Maldives

How to Take a Trip to the Maldives on a Budget

You don’t have to blow your savings just to make your dream trip to the Maldives happen. So, are you ready to check it off your bucket list?

The tropical archipelago known as the Maldives is a gorgeous vacation spot in the Indian Ocean with a reputation for being costly. For that reason, many people assume that planning a trip there would require breaking the bank.

Despite its paradisiacal scenery, services, and amenities, it’s not that difficult to plan a Maldives budget vacation. You do have to know how to get there, where to spend the night, and how to get around beforehand.

Planning is key. And the following will offer some basic guidelines that you can use to visit the Maldives on the cheap.

1. Pick Your Island with Care

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Not a lot of people know that there are public and private Maldives islands. Accommodations on the private islands are the most expensive and will definitely increase your Maldives vacation cost.

It’s on the public islands inhabited mostly by Maldives residents that you can best plan your cheapest Maldives holiday.

The introduction of homestays and guest houses has helped Maldives tourism significantly, as it enabled people from all walks of life to visit the archipelago.

2. Some Activities are Cheaper than Others

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To make a Maldives budget vacation happen, you probably want to stay away from tours and cruises. Maybe you should also avoid the most popular scuba diving spots.

Sunbathing is free, and so is exploring the lush inland. You might not know this yet but the Maldives also has unbelievable surfing spots. In fact, it’s free to surf in places like Cokes, Sultan, and Pasta Point, to name but a few.

Snorkeling will rarely cost you anything, especially if you have your own gear. Besides, you can find cheap rentals all over the place. And even when you’re not at the most idyllic places on the archipelago, you can still interact with a plethora of marine life.

3. How to Get Around

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A big part of any Maldives budget vacation is to know how to get around the islands without making a dent in your wallet.

Many tourists choose the route of a seaplane or speedboat. That can sometimes set you back a few hundred dollars, which is not exactly ideal if you’re looking to save money.

In its stead, why not try talking to the locals and arranging transportation with them? There are many fishing boats traveling to and fro the islands that can offer you a real deal. Many of them even depart on a regular schedule, so transportation shouldn’t be an issue.

Another alternative would be the ferries. That said, the schedule may not be reliable enough for you. Although considerably cheaper than speedboats, the ferry might not be a good option if you find yourself in a hurry.

4. You’re In Luck with Food

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Despite the presence of many luxury resorts and high-end restaurants, the Maldives has no shortage of cheap eateries.

You won’t find as many on the private islands. But you can certainly find enough to sample all the local delicacies without breaking the bank. Naturally, the public islands offer the most choices in this respect.

In many cases, you can even find better food at the cheaper places, especially those that specialize in the street food sort of dishes. Fresh ingredients are easy to find and the islanders have been honing their cooking skills and traditional recipes for seemingly ever, so you’re guaranteed some gastronomic delights.

If you decide to book a cheap hotel, you should book with breakfast included to save on food costs. However, know that you’re usually on your own for lunch and dinner.

5. Pay with Dollars

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The currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa. That said, you better believe that almost all places will accept the mighty dollars.

As it turns out, bringing enough cash with you on your Maldives budget vacation will actually help you save money. Foreign ATM fees and exchange rates are terrible everywhere and possibly even worse in the Maldives.

But here’s the bright side: for some reason, some establishments and stores actually charge less if you can pay in dollars. So, one way to save money and be able to spend more time in the Maldives is to bring enough greenbacks to last the entire trip.

Remember that there’s almost no crime in the archipelago, so carrying large wads of cash on the hush-hush probably isn’t going to put you in any danger.

6. Book in Advance

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This is more of a general guideline for a budget holiday. To pinpoint some of the affordable resorts in Maldives to stay in, you must research and make necessary bookings in advance.

Remember that the dry season is November through April. Everybody considers this the best time of the year to visit the Maldives and therefore, it’s also the priciest.

In any event, if you can book your stay early in the first month or late last month of the dry season, you should still be able to land some cheaper deals. You can also visit during the rainy season if it comes down to it.

Tricks of the Trade

You can vacation just about anywhere in the world on a budget if you scout it thoroughly, the Maldives included.

Will you have to compromise on some luxuries to make it work? Yes. But you can enjoy a tropical vacation even without spending a fortune.

Recent changes in the Maldives, especially those geared towards tourism, have made the archipelago more accessible to the everyday traveler. That’s why with good planning and proper information, you can make the most of your holiday in this slice of paradise inexpensively.

Related Topics:deals reservations booking accommodations south asia maldives budget planning travel tips transportation tips beaches food

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What Makes the Maldives a Dream Destination?

Maldives

What Makes the Maldives a Dream Destination?

Traveling to the Indian Ocean for your next vacation is a great idea. While there, why not stay on a piece of land surrounded by water?

Located in the Indian Ocean is a chain of coral atolls that are more popularly known as the Maldives. It’s a massive collection of tiny islands that welcome tourists from all over the world.

