Is it cheaper to buy snorkeling gear and toiletries in Egypt or bring them from home?

A snorkel mask set costs around $15 in Egypt, cheaper than similar gear in sporting goods stores back home (roughly $30+ equivalent).

A shop called Kleopatra Center right by the hotel is recommended for its Russian-speaking seller and low prices: Vatika shampoo $1, Miswak toothpaste 2 pieces for $1, cola and Mountain Dew $1 each. A pharmacy with Russian-speaking staff is a 3-minute walk away.

Prices vary a lot by seller, similar to shopping back home — you might overpay in one shop and get a good discount in another, so it's worth comparing a few stores.

Some travelers debate whether to buy a snorkel mask locally or order it in advance online before the trip — in practice, the local price of around $15 is often the better deal.

Some travelers prefer to stock up on specific chocolate brands like Alyonka back home rather than in Egypt — one traveler planned to buy it in Moscow upon return instead of at the resort.