Each of us strives to spend as little as possible on vacation and get as much as possible. This is normal, everyone does it. If we talk about Southeast Asia (Thailand, India, Indonesia, etc.), then we know that now you can have a very inexpensive holiday there. Housing availability and sufficient low prices entertainment make this region a very attractive destination for tourists from all over the world!

This statement did not apply to the Maldives until recently. While remaining aloof, the islands were considered a paradise for tourists with big wallets. Just about 5 years ago this changed and now there is an opportunity relatively vacation on a budget in the Maldives. The so-called Budget Maldives have appeared.

Why relatively? Because, after all, the whole trip will, in general, cost more than to other regions of Asia, and there are many reasons for this. However, there are ways to save money in the Maldives. I'll tell you about them.

Flight

A direct flight to Male, the capital of the Maldives, takes about 9 hours and is operated by Aeroflot. It costs about $400 round trip! Not much, I would say. Tickets can be purchased from one of the aggregators or directly from the carrier. The flight is carried out 3 times a week:

Moscow — Male: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. Departure at 22.50 from Sheremetyevo, arrival at 9.35 (local time) at the International Airport named after. Ibrahim Nazir on the island of Hulhumale (near Male).
Male — Moscow: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. Departure at 11.15 (local time) from International airport them. Ibrahim Nazir on the island of Hulhumale, arrival at Sheremetyevo at 18.30.

If possible, choose a window seat. From the height there is a wonderful view of the islands!

Accommodation

Budget holiday in the Maldives includes accommodation not in “star” hotels, but in guest houses. Essentially, these are the same hotels, but smaller in size, cost and lack of official stars. Here you do not overpay for the brand. The cost depends on the location of both the guest house and the distance of the island from the capital.

How to choose a guest house?

The choice of guesthouse begins after selecting a suitable island.

You can read about how to choose the right local island and not be disappointed in the post

When choosing a guesthouse, you need to consider the following:

- the island on which it is located and the number of guests on it. Different islands have different taxes. Therefore, be prepared for the fact that you will need to add 20-22% of the original amount to the final cost. Prices and taxes in the Maldives are a separate issue. You can read in more detail.

Reviews on Tripadvisor, Booking, Agoda. The most adequate and complete ones are on Tripadvisor, and pay attention, first of all, to the negative ones.

Date the guest was posted on Booking or Tripadvisor. New guest houses that do not yet have reviews or ratings usually have a lower cost of accommodation than those that already have a certain reputation. But in this case there is, albeit a small, chance of stumbling upon the inadequacy of the staff. However, I have not heard of such cases.

The cost of living varies from $50 to $200 per night. You can try to find options for $20-30 on AirBnB, but without a separate shower, air conditioning and, perhaps, even without a separate room. Don't expect accommodation prices to drop much in the next couple of years.

"Why so expensive?" - you ask, because in Thailand you can find accommodation for $20-40 per day. There are many reasons for this. The main ones:

- high cost of electricity. It is produced by a diesel generator, which supplies the entire island with electricity. Diesel still needs to be purchased somewhere and delivered to the island.

- high cost building materials , which are necessary for the construction of the guest house. It is clear that the owners are trying to recoup the cost of construction as quickly as possible.

- high price drinking water. All the water that flows in the taps on the islands is rainwater, so it is scarce and not cheap. By the way, it is not advisable to drink it; it is better to buy bottled

- tourism taxes. Another expense item for guest house owners, which affects the cost and cannot be avoided. And since October 2016, a new Green Tax has been introduced, which is $3 per person per day.

- competition among guests. It’s clear that the more competition there is on the island, the lower the prices. Many local islands only have 3-5 guest houses, so they set prices whatever they want. With the development of transport networks between the islands, this will change over time.

Where to book a guest house?

It would seem that the answer is obvious - through Booking, Agoda, etc. There are often discounts there and it is more profitable to book there. All this is true, but for guests in the Maldives, different rules apply (at least for the most advanced of them).

All of the above aggregator sites charge a percentage of bookings on these sites (about 15%). Therefore, to get an additional discount, find out the cost of excursions, etc., it is better to contact the guest house directly.

Another important point. On booking you can only book accommodation, and pay for excursions and meals on the spot. Therefore, some guest houses offer to buy a package of services from them right away. It includes accommodation, excursions, meals and transfers. This is very profitable, you can save up to $400! If the guest does not have information about the package on their website, feel free to ask them.

The lowest prices for accommodation are May-September, the highest are December-March.

Nutrition

The Maldives is not a cheap country, I think you are already convinced of this. Along with housing, food is one of the main expenses. The country imports almost everything, so the cost of products is quite high.

Each guest house has its own mini restaurant with local and continental cuisine. If you say when booking that you also need food (lunch or dinner), it will cost $10-15 per person. In case of payment on the spot - depending on what you order, but usually more than the amount indicated above.

For children from 2 to 11-12 years old, there is usually a discount on meals in the guest house; check this point with the manager.

You can also catch crabs, which are simply teeming on the beach after sunset, and ask them to cook them on the grill. The locals themselves do not eat this for religious reasons.

Almost every island has cafes for locals, where you can taste Maldivian cuisine at very reasonable prices. For example, a main course and fresh juice will cost $7-12. The only negative is that all dishes are very spicy. You can read about the dishes.

