Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Kiribati
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: $55-155 per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Kiribati
Accommodation
$25-60 per night
Basic guesthouses, local family-run accommodations, shared facilities, simple rooms with fan cooling
Food & Dining
$15-35 per day
Local markets, small family restaurants, traditional Kiribati dishes, coconut crab when available, fish from local catches
Transportation
$5-20 per day
Walking, occasional local buses on South Tarawa, shared taxis, bicycle rental for short distances
Activities
$10-40 per day
Beach access, snorkeling with own gear, cultural village visits, local fishing experiences, sunset viewing
Currency: AUD Australian Dollar (widely accepted alongside local Kiribati Dollar)
Budget/Backpacker Activities in Kiribati
Curated experiences perfect for your budget/backpacker travel style
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at local family restaurants instead of hotel dining rooms (typically 60-80% cheaper)
Use shared transportation and local buses rather than private taxis (saves 70-85% on transport costs)
Book inter-island flights well in advance for 30-50% savings on domestic air travel
Bring your own snorkeling gear to avoid daily rental fees (saves $15-30 per day)
Stay in South Tarawa and take day trips rather than staying on outer islands (reduces accommodation costs by 40-60%)
Purchase bottled water in bulk from local stores rather than individual bottles (saves 50-70%)
Travel during shoulder seasons to avoid peak pricing on flights and accommodation (20-40% savings)
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Not factoring in inter-island flight costs which can easily double your transportation budget
Eating only imported foods instead of local cuisine (typically 150-300% more expensive)
Not bringing reef-safe sunscreen and having to buy expensive imported alternatives locally