Budget Holidays in the Maldives: How to Save, Tips, Prices

The Maldives can cost as little as $50 per day if you follow our tips. Learn how to enjoy an affordable vacation on these paradise islands, find budget accommodation, save on transfers, flights, and food in this article.

A holiday in the Maldives doesn’t have to be expensive. To save money, opt for local islands for tourists where locals live, instead of luxury resorts. This article provides tips to help you enjoy an affordable vacation in paradise.

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When to Travel to the Maldives

The cheapest season in the Maldives is from May to October, during the southwest monsoon. This period brings more frequent rains, wind, rough seas, and high humidity. However, showers are typically short-lived, and temperatures remain warm at around 28-30°C. With fewer tourists, you can expect discounts, such as up to 20% off at luxury hotels. Excursions, guesthouses, and, most importantly, flights also offer savings. This is a great opportunity to travel on a budget, especially if you’re not deterred by variable weather.

The most expensive season, known as the velvet season, runs from December to April, particularly during Christmas and New Year holidays. This dry season offers stable weather: sunny skies, minimal rain, and calm seas. High demand drives up prices for accommodation, flights, and transfers. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.

The best times for budget travel are May, September, and November. Though rain is possible, it’s brief, and prices are significantly lower.

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How Much Does a Flight to the Maldives Cost?

Flights are the most expensive part of your budget. Many travelers must cross half the globe to reach the Maldives. Ticket prices vary by season, route, and airline.

Direct flights are the priciest, often operated as charters by tour operators and bundled with costly tour packages. Regular flights aren’t available from all countries.

Airlines serving the Maldives include AirAsia, Etihad, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and Qantas. Major hubs are Istanbul, Dubai, and Doha. For budget options, avoid direct flights, as they’re typically more expensive than flights with layovers.

You can fly to Velana International Airport in Malé or Gan Island (ideally from Sri Lanka). Flights to Malé are generally cheaper. Compare prices across airlines, book early, and watch for sales. Subscribe to airline newsletters for Maldives routes to catch promotions.

Example one-way prices:

• Istanbul - from $300
• Dubai - from $200
• Doha - from $250

Major global airlines offer comfortable flights and high-quality service to the Maldives.

Asad Photo Maldives

Budget Hotels in the Maldives

Accommodation is the second-largest expense. Private islands with the “one island, one hotel” concept are costly. Even in low season, rooms can cost hundreds of dollars per night, and rain may disrupt your stay. A budget-friendly alternative is staying on local islands where residents live. Since 2009, locals have been allowed to operate guesthouses, making the Maldives accessible beyond the wealthy. Local islands now have more guesthouses and mini-hotels than resorts.

Examples of affordable Maldives resorts (breakfast included):

• The Barefoot - $924 for a week for two in July.
• Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives - $1,544 for a week for two in July.
• Malahini Kuda Bandos - $1,915 for a week for two in July.
• OBLU XPErience Ailafushi - $1,915 for a week for two in July.
• Equator Village - $2,326 for a week for two in July.

These don’t offer the luxury of high-end resorts, but the beaches, sea, and sun are just as stunning. However, there are nuances. On local islands, swimsuits are allowed only on designated bikini beaches, as the Maldives is a Muslim country. Elsewhere, cover your legs to at least the knees and your arms.

Popular local islands include:

Maafushi - the most famous and developed local island, located on South Malé Atoll. A true tourist hub with numerous guesthouses, hotels, cafes, restaurants, and diving centers. It features a large bikini beach and travel agencies offering resort excursions, snorkeling, fishing, and dolphin trips. Example: the three-star Kaani Beach Hotel, costing $780 for a week for two.

Thoddoo - a lush island known for watermelon and papaya plantations. It offers a calm, secluded vibe, a spacious bikini beach with excellent snorkeling, cozy guesthouses, and homey cafes. Example: Sorenzo Maldives - $672 for a week for two in July.

Dhigurah - a long, narrow island with a white-sand beach, ideal for spotting whale sharks. Its long bikini beach is often nearly deserted, with a good selection of hotels, guesthouses, and dive centers.

Ukulhas - one of the cleanest and best-maintained local islands, known for its eco-friendly approach. It boasts a spacious bikini beach with crystal waters and a rich underwater world, plus diving centers, guesthouses, and cafes with European and local menus.

Rasdhoo - a small but developed island with solid tourist infrastructure: guesthouses, dive centers, and cozy cafes. It has a equipped bikini beach and nearby snorkeling spots.

Dhiffushi - the closest local island to Malé, just 40 minutes by speedboat. It offers a good bikini beach with loungers, kayak and SUP board rentals, bike rentals, and many affordable guesthouses, some right by the sea.

OBLU XPErience Ailafushi

Cost of Staying on Local Maldives Islands

On most islands, for $30-$80 per night, you can expect a clean, modern, spacious room with air conditioning, hot shower, free breakfast, snorkeling gear, daily bottled water, housekeeping, and fast Wi-Fi. These rooms are of much higher quality than similarly priced options in Eastern Europe.

As a budget traveler, expect to spend $30 per day on a private guesthouse room, $10 on food, and $10 on activities.

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Taxes in the Maldives

Accommodation prices typically exclude taxes. For each night in the Maldives, you’ll pay:

• Green tax: $3 per person per day.
• 16% tourism goods and services tax.
• 8% VAT.