Activities

Everyone chooses the type of holiday on the islands: active or beach. The second, of course, is cheaper, but at the same time you will not be able to fully enjoy all the beauty of the Maldives. But this is not only a snow-white beach, bright sun and turquoise water.

Amazing undersea world will leave unforgettable experience about the Maldives!

In general, the list of activities varies little depending on the island. Does diving on one island, for example, mean that it is better than on another? - No. Each island and its surroundings are unique in their own way, so there is no point in comparing.

Let's look at the main activities on the islands:

- Fishing. There are several types of fishing: morning(from $20), daytime(from $20), evening(from $35), night(from $35), big game fishing(“hunting for big fish” from $100). They all vary in cost and what type of fish you are looking to catch. Evening and night fishing are the most expensive, because... At this time, the chance of catching a large fish increases significantly!

The caught fish can be cooked in the kitchen of your guest house (cooked by the cook). And it won't cost you anything! But first agree with the manager so that there are no problems.

- Snorkeling. The most popular and simplest type of activity, which in many cases will cost you free. Why? Because next to the islands there is a house reef where you can swim at any time. However, the most interesting points are located outside the house reefs, and you need to get there by boat. The cost of such a trip starts from $20 and includes visits to at least 4 different points. The trip itself lasts about 3 hours. This time is more than enough, believe me.

I went on a similar trip to Rasda. That day there was a noticeable disturbance in the ocean, but everything was calm under the water, and the water itself was as clear as on ordinary days. We were taken to outside reef, and you can really feel the current there! I recommend this activity for those who have chosen exclusively beach holiday without unnecessary movements.

On different islands, depending on the time of year, you may also be offered snorkeling with manta rays, turtles or whale sharks. The cost is about the same.

- Diving. Thousands of divers from all over the world visit the Maldives every year to experience the unique underwater life. The clean, clear and warm water of this place makes diving accessible to everyone. Almost every island has one or more dive centers. The cost of services there differs little from each other, but it will be cheaper in the one to which your guest house is attached, but this is not an axiom.

If you have no experience or certificate at all, then you will be offered to take a beginner course. You will dive with an instructor. The cost of such a dive starts from $70 (the cost depends on the island). For more experienced divers with a certificate, the cost of a dive starts from $30 (the price includes a guide, boat and equipment), in groups it is cheaper.

- Picnic Island. Near many of the local islands there are tiny uninhabited islands where tourists are taken daily. Usually for the whole day. Cost starts from $30. This includes boat transfer, barbecue and refreshments.

Some islands offer the Robinson Crusoe service. The idea is that you are taken to a desert island and left there alone for the night. The asking price is $300 (including tent and dinner). I've only seen this on .

- Visiting resorts. There are resorts near many local islands. But not all of them can be visited with a tour. This is due to the rules on them. However, for a fee (starting at $25, but the usual cost is around $100) you can visit this luxurious place. The price includes transfer, food and drinks, alcohol. You can stay overnight or have a spa treatment for an additional fee.

On some islands, for example, it is possible to book a day excursion to 3 different resorts and it will cost $150-200.

- Walk with dolphins and romantic dinner for two. The cost of the first one starts from $30, which includes a boat and drinks. The trip itself is usually in the evening, at sunset.

A romantic dinner can be either on the beach or the territory of a guest house, or on a desert island (if there is one nearby). This dinner will cost you from $90. You can ask the manager to take a photo of you, this will not affect the cost.

I have highlighted only the main activities and excursions; in addition, you can also be offered water skiing, jet ski rental, kayak rental (a cool opportunity to see the whole island), a sailing catamaran trip, etc. Upon request, we will send you a price list with all these services.

The cost of activities greatly depends on the island and on the guest, while there is no uniform standard and everyone offers something of their own to the best of their ability. Maldivians love to bargain, so don't hesitate to ask for discounts!

Transfer

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to the development of local tourism is transfer between islands. Although he is regular, he does not go often. The situation is gradually changing, but it is still far from perfect.

In this regard, the cost of this service varies greatly depending on the type of transport you choose. Let's consider the possible options.

— Private or public ferry. The cheapest but slowest type of transfer. Its cost ranges from $3 to $10. Travel time is from 1.5 hours to 10 hours. There's no rush at all, right? On this moment Not all islands can be reached by ferry; the only way to get to remote ones is by local airlines, which will be discussed further.

Another advantage of this transport is that within one atoll you can go to neighboring local islands in the morning and return back in the evening.

— Speed ​​boat. It runs between the islands on a scheduled basis. At the moment there are not many routes between the capital and the local islands. Over time, of course, there will be more of them. This transfer costs $40-120 depending on the island. Travel time is no more than 2 hours. A bit of a breeze. Some routes can be viewed on this website. It is better to check with the guests for the presence of others.

— Hydroplane. Fast, but not at all cheap transfer. Usually it is provided to those who are planning their trip to the resort. Its cost starts from $250 per person, and there are certain limits on luggage. Travel time is 20-40 minutes. Another advantage is that you can enjoy magnificent Maldivian views from a low altitude! This transfer is available upon request and only operates during daylight hours in normal weather.

— Local airlines. Currently, 11 airports have been built in the Maldives (7 local and 4 international). There is a constant air connection between them. Some remote islands, such as Gan or, can only be reached by local airlines. The cost of the transfer depends on where you book your ticket. If through a guest house, it will be cheaper, because... they have an agreement with air carriers. Such a flight will cost $200-400 round trip.

