Like the Seychelles, the Maldives are one of the most expensive tropical paradises in the world.
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Or, at least, they used to be.
The Maldives consists of close to 2,000 islands that are spread across 26 atolls. These atolls are home to shallow water that fosters coral reefs and supports diverse marine life. But only around 200 islands of those thousands are actually habitable. And quite a few of those are already occupied by luxury resorts surrounded by gorgeous, crystal-clear waters.
In fact, the Maldives is around 470 miles from the nearest mainland.
It’s hard to get to, all supplies must be imported, and there’s little industry aside from tourism. That translates to high prices.
At least, that’s how Maldives tourism has existed historically. Over the last decade, as more islands have become developed, resorts are no longer the only way to experience the tropical wonders the country has to offer. In fact, if you’re savvy about planning your trip, you can save thousands while enjoying the spoils of paradise.
Think a trip to the Maldives is out of the question? While you’re still going to spend more than you would compared to visiting Jamaica or Hawaii, there are tried-and-true ways to stay within budget. Here’s what to know.
First up: What to expect when visiting the Maldives on a budget
Let’s talk about the drawbacks first—because if you’re going to the Maldives with the hopes of underspending, you’re going to be sacrificing a few things.
First, know that it’s a Muslim country. When you visit the Maldives and skip out on resorts, you’re forgoing a traditional tourist experience. In other words, you need to be attuned to the island’s culture when you venture into local territory.
This will impact your trip in three ways. First, no alcohol. Second, no pork. Third, women need to cover their shoulders and arms—so, you shouldn’t be wearing bikinis outside resorts or experiences out on the water. Locals call these types of beaches ‘bikini beaches’ to paint a better picture. Guys shouldn’t be forward with local women, either.
Aside from immersing yourself in Muslim culture, going to the Maldives on a budget will also limit the number of amenities you have at your fingertips. Whether you stay at a guesthouse or an Airbnb, Wi-Fi is likely to be limited.
Depending on what type of experience you’re after, those might not be drawbacks. Remember: In the travel world, Muslim areas have a reputation for being incredibly hospitable, so when you drift off the resort in the Maldives, you can expect warm treatment. (As long as you’re respecting local customs, of course.)
Here’s how to visit the Maldives on a budget
Getting to the islands
Plane tickets and resort rates are the priciest elements of a Maldives trip. Unfortunately, you can’t always save big on flights. Heading to the Maldives from the United States requires you to travel to the other side of the planet.
However, you can score cheaper round-trip tickets between Southeast Asia and the Maldives. Some are as low as $300 for direct round-trip flights from hubs like Singapore and Bangkok. In other words, you can book separate round-trip flights between the US and Southeast Asia, then Southeast Asia and the Maldives.
The same is also true for hubs like Colombo (the capital of Sri Lanka) and Dubai. I’d cross those off my list for the time being due to airspace over the Middle East being shut down, at least for Dubai. You might find affordable flights to/from Colombo.
Yes, it’s a pretty complicated operation to keep track of flight alerts from two different zones. But this is an article about how to save on a trip to the Maldives—look alive.
Getting around the islands
You’ll arrive in the Maldives at the capital of Malé. From there, you can jump from one island to another using ferries. These are the same ferries that locals use to get around.
Again, there’s a catch. While ferry rates are as low as $1.50, in some cases, ferry schedules are lax, to say the least. While ferries to and from Malé, where you fly in, run often, that’s not the case the further out you go. In short, you could be staying the night on an island before you’re able to jump to the next on a ferry.
If you don’t want to wait on a ferry, you have other options at most ports. The most accessible is a speed boat transfer, which can cost anywhere from $50 to $250.
The Maldives ferry system is called the MTCC, aka the public dhoni. You can check out the full timetables. Remember: There aren’t (usually) any ferries running on Fridays, as per local Muslim custom.
Finding a place to stay
You can book Airbnbs and VRBOs in the Maldives. That’s pretty crazy in and of itself. You can also book a stay at a guesthouse.
I personally love a guesthouse—especially when I’m visiting a place that’s culturally distinct. I have a great homestay in Havana, Cuba, with a local couple (and their poorly behaved puppy, Lemois), who introduced us to life in the city.
I recommend checking out the guesthouses listed by Visit Maldives. They’ve highlighted some of the coolest guesthouses run by locals across the islands.
Guesthouses come with meals
If you like seafood, you’ll eat like royalty in the Maldives—without overspending. I recommend staying at a guesthouse because it’ll give you a crash course in local culture, and many rates also include meals. Just be prepared to eat with the local family, and get ready to eat whatever they serve up.
That being said, eating outside of resorts is a little complicated. The Maldives doesn’t have a restaurant scene. You can find small food stalls in places like Malé, along with street food stalls on Maafushi Island.
You can also contact resorts directly to book a seat at a restaurant, if they allow it. This isn’t standardized across the islands, however, meaning you might not be accepted.
Booking activities and tours
The best way to book activities and tours around the Maldives is via your host, either at a private rental like an Airbnb or a guesthouse. They know about the nearest tour opportunities and can also help you stay within budget.
Additionally, there are a few Airbnb experiences and Viator tours that you can book. They aren’t exactly budget, but they’re easy to book and come in a familiar format. If not, go with Secret Paradise, a locally run tour company.
