Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Angola
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $40-108 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Angola
Accommodation
$15-35 per night
Shared dorms in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms, local pensions
Food & Dining
$12-28 per day
Street food stalls, local markets, traditional eateries, self-catering with basic groceries
Transportation
$8-20 per day
Public buses, shared taxis (candongueiros), walking, occasional motorcycle taxis
Activities
$5-25 per day
Free walking tours, public beaches, local markets, occasional museum entries, hiking
Currency: AOA Angolan Kwanza (though USD is widely accepted in tourist areas)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Angola
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local markets and street food stalls instead of hotel restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)
Use public buses and shared taxis instead of private transfers (usually 70-85% savings on transportation)
Stay in neighborhoods outside city centers for accommodation savings of 30-50%
Book domestic flights well in advance for potential savings of 40-60% over last-minute bookings
Join group tours instead of private tours for activity savings of 50-70%
Shop at local supermarkets for snacks and drinks rather than tourist areas (typically 40-60% cheaper)
Travel during shoulder season months for accommodation discounts of 20-40%
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Relying solely on private taxis and transfers instead of learning public transport options (can triple transportation costs)
Eating exclusively in hotel restaurants and tourist zones (typically 100-200% markup over local establishments)
Not budgeting for Angola's generally higher costs compared to other African destinations (can lead to 50-100% budget overruns)
Booking accommodation and tours at the last minute during peak season (often 40-80% more expensive)
Not accounting for the limited ATM network outside major cities (can lead to expensive emergency cash solutions)