. At $350-550/night you're getting private beach, a top-tier coral reef right off the shore, and a property that's genuinely world-class.
This isn't a 'pop in for a night' place. Book at least 3 nights to justify the journey and the price. Most guests fly into Pemba, spend a night at Wimbe, then transfer down. The lodge can arrange transfers from Pemba Airport directly.
Getting around Pemba without losing your mind
Chapas (shared minibuses) run between Baixa and Wimbe Beach for 15-25 meticais. They're slow, packed, and leave when full, not on any schedule. For Wimbe to Paquitequete, expect a chapa change and 45-60 minutes total. Mototaxis are faster at 80-150 meticais for most in-city trips.
Taxis from Pemba Airport to Wimbe cost $8-13 and take 15-20 minutes. If you're staying at Karibu Lodge or anywhere on the Paquitequete Peninsula, confirm pickup with your hotel because the road forks and drivers get it wrong. Renting a car from a local agency in Baixa runs about $60-90/day including insurance.
When to book and what to expect at peak times
December and January are peak season in Pemba. South African and Zimbabwean families drive up for the school holidays and prices at Wimbe Beach hotels jump 40-60% above their base rates. Complexo Nautilus and Pemba Dolphin book out 6-8 weeks ahead in December. Avani sometimes sells out even earlier.
May through September is the real sweet spot: dry, breezy, excellent visibility for diving, and hotel prices back to normal. Avoid the Easter weekend in April. it's domestic peak travel in Mozambique and every property fills up fast. Book that week 4-6 weeks out minimum.
Pemba's best hotel regions
Wimbe Beach is where you want to be. If you're here for the ocean, the coral reefs, and the sunsets, don't settle for the Baixa just because it's cheaper.
Wimbe Beach 4 vetted hotels The beach strip where most visitors should base themselves.
The beach strip where most visitors should base themselves.
Wimbe Beach is the reason most people come to Pemba. The 3 km strip of white sand runs southeast of town and the water is warm, calm inside the bay, and absurdly photogenic at sunset. Four of our 10 vetted hotels sit right here.
The northern end near Complexo Nautilus has the most action: beach bars, water sports rentals, and easy walking to restaurants. The southern end by Avani is more resort-like and secluded. Prices range from $110-380/night depending on how much space and luxury you want.
Don't book anything labeled 'near Wimbe' without checking exact distances. We've seen 'beachfront' properties that are a 15-minute walk from the sand through construction sites. Stick to our vetted list and you won't get burned.
Browse all Wimbe Beach hotels → Baixa 2 vetted hotels Pemba's commercial core. practical, not pretty.
Pemba's commercial core. practical, not pretty.
Baixa is where Pemba does its business. Around Avenida Eduardo Mondlane and the port, you'll find banks, the best ATMs, local markets, and government offices. Hotel Rani and Hotel Cabo Delgado both sit here and serve a mostly business clientele.
Rooms are cheaper than Wimbe. $75-200/night. and the infrastructure is more reliable. But you're 30-40 minutes from the beach by chapa and the neighborhood feels utilitarian. It's fine. It's just not what Pemba is famous for.
If you're attending meetings at the port or with provincial government offices near Praça dos Heróis, staying in Baixa makes practical sense. Otherwise, pay the extra and stay at Wimbe.
Browse all Baixa hotels → Paquitequete 2 vetted hotels Local Pemba at its most authentic. and most affordable.
Local Pemba at its most authentic. and most affordable.
Paquitequete sits on the peninsula that juts north from the Baixa into Pemba Bay. The fish market here is one of the best in northern Mozambique. Traditional dhow boats still launch at dawn. And the views across the bay toward the Indian Ocean are genuinely stunning.
Pemba Residencial is the budget base here at $45-70/night. Walk 10 minutes in any direction and you're eating grilled fish and drinking 2M beer for under 200 meticais. Karibu Lodge on the outer tip of the peninsula is the opposite end of the spectrum at $190-240/night, with serious diving access right off the property.
The road to Karibu Lodge gets rough after rain. If you're visiting January-March, confirm access before booking. A mototaxi from the Paquitequete market to the Baixa costs about 50-80 meticais.
Browse all Paquitequete hotels → Mecufi Coast 1 vetted hotel Remote luxury south of Pemba for those who want total isolation.
Remote luxury south of Pemba for those who want total isolation.
The Mecufi Coast is 70 km south of Pemba city, accessible via the EN1 highway and then a series of dirt tracks toward the shore. This is not a day trip destination. It's a destination in itself, anchored by Coral Lodge 15.41, which consistently ranks as one of the best properties in East Africa.
At $350-550/night, Coral Lodge is the most expensive hotel in our list. It's also the highest-rated at 9.3. The reef directly offshore is pristine. The beach is private. You share it with maybe 20 other guests maximum.
