Abduljabbar Ali Are you in Malindi, Kenya and you are searching for affordable activities to do while you are there for some days? I got you covered.
I traveled to Malindi from Mombasa, stayed there for two days, and did several activities on a budget.
What you need to know is that I am a budget traveler — I am not yet at the point where I can switch my travel style but as time goes by, I will share the luxurious side of traveling on the same travel blog.
If you are visiting Malindi, I guess you are done exploring Mombasa City.
Read also; 8 Affordable Places To Visit In Mombasa Kenya
But if you haven’t been to Mombasa yet no worries, you can explore Malindi, then head to Watamu and then finally head to Mombasa.
Malindi is another vibrant town in Kilifi County with breathtaking beaches, restaurants, marine national parks, cozy hotels, and Airbnbs.
It offers different sides of life — you can get around Malindi on a budget and also switch to the luxurious side.
The town is divided such that the areas around the beaches consist of fancy hotels, Airbnbs, and resorts that offer access to the beaches.
These areas along the seashore of Malindi are highly guarded — so security is not an issue.
As you move away from the beaches, the environment starts changing — the buildings are now Modern Swahili houses, the roads are full of potholes, and the areas within town aren’t that well maintained.
Despite all that, Malindi can still offer you an amazing experience.
Malindi is a hot spot for many international tourists. However, after COVID-19 it took a big blow — many resorts were closed, the tourist count went low and its face diminished.
Many tourists started shifting their attention to Mombasa and South Coast (Kwale County) thus leaving Malindi crumbling.
But as time goes by things are getting better for Malindi, the resorts, hotels, and touristic sites are being revived.
Malindi still has a lot to show for it, it’s time you find out.
These are the cheap things to do in Malindi;
1. Explore the streets.
The first thing you should do when you visit a new destination is to explore the streets.
Don’t just get to a location and start chasing the touristic sites — take your time to walk around the streets and see how the locals handle themselves.
Walking around the streets will give you an idea of how the locals behave, what excites them, and how to interact with them.
As you are exploring the streets don’t be afraid to start small talk with the locals, ask them about the safety of the location, where to find the best street foods and hidden gems you should explore.
The locals know their town better than you even if you have done thorough research about the town.
Take note of the architectural details of the buildings, and their colors and mark your landmarks so that if you get lost you can easily trace your way back to your hotel or Airbnb.
It’s in the streets of Malindi where you will see the raw and unfiltered cultural practices of the locals.
When you walk around observing what people do and how they handle themselves you will create authentic memories of this beautiful town.
If someone talks about Malindi town, you see the exact picture of these Swahili people and Mijikenda coexisting harmoniously.
This is what it means to travel — being in the middle of it all and taking it all in.
Exploring the streets will also familiarize you with the area where you booked your stay.
Read also; Is Malindi Worth Visiting? [5 Reasons Why It Is]
You don’t have to pay anything to walk around the streets. The money that you plan to spend on Taxi rides, you can add that to your accommodation or add the number of activities you want to do.
This is how you save money while traveling. Walking the streets is the best way to see everything in its full details.
Read also; 11 Ways To Save Money While Travelling
2. Get into the chaotic Markets.
If you are in Malindi don’t leave without touring the “Zoko La Zamani”. This is another vibrant Market that is full of good vibes.
It’s easier to get to this Market since the boda boda guys Know its location.
When I visited Malindi, I toured two markets, the Alaskan market and the Old Market (Soko La Zamani)
I went to the Alaskan market first because it was just close to the Hotel that I booked ( Baba Lao Hotel).
You don’t have to buy anything in the markets if you don’t want to.
I went to the Alaskan market because I was searching for a T-shirt. I left Mombasa to Malindi only in a vest and a light black jacket.
I only took my backpack with me, I had one T-shirt in it and one pair of black cargo pants.
I like traveling light.
Luckily, it was a market day, I started checking out for another t-shirt. I walked around the market and finally, I got a black T-shirt written ‘Friday’.
It became one of my favorite t-shirts that I bought while traveling.
Soko La Zamani (Old Market) is also another incredible market that you should visit when you are in Malindi.
This Market is a little bit bigger than Alaskan but it’s mainly a food market where you can buy some groceries and fruits.
So, if you are staying in an Airbnb and you feel like cooking to save some money, you should consider visiting this market.
Read also; Should You Cook When Solo Traveling? (When To + Not To)
I went to this market thinking I could find food to eat but I didn’t. I was directed by the kind and interactive locals to another spot.
Just in front of the market along Casuarina Road, a few minutes after walking up the slope, I came across a woman selling roasted corn. I bought one and kept going.
Just around the Tahmeed Booking Office close to the Masjid Rawdhwa, I saw some street foods — Catless, viazi karai, bajia, and samosa.
I bought a glass of fruit juice which cost me Ksh 50 ($0.4) and for the first time I tried catless — a ball of mashed potatoes, minced meat, egg, and onions. I wanted to eat two but I couldn’t manage.
The first one was enough for me since I was super full. It was only Ksh 50 ($0.4). I only used a total of Ksh 130 ($1) for the street food and I was ready for my adventures.
Remember, I was filming as I walked around the market, and I didn’t come across any weird individuals.
I met a group of vendors who wanted to be in my video. Friendly locals with amazing vibes and not camera shy.
This is another affordable activity that won’t cost you a dime other than your fare to get there.
You won’t even spend more than Ksh 100 ($1) if you are in Malindi town. The town isn’t that big so, it shouldn’t scare you.
The town isn’t fancy either but it will give you the right picture of how Malindi is.
