Are you planning a trip to a tropical paradise for a special occasion? Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a honeymoon destination, or just a dream vacation, keep reading to learn how much it costs to go to the Maldives.
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The Maldives is a dream come true for those who love island life and tropical charm. But how much does a trip cost? Well, it depends a lot on the experience you’re looking for and the season you choose, so the total costs vary from traveler to traveler.
There’s a very common misconception that we want to answer, and that’s the notion that “the Maldives are only for rich people”. That’s why in this article, we provide a general guideline to help you organize your budget and trip, offering options suitable for budget, mid-range, and luxury travelers.
Of course, you can mix and match! Some travelers prefer to pay more for a comfortable hotel, as they’re not particularly interested in activities, while others are more concerned with the quality of their experiences, rather than the location of their accommodation.
How much does a trip to the Maldives cost?
As with any island, the most common way to arrive is via airplane, so let’s check how much that adds to your budget. Keep in mind that the prices we show here are an average for the round trip.
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Flights from the U.S.: Typically ranging from $700 to $1,200. It’s on the cheaper end if you’re flying from the East Coast.
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Europe: Prices can range from $500 to $1,500, and many of these flights make layovers in other countries.
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Southeast Asia: Probably your cheapest option, since it’s closest to the Maldives, it costs $200 to $600.
Depending on the season you’re traveling, the flight can cost a bit more or a bit less. Busier times of the year, such as Christmas and New Year’s, cause prices to spike significantly. While transitional weather, like the Maldives experience in April and November, drives the prices down again.
Staying on an archipelago like the Maldives means you have to add the cost of going from one island to the next. Which is not exactly cheap, although you have options for different budgets.
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Public ferry: The cheapest option, at $1 to $5 for each trip, but it’s also the slowest one. So slow that it only operates on certain days, and each trip can take up 2-6 hours of your time.
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Seaplane transfer: This one is pretty common if you’re staying on a luxury resort in remote islands like Noonu, Baa, or Raa. It costs around $250-$ 400 during the low season, but can increase to $450-$700 when demand is high.
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Speedboat transfer: A better option than the ferries, but a pricier one. It will take you to your destination in about 1-2 hours, for $25-$60 on the local islands, to $100-$300 for the resort islands.
Accommodations
Let’s talk now about where you are going to sleep and stay in the Maldives. When we think of that destination, we usually imagine it looks really luxurious with beautiful beaches and incredible accommodations, but that’s only part of the Maldives’ charm. In reality, there are options for all budgets, from charming, locally run guest houses to ultra luxurious private island resorts.
If you are looking to save some money, you can stay in a guesthouse or in a small boutique hotel on one of the islands like Maafushi or Dhigurah. They offer basic commodities like clean and simple rooms with air conditioning, WiFi, and sometimes breakfast.
This is a great value option, since the price ranges from $30 to $80 per night, and you’ll get direct access to local life and community-based tourism. Good examples of this are the Kaani Palm Beach and Island Break, both incredible guesthouses.
If you want to have a bit more comfortable experience, with a few more amenities, you can choose a mid-range Resort, like Reethi Beach Resort or Villamendhoo Island Resort and Spa. These options are more suitable for special occasions, such as honeymoons, or for traveling with larger groups without exceeding the budget.
You can stay in a villa or an overwater bungalow, so you can say that you had the classic Maldives experience, for $120 to $400 per night. Plus, most of these villas include snorkeling, buffet meals, bars, and much more, making the experience perfect for a vacation.
But not all the trips are for the same reason; maybe you and your partner are celebrating your 25th anniversary, so a simple hotel won’t do. That’s where luxury resorts come to shine, complete with stunning beachfronts, private pools, multiple gourmet restaurants, and full-service spas.
You can go, for example, to Baros Maldives or Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, and have the best anniversary ever. And the price is high, yes, at $500 to $1500 per night, but the experience is totally worth it.
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Now, if you’re one of those travelers who want only the best of the best and want to experience the true luxury in the Maldives, there are resorts that are perfect for you. Usually, these are more popular with celebrities and rich people, but if you have the money, you can go to a private island paradise.
The price is really high, ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per night, but the experience is unbelievable. We’re talking about private butlers, infinity pools, underwater dining rooms, and even secluded villas with personal chefs. What more can you ask for?
Are all-inclusive resorts worth it?
That’s a great question, and the answer is that it depends a lot on the type of travel that you have in mind. When is it worth it?
