Maldives vacation on a budget

Travel during low season, or at least try to avoid high season

Maldives is cheapest during the southwest monsoon, which begins in May and ends in October, handily coinciding with the Northern Hemisphere summer. As it’s the rainiest time of year, guesthouse prices can drop to half their high-season levels, and while it can be overcast and wet at this time of year (particularly in June and October), you’ll never need to worry about being cold thanks to the year-round warmth of the equatorial air. 

Since accommodation prices reach their peaks from the start of December to the end of February, it’s smart to plan outside this time frame if possible.

Select your flight carefully

Unless you happen to have your own yacht, the only way in and out of Maldives is by air. The islands’ remoteness means flying to Male is never going to be cheap, though the average fare has happily ticked downward in recent years. Relative bargains can be had using charter airlines like as Condor or Edelweiss, while Indian low-cost airline Go First now offers direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi. A stopover (or two) may reduce your airfare costs significantly.

Stay in a guesthouse rather than a resort

Finding the right guesthouse will represent the biggest single savings you can make on a trip to Maldives, as even the fanciest guesthouse will cost significantly less than the cheapest resort. Unlike at self-contained resorts, a guesthouse necessarily puts you on a local island giving you food, drink and activity options – which means the freedom to pick your own restaurants, select your own diving crew and compare prices accordingly.

Travel like a local and take the ferry

MTCC ferries, the state-run public transport system, is a superb – if not particularly rapid – way to get around, with tickets costing almost nothing. On an often crowded but very sociable dhoni (the multipurpose Maldivian sailing vessel), you’ll have plenty of time to sun yourself on the roof while looking out for dolphins as the boat wends its way slowly to your island. At only a few dollars per ride, you’ll save a fortune compared to the expensive speedboat or seaplane transfers most resorts require.

Choose an island popular with backpackers

The further you go from the crowds in Maldives, the more you’ll pay to get and stay there. Busier islands with well-established guesthouse scenes are where competition for the tourist dollar is stiffest. As a result, you’ll find the widest choice of restaurants and activities,  as well as (in most cases) better public-transport links to Male and its airport. 

The most popular Maldivian island for budget travelers is Maafushi, though the growing number of visitors has arguably eaten away at its charm. Other popular islands full of guesthouses worth considering are Dhigurah, Fulidhoo, Thulusdhoo, Huraa, Ukulhas and Rasdhoo.

Stick to one island…or island-hop by public ferry

Moving around in Maldives either takes days or costs a fortune. Even if you find two fantastic accommodation deals, you may find getting from one atoll to another might bust your budget. Savvy savers know to spend their whole trip on one island – or else split their time between islands in the same atoll that are connected by a regularly scheduled MTCC ferry.

Book your diving package in advance

If diving is your main reason for traveling here, hunt around for the best diving package deal in advance of your trip, then work backward to organize the rest of your trip around that. Many guesthouses catering to divers will offer generous discounts for buying packages in advance, as this allows them to manage their dive schedules and maximize use of the dhonis.

Pick up a SIM card at the airport

Since roaming costs can become significant if you use the internet on your phone outside of Wi-Fi hotspots, you’ll save money by picking up a local pay-as-you-go SIM card at the airport upon arrival. For as little as US$10, these cards normally include plenty of data, more than enough for a couple of weeks. Top up in the atolls should you run out.

Bring your own snorkeling gear

Many guesthouses offer masks, snorkels, fins and other non-motorized water-sports equipment to guests at no extra charge. Still, it’s a good idea to make sure that’s the case at your lodging before you depart. If your guesthouse is not stocked, you’ll save a significant amount by bringing your own gear on the plane with you.

Try to pack everything you’ll need during your stay

It’s hard to exaggerate just how little is available in shops in Maldives. While top-end resorts import every possible luxury for their guests (with charges to match), finding even the most basic items on local islands can be a challenge. 

The national capital and the only real city in the country, Male has the best selection of goods in its shops. But you’ll save both time and money by bringing everything you need with you in your own bags. Avoid importing alcohol, however, as authorities will confiscate it when you enter the country.

Avoid high taxes on alcohol

Unless you’re staying in a resort, any holiday in devoutly Muslim Maldives is going to be alcohol-free, which can be a dealbreaker for some. The only way to get a drink if you’re staying in a guesthouse is to arrange an excursion to a nearby resort or liveaboard diving boat for the evening. 

Popular islands such as Maafushi have a dive boat semi-permanently anchored next to the island, making getting a sundowner relatively easy. But you may find your bill from a night of drinking fairly sobering, as huge taxes are levied on alcohol here. This is one destination where it pays to be abstemious.  