3. Malindi Coastal Heritage Complex (Museum).
Another cheap thing you can do when you are in Malindi is to visit the Malindi National Museum.
If you are a historical nerd, you want to learn more about the historical heritage of the coastal town and capture some memories — don’t forget to visit the Museum.
The advantage is that it’s within Malindi Town. If you are done touring the market (Soko La Zamani) and you still have it in you, you can get to the Museum.
It’s located just a little bit behind the Soko La Zamani. If you have Google Maps, you won’t get lost.
You can even ask the vendors at the market and they will point you in the right direction.
The Malindi National Museum isn’t that big. You won’t even spend half an hour touring it.
When you get to the Museum, you have to get a ticket. I remember mine cost me Ksh 150 ($1.2) since I am a Kenyan citizen.
But I bet for a non-citizen it can be double the price which is still considerably cheaper.
If you get a ticket at the Malindi National Museum you have access to the entire historical site (Portuguese chapel, House of Columns, and Vasco Da Gama Pillar) located in Malindi town using the same ticket.
The only downside is that the ticket only lasts for 12 hours. If you have been given early in the morning about 8 pm, you still have 10 hours before it expires.
I was thrilled when I was told about this amazing deal and it pushed me to explore more of the historical sites since I couldn’t let it expire without using it.
This is what I call killing two birds with one stone.
When you get a ticket, you will also be given a tour guide. The tour guide will take you around and explain to you everything you need to know about the artifacts inside the museum.
You will also learn a little bit about how Swahili civilization came into play, and see the artifacts and ancient manuscripts that share information about how things were.
To be honest, I am not into the whole history thing, I just enjoyed listening to the cute woman explaining. She was amazing! I just couldn’t get myself to ask for her number! Hahah.
I was excited because I had been given the key to the other historical sites.
I walked around the Museum while filming a YouTube video. It was an interesting experience for me.
This is the kind of lifestyle I have been dreaming of and there I was, living and loving it!
Fortunately, after I had finished exploring the museum, my camera shut down. I had to go back to my hotel to charge it because I didn’t have any extra battery with me.
But I enjoyed the entire experience of touring the museum.
So, when you are in Malindi, and you are thinking of exploring the touristic sites, especially Vasco Da Gama Pillar, get a ticket first at the museum, it will save you money.
Read also; 7 Unique Things To Do In Watamu
4. Visit Vasco Da Gama Pillar.
My next stop after I fully charged my battery, two hours later on the same day, I jumped on a motorcycle and asked the rider to take me to Vasco Da Gama Pillar.
You have to visit Vasco Da Gama Pillar if you are in Malindi since it’s one of the scenic and historical sites.
It’s a must-see site when you are in this beautiful coastal town. Remember, If you pay for a ticket at the museum, you won’t have to pay anything.
So, the only thing you will use is your fare to get you there.
I told you earlier that I booked a hotel at Baba Lao. I was far from the Vasco Da Gama Pillar.
I used Ksh 100 ($0.9) to get to Vasco Da Gama Pillar though later on the guy wanted me to pay him more.
It was a mess getting there, apparently, the boda boda guy didn’t even know the location.
We went in circles and wasted almost 15 minutes.
I didn’t check out my Google Maps since I assumed he knew the place. He was very confident when I told him where to drop me off.
So, don’t make the same mistake I did. Before you get a motorcycle to drop you off at a certain location, ask the guy if he knows the place.
If not, get someone who knows the place or use your Google Maps to direct the guy.
I was kind enough to add him extra Ksh 50 to the original price. So, the total that I spent getting to the Vasco Da Gama Pillar was Ksh 150 ($1.1).
It is still a pretty reasonable cost.
So, this shows you that even when you are under a tight budget, you can still explore Malindi town comfortably like a boss.
We finally reached the entry. I bought a coconut drink at the entry which cost me Ksh 50 ($0.4) though the vendor wanted Ksh 100 ($1). I didn’t want to buy it.
He came so hard at me trying to sell me the coconut drink claiming that he didn’t make any incredible sales on that day.
Which we all know that is a lie. When I told him I had no money he reduced the price. I had to promote him.
This is something you will experience when traveling — people will always try to sell you things.
If you are not careful, you might end up finding yourself buying things that you don’t even need.
When I reached the gate I just showed the ticket I got at Malindi National Museum and I went in.
It’s a walk of a few metres from the entry to get to the Pillar. At the corner, you will find someone who will direct you on the route you should follow.
I finally managed to see the famous Vasco Da Gama Pillar when the sun was setting. It was just an incredible view.
I went close and made sure I touched the Pillar to just feel that I finally accomplished what I wanted to do.
I read the fact boards about the Vasco Da Gama Pillar, learned a little bit about its history, and sat down on the concrete seats erected around the Pillar.
Looked at the ocean while listening to my favorite playlist before I decided to leave because it was getting darker and I had to get back to my hotel.
Lastly…
I didn’t manage to do a lot of things when I visited Malindi because I had no efficient plan.
I was supposed to visit Marafa, hell’s Kitchen but I didn’t manage.
I am still planning to revisit Malindi and explore the other places that I didn’t manage to reach when I was there.
But now I’ll have a solid plan that I will adhere to. If you don’t want to make a mess when traveling, always have a plan in mind don’t just wing it.
Read also; Solo Travel 101: Why Planning Is Essential for New Adventurers
Malindi is cheaper to explore, you don’t have to worry that you will break your bank account.
Malindi can’t get cheaper than this. I hope you will enjoy your visit.
Read also; Malindi or Watamu, Which Is Better?: Choosing Between The Two
Related reads;
