Travel Costs in Maldives

Overview

The Maldives is one of the most expensive destinations in the world, primarily because nearly everything must be imported and the resort island model adds significant premiums to accommodation, food, and activities. Budget travelers can reduce costs significantly by staying on local inhabited islands like Maafushi or Dhigurah rather than private resort islands, where overwater bungalows can easily cost $500–$2000+ per night. The biggest cost drivers are accommodation and inter-island seaplane or speedboat transfers, which alone can add hundreds of dollars to a trip.

Notes

Stay on a local guesthouse island and take public ferries instead of speedboats or seaplanes to dramatically cut costs — you can still access beautiful beaches and snorkeling for a fraction of resort prices. Visiting during the shoulder season (May–July) also yields lower accommodation rates.

Related

• Maldives country guide
• Maldives currency & money