— Private boat. Each guesthouse provides a speedboat upon request. The cost of the trip starts from $500 per boat. This type of transfer is beneficial if you are a group and do not want to wait for the ferry.

In general, now you can get to almost any Maldivian island using one or more types of transfer. The only question is the price.

Also, do not forget that Fridays Neither ferries nor speedboats (but not to all islands) operate. If it so happens that you arrived on this day, then the simplest and cheapest solution would be to stay overnight in Male.

Other expenses

This includes souvenirs, food in stores, mobile communications and the Internet.

- Souvenirs. How can you visit the Maldives and not buy some trinket? If you choose a souvenir shop in Male or on the local islands, then I give preference to the latter. Each local island has several such places. The souvenirs there are very different, mainly made of wood, coconut with elements of fish bones and shark teeth. A simple magnet will cost $1-2. Shop owners make many souvenirs themselves.

In one of them, I asked the owner to paint a T-shirt for me, and he happily agreed! At the same time, he didn’t take anything from above. They are willing to make contact and, at your request, can make an individual souvenir. Well, don’t forget that you need to ask for a discount.

- Products in stores. There are usually several grocery and hardware stores on the islands. In the former you can buy fruits, juices, sweets, etc. The prices are quite normal and on average correspond to ours (in dollar terms). The assortment is also pleasantly surprising; don’t be put off by the slightly disorderly arrangement of goods, this is the norm for them.

Both rufiyaa and dollars are accepted. Exchange rate 1$ = 15 rufiyaa.

- mobile connection and the Internet. In most cases, the Internet in guest rooms is free, but the speed leaves much to be desired. It is enough for messengers, but there may be problems with Skype. Alternatively, you can purchase a SIM card from one of the three Maldivian operators. 2 GB of Internet will cost $20-30. Another option is to rent a modem from one of the Internet providers, the cost is about the same.

This issue is best resolved immediately upon arrival, because... not every island has offices of operators and providers.

Conclusion

So, from all that has been said, we can draw the following conclusions:

1. The cheapest and fastest way to fly is Aeroflot.
2. Book your guest directly. If possible, buy a package, it will be cheaper.
3. The cheapest accommodation is in the low season from May to September.
4. Alternate meals in the guest house and in local cafes.
5. When booking multiple excursions, ask for a discount.
6. The cheapest but slowest transfer between the islands is by ferry.
7. It is better to buy souvenirs on local islands, and not in Male. You can negotiate a discount.
8. The total cost of a budget holiday in the Maldives starts from $2000 for two.

Budget holidays in the Maldives. How to save money?

5 5 votes

You can try to organize an independent trip and thereby save a certain amount, but you definitely won’t be able to relax as cheaply as in Turkey or Bulgaria. The whole reason is the long and expensive flight. A direct flight lasts approximately 10-12 hours and there is a direct flight to the capital of the Maldives from Moscow. But a direct flight is not the best option for a budget tourist. To save on a flight, you need to review the offers of dozens of airlines (mostly Asian and Arab) and perhaps in this way you will be able to find a good option. Experienced tourists advise choosing options with one or even two transfers. The cost is also affected by the waiting time for the flight (connection). Eat good options with air travel to the Maldives from Sri Lanka. In any case, you need to spend more than one hour, and perhaps more than one day. At the same time as choosing a flight, you need to select a hotel so that the dates coincide, and this is sometimes very difficult to do.

The Maldives includes about 1200 islands, but only a number of them are very popular among tourists and that is why prices on those islands are simply off the charts. There are islands that are predominantly inhabited by local residents, who have recently begun to wonder about development issues tourism business. And it is on such unpromoted islands that you need to look for housing. In this case, we can talk about significant savings.

After tourists arrive at the airport of the capital of the Maldives, Male, the first question that arises is how to get to the desired island. Under no circumstances use the services of the so-called “water taxi”, for which you will have to pay a lot of money (100-200 or more dollars). Local residents do not use such transport and travel by ferries. It may be much slower, but the fare does not exceed 2 dollars. Tourists can also travel on these ferries without any problems. If for some reason the ferry does not suit you or you are late for it, then you can negotiate with private owners for 30-50 dollars.

There is no point in going during the high season, since at such a time you can only dream of saving money, but during the rainy season from May to October you can not only have a good rest, but also save a lot. Rains alternate with on sunny days, so you won’t have to sit in your room the entire vacation.

Prices for souvenirs, food and even regular drinking water high only in popular, well-promoted resorts, and on other islands they are quite affordable even for an ordinary tourist. Since the Maldives is a Muslim country, a budget tourist can only dream of alcohol. The fact is that it is prohibited in the country, and importing it is also prohibited. Alcohol can only be found in a few luxury hotels, but its price there is exorbitant.

If the price of a souvenir is steep, you can try to bargain. This, although not always, helps. You will have to refuse excursions (especially sea excursions), since their prices are too high. The only thing you can try is to negotiate with someone local residents, but they themselves are well versed in prices and how much they can earn from a tourist.

Whatever one may say, when people talk about the Maldives, they immediately mean a resort where only rich people relax, but in fact, if you try hard, you can relax for relatively little money.

How much does a budget holiday in the Maldives cost in 2019: prices for food, hotels, transport, tickets, entertainment. We give tips on how to have a cheap holiday in Paradise. The dream can come true!