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If you’re traveling with kids and want to relax, that way you don’t have to be on top of the cost of the multiple snacks that they like.
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If you’re staying on a remote island and like to have three meals a day and drinks. Keep in mind that alcohol is quite expensive in the Maldives and is only allowed on the resort islands.
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You want to pay one time and just forget about it; this way, you don’t have to carry a wallet, sign receipts, or compare menus, you can truly relax and have a great time.
When is it not worth it?
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If you’re staying on a local island or a budget hotel, probably all-inclusive isn’t even an option. There, you can pay between $3 and $8 for a local restaurant, and they offer an opportunity to discover the local culture.
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If you are usually a light eater or have a lot of dietary restrictions, paying for all-inclusive is probably a waste of money.
Food and Drinks
But what if you don’t want to pay for an all-inclusive hotel and prefer to eat locally? How much will it cost?
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Budget Dining: If you’re trying to make the trip on a budget, you can enjoy the local islands’ cafes and hotaa (small eateries), where a meal usually costs around $3 to $10.
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Mid-range dining: This is pretty common in resort buffets or casual a la carte restaurants, and you can enjoy international cuisine mixed with Maldivian seafood for around $15 to $40 per meal.
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Luxury dining: But sometimes you want to have a great dinner and enjoy gourmet seafood platters paired with international fine cuisine and exotic cocktails. For that, you have quite a lot of high-end resorts restaurants in private islands, and the experience usually cost around $50 to $150 per meal.
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Drinks and extras: Drinking plain water can be a cost-effective option, as a bottle can cost $2-$5, depending on where you purchase it. There’s also fresh coconut water, a very popular local drink that costs around $1 to $3. If you want to have a beer or a cocktail, expect to pay between $6 and $20.
BYOB and Maldivian alcohol laws
The acronym stands for “bring your own bottle” or “bring your own booze,” and if permitted, can save you from the high market prices of alcohol at bars and restaurants. But let’s talk about alcohol laws in the Maldives and what you need to know.
The Maldives is a Muslim country, which means that there are strict alcohol regulations. For example, alcohol is banned on local inhabited Islands, where Maldivian citizens reside, even if you bring it yourself. It can only be consumed at resorts, hotels on private islands, and live-aboard boats that hold licenses to serve alcohol.
Activities and Experiences
As always, let’s start by breaking down the most common expenses in activities and experiences, focusing on the budget-friendly ones. Like snorkeling and island hopping on public ferries. These are a great way to explore the Maldives and its natural wonders, for about $30-$45 a day.
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If you’re looking to do more unique and fun activities, we’ve got you covered. You can go on a cruise across the Indian Ocean searching for playful groups of dolphins, or scuba diving to discover a new, wonderful side of our planet. Each activity can cost between $100 and $160 per person, which is not cheap, but think of the great memories!
Some people travel to the Maldives looking for truly luxurious activities to do and experiences to enjoy. After all, not everywhere can you rent a private catamaran to cruise around the atolls, stop for snorkeling, and visit secluded beaches. The cost ranges from $1,000 to $3,000, and you can rent it for either half a day or a full day, making it an ideal activity for a group.
You can also end your day in a restaurant under the waves, surrounded by marine life and enjoying the most exquisite menu with champagne and impeccable service. Another good option is enjoying a private candlelit dinner on a secluded sandbank accessible only by boat. It definitely is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, don’t you think? These experiences will cost between $600 and $ 1,200 per couple.
Final Words
To visualize the budget better, let’s do a quick breakdown of what a daily budget to the Maldives can look like.
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Budget travelers: If you’re traveling as a backpacker, you can expect to spend around $60 to $100 per day. Which is not that bad, as a whole week there will cost between $400 and $700, and you will have an incredible experience with lots of cultural value.
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Mid-range budget: Must Travelers will spend around $200 to $400 per day, considering they are staying in better accommodations and engaging in a few more activities. That will be around $1400 to $2800 for a whole week in the Maldives.
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Luxury travelers: But if you are celebrating a special occasion and you want to go a bit overboard with a budget, you can get a luxurious experience for around $800 to $2,000 per day. For a full week, that would be around $5,600 to $14,000.
There you have it! A complete breakdown of how much it costs to go to the Maldives, with everything that you need to budget for, and a total estimate! If you want to save a bit of money, try Yoho Mobile’s free eSIM, or use the promo code YOHO12 for a 12% off. See for yourself how easy it is to install, and enjoy a smooth internet connection during your vacation to the Maldives!