HOW TO TRAVEL TO MALDIVES ON A BUDGET?

The Maldives is a fascinating country and to travel here independently always seemed like an unsure thing. Thoughts like “I’ll be bankrupt if I travel alone” and “How will I manage my expenses all by myself?” seemed very common about Maldives. 

The tables have turned. Now, the myth of traveling to Maldives on a budget has been changed. The country is evolving and is witnessing continuous changes. The emergence of guesthouses is springing up on the local islands, offering the backpackers a chance to explore the country affordably. 

Staying in luxury resorts and getting pampered is what isolates you from the rest of the country, which separates you from experiencing the local life of the country. But like I mentioned, things are changing. The island is now brining up guest houses on some of the most popular islands of Maldives, namely Maafushi, Fulidhoo and Male. These are undoubtedly the most visited Maldives tourist spots.

So, how much does it cost to travel to Maldives on a budget?

If a traveler is on budget and wants to avail the Maldives packages from Dubai, there is no need to worry. The cost per day in the Maldives is as little as $90. As a budget traveler you can expect to spend around $50 on a private room in a guest house. Around $10 for food and $20 on the activities and $10 on transportation. 

CHEAP ACCOMMODATION IN MALDIVES.

Like we mentioned about the guest houses that can be an ideal choice if you’re on a budget. Ideally a room in a 4* hotel in Maldives would cost you around $200 per night. But, thanks to the guest houses and lodges which would be clean rooms, with air conditioners and basic facilities like hygienic sanitations as well as daily breakfast. And the best thing about these lodges are its authenticity. You do get to experience the local life and interact with the Maldivians. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

At Maafushi: Water Breeze Guesthouse ($50 per night with breakfast). It is located within the South Male atoll featuring amenities like Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning rooms, private washrooms and a local restaurant that features a variety of cuisines like Thai, Japanese, Indian and Chinese. It also has a bar and a spa & wellness center and airport shuttles on ferry or speed boats.

At Fulidhoo: Fulidhoo Ihaa Lodge ($42 per night with breakfast). It is located 30 km away from the Maafushi atoll and is at the beachfront of Fulidhoo. It features services like Free Wi-Fi with rooms having sea views and basic facilities like private washrooms and rooms equipped with fitted wardrobes.

At Male: Somerset Inn ($60 per night with breakfast). Located in the Male City, it’s about 7 minutes away from the beach where you can engage in activities like Snorkeling, Windsurfing and diving. The rooms have free Wi-Fi and basic amenities as per the guest’s expectations.

CHEAP TRANSPORTATION

Transport is also cheap. Local ferries shouldn’t cost you more than $4 for your journeys across and within the islands.

If you’re looking for luxury and quick transfers, then you will have to take up the speedboats as the local ferries take more time and include the public. The speedboats in Maldives are very expensive. It may cost you $50 for a single trip.

Avoid the seaplanes as a mode of transportation if you’re travelling on a budget — these will usually cost around $500 return for a mere 20-minute journey.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Take the local ferries, and save on a hundred dollars. A trip on the local ferry will not cost you more than $2 and they run frequently. The hotels transfers may cost you double of what you are supposed to give. So, be smart with your decisions and choices.

CHEAP FOOD

The Maldives famous food is heavy on seafood which means you’d be savoring on the tuna, prawns and much more. Around $5-10 per meal is enough for breakfast. You’ll often find yourself skipping your lunch and just having your dinner. Of course you can’t regret spending $5 on food, right?

Guest houses and many restaurants also offer a seafood buffet for around $12 per person. Grated coconut dishes and various curries also feature heavily on the Maldivian menu so be sure you try them.

CHEAP EXCURSIONS

 The best way to book your cheap package holidays is through your guest houses. However, you can still wander around to other guest houses and get some better prices. Don’t be scared of negotiating. While booking your excursions, always make sure you check what’s included in them.

Most guesthouses will arrange fishing trips in or around $50 per person, or day trips to the resorts $50 per person along with a $30 per person entrance fee. Don’t forget to take trips to sand banks $25 per person and go island hopping around the atolls for about $50 per person.