Email and Internet

Since 2001, internet bureaux have sprung up everywhere in Zanzibar Town. Like the phone offices (indeed, many are also phone offices), some internet bureaux are large and air conditioned with several terminals, while others are in the corner of someone's shop and you connect to the outside world crammed between boxes of soap. In general, most hotels do not offer public email services.

There's a pretty standardised cost across town of US$1 per hour, and several dozen cafés to chose from. Most charge per 30-minute increment, starting at US$0.50, and if you go over this by a few seconds you'll be charged for the next 30 minutes.

Internet bureaux include:

Shangani Internet Café

Kenyatta Rd; 024 2232925.
This is one of the best places in Zanzibar Town. It has long opening hours, fast connections, about 15 computers, a fridge full of ice cream and cold drinks, and charges US$1/hr.

Sanjay Internet Café

Just off Gizenga St, behind the House of Wonders, this small place has about 5 terminals, and normally charges US$1/hr, but sometimes offers special rates of half this price.

Asad Secretarial Services

Near the Clove Hotel, is this small place with good connections, charging US$1/hr.

Too Short Internet

Opposite National Bank of Commerce, this is centrally located with long hours (08.00–23.00) around 8 quick machines at the standard rate of US$0.50/30 mins.

Post

Although letters can be sent from other post offices around Zanzibar Island, it's best to send all your mail from Zanzibar Town. The service is reliable, with letters taking about a week to ten days to reach destinations in Europe and North America (Australia takes a bit longer).

General post office

(GPO) Zanzibar Town's main post office is a large building in the new part of town on the road towards the Amaani Stadium.
Open Mon–Sat 08.00–12.30, 14.00–16.30, Sun 08.00–12.30.

Old post office

The old post office on Kenyatta Rd, in the Shangani area, is much more convenient for tourists. It's possible to buy stamps here, and this is also the place to collect letters sent by poste restante (although some items may get sent to the main post office by mistake – so make sure anyone writing to you addresses the envelope: 'Old Post Office, Kenyatta Road, Shangani').
Open Mon–Thu 08.00–13.00, 14.00–16.30, Fri 08.00–12.00, 14.00–17.00, Sat 09.00–12.00.