You can't have a cheap holiday in the Maldives!

You only need to go to the Maldives to expensive resorts, only there is paradise, everything else sucks.

Resort holiday fanatics in the Maldives pelted me with such statements when I announced to your VK group that I’m flying to the Maldives to experience a budget holiday on the paradise islands. Well, let the fanatics be indignant and rage. Meanwhile, I achieved my goal and now I’m ready to tell you how to relax in the Maldives inexpensively. So, let's go debunk the myths!

Sailing across the Indian Ocean on a ferry from one island to another.

I flew to the Maldives in April 2019 and personal experience I was convinced of several things:

1. In the Maldives you can relax cheaply. Not for three pennies, of course, but only slightly more expensive than in Thailand. It’s realistic to spend no more than $700 for two people for the entire vacation (without tickets). Budget calculation is at the end of the review.
2. Budget holidays in the Maldives is in no way inferior luxury holidays in expensive resorts. Azure sea, crystal pure water, white powdery sand and a rich underwater world - all this is the same on any island.
3. Economy vacation brings with it a number of disadvantages and inconveniences. I'll tell you honestly about everyone. But if the Maldives is your dream, you can forgive these shortcomings.

Exchange rate: 1 Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) ≈ 4 RUB.

Rasdhoo Island, Maldives. The water is amazing! By the way, right ahead is an expensive resort, but the water there is the same. If there is no difference, why pay more?

Visa to Maldives

For Russians, a visa to the Maldives is not required if the trip does not exceed 30 days. If you need to stay more than a month, you need to apply for a tourist visa. Upon entry, they may require a return ticket, hotel reservation or travel voucher, as well as a bank statement (at least $50 per person per day). They didn’t check anything on us, they just asked where we would be vacationing.

The uninhabited island of Madivaru. Just look at the color of the water and that sand! I did not do any photo processing. And everyone can enjoy such views, it is not necessary to buy a tour to an expensive resort.

When is it cheaper to holiday in the Maldives?

In many countries, you can save money by coming on vacation during the low season. For a budget holiday in the Maldives, this scheme does not work. The off-season here is in the summer, but hotel prices at this time do not decrease, nor do prices for food and excursions. The sea will be cloudy and rainy. There is no point in going in the summer.

But vacations on tours at resorts from June to August cost 20% less. Expensive hotels still offer discounts for the low season.

Great beach on Thoddoo island, perfect place for a pleasant and budget holiday in the Maldives.

1. How to fly cheaply

I have two news for you: good and bad.

I'll start with the bad. You won't be able to fly to the Maldives particularly cheaply. Low-cost airlines do not fly there, and independent connections through neighboring countries do not allow you to reduce the price. A flight to the Maldives from Sri Lanka or Malaysia costs from 9,000 rubles per person, but tickets to these countries from Russia cost the same as to the Maldives. You won't be able to save money. The only thing you can get out of this is to visit the Maldives as part of a big trip to Asia. For example, we first spent a month in Sri Lanka, then flew to the Maldives for vacation, after which we flew to Malaysia and Indonesia. This is cheaper than flying from Russia to each country separately, but few people do this.

And now the good news! On Paradise islands you will fly on board the coolest, most comfortable and pleasant airlines in the world - Etihad, Emirates or Qatar. This is what they call 5 stars! Oddly enough, they always have the cheapest tickets from Russia to the Maldives. So forget about the lack of low-cost airlines and enjoy your flight.

How much do air tickets cost? to the Maldives in 2019 (round trip):

• From Moscow with transfers in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi: normal price - 30,000 ₽, with a promotion you can catch it for 25,000 ₽.
• From Moscow by direct flight with Aeroflot - from 37,000 ₽.
• From St. Petersburg - from 33,000 ₽.
• From Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Krasnodar, Novosibirsk, Samara, Sochi, Rostov-on-Don, Mineralnye Vody- from 37,000 ₽.

Our ticket costs: 18,000 ₽ - from Colombo to Male (Emirates), 18,000 ₽ - from Male to Penang (Air Asia).

Conclusions on how to save on tickets: Keep an eye on airline promotions, compare prices of all airlines on Skyscanner, tailor your holiday to dates with the lowest ticket prices.

How much do tours cost? The cheapest tours to the Maldives in 2019 that I found cost from 100 thousand rubles for two. But these are tours to local islands, tours to resorts cost from 150 thousand for a week of vacation. Last minute tours search on services and they will find best deals among different tour operators. Want to save money? Explore our.

Clear azure water in the Maldives.

2. Choose an island where it’s cheap to vacation

There are three types of islands in the Maldives:

1. Resorts. These are island hotels, completely dedicated to the needs of tourists. Vacations are expensive.
2. Desert Islands . No one lives here, there are no buildings, often there is not even vegetation. You can come here on an excursion.
3. Local islands. The locals themselves live here, there are schools, banks, shops, a hospital, a cafe - in general, civilization. These are the islands we need!

So, for a cheap holiday in the Maldives, come to. They all differ from each other in size, distance from the capital and airport, and infrastructure development. The cheapest place to vacation is on the islands that are located near the capital, because they can be reached inexpensively and easily. But there will be a lot of tourists there. If you want the most secluded holiday, choose distant islands.

