- Judith Akatugba
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The Maldives evokes pictures of immaculate waters, perfectly white sand, and overwater villas just by mentioning the name. The islands are very beautiful. Another word that many low-cost travelers would use to characterize this ideal location is impossible. However, some people have come up with inventive ways to visit the Maldives on a tight budget.
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How much does an average trip to the Maldives cost? Travel to the South Asian archipelago typically costs over $1,000, and stays at opulent resorts can cost up to $1,000 per night.
According to travel expert Anthony Berklich, “the Maldives is so expensive because it’s a country that relies on tourism for the majority of its GDP and has branded itself as an intimate, private getaway to attract luxury tourism dollars.”
Furthermore, according to Alanna Smith, a former editor of TravelPirates, “the Maldives are very geographically isolated — several hundred miles from mainland Asia at the closest — and therefore need to have everything imported.”
Once you arrive, transportation expenses may also deplete your funds. She said, “The nation’s 1,192 islands are dispersed across 35,000 square miles.” Travelers must endure lengthy boat rides or seaplane flights in order to get between them.These transfers “have the potential to add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to a trip.””
However, there is positive news. The Maldives can be visited on a cheap; my spouse and I did it in 2018. Certain conveniences, like alcohol—which is illegal everywhere but in those pricey resorts—might have to go. But regardless of money, everyone may enjoy the gorgeous bioluminescent plankton, fine white sand, stunning snorkeling, and crystal-clear water.
How to Get Cheaper Tickets to the Maldives
Flights to Malé, the main airport of the Maldives, may cost more than $1,000 from even the biggest American airports. Therefore, Berklich advises extending your trip by a long weekend instead of leaving right away. This will allow you to take a low-cost airline, like Condor, which operates out of Frankfurt, or Neos, which has a hub in Milan, and pass through a European city. You’ll need to conduct separate searches because many search engines don’t combine these fares, he explained.
According to Smith, there is also the option of flying to a place in Southeast Asia and then taking a different regional flight to Malé. Flights from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, or even Dubai are frequently reasonably priced.
Smith stated, “You can get cheap flights for $200 to $300 from those cities.” “Think of this as an opportunity to explore two nations for the price of one, even though it could extend your journey a little bit.” We were able to get tickets for just $147 per person, one way, from Penang, Malaysia.
How to Locate Cheap Hotels in the Maldives
These stunning overwater bungalows have a steep price tag in addition to their stunning outlook. But, there are more reasonably priced options that are just as lovely if you don’t want to spend $800 or more a night in paradise.
While resorts own the majority of the private islands in the Maldives, there are a few indigenous islands that also provide guesthouses at a significantly lower cost. “Overwater bungalows can cost up to $1,000 per night; guesthouses can be had for $50 to $120 per night, which is quite the deal,” Smith said. She recommends the wonderful islands of Maafushi, Fulidhoo, and Guraidhoo, which have inexpensive guesthouses. (Because these nearby islands are also close to Malé, there is a reduction in the cost of transportation from the airport.) You can freely don your two-piece suit on the charming bikini beaches on these islands. You cannot, however, consume alcohol in this Muslim nation, unlike at a resort.
We decided to go to the nearby island of Thoddoo, which has a bikini beach and fruit farms. It was very, very beautiful.
If you must stay in a hotel, the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is recommended by event planner Aviva Samuels, who specializes in group travel for weddings and events. It is “less than 22 miles from Malé and reachable by speedboat.” The starting price each night is $291.
How to Reduce Transportation Costs in the Maldives
Your options for transportation may be restricted to what your hotel offers if you reserve a stay on a private island. (Also be advised that they will be highly expensive.) However, if you choose to stay on a nearby island, Smith advises taking the ferry from Malé to your little piece of heaven.
According to Smith, “the Maldives have a pretty extensive and affordable ferry system.” “You can save a lot of money as long as you’re willing to wait for your ferry, and tickets only cost a few dollars.” (It cost us only $10 to take the ferry from Malé to Thoddoo.)
But there would be a time cost associated with the cost savings. Thoddoo was five hours away from us on the ferry, but it would have taken a speedboat forty-five minutes to get there. In addition, Smith added, “you might be able to find local speedboat owners who can take you where you need to go for less than a resort would charge” if you are eager to start your holiday. We reserved a $35 speedboat for each of us as we traveled back to Malé from Thoddoo.
How to Save Money on Food
In case you’re not reserving an all-inclusive hotel, dining in the Maldives need not be really expensive.
“Many guesthouses on local islands offer reasonably priced dinners for about $10 to $15 if you’re staying there,” Smith said. “Your hotel rate may even include these each night.” “Eating traditional Maldivian food is the cheapest way to eat,” if meals are not included. It is mostly made up of rice, coconut, curry, and fish.
We discovered that lunches on Thoddoo were much more affordable. Every time we went out to eat, we usually paid $12 on both of our meals combined, which included two non-alcoholic drinks and an entree.
Bringing snacks and protein bars from home is another method to cut costs on food, according to Berklich. On a very tight budget, you could “have breakfast — which is included in most hotels’ rates — skip lunch or eat a protein bar, and then only pay for dinner.” Alternatively, you could eat a protein bar for breakfast if your hotel does not give it.
