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No longer a far-fetched budget holiday idea, it is quite possible to have a wonderful time in the Maldives now at pocket-friendly prices.
Admittedly, the island nation is famous for its ultra-luxurious resorts with water bungalows, underwater restaurants, and private beaches, that together epitomize extravagance.
However, one can easily spend a vacation exploring the archipelago without having to burn a hole in their pockets. With a bit of planning, tourists who want to discover the Maldives can have a comfortable experience spending anywhere from $50 to $150 per day, including living, food, and excursion costs.
Best time for a budget holiday
Like most holiday destinations worldwide, if you want to save money in the Maldives, visit during the off-season. The good thing is that the Maldives has near-pleasant weather throughout the year, but August to October, just before the peak season, is when you can get the best resort deals and discounts on your stays in Maldivian guesthouses.
Saving on flights
Airfare can dampen a holiday budget even before you set foot outside your home. With the Maldives being in an isolated part of the world, part of its charm really, flights can be costly, especially if you are coming in from Europe, the US, or Australia.
One effective way to find low-cost flights is to look at charter airlines or fly through Dubai, India, Thailand, or Indonesia. There are regular connections from these countries to the Maldives, which cost around $200 one way.
Souvenir shops and gift stores for tourists along the streets of Maafushi island in the Maldives
Popular budget islands
When planning your budget holiday, there is the option to explore some of the archipelago’s lesser-known islands to further cut down on your trip’s cost. However, if looking for good amenities and plenty of choices, Maafushi, Thoddoo, Fulhidhoo, and Mahibadhoo have especially come up as havens for solo travelers and backpackers.
You will find plenty of guesthouses and food choices, along with a local culture that incorporates tourism into everyday life on these islands. But it also means that they are fast-changing, economically and in terms of their infrastructure, and might lose some of their rustic charms in the future.
Local free passenger ferry operating between the Maldives islands
Pocket-friendly transportation
One major cost incurred during a Maldivian holiday is transportation. Seaplanes or domestic flights are incredibly expensive, as are jet boats if traveling long distances.
When planning with limited resources, you can save considerably by using the local ferry system. Slightly unpredictive, ferries in the Maldives don’t operate on Fridays but are the cheapest transportation mode when wanting to hop from one inhabited island to another.
For example, the ferry from Malé airport to the city costs $0.60, and to Maafushi, an hour and a half away, costs $3. Malé to Thoddoo, five hours away, by ferry is only $15 one way.
On land, most islands are walkable, or you can rent a bicycle. In some of the bigger cities with roads, use the bus service instead of calling a taxi.
If you happen to be staying on a resort, one option is to book a shared private jet boat. They operate based on prior bookings but are significantly cost-effective, compared to arranging a jet boat pickup through your resort. A shared speed boat will generally cost $25 and upward, based on the total distance.
The cheapest accommodations
Booking a holiday on an island resort during the off-season is relatively cheaper, but does include several expenses which are likely to add up. Therefore, the best budget option to stay in the Maldives is on an inhabited island.
Several guesthouses, owned by locals, are coming up on big and small inhabited islands providing visitors with various living choices. A great way to support the local economy, these guesthouses range from single room homestays to multi-room villas near the beach and cost $30 to $120 per night, depending on the season you visit.
Amenities at these abodes include clean bedrooms with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and daily housekeeping. Ideal for solo travelers and families, guesthouses are either full board or situated in busy areas with several cheap dining options nearby.
Top budget accommodations across the Maldives
Thundi Guest House – Fulhidhoo: One of the highly-rated residences in Fulhidhoo, a double room with breakfast and free Wi-Fi here, costs $125 during the high season and $65 in the off-season. Its location next to the beach is its most significant advantage. The rooms are simple yet comfortable and include an en-suite bathroom with shower, balcony area, sea views, and air-conditioning.