Beach on the island of Ukulas. All tourist beaches on the local islands have sun loungers. Each hotel has its own, but there are so many sun loungers that you can choose any - no one will turn you away.

I vacationed on three islands: Thoddhoo, Rasdhoo, Ukulas.

Todd. Cool, nice island! Russians love it very much - 90% of all vacationers are here, so we dubbed the island “Maldivian Anapa”. Thoddu is a fruit plantation that feeds the entire country. You can get to the island by ferry for about $10 (4-6 hours) or by speedboat for $35 (1.5 hours). Hotels cost from $50 per night, there are many of them. There are cafes, shops, a bank. The island has two excellent tourist beaches, both are clean and pleasant, and you can snorkel right off the shore. I recommend!

Rasdu. So-so place: the tourist beach is mediocre, outside there is a lot of garbage, a lot broken glass. Right next to the beach incinerator: The smell and noise will not allow you to have a pleasant rest. Only diving enthusiasts or those wishing to visit the uninhabited Madivaru Islands, which are just one km from Rasdhoo, should come here. I don't recommend it for a beach holiday.

Ukulas. A pleasant island with a huge wide bikini beach. There are shops, cafes, and many guest houses. Good snorkeling right off the shore, I saw a shark - great! Hotels start from $37. Ferries run rarely, only 2-3 times a week. A speedboat to the airport costs $50, I bargained for $40 (the journey takes 1.5 hours). I recommend!

Thoddoo Island is one big farm where fruits and vegetables are grown. There is a lot of greenery around and walking around the island is pleasant. The photo shows plantations and a new tourist beach.
Ukulas Island is much smaller than Thoddu, but the beach is very long and wide.

Available in the Maldives and other local islands where you can have a cheap holiday. I wasn’t there, but I found out everything during preparation. There are dozens of local islands, I’ll tell you about the popular ones.

Maafushi. The most famous and popular island for a budget holiday. Easy to reach from the airport, a lot of hotels and other tourist infrastructure. But there are also very, very many vacationers. Another drawback is that new hotels are being built everywhere. However, the beach and snorkeling on the island are praised. At first I included Maafushi in the trip program, but then decided not to go. If crowds don’t bother you and you want the most developed infrastructure, come. Hotels - from $45.

Hulhumale. The most convenient island in terms of accessibility. The only island where you don’t need to sail, but can be reached directly from the airport by bus. Some of the most inexpensive hotels in the Maldives are here - from $44. Disadvantage - there is no bikini beach, that is, you can only swim in clothes.

Guraidhoo. Inexpensive hotels (from $37), convenient to get from Male. The bikini beach is located on a nearby island, which you need to walk across a bridge to reach - however, this is not a problem. The problem is different - the beach is not suitable for swimming due to dead corals and shallow water.

Himmafushi. Hotels are inexpensive, but officially there is still no bikini beach. The island is more suitable for surfers; there are spots for divers.

conclusions. There are many islands for a budget holiday in the Maldives. Choose an island based on your interests: beach holidays, active holidays, snorkeling, diving. The closer the island is to the capital, the cheaper and easier it will be to get there. The more guest houses on the island, the higher the competition between them and the lower the prices. But there are many tourists on such islands.

Bikini Beach on Maafushi Island - the most popular island for a budget holiday in the Maldives. Photo © Scalino / flickr.com.

3. Looking for inexpensive hotels

All prices in the examples are for double rooms per night.

The average price of staying at a resort in the Maldives is $300-1000. Expensive? Certainly! Guest houses on local islands are 10 times cheaper. Let me remind you that the sea, sand and fish will be the same everywhere - no matter how much you paid for the hotel.

Powdery sand on the beach of Ukulas Island.

Verified budget hotels, in which we vacationed in the Maldives (all had a rating above 9 points):

. .
• Ukulas Island: .

Cheap hotels on popular islands:

• Maafushi: Island Cottage for 45$ per day
• Vashafaru: Vashafaru Inn for 30$ per day

Big (old) bikini beach on Thoddoo.

4. Food prices in the Maldives in 2019

So, friends, we come to the most pressing issue - catering. Food is a real problem in the Maldives! I have never met a worse country in terms of food. Food prices are high, the food is cooked very poorly, and the choice of establishments is meager.

I haven’t read so many reviews about food in the Maldives! What drama, what emotions! Some tourists even firmly decided that next time they will fly to the Maldives with a suitcase of food.

At resorts everything is simple: you pay a hundred or two greenbacks and get decent lunches or dinners. On local islands, a budget traveler will have to work a little to find an establishment where the food is decent and the food prices are not too high.

Even pizza can’t save you in the Maldives! The filling is delicious, but the dough...

My tips on how to holiday in the Maldives cheaply and not get a stomach ulcer:

1. Take a hotel with breakfast- they are almost always good and filling. I especially loved the traditional local breakfast of shredded tuna and coconut with flatbread. This is the best thing I ate on these paradise islands. I recommend! If you don’t like it, then any hotel offers continental breakfasts. Some tourists said that such hearty breakfasts easily last until dinner, so there is no need for lunch. We didn't have enough, but I'm still happy.
2. Buy fruit - papaya and bananas. There is not an abundance of fruits here; almost all of them are imported. But local papaya, as in Sri Lanka, is especially tasty, better than in Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia.
3. Eat at the hotel. Read reviews of lunch and dinner at your guest house. If people praise you, feel free to eat at the hotel and don’t even look for any other cafes - it’s cheaper, tastier and more convenient, because food can be ordered at a certain hour.
4. Choose for relaxation popular islands- there is a larger choice of cafes, and due to competition, food prices are lower.
5. Read also our reviews of proven cafes on the islands of Thoddoo and Ukulas.

