18 life hacks on how to save money in the Maldives

The Maldives is only for the rich. Such a stereotype has developed about the paradise islands. Nevertheless, this is no longer the case: in the Maldives, you can relax on a budget. We share life hacks that will help you save money.

1. Planning the right time

You can save a lot on a trip to the paradise islands if you plan your trip correctly. Hotel prices are obscenely high during high season. This is especially true for the New Year holidays. In addition, the end of December with January is the peak of the highest prices, because winter in the Maldives is the best time for snorkeling and diving. Nevertheless, in the summer months, a cyclone comes to the paradise islands. It rains at times, and the Indian Ocean gives off its incredible transparency. However, you can go to the Maldives before the start of the season, for example, in September-November, or in April, when prices are already falling. This way you can save 20-30% on housing. Do not neglect early booking: you can get a discount for a good resort up to 30%. In addition, in the off-season, you can count on a lower cost of the flight. 

Asad Photo Maldives

2. We catch a cheap flight

If you set a goal, you can catch a lucrative offer. First, buy a ticket, and then take a vacation for the upcoming flight dates.

How to find an inexpensive ticket to the Maldives? There are several options. First, in the low season, prices drop and you can get a nice price. Secondly, airlines from time to time arrange promotions and sales. Thirdly, a couple of days before departure, charter tickets become cheaper if there are empty seats.

• Don't count on cheap charter flights too much. Charters cut prices a few days before departure, but not always. You can try to catch a "hot" or abandoned ticket to the Maldives at the last moment. But this is a matter of luck.   
• For a regular flight, you need to catch a ticket in advance, because regular flights become more expensive closer to the departure date.
• A good option is to find the nearest air hub and make an independent docking from there. The largest airlines in the world fly to the Maldives. For example, from Istanbul to Male - from $ 300, from Dubai - from $ 200, from Qatar - from $ 250. See which airlines fly to the Maldives from the hub of your interest. Subscribe to the airline newsletter. So you can be the first to know about ticket sales, about profitable promotions and immediately buy a ticket to the Maldives at a lower price. 
• Use aggregator sites: they will help you compare the cost of air tickets from different airlines, as well as track options for different dates in order to catch the best option.

Saif Zaman

3. All by ourselves: we book without travel agencies

Travel agencies are intermediaries who resell tours with their own mark-up. We calculated that the cost of self-booking for the same dates may differ by a thousand dollars for two. If you do not want to overpay to intermediaries, book the hotel and flight yourself. All you need to do is study all the nuances on your own before booking a hotel. Choose and compare several hotels and book them for the desired date. Savings - about $ 1000. 

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4. We settle on local islands

The most budgetary vacation in the Maldives is a vacation on the local islands. The cost of one night for two starts from $ 30-40 depending on the season, including taxes. Rest on a local island will not be as luxurious as in a resort. But the price is incomparably lower. For the money, you get a clean and tidy room, often including breakfast. And crystal clear waters, coral reefs and rich underwater life are available in the Maldives everywhere, including local islands.

Maahid Photos

5. Take a local hotel with breakfast

Prices in the Maldives are high: all products are imported. Choosing breakfast at a local hotel, you will be able to save money: the cafe will be more expensive.

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6. Excursions: on local islands

On local islands, the cost of entertainment is lower than in luxury resorts. The same excursions at the resort and on the island where the locals live will differ in price. After all, at the resort you have to pay extra for the luxury service. But at the same time, guests of a luxury resort and guests staying nearby on local islands are still taken to the same dive sites. Arrange for them dolphin cruises, fishing. The difference may be in the form of transport and increased comfort.

For example, on the local islands in the Maldives, you can swim with manta rays for $ 150 for two, go kayaking and banana rides - $ 15, diving - $ 70. By the way, it's worth bargaining: if you behave correctly, you can count on a 10-20% discount depending on the cost of the excursion. On local islands, this is appropriate. But at luxury resorts - only fixed prices.

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7. We select a budget resort

Even among the resort islands that occupy a separate island, there are budget options. You can choose a three-star hotel, which will have everything for a comfortable stay. These options start at $ 50-70 per night for two in low season. The cost is indicated without meals. Do not forget about taxes when booking: these are VAT, service tax and eco tax. By the way, on wiotto.com all taxes and fees are already included in the price. Choose the hotel you like and do not pay extra on arrival.

Equator Village Maldives

8. We go to North and South Male

Why choose a hotel in North or South Male? Because the hotels in these atolls are closest to the international airport. This means a cheaper transfer. For example, a seaplane flight costs about $ 200-300 one way per person. A speedboat ride to a hotel near the airport will cost about $ 50 per person one way.