Noovilu Suites – Mahibadhoo: Understated luxury at its best, Noovilu Suites sells itself as a “boutique” property and is by far the best place to stay on Mahibadhoo. Consisting of seven stylish rooms, costing $115 per night with breakfast or $155 full board for two, it promises a relaxed hotel-like sojourn. Besides standard conveniences in the room, complimentary activities at Noovilu include a bikini rooftop terrace, snorkeling gear, guided island tour, daily evening snacks, and onshore fishing.
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma – Guraidhoo: Allowing visitors to get the resort experience on an inhabited island, Holiday Inn Kandooma is a beautiful property with spacious villas, multiple dining options, and an infinity pool. Garden and Beach View villas here range from $150-$200 per night, have in-room workstations, flatscreen TVs, soundproofing, and all creature comforts one needs for a pleasant stay.
Kaani Beach Hotel – Maafushi: The beachfront Kaani Hotel in Maafushi is close to shops and restaurants, making it an idyllic stopover for a budget holiday. Rooms here cost around $50, including breakfast, but if open to spending more, Kaani Grand Seaview is their four-star property where a deluxe room will set you back by $115 during the off-season. Kaani Beach has an in-house restaurant, game room, an impressive lobby, bedrooms with balconies, bicycle rentals, and they can help arrange for day-trips at a reduced cost.
Kurumba Maldives – Vihamanafushi: Kurumba Maldives is an award-winning five-star private island resort perfect for budget travelers. A double room here is around $200 and includes a verandah, open plan bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, and breakfast. The resort has tennis courts, a spa, two swimming pools, and restaurants serving various cuisines. Kurumba is the kind of affordable luxury that can transcend your budget vacation in the Maldives beyond imagination.
What to eat?
There are two food choices when staying at a guesthouse in the Maldives. On smaller islands, most homestays are full-board, so you need not worry about your meals.
On more active islands, while breakfast is included in your stay, there is the possibility to have a wholesome meal in a café or restaurant for $10.
Maldivian meals are quite filling, fish and rice dishes being the staple food, so you do get plenty for that cost. Also, guesthouses that are not full board typically offer lunch and dinner to their guests for an economical price.
Saving money on excursions
Living on inhabited islands means you benefit from having your host arrange for excursions at a reasonable rate. The variety of tours is the same as what you will find at resorts, only at less than half the cost.
From fishing and snorkeling trips to spending a day on a sandbank or a resort island, expect to pay $30 to $100 for a full day of fun. In fact, if you are fortunate enough, and don’t be afraid to ask around, you can even get a boat ride with a local fisherman and go island-hopping for free.
It’s best to take a scuba diving excursion with a good diving center, as it will include your transportation, equipment, and it is safer since you have experienced guides who also know the best diving spots.
Sign reminding tourists not to wear bikinis and short swimwears on a Maldivian local beach
Budget holiday limitations
A budget holiday in the Maldives that includes living on inhabited islands has a few restrictions. Since the residents are Muslim, unlike the resorts, there is typically only one “bikini beach” on the island where foreigners can lounge in their swimsuits. Moreover, you are expected to dress conservatively roaming around the streets of the islands.
There will likely be only one ATM in total when staying off the beaten track on smaller islands. US Dollars are accepted everywhere, but carry some Maldivian Rufiyaa with you for ferries and shopping as ATMs incur a transaction fee.
Speaking of money, do include Maldivian GST and Service taxes, nearing 20%, into your budget, as that will be charged extra to your published room rate.
Unlike the resorts, there is also no alcohol permitted on inhabited islands for religious reasons, and food preparations, though delicious, might not be to everyone’s taste.
Nevertheless, a budget vacation on the islands is an unparalleled opportunity to immerse oneself into the Maldivian lifestyle. You’ll find that the locals are welcoming, helpful, and hospitable, ensuring your stay is as comfortable and memorable as it would be on any private island resort.
N.B.: all information is correct as of the post publication date, and prices are subject to change.