Beach holidays here are genuinely unique regardless of age. After all, you can find both luxurious and budget-friendly activities, not to mention plenty of resorts, meals, and adventures.

But what exactly makes the Maldives a favorite of tourists?

1. Exquisite Pampering

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Most paradise locations have something in common, including the Maldives. That is, a Maldives vacation can have you enjoying a stay in unbridled luxury.

After all, most Maldives resorts pamper their guests from the moment they arrive. They offer rides on seaplanes, luxury speedboats, and amazing accommodations. You benefit from room service almost anywhere, and you can relax at spas and easily book a variety of cozy tours and cruises.

2. Perfect for Romantic Getaways

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Whenever you want to go on a couple’s vacation, you probably have in mind intimate locations. And there’s no vacation spot as personal as the Maldives.

Most, if not all, resorts offer rooms or cabins situated on tiny individual islands. While you won’t be entirely alone all the time, yet the chances of running into other people in a way that might ruin your trip are slim for most of the year.

3. Overwater Villas

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For many tourists, a Maldives vacation is all about staying in one of its famous overwater villas. These villas set a perfect ambiance for admiring the vast ocean, with the calming sounds of the waves always in the background.

Some even have see-through floors that allow you to admire the colorful marine life during the day. But it’s not the only amazing sight you can see in the villa. Witnessing the sunset and sunrise from your own overwater room towering over the turquoise sea is one of the most exhilarating experiences you’ll ever have.

4. Waters Teeming With Marine Life

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You don’t need a single explorer bone in your body to appreciate an underwater adventure in the Maldives. After all, many Maldives vacation packages also offer a variety of tours and activities. You can easily choose more relaxing activities if you don’t want an adrenaline rush.

However, nearly all of the best things that you can do there happen underwater. The marine life in the region will impress anyone, from children to seniors. Try your hand at scuba diving and you’ll see how many species you can interact with up close.

Interestingly, the Maldives is among the safest places in the world to go scuba diving or snorkeling. The calm waters and minimal presence of dangerous critters make underwater exploration the favorite pastime of people near and far.

5. The Breathtaking Scenery

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Although you’ll get a full dose of gorgeous ocean views during a Maldives vacation, don’t discount the lush landscape on the islands. You’ll notice beautiful peaks and palm trees as far as the eye can see if you go exploring inland.

Of course, the white sand shorelines also contribute to the scenic views. And according to most visitors, the most breathtaking views happen just as the sun is about to set.

6. Delicious Food

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When it comes to cuisine, the Maldives offers a decent variety in both menus and pricing. You can sample affordable and fresh native delicacies in the rural areas. But you can also enjoy the pampering of a renowned chef at any of the resorts in the region.

Although there’s no shortage of international dishes, most tourists prefer locally sourced seafood. The island menu is simply unlike anything you’ve tasted.

7. Safe Environment

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Unlike vacationing in crowded urban areas, a trip to the Maldives carries little to no danger. There’s no reason to worry about scammers, pickpockets, and people in general.

As already mentioned, the water is generally safe and free of predators. Apart from the occasional sunburn or perhaps hitting a coral head-on when you’re not careful, you don’t have to worry about much when you’re in the Maldives.

8. Inviting for Guests of All Ages

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Many consider the Maldives as one of the most romantic getaways in the world. But don’t think that it’s only a couple’s destination. You can easily find a nice Maldives family resort suitable for the whole family.

Visitors of all ages can have fun on the islands. It’s only a matter of picking the suitable activities to enjoy as a family. Who can’t appreciate unique sights, marine life, and a bit of seclusion away from most touristy busy streets, right?

9. It May Not Be There Forever

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Visiting the Maldives is something that many people may not be able to experience more than once or twice.

Why?

Not everyone knows that the landmass is just 4.2 feet above sea level at the highest. And if sea levels continue to rise, many of the islands that make up the Maldives may end up underwater.

Although it may not happen in the near future, the unpredictability still leaves plenty of uncertainty. In this regard, a Maldives vacation can potentially be historical in nature.

10. Near Perfect Weather in Season

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Wherever you travel around the globe, you can expect at least two seasons. The same is true of the Maldives. And when the dry season hits, you’ll see hardly any clouds in the sky.

The months of November to April are the best time to visit the islands. Then again, vacationing on a budget during the monsoon season isn’t a bad idea either, since there’s still plenty of stuff to do in the Maldives besides sunbathing. The rain won’t really ruin your trip.

It’s as Unforgettable as Everyone Says

Few places in the world can come close to the Maldives in terms of barefoot luxury, scenery, and excitement. You can enjoy whatever type of vacation you have in mind in this exquisite destination.

Do you want to save a few bucks while visiting paradise? You can arrange that.

Do you prefer 24/7 pampering? That’s infinitely doable, too.

If you want to create unforgettable memories, the Maldives will make it easy for you.