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9. Choosing a food option

Food is one of the most expensive items of expenditure. In the Maldives, almost all products are imported, except for coconuts. But prices are especially high in luxury resort restaurants. And for tourists, this is the only option. After all, there are no supermarkets and budget cafes on the resort islands. In the hotel restaurant, the cost of a bottle of mineral water starts at $ 5. Therefore, you should not save when booking: it is better to choose half board plus or extended board. 

• Half board is suitable if you plan to frequently leave your hotel for excursions. Then breakfast and dinner are enough. 
• If you plan to relax at the hotel all the time, you better take an extended board. It includes not only breakfast, lunch and dinner, but also snacks or drinks throughout the day.

Alcohol is a different story: you will have to buy it separately. It is included in the price of the all inclusive system only. But in this case, the cost of the hotel ticket doubles. And choosing all-inclusive is irrational from the point of view of the budget of the trip. 

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Maldives

10. Change money correctly

Do not withdraw a large amount of money from your card at the airport immediately upon arrival. If you are flying to a resort resort, you may not need the Maldivian rufiyaa. All payments are in dollars. But on the local islands, rufiyaas will come in handy: so prices will be cheaper than paying in dollars. But exchange rufiyaa for dollars back will not work. The bank will not accept them so easily. In order for banknotes to be accepted, the bank needs to provide a certificate that the money was purchased from this particular bank or withdrawn from a specific ATM. The receipt for the exchange or withdrawal of cash must be carefully stored.

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11. We save on communication

Mobile communications in the Maldives are quite expensive. When choosing a hotel, you should definitely pay attention to free access to Wi-fi, so as not to get paid. Upon arrival at the airport, you can buy a local SIM card. 5 GB will cost about $ 35. Therefore, it is more profitable to use Wi-fi at the hotel than to use a mobile SIM card.

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12. We get a free lounge

After arriving in the Maldives, you have to wait a bit for your transfer to the island. This is especially true for seaplane and domestic air travel. In this case, you will have to while away the time in the airport lounge. The cost in the common room is $ 25 per person. But if you choose to stay at a resort resort, many hotels provide their guests with an exclusive service. They have access to a VIP waiting room, where drinks are served free of charge and Wi-fi is available. If you are booking a good resort hotel, inquire about the free waiting in the airport lounge. 

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13. We go to the bar on the water

Alcohol is banned in the Maldives. It can only be found on the resort islands and at a high price. But there is an option to save money. There are floating bars near the local island. This is a small vessel with a bar on board. Guests are brought on board by dhoni boat. Alcohol can be tasted at this bar. Prices also "bite", but they are not as formidable as in luxury resorts.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort

14. Luxury vacation: resort for a day

The most economical options for a vacation in the Maldives are guesthouses, budget hotels and hotels on local islands. But what if you want to taste the luxury of relaxation? In this case, many resorts offer day use. This is a one-day pass without overnight stay. You use the infrastructure of the resort, beaches, you can make orders in bars and restaurants: relax like in commercials. And in the evening go back to your island. Each resort has its own cost: as a rule, at least $ 100. But significant savings compared to life at a resort. It's really cool!

Kagi Maldives Spa Island

15. We take everything with us

For a trip to the Maldives, you need to prepare in advance. Be sure to buy a mask, fins and snorkel before flying. So you will be able to significantly save on expensive equipment rental. Buying equipment on site will also cost you a pretty penny. After all, this is the Maldives! Don't forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, coral slippers, glasses, and bathing accessories. Don't waste your extra money at the resort; instead, use funds for excursions and experiences.

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16. Choosing a new hotel

In the Maldives, there are more and more new places for a paradise vacation. New modern hotels are built every year. And at the very beginning, the hotel can arrange a promotion, offering lower prices to attract customers. You can become one of the first guests of the new resort and have a cheaper vacation.

Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa

17. Compare all inclusive packages

If you decide to opt for an all inclusive hotel, check out what it includes. The Maldives has an interesting all-inclusive system. It implies not only food, but also other amenities. For example, free excursions, discounts on food in a la carte restaurants, diving, discount on equipment rental, and more. Each resort has its own set: it is worth exploring and comparing to find the best deal. This package contains no hidden fees or charges. If you get the same set of services directly at the resort, paying separately, it will be much more expensive. And to each item you will have to add an additional 10% for the service and 12% tax.

Kurumba Maldives

18. We bargain with locals

In the Maldives, you can bargain. Of course, this does not apply to resort islands with clear price tags and their own rules. But on local islands it is quite appropriate to try to bring down the price. Don't be shy: this will help make your vacation more budgetary. 

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