In general, don’t count on a belly-feast as part of a budget holiday in the Maldives: the prices for food here are the same as in Europe, but the taste and quality are like in a seedy Soviet factory canteen during the stagnation era. You will have to eat modestly; you will not taste interesting exotic dishes. However, this will not be a problem if you successfully choose a restaurant or guesthouse with meals.

Traditional Maldivian breakfast, hearty and delicious!

Prices in the Maldives for food in cafes in 2019:

• Juices - $2.
• Milkshakes - $3-4.
• Rice/noodles – $4-10.
• Curry – 5-10$
• Salads – $4-9.
• Soups – $4-6.
• Lobster – $30-60 (depending on size).
• Fried shrimp - $10.
• Grilled seafood plate - $50.
• Fruit plate - $6.
• Ice cream - $3.

Our dinner at the guesthouse looked like this: grilled tuna and reef fish, rice, vegetables and a drink - $20 for two.

On each local island there are supermarkets where you can buy fruits, drinks, cookies, snacks, chocolate, canned food, pasta, rice and other products.

Prices in the Maldives for food in stores - 2019:

• noodles instant cooking - 1$;
• milk - about $2;
• loaf of bread - about $1.5;
• jam - $1;
• eggs (10 pcs) - $2;
• cheese (1 kg) - up to $5-10;
• drinking water (1.5 l) - $1 (but almost all hotels provide water for free);
• bananas (kg) - 3$
• apples (kg) - $4;
• oranges (kg) - about $4;
• potatoes (kg) - about $1.5.

Coconuts in the Maldives are very expensive - $3-5 per piece. You can't find it everywhere.

On Maldivian beaches you can often find swings and hammocks, and sunbeds are always available for free.

5. Save on entertainment

Entertainment and excursions in the Maldives are expensive. Even on local islands they cost $30-100 per person, however, at resorts the prices for the same excursions are several times higher.

There are few excursions and entertainment here. For us, almost all of them seemed uninteresting, because we love more active and educational programs. The only interesting thing is diving, but snorkeling was enough for us for the first time.

Here are the prices for excursions and entertainment on Ukulas Island in 2019:

• Swimming with manta rays – $150 for two for 90 minutes.
• Romantic dinner on the beach – $70.
• Fishing for big fish (Big Game) - $75 per hour.
• Regular fishing – $50.
• Snorkeling – $70.
• Diving - $70.
• Water skiing – $25 for 15 minutes.
• Trip to Picnic Island – $90.
• Canoe rental - $15 per hour for two.
• Windsurfing – $20 per hour, training – $45.
• Jet ski – $35 for 15 minutes, 1 hour – $100.
• Banana ride – $15 for 15 minutes.
• Trip to the sandbank - $150 for 90 minutes for two.

Prices are slightly lower on Maafushi and Thoddou.

In the Maldives, always bargain! You can easily knock 20% off the cost of the excursion, hotel and transfer.

We didn't spend anything on the excursion. Considering that this was my first experience of snorkeling, and I visited four different beaches on three islands, these impressions were more than enough for me. Over the course of a few days, I saw dozens of tropical fish different colors and forms, corals, swam with a turtle and a shark, filmed manta rays off the shore with a drone. And all this right on the house reef right off the coast. We don’t know how to dive, but fishing, banana boat rides and jet skis we are not interested.

How to get to a desert island cheaply. Instead of buying an excursion, find a fisherman - they will charge 2-3 times less for a round trip. We were planning to sail for a couple of hours to the uninhabited islands of Madivaru from Rasdu. I met a local cop, whose father is a fisherman, and I discussed such a scheme with him. But I didn’t agree with him on anything specific then, I just inquired. In the morning, we decided to go to the island, but we couldn’t find a fisherman - the Maldivians are lazy, at 6 am everyone was asleep, and then it was too late for us. So agree on everything in advance, repeat ten times and take the phone number - then everything will work out.

Beautiful Malagasy night shark! I was lucky enough to meet one on the island of Ukulas and admired it while hunting. Photo: fishx6/commons.wikimedia.org.
Uninhabited Madivaru Islands 1 km from Rasdhoo. You can come here on an excursion. From one island to another you can walk directly along the ocean (500 meters). We didn't get to the island, but I flew there on a drone.
Right by the island - blue Lagoon amazing beauty. Great place for snorkeling.

6. How to save on transport

The main transport in the Maldives is water. Taxis are only available in Male and Hulhumale, and they are surprisingly cheap - $1-2 per trip.

There are two types of water transport.

State ferries. The cost of a ticket depends on the distance: from $0.7 to $10. All you need is to know the schedule (see) and adapt to it. But it changes frequently, and ferries are sometimes canceled due to bad weather. Ferries go to some islands every day, to others several times a week. The further the island is from the capital, the more difficult it is to get to it by ferry. There are almost no ferries between the provincial islands; you need to change trains in the capital. Ferries do not operate on Fridays.

