How To Travel Maldives On a Budget: 10 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

There are different circumstances to think about when you are planning you’re to travel to the Maldives on a budget.

Your prices will vary depending on the island where you stay, the time and day of your approach (which may affect your way of transport), what sort of food you want to have.

Lastly, if you are traveling alone or traveling as a couple, how many trips do you want to take, etc.

Traveling to the Maldives on a budget is entirely plausible, but to do it, fortunately, may need a bit more preparation than other destinations. Some poor decisions can turn up huge pay from pocket. 

Here are our best tips to visit the Maldives on a budget and save lots of money in the Maldives.

1. Budget Accommodation in the Maldives For a couple 

After 2012 it has been permitted for tourists to stay on the Local resort islands of the Maldives.  You can pay Rs.12000 for four nights in an impressive beach-facing room two minutes from the beach. Have a look at Ameera Maldives.

If you’re into surfing or diving make sure you prefer an island where these are available like Omadhoo.

Lastly if not, almost every local island has marvelous beaches and entrances to snorkeling so you can’t go wrong. 

2. Resorts vs Local Islands to Stay in the Maldives

These resorts can cost hundreds, if not thousands of rupees per night, hence the country’s image of being a complete extravagance experience for travel Maldives on a budget.

Each resort has its own island and there are some big differences between these islands and local islands.

In 2009, the Maldivian government initiated up the local islands (where the locals exist) for tourism, A lot of little motels and guesthouses commenced rising to allow budget-friendly prices.

Moreover, our first idea to travel the Maldives on a budget is to go to a couple of local islands rather than a resort.

The main differences in living in Resort and Local Island for travel Maldives on a budget are:

a. Bikini Beaches for Privacy

 Resort islands possess no difficulty with travelers living in swimsuits anyplace on the island. Local islands have assigned zones called “bikini beaches” where visitors can be in a bikini or swimsuit.

On the other areas of the island, you are required to dress decently. Tourists being, in a short dress, is pretty common here. But you must respect their culture and wear decent outfits.

b. Alcohol consumption

There is no alcohol found in the local islands except only in safari boats. Not all local islands have one though. Also, you can’t access the country with alcohol even if you acquired it duty-free.

They will seize it at the airport checkpoint and you can collect it when you leave the Maldives. Resorts do sell alcohol for consumption.

c. Same journeys, different prices

You will notice the same trips and day trips are a lot cheaper on local islands. An outing to a turtle point might cost you Rs.2100 on a local island, and Rs.7000 in a resort (on the same location).

d. Saving on the small things for daily needs

Snorkeling is part of the everyday game and you will need a mask and fin many times throughout your trip. Resorts cost you around Rs.700 per day every time you rent them. Lastly, most hostels in local islands give you the equipment for free.

e. Experiencing local life while traveling to Maldives on a budget

The resorts are not a bad option if you want to visit one for a few days next time we go to the Maldives because the experience might be worth it in some of them.

That being said, you can get a bigger feel for the genuine local life of Maldivians by visiting a local island.

Most importantly you can see their families, their schoolhouse, their mosque, and you can encounter how helpful and chill they genuinely are with strangers.

3. Research and Compare rates for water activities 

The average tip for all the tourists to Maldives trip on a budget, we would recommend you know the distance and timings expected to travel between coral reefs and resorts.

Further analysis and knowing the ways to transfer them, Few places can be reached by swimming, few by ferry trips from the resorts for water activities.

There are different ways too such as boating, Sea-kayaking, jet-skiing, parasailing, standup paddling, and numerous more to check with the costs and organizers and decide what entertains you the most.

4. Discovering CHEAP FOOD around the island of Maldives 

Food will be priced around $5-10 per meal, but most hotels offer an immense complimentary breakfast. You can’t complain about spending $5 a day on food!

In general, the tinier the island, the more limited food choices there are, and you’ll likely be dining at your hotels for most meals.

On Fulidhoo, the smallest island we visited, we spent $10 per dinner on whatever we ordered like chicken fried rice, curry, and rice, or a massive fish barbecue.

There were only three eateries on the island and they all charged the identical price — for the travelers, at least.

For a full island, such as Maafushi, there were lots of food alternatives. There are maybe a dozen eateries on the island, all offering moderately priced dinners.

As we paid about $5-10 a feast for fish curry and rice, fish and chips, tuna fried rice — many fish-based dishes!

5. Keep a record of the taxes and covered costs around the Maldives

The major portion that we miss is the taxes, they are evermore present around us throughout. Keep a check on the imported food or drinks at the lavish hotels. 

In addition, you must keep an eye out for the local menu rates. Moreover, USD for purchase.

Even though the Maldivian Rufiyaa is the national money used in the country, USD is widely used and accepted almost everywhere in the country. 

6. Ferries Run Occasionally

If you require to visit numerous islands while you’re in the Maldives, the ferries will be your greatest hurdle. Ferries don’t operate on Fridays and typically operate every other day to the principal island of any atoll. 

As the ferries run so infrequently, island hopping can be a little of a pain in the ass.

If you wish to avoid dawdling in Male, then you must ensure that your flight lands on a day that the ferry runs and a few hours before that ferry departure.

Trying to travel from one island to another can often require multiple switches, and adjusting.

Moreover, these traveling days to agree with the ferry timetable can leave you overnight on another island.

Most importantly this can save a lot of money and you can travel to the Maldives on a budget.

7. Carrying Cash can be very useful while traveling Maldives on a budget

Getting cash could also be a problem; the local money within the Maldives is that of the Maldivian Rufiyaa or MVR.

You’ll need cash to get food, tokens, and other small things. Dollars and euros are commonly accepted as payment, but you will be satisfied withdrawing MVRs to avoid a disadvantageous charge per unit.

All atolls now have a bank and an ATM, so it should be a matter of popping into the following island to induce cash.

Credit cards aren’t accepted outside of Male – most guesthouses won’t have a machine for that, and after they do they apply a surcharge of up to five.

Withdraw the cash you’re thinking you’ll need at Male International Airport.

Lastly, you don’t have any shortage of ATMs. Don’t take an excessive amount out – you won’t be able to change it back to Dollars or euros when leaving.

8. Best time to visit in Maldives on a budget

If you wish to go to the Maldives on a budget you’re more satisfied traveling within the low season.

However, prices almost double during the high season. Moreover, the peak season goes from October to April, with months like December, January, and February being absolute peaks.

9. Taking a Flight from Srilanka can save you a lot of money

As the Maldives is really near Sri Lanka. Flights from Colombo to Male take around an hour and a half and might be as cheap as a $ 100 round trip.

If time isn’t a problem, you will want to feature the Maldives because the last leg of your trip – I’ve done it twice and it works out wonderfully.

Lastly, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will provide an amazing tropical getaway, with many cultures, history, and temples. Moreover, the gorgeous waters of the Maldives will be an implausible cherry on the cake of an ideal holiday.

10. Resort passes can be a great opportunity while traveling Maldives on a budget

If you would choose to endure the resort experience for a day, you will be able to. Many resorts give day tickets which are priced between $50 and $200, depending on what’s included.

Some may give you just beach entrance, some may involve spa therapies, refreshments, and anything else to make you seem like you are experiencing the leisure sabbatical dream.

FAQ on How To Travel Maldives On a Budget