Book at least 3 nights. Call the lodge before your trip to confirm road conditions and arrange a reliable transfer from Pemba Airport. The 90-minute drive is part of the experience, but you don't want to navigate it alone in a rental car at dusk.
Browse all Mecufi Coast hotels →Best Areas by Vibe
Tell us how you travel.
Romantic
Wimbe Beach at sunset, with Pemba Dolphin or Casa Babi as your base. Candlelit dinners steps from the water and the kind of quiet that's hard to find anywhere in East Africa.
Culture
Paquitequete is the real Pemba. The fish market at 6 AM, dhow builders on the shore, and a neighborhood that hasn't been smoothed out for tourists yet.
Family
Central Wimbe strip, specifically around Complexo Nautilus, where calm bay water, shallow swimming areas, and beach restaurants make family logistics actually manageable.
Budget
Paquitequete gives you Pemba at honest prices. Pemba Residencial at $45-70/night, fresh grilled fish for 150 meticais, and a bay view that costs nothing at all.
Beach
Wimbe Beach, full stop. Three kilometres of white sand, warm Indian Ocean water, and four vetted hotels within walking distance of the surf.
Foodie
The Baixa market and Paquitequete fish market are where Pemba's food scene actually lives. Get there early, point at the freshest prawns, and follow a local to the nearest grill shack.
We reviewed 8,000+ options across the main regions of Pemba. We cut anything with misleading beachfront photos that turned out to be 20 minutes from the water, guesthouses charging resort prices without the amenities, and Baixa hotels marketing themselves as 'beach access' when they mean a 40-minute chapa ride to Wimbe. What's left are 10 places we'd actually book ourselves.
Location Quality
Is the neighborhood walkable? Are restaurants, shops, and attractions within 10 minutes on foot? How does it feel after dark? We evaluate safety, public transport access, and whether the area has genuine local character or just tourist traps. A hotel in the wrong neighborhood ruins a trip. That's why location carries the most weight.
Value for Money
We compare what you pay against what you get. A €150 hotel with a great location, clean rooms, and helpful staff can outscore a €500 hotel with fancy amenities in a bad area. We factor in seasonal pricing, cancellation policies, and hidden costs like tourist tax and breakfast surcharges. The goal is finding the best ratio, not the lowest price.
Guest Experience
We analyze thousands of verified guest reviews across multiple platforms, looking for patterns rather than individual complaints. Consistent praise for cleanliness, staff, and room quality counts. We also assess the intangibles: does the hotel have character? Would you recommend it to a friend? A soul-less chain hotel with perfect facilities still loses to a well-run boutique with personality.
Every hotel on this page earned its spot through this process.
When to Visit Pemba
Hotel prices, crowds, and weather vary by season.
Peak Season (Dec-Jan)
South African and Zimbabwean families flood Pemba for school holidays and Wimbe Beach fills up fast. Complexo Nautilus and Pemba Dolphin book out 6-8 weeks in advance. Prices at Wimbe Beach properties run 40-60% above base rates, and the humidity is brutal.
Shoulder Season (Feb-Apr)
The rains ease off in March but the roads around Paquitequete can still flood in February. Hotel prices drop significantly. you can find Wimbe properties for $110-150/night that normally run $175+. Easter week in April is a domestic peak: book 4-6 weeks ahead for that window specifically.
Best Season (May-Aug)
This is our top pick. Dry, breezy, and the best diving visibility of the year. 20-40 metres on the Quirimbas reefs on a good day. Hotels are available without weeks of advance notice and prices at Wimbe Beach sit at their most reasonable. May and June especially are close to perfect.
Late Dry Season (Sep-Nov)
October and November heat up fast and early rains can arrive by late November. But September is still excellent and a good alternative if May-August doesn't work. Karibu Lodge and Coral Lodge tend to run special rates in September as the high season winds down. worth asking directly.
Booking Tips for Pemba
Smart booking strategies for Pemba.
Book Wimbe Beach hotels 6-8 weeks ahead for December
December is not the time to wing it in Pemba. Complexo Nautilus, Pemba Dolphin, and Avani fill up fast with South African holiday traffic. If you're visiting December 15. January 10, book 6-8 weeks out. For any other time of year, 2-3 weeks ahead is usually fine.
Always confirm beach access before booking 'beachfront'
This is Pemba's biggest tourist trap. We've seen properties on booking platforms listed as 'beachfront' that are a 15-minute walk from Wimbe Beach through an active construction zone. Call the hotel and ask for the walking time to the sand. If they hedge, move on.
Carry meticais for everything outside the hotels
Cards work at Wimbe Beach hotels and a handful of restaurants on the strip. Everywhere else. Paquitequete fish market, chapas, mototaxis, local eateries near Avenida Eduardo Mondlane. it's cash only. The best ATMs are in Baixa. Withdraw 5,000-10,000 meticais on arrival and you're covered.