Speedboat, speedboat. Most tourists use them: you can get to the island 3-4 times faster, and private boats operate more often than ferries. Cost of a one-way trip: $25 - to Maafushi, $35 - to Thoddu, $40-50 - to Ukulas. The further away the island, the more expensive it is. Bargain! For example, we reduced the price of a boat from Ukulas to the airport by $20 for two. Attention: if the sea is rough, almost everyone on the boat gets seasick. You can negotiate a speedboat with the owner of your guest house.

You can get to Thoddoo Island on a special ship - (read my report at the link). Convenient for those who arrive late in the evening and do not want to spend the night in the capital. Save both time and money on your hotel stay.

How to save money. For a holiday in the Maldives, choose islands close to the capital and get to them by cheap ferry. A trip on a speedboat costs the same as 1-2 nights in a hotel, which is unreasonably expensive. The main thing is that when purchasing air tickets, adjust to the schedule of ferries to the island you need, so as not to lose a day or even more in the capital. Be sure to check the schedule with the hotel owner - it changes frequently.

Ferry transfer from the airport in Male it costs 10 rufiyaa ($0.7), travel time is 10 minutes. Communication between the capital and the airport is regular and daily, donoi run every 15 minutes during the day, and every half hour at night.

Ferry to Maafushi. Dispatched from Villingili Ferry Terminal in Male. You can get there from the ferry pier, where the boat from the airport arrives, on foot (30 minutes - 1 hour) or by taxi. The ferry to Maafushi from Male costs 30 rufiyaa ($2), the ferry runs once a day - at 15:00. There is also an additional flight on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 am. The ferry back to Male leaves at 7:30 am every day except Friday. Arrive early to secure a seat.

Quiet hour on the local ferry - the locals are sleeping, and we are photographing them and the ocean.
During our holiday in the Maldives, there was unique and even, as the locals put it, extreme weather. There was absolute calm for more than a week. The Indian Ocean was completely calm, like a lake on a windless day.

7. How to change money profitably

It is best to go to the Maldives with a wad of beautiful new dollars - this is the favorite currency of the locals, even more beloved than their own. Local rufiyaa, of course, is in use, but hoteliers and excursion sellers prefer to make payments in dollars. The rufiyaa exchange rate is pegged to the dollar and does not change.

Withdrawing money from ATMs in the Maldives is not profitable - the commission is $7-10 for any amount. You can only withdraw in rufiyaa. This is a bad idea not only because of the commission: if you have any rufiyaa left, you will not be able to exchange it for dollars before departure (more on this below).

Exchange only $20-50 upon arrival for ferries and snacks. The exchange rate at the airport is not very favorable - 15 rufiyaa per dollar. During your vacation, change money at the guest house, in shops or cafes. Look for a place with a rate of 15.42. Change small amounts so that you don't have any rufiyaa left at the end of your holiday. The problem is that no bank will exchange rufiyaa for dollars if you do not have a receipt indicating that you previously bought rufiyaa from that bank. This is such idiocy! I planned all my expenses well, and I only had a few rufiyaa bills left in my hands for my collection. Do the same.

Sunset in the Maldives.

I love to travel and try to travel to new countries several times a year. So that the passion for travel does not ruin you too much family budget, I plan my vacation myself, saving on hotels and tickets.

This year I decided to visit the Maldives. Organizing a trip to the paradise islands is more difficult than visiting the Eiffel Tower or the Vatican. Tours are expensive, and the idea of ​​creating your own itinerary seemed too daunting. But then I realized that the logistics of a trip to the Maldives are no different from planning a European vacation, the main thing is not to oversleep the transfer to the island.

I’ll tell you how I went to the Maldives for 1900 €, approximately 134,000 rubles for two. A tour through an agency would cost us $4,000 or 227,000 rubles.

Tickets: 900 €

I started planning my trip by looking for inexpensive tickets. I spent several hours studying and comparing ticket prices through different aggregator sites and found a budget option. Qatar Airways offered tickets from Berlin to the island of Hulhumale for 450 € per ticket, approximately 32,000 rubles.

You could still search and find a cheaper option, but then you would have to spend more than a day on the road. I don’t like long layovers, so I chose the option from Qatar Airways. For two tickets I paid 900 €, approximately 63315 ₽ - the main part of the expenses.

Airport transfer: 7 €

There are more than 1200 islands in the Maldives. For a budget holiday, 4 are suitable: Hulhumale, Male, Maafushi and Thoddhu. The remaining islands are uninhabited or have expensive hotels with closed beaches.

I chose Maafushi: there are many inexpensive hotels there, the whole island can be walked around in an hour, and the capital Male is only 27 km away.

We took a ferry to Male Island to spend the night and go to Maafushi. We got from Male to Maafushi in 2 hours on a state ferry. Ferry tickets cost 7 €, approximately 500 ₽, and a night at the hotel cost 70 €, or 5000 ₽.

We are approaching our island

8 nights in Maafushi: 370 €

At 11 o'clock we boarded a local ferry and at around 13:00 we sailed to the island, where colorful lanterns were hung on palm trees, and local residents greeted us with cocktails and flower garlands.

I booked the Water Breeze hotel in Maafushi - 7 nights cost 300 € or 21,000 ₽. I decided to stay on the island for another day and booked the Kaani Beach hotel for 70 € or 5000 ₽ per night.

