Maldives budget travel guide : enjoy paradise for $100 day a day or less

Here’s the good news: budget tourism is booming in Maldives! It is no longer the high-end paradise that we’ve always known it to be. It is definitely not just the enclave of divers and honeymooners who can afford the upscale resorts where the going rate is $800 to $1000 a night. These resorts still exist but on the other end of the scale are affordable guesthouse accommodations which can be booked for less than $100 a night. And they were of good international quality.

In the latter part of my Maldives trip last year, I stayed in Maafushi Island (where the guesthouses are). I was more than happy with the place I chose, the Salt Beach Hotel. It had this relaxing beachfront view and was spotlessly clean. Rate was only $86 a night for this kind of room with a cozy balcony…

The room also came with a modest free buffet breakfast….

Aside from the accommodations, I thought the best part was the day-long island tour offered by the hotel. Cost was only $25. With free lunch and snorkeling in different pristine islands, it was really value for money.

I paid a combination of Rufiyaa (local currency) and US dollars. Am listing here a few of the expenses I incurred so you’ll have an idea about cost if you plan a budget trip to the Maldives:

Taxi from Hulhumale (my first stop) going to port – 50 Rufiyaa or about 3 USD

Icom ferry going to Maafushi island – $10 per person

native lunch in hotel restaurant – 120 Rufiyaa or $7.5

Western lunch in Hotel Jen, Male – $17

fresh coconut juice – $2

buffet dinner in Maafushi beach restaurant – $12

Illy coffee – 40 Rufiyaa or $2.5

On my last day, I had spare $$ so I splurged on a massage $47 (but I thought this was optional and unnecessary )

So you see, it isn’t really that expensive. In fact, prices are comparable to our very own tourist islands of Boracay and El Nido.

If you still dream of seeing those luxury resorts in the Maldives without spending much, a day trip can be arranged. My hotel quoted me the following prices which should give you an idea about the cost (please check and compare against present rates):

Fun Island Resort
US$51 per person (Entrance+Lunch)
$31 per person (Entrance Only)
$35 Transfer Per person (if more than 4 people)

Adaaran Club Rannaalhi
US$70 per person (Entrance Lunch+Drink)
$35 per person transfer (if more than 4 people)

Holiday Inn Kandooma
$150 per person (Entrance Lunch+Drink)
$20 per person transfer (if morethan 4 people)

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa
US$185 per person (Entrance, Lunch + Drink)
$100 per person transfer (If it is more than 4 people)

Anantara
US$185 per person (Entrance, Lunch + Drink)
$17 per person transfer (if more than 4 people)

Jumairah Vittaveli
US$247 per person (Entrance + Lunch)
$150 per person transfer (if it is more than 4 people)

The trick is to ask your lodging house about day trips they make to the expensive resorts.

There are 10 islands identified for affordable accommodations in the Maldives. Do your googling of guesthouses present in these places according to what suits your budget.Also take note of the distance from the airport as some of them can be reached from 2 to 6 hours by ferry:

Dhigurah Island – 3 hours by ferry, 1 hour by speedboat or 20 minutes by aeroplane

Fulidhoo Island – 3 hours by ferry or 45 minutes by speedboat

Gan Island – 45 minutes by aeroplane

Keyodhoo Island – 6 hours by ferry or 75 minutes by speedboat, popular with those who like fishing, diving and water sports

Maafushi Island – 2 hours by ferry, 30 minutes by speed boat

Maalhos Island – 2 hours by speedboat, 20 minutes by aeroplane

Rasdhoo Island – 4 hours by ferry, 1 hour by speed boat

Thinadoo Island – 6 hours by ferry, 70 minutes by speed boat

Thoddoo Island – 4 hours by ferry, 75 minutes by speed boat

Ukulhas Island – 4 hours by ferry, 75 minutes by speed boat

Also read: Maldives – no visa required for Filipino tourists