For a $50-per-night room, the total cost is around $70. Online bookings often don’t include tax payments, with owners preferring cash payments on-site in dollars. Bring enough cash, as card transactions incur a 3.5% fee, making cash more economical.

The Barefoot

Cost of Budget Transport in the Maldives

Public ferries are the cheapest transport option, costing $1-$5 between islands. However, poor planning can inflate costs. Distances between islands are significant, and public ferries don’t cover all routes. Speedboats cost $25-$200 per person, depending on distance and boat type. To stick to public ferries, consider these tips:

• The Maldives is divided into atolls, each with multiple islands and one main island. Ferries operate within atolls. Focus on exploring one atoll.
• Ferries from Malé, the capital, to other atolls are infrequent and don’t serve all destinations. Remote atolls lack public transport.
• Ferries don’t run on Fridays, a public holiday.
• Traveling between islands may require multiple transfers, possibly including overnight stops.
• Choose islands in one or two atolls, ideally near Malé, to minimize transport costs.

Example ferry prices:

• Airport to Malé: $0.6
• Malé to Maafushi: $4
• Maafushi to Fulidhoo: $3
• Maafushi to Guraidhoo: $2

Visiting a resort requires a speedboat, as ferries don’t stop at resort islands. Expect $250-$300 per person round-trip for a 45-minute ride or $200 for a 10-minute trip. Domestic flights range from $100-$500, depending on distance and airline, necessary for remote atolls. Avoid seaplanes for budget travel, as they cost around $500 for a 20-minute round-trip.

Asad Photo Maldives

How to Eat Affordably in the Maldives

Most food in the Maldives is imported, making it expensive with limited variety. However, local eateries offer affordable options.

• Choose a hotel with breakfast included. You can add lunch or dinner on-site.
• A meal at a local diner costs $5-$10.
• Most guesthouses include free breakfast. Full-board options add up to $30 per night to the room rate.
• Smaller islands have fewer dining options, so you’ll likely eat at your hotel.
• If an island has only a few restaurants, they may charge uniform tourist prices, varying by island.

Supermarket Prices

Cooking in an apartment with a kitchen may be less cost-effective than eating at local cafes. Small shops on local islands offer basic food at prices comparable to cafes.

• Rice: $2-$5
• Fruit (1 kg): $4-$10
• Vegetables (1 kg): $3-$8
• Milk (1 L): $1.5-$3
• Eggs (10): $2-$5
• Meat (1 kg): $5-$15

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Cost of Excursions in the Maldives

Booking excursions through your hotel is the cheapest option, but compare prices at multiple locations. Check what’s included - some packages cover lunch, water, or soft drinks, while others don’t.

Example prices:

• Diving (2 dives): $100 per person
• Snorkeling: $30-$100, depending on location and duration
• Snorkeling with manta rays: $70 (local island), $150 (resort)
• Fishing: $50 per person
• Sandbank excursion: $25 (local island), $165 (resort)
• Atoll island-hopping tour: from $50
• Island hopping: $50-$150, based on number of islands and duration
• Sunset cruise: $50-$200, depending on boat and duration
• Dolphin watching: $90 (local island), $175 (resort)
• Daytime resort visit: $100

Asad Photo Maldives

Cost of Souvenirs

• Handmade items: $5-$50
• Shell and coral jewelry: $1
• Maldives-themed T-shirts and beachwear: $10-$30
• Postcards and magnets: $1-$5

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Internet in the Maldives

Wi-Fi in guesthouses is generally reliable, but for constant connectivity, consider a local SIM card.

Dhiraagu:

• Traveler Lite: $40 for 20 GB, $6.5 limit, 150 min, 150 SMS, 30 days
• Traveler Premium: $50 for 30 GB + 70 GB social media, $9.5 limit, 300 min, 300 SMS, 30 days
• Traveler MiFi: $75 for 125 GB + MiFi device, 30 days

Ooredoo Maldives, tourist plans:

• $40: 20 GB, 100 min, 150 SMS, 30 days, 100 MVR balance
• $50: 30 GB + 70 GB social media, 150 min, 200 SMS, 30 days
• $100: 125 GB, 150 min, 200 SMS, 30 days + MiFi

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Tips for a Budget-Friendly Maldives Holiday

• Travel during the low season (May-November) for lower prices.
• Stay in guesthouses on local islands instead of resorts.
• Choose islands near Malé for affordable ferry access. Check schedules in advance, especially for inter-island travel.
• Avoid arriving in Malé on Fridays, when public transport halts, potentially requiring an overnight stay or costly private boats.
• ATM withdrawals incur $7-$10 fees, regardless of amount. Pay in dollars or by card. Avoid airport currency exchange due to poor rates. Exchange money at shops or guesthouses, but don’t convert large sums, as rufiyaa can’t be exchanged back without a bank receipt.
• Alcohol is strictly regulated: it’s unavailable in local shops and only permitted at resorts or cruises, where prices are high.
• Save on food by choosing accommodations with breakfast or half-board and dining at affordable local cafes.
• Avoid peak holiday periods like Christmas and Easter, when prices for flights and accommodations soar.
• Bargain for better prices on accommodations, transfers, and excursions—it’s common practice.
• Book excursions through local operators or guesthouses.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear.
• If staying at a resort, consider all-inclusive options.

You can enjoy the Maldives even on a small budget!

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