The hotels are located practically on the beach and a 10-minute walk from the center of Maafushi. The rooms are not very large, but cozy and with free wi-fi.

Both hotels provided us with breakfast, and Kaani Beach had a swimming pool.

I compare prices for fruits and walk around the hotel grounds

Getting to know the island

Ferry from Male to Maafushi Island

Excursions: 485 €

A budget holiday in the Maldives does not involve deserted white sand beaches - there are a lot of people on public beaches. I didn’t want to sunbathe in a crowd of locals and tourists, so I planned active entertainment.

We spent 6 out of 8 days traveling and having fun. All excursions were booked at a nearby hotel through local travel companies.

On the first day we went fishing in the open ocean, and then they prepared dinner for us from freshly caught fish with a side dish and vegetables. For the excursion we paid 45 € or 3160 ₽.

The next day we went to look for 15-meter sharks with which we could swim and take photographs. We didn't find any sharks, but we took pictures with turtles, fish and saw stingrays. Between dives we were invited to lunch with meat, rice and vegetable side dishes. The excursion cost 160 € or 11,217 ₽. Due to the fact that the sharks never arrived, we were given a discount on all other excursions.

On the third day we went to the Vadoo island resort. First we went snorkeling - we swam with fins, a mask and a breathing tube. And then we went to the evening show, where we were shown feeding sharks and other marine life. We were fed 3 times with local cuisine and treated to cocktails. A day on the island cost 180 € or 12,600 rubles for two.

During the remaining 3 days of excursions we observed fish, turtles, sea ​​urchins, met sharks and dolphins. We went to a hotel with houses on the water and to a small island in the ocean, where we were fed lunch and offered soft drinks. We spent another 100 € or 7000 ₽ for two on these excursions.

Meeting with a shark, stingrays and dolphins

Snorkeling on the island and feeding the fish

Fish that I caught while fishing and then ate with vegetables for dinner

While snorkeling I saw a turtle and tropical fish - you can photograph them without flash

Meals: 100 €

We practically didn’t go to restaurants for dinner; breakfast was included in the hotel price, so we spent 100 € or 7,000 rubles on food. The island has grocery stores- We bought fruits and food for dinner there. People in the Maldives love Asian noodles, so we sometimes made them too.

The menu of Maldivian cafes includes many variations on Asian themes, European steaks and burgers, as well as local dishes: fried pies and tuna balls, caramelized fruit, rice cakes and coconut donuts. Tourists often order Tom Yum and egg noodles. Dinner at a restaurant will cost 40 € or 2809 ₽.

If there is an earthly paradise, it is in the Maldives. This incredibly beautiful resort welcomes about 1 million tourists every year. The Maldives are islands that almost every person dreams of visiting, but due to the high cost of holidays here, not everyone can visit this picturesque place. A dream cannot be left unrealized, so you should consider tips on how to fly to the Maldives cheaply.

What you need to visit the Maldives
First of all, when going to unknown, distant places, you should take care of the availability necessary documents. The Maldives or otherwise known as the "Republic of Maldives" is located in Indian Ocean. A Maldivian visa is not required for citizens of many countries when the purpose of travel is tourism. You can stay on the islands for up to 30 days.

What documents are needed to travel to the Maldives?

• a foreign passport, which must be valid for at least three months;
• return plane ticket;
• travel voucher (only if the tour was purchased from an agency). If a person is traveling as a “savage”, then this document is not required, but confirmation of a hotel reservation is required;
• insurance. When purchasing a tour, it is included in the price, and when a person goes on vacation on his own, it is worth taking care of insurance, since it is mandatory;
• amount of money at the rate of 50-100 dollars per person per day (when processing entry documents, you may be required to confirm availability)

Completing the last point is not always necessary, but it is better not to take risks and follow all the rules of the country you are entering.

If a tourist wishes to extend his stay in the Maldives for more than 30 days, he will need to apply for a visa.

The cheapest season for tours to the Maldives?

High season Maldives considered from November to April. During this period the most favorable weather, the ocean is relatively calm. For those who want to reduce the cost of their vacation, they should fly to the islands from June to October. Most hotels offer reduced rates at this time, and you can find great accommodation for much less than during the holiday season.

How to get from Sri Lanka to the Maldives?

Flight to the Maldives
To prevent the cost of flights to the islands from becoming an obstacle to visiting the Maldives, you should buy tickets in advance, having carefully worked out your travel route. One of the acceptable and relatively cheap options is flight to a resort via Sri Lanka .

Sri Lanka is only a 40-50 minute flight from the Maldives. You can combine acquaintance with two countries or simply choose a flight to the islands through the capital of Sri Lanka - Colombo. The cost of tickets to Colombo is much cheaper than to the island of Male, and the flight from Colombo to Fr. Male won't hurt your pocket as much as a direct flight from your city. The flight option Colombo - Male Island - Colombo is the cheapest of all possible.

Estimated budget for a holiday in the Maldives:

The cost of the flight per person will be about 800 US dollars in both directions.
Accommodation in a 3-4 star hotel in the Maldives starts from $40 per night per person. If two or four people are flying, it is cheaper to rent a house or room, which will cost $40-80 for the whole group.

A budget option for eating at local restaurants will be about 10-15 US dollars per day per person. If you rent a hotel room, the cost may include breakfast and even dinner.

The main entertainment in the Maldives is diving. Its price starts from US$65 per person.