Don't rent a car for Pemba city alone
Rental cars in Pemba run $60-90/day and the city is small enough that mototaxis and chapas cover 95% of what you need. The only reason to rent is if you're driving to Mecufi Coast or exploring the Quirimbas hinterland. For Wimbe Beach to Baixa to Paquitequete, save the money.
Stay at Wimbe for diving, Paquitequete for culture
Wimbe Beach gives you easier ocean access and better resort facilities. But the snorkeling and dive sites off Paquitequete Peninsula are less crowded and just as good. Karibu Lodge at $190-240/night arranges dives directly from the property. If diving is your main reason for visiting, that location is worth serious consideration.
Coral Lodge requires advance coordination, not just a booking
Coral Lodge 15.41 is 90 minutes from Pemba Airport on rough roads. Don't just book online and show up. Contact them directly to arrange your transfer ($80-120 from the airport), confirm road conditions in the wet season, and ask about their current meal plan options. Going in blind is how guests end up stranded.
Hotels in Pemba, FAQ
Straight answers from our team.
What's the best area to stay in Pemba?
Wimbe Beach wins, no contest. You're within 5 minutes walk of the ocean, bars like Kairo, and the best seafood shacks on the strip. Baixa is fine for business but it's a 30-40 minute chapa ride to the beach, and that gets old fast.
How much do hotels in Pemba cost per night?
Budget spots in Paquitequete start around $45-70/night. Mid-range at Wimbe Beach runs $110-190/night and is honestly where you get the best bang for your money. Luxury at Avani or Coral Lodge up the coast will run $260-550/night, and they earn it.
Is Pemba safe for tourists?
Pemba city itself is safe and relaxed. Stick to Wimbe Beach, Baixa, and Paquitequete and you'll have zero issues. Don't flash expensive gear at the Baixa market at night, and avoid the unlit stretch of road between the Pemba Beach Hotel and the town center after dark.
When is the best time to visit Pemba?
May through October is the sweet spot. Temperatures sit at 22-28°C, the sea is calm, and diving visibility on the Quirimbas reefs is exceptional. Hotel prices at Wimbe drop by 20-30% compared to the December-January peak.
How do I get from Pemba Airport to Wimbe Beach?
Pemba Airport is about 7 km from Wimbe Beach. A taxi costs roughly 500-800 meticais ($8-13) and takes 15-20 minutes. Chapas (minibuses) run from the airport junction toward Wimbe for under 20 meticais, but with luggage, just take the taxi.
Do I need a visa to visit Pemba, Mozambique?
Most nationalities need a visa. You can get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Pemba Airport for $50, or apply in advance at a Mozambican embassy. Citizens of SADC countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania enter visa-free. Always check current rules before you fly.
What currency is used in Pemba?
The Mozambican metical (MZN) is the local currency. Most hotels at Wimbe Beach and up the coast accept USD and cards, but carry meticais for chapas, the Paquitequete fish market, and local restaurants. ATMs in Baixa near Avenida Eduardo Mondlane are the most reliable.
What language is spoken in Pemba?
Portuguese is the official language and you'll need at least basic phrases to get by, especially outside the hotels. Emakhuwa is the dominant local language in Cabo Delgado province. Staff at Wimbe Beach hotels and most dive centers speak English.
Which hotels in Pemba have the best beach access?
Pemba Beach Hotel, Complexo Nautilus, Pemba Dolphin, and Avani Pemba Beach Hotel are all directly on or steps from Wimbe Beach. Nautilus has the widest beach frontage. Avani has the best pool setup if the tide is out and the beach shrinks in the wet season.
Is Pemba good for scuba diving?
Pemba is one of the top dive destinations in Africa. The reefs around Paquitequete Peninsula and the Quirimbas Archipelago offer 20-40 metre visibility on good days. Karibu Lodge in Paquitequete can arrange dives, and Pemba Diving Center near Wimbe offers full PADI courses from around $350-450.
What's the rainy season like in Pemba?
The rains hit hard from November through March, with January and February being the wettest. Temperatures stay high at 28-34°C but the humidity is brutal and the roads around Paquitequete can flood. Hotel prices drop significantly, and you can find Wimbe Beach properties for 30-40% less than peak rates.
Are there budget hotels in Pemba worth staying at?
Yes, but manage expectations. Pemba Residencial in Paquitequete is the strongest budget option we found at $45-70/night, with clean rooms and easy access to the fish market and the bay. Hotel Rani in Baixa is solid too at $75-99/night if you don't need beach access every day.
Useful links for Pemba
Government & official sources only. No booking sites, no ads.
