Working Remotely in Zanzibar
I spent several weeks working remotely in Zanzibar, balancing client calls, slow mornings, and the unpredictable rhythm of island life.
If you’re a digital nomad, working while traveling, or just trying to stay connected while exploring, here’s what it actually feels like to work from Zanzibar — beyond the beaches and the million Instagram posts 🥥
Is Zanzibar good for remote work?
Let me get straight to it: yes, Zanzibar can work for remote work — but it’s not perfect.
Between power outages, slower internet, and the natural pace of island life, it asks you to slow down and let go of urgency.
If you’re comfortable with that, it can actually be a beautiful place to work.
Internet & WiFi reliability
It depends heavily on where you stay.
Paje is where most digital nomads base themselves, and WiFi is generally reliable there. Some hotels and restaurants also have backup power — Ndame Paje Hotel was a lifesaver for me on multiple days.
I also stayed in Bububu, a local village in Kibweni. Despite having a high-responsibility job with frequent calls, I was able to manage using home WiFi and mobile data during outages.
I recommend having an eSIM like Airalo as a backup — it’s simple and reliable when needed.
Electricity & power cuts
Power cuts happen — especially during the rainy season.
I’d estimate around 30% of the time, though it varies. Most places are prepared with generators, but it’s still important to plan ahead.
Charge your devices when you can, keep backup chargers, and always have mobile data ready.
What my workdays actually looked like
Routine matters — but it should reflect your priorities, not someone else’s formula.
For me, movement, exploration, and health were essential, so my days were built around that.
Since I was working US hours, my workday started at 3 PM.
Mornings were slow — waking up around 9 or 10, breakfast, then heading to the beach for meditation, swimming, or the gym. When it rained, I’d train indoors instead.
There’s a jungle gym in Paje that’s worth checking out.
After that, I’d go home, shower, and settle into work.
I mostly worked from home — my schedule was meeting-heavy and I often finished late at night, so moving around didn’t always make sense.
Evenings usually meant a quick dinner break before continuing work into the night.
It wasn’t perfect — but it felt balanced.
Where to work
Most people work from:
cafes in Paje
coworking spaces
hotels with WiFi
But honestly, I found working from home the most reliable given my schedule.
If your work is lighter and more flexible, working from cafes can be a great option.
PROS / CONS
Pros
Living by the beach
Slower pace of life
Strong sense of presence
Affordable compared to other destinations
Cons
Power outages
Unpredictable WiFi
Not ideal for high-intensity work
Requires flexibility
Final thoughts
Zanzibar isn’t the easiest place to work remotely — but that’s also what makes it special.
It asks you to slow down, adapt, and rethink what productivity looks like.
If you’re open to that, it can be one of the most memorable places to work from.
