Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Honiara

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Basic guesthouses, budget lodges, shared facilities, fan-cooled rooms in local neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$15-35 per day

Local markets, street food stalls, small local eateries, basic restaurants serving Solomonislands cuisine

Transportation

$3-12 per day

Public buses, walking, occasional shared taxis for longer distances

Activities

$5-20 per day

Free beaches, local markets, occasional museum visits, self-guided walking tours

Eat at local markets and small eateries instead of tourist restaurants (typically 50-70% cheaper)

Use public buses for city transport instead of taxis (usually 80-90% savings)

Book accommodation well in advance during peak season for 20-30% discounts

Shop for groceries and prepare some meals yourself when possible (can reduce food costs by 40-60%)

Join group tours instead of private tours (generally 50-70% less expensive per person)

Visit free attractions like beaches and local markets before paying for organized activities

Stay in neighborhoods away from the main tourist areas where prices are typically 30-50% lower

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the public transport system (can triple transportation costs)

Eating only at hotels and tourist-area restaurants (typically 100-200% markup over local places)

Booking tours and activities at hotel concierge desks without comparing prices (often 20-40% more expensive)

Not budgeting for the high cost of imported goods and Western food (can be 3-5x more than local alternatives)

Underestimating transportation costs between islands if planning multi-island trips