How to Save Money on Lodging

Aside from your flight, your hotel or resort will certainly be the most expensive line item of your vacation. While The Maldives used to be primarily only luxury resorts, in recent years, guesthouses have roomed. Guesthouses can be two-, three- or four-star level rooms on local islands or may be one or two bungalow-style rooms run by a nearby family. They may have restaurants and bars, or they may include a home-cooked dinner each night. They’re always more affordable than larger resorts.

If you’re trying to spend under $100 a night on lodging, you’ll be able to do it at a guest house. Try Azoush Tourist Guest House in the Baa Atoll, with basic but clean rooms and a very short walk to a white-sand beach. Rooms start at $70 for double occupancy with breakfast included, and full-board packages are also available. You could also try the Kuri Inn in the South Ari Atoll, where rooms start at $60 per night, also with breakfast. Evening meals are communal style and cooked in the family kitchen. Be sure to check for small guesthouses on Airbnb, like the colorful Beach Villa Ukulhas, starting at under $70 a night.

If you’re dedicated to staying at a resort, pass on the overwater bungalows and private pools (and luxury glamping bubbles.) Because nearly all resorts are on tiny private islands, you’ll always be within walking distance of a beach. Basic rooms at Sun Island Resort (which has a restaurant, bar, and spa) start under $140 when you book in advance online. At Kuramathi Maldives, you’ll save over $200 if you book a beach villa rather than an over-the-water one ($295 versus $510).

How to Save Money on Dining

The bad news is that budget-conscious travelers probably will have to skip the luxurious underwater restaurants. But the good news is that Maldivian cuisine is seafood-heavy and fresh as can be, so even “budget” restaurants are delicious.

If you’re staying at a resort, it’ll likely be beneficial to book an all-inclusive package. The Maldives has a “one island, one resort” mentality, so it’s next to impossible to have dinner outside your resort. All-inclusive packages will ultimately be cheaper in the long run. For example, at Robinson Club Noonu, packages for a room for two for a week start at about $2,200—less than $160 per person per day for lodging and all your food and drinks. And that includes alcoholic drinks. If you’re not keen on full board, many resorts have different levels of all-inclusive, so you can save money if you don’t add in alcohol or are fine visiting buffets the whole time rather than a la carte restaurants.

You could also stop by the duty-free shops when you arrive to buy snacks and drinks or stop by island food markets to pick up fresh fruit, juices, seafood, and snacks priced for locals. If you stay at a resort on the island of Malé or Hulhumalé, such as Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, you’ll be able to walk or take a taxi to local markets and restaurants, where it’ll be possible to eat for under $10 a person.

How to Save Money on Transportation

Seaplanes can be fun, but they’re also quite expensive (and loud, but that’s another story.) You can save money on your Maldives vacation if you book hotels accessed via speedboats instead. All international travelers will arrive at Velana International Airport on Male, so choose a hotel in a nearby island chain like the Male Atoll, the South Male Atoll, the Ari Atoll, or the Felidhoo Atoll. Every hotel website should tell you if it’s possible to reach via speedboat and will usually list a rate (around $50 per person is average.)

If $50 is too steep, choose a resort accessible via the country’s local ferry system. Taking a local ferry is a fun experience (unless you overpacked). Ferries usually cost no more than $2-$5 per person. You’ll find a handful of guesthouses on islands serviced by the ferry (Try Plumeria Maldives or Rip Tide Vacation Inn), but you may have to take a local speedboat to reach most resorts. Your resort may be able to arrange an affordable connecter.

How to Save Money on Activities

Another reason to stay at a guesthouse? The activities are often far cheaper. Most guesthouses can arrange activities even if they don’t have much information listed on their websites. Many guesthouses are near larger resort islands, so you’ll have access to the same snorkeling, dolphin-watching, fishing, and sunset views. Message your guesthouse in advance to ask for prices for excursions.

Planning a dive trip? The most affordable option for you may not be staying on land at all. Liveaboard trips in The Maldives can reach remote dive sites and often include stops at beaches for an afternoon or visits to resorts for happy hour, so you’ll still get some of the island experience. The Amba is one of the cheapest and starts around $1,200 per person for eight-day trips, including diving and meals. Dives at a resort can cost $100 per more per tank.

You can also find free options for things to do on the larger islands. Visit public beaches like the postcard-perfect Bikini Beach on Maafushi Island, visit national parks, or bring your own mask and snorkel and explore the underwater world just offshore. Activities like kayaking and paddle boarding are usually included if you’re staying at a resort, as is borrowing snorkel gear. Some resorts are generous with their all-inclusive packages, like Komandoo Maldives, which include free windsurfing lessons, a sunset sail, a spa treatment, and even a one-hour “introduction to scuba” dive in their basic package.