It is not for nothing that the Maldives is associated with an expensive, elite and respectable holiday. Most hotels in the Maldives are located on the so-called resort islands (one island - one hotel), and almost all of these hotels are very expensive. Travel agencies will be happy to tell you which world stars prefer to relax in which hotels. Yes, you can vacation in the Maldives with pathos and spend a lot of money. But you can relax there no more expensively than in Europe or, say, in Crimea. And the Maldives is definitely worth visiting! Moreover, they are in danger of complete flooding!

In the meantime, the Maldives is truly paradise! The waters of the Indian Ocean have absolutely amazing colors, the most transparent, the purest! Incomparable beaches with fine white sand, which miraculously does not burn your feet even at midday! The richest underwater world! Beautiful sunsets! Palm trees hanging over the water - of course!)) In a word, the beauty is unreal! It’s definitely worth seeing this with your own eyes at least once in your life! And in the photo you can see all this right now - here are about 45 photos of the Maldives that I took after visiting five islands, not counting the islands of the capital and the airport.

How to have a cheap holiday in the Maldives?

I must say that in the process of planning my husband and I’s trip to the Maldives, I “plowed through” a huge number of guide sites, review sites and forums about the Maldives. I will describe everything that I have been reading for several months on this site in several. Our Honeymoon It was completely unforgettable, and although we were openly luxurious in the Maldives several times, we spent a very reasonable amount of money. It even turned out quite inexpensive. So here are some simple tips.

1. Residential island

Choose for your vacation not a resort island (where, moreover, you will become bored after three days, and there is nowhere to go from there), but a residential island, that is, an island where locals live.

To be completely honest, on most resort islands, locals also live on the same island with you, but they live behind a large fence in the center of the island, where there are areas for staff, and where you are prohibited from entering. Of course, they are also prohibited from appearing in tourist areas outside the scope of their official duties. That is, you won’t see them on the beach, and they won’t bother you in any way.

Some residential islands have tourist areas where locals don't go much. Besides, local population quite friendly to tourists and completely unobtrusive. The only exception may be some residents of the capital - Male, but I personally believe that there is nothing to do in Male at all.

You don’t have to get to a residential island by seaplane and pay through the nose for it. You don’t have to specially rent a speedboat (boat). More or less large residential islands can be reached from Male on a cheap, almost penny, regular ferry.

Which island should you choose?

When I was preparing for the trip, I considered several options, but my choice still fell on the island of Maafushi. It is quite large by Maldivian standards (1200 m long and approximately 400 m wide). There is plenty on Maafushi big beach"bikini" and a nice coral reef for snorkeling. There are quite a lot of hotels there of different star ratings for every budget, and there are good but cheap guest houses. Room rates start at $33 per night (during low season). And there are many such options, you can really choose! For example, Zest Cabana, which currently has a 9.1 review rating on Booking, costs about $45 per night. Hotels corresponding to European 4 stars (Arena Beach, Sun Tan Beach) cost around $100 per day, and there are also such on the island.

Every day you can have dinner and lunch in different restaurants - you have a choice of where to go. You can eat relatively cheaply in a cafe for local residents(though it’s not a fact that it’s delicious). And it is important that it is convenient to travel from the island of Maafushi day trips to different resort islands!

Consider also the island of Thoddoo. There are fewer options for hotels and guest houses, but the tourist beach (bikini beach) is more spacious than on Maafushi.

What's happened bikini beach . Islam is widespread in the Maldives, and holidays in swimsuits and swimming trunks (if we are not talking about an island resort) are allowed only on special beaches, they are called “bikini beach”. Outside these beaches, you can swim and “sunbathe” only in T-shirts and shorts, or, at worst, wrapped in a pareo (scarf). When choosing a “residential” island, be sure to make inquiries about whether there is a “bikini” beach on this island, and what kind of beach it is!

2. Low season

During the so-called "low season" in the Maldives palpably cheaper accommodation in hotels and guest houses. Flights also worth much cheaper than "in season". Actually, my husband and I’s trip to the Maldives became possible precisely when I discovered that plane tickets to Male were almost half the price of any tickets to Thailand!

The low season in the Maldives is considered to be the period from May to October. High - from November to April.

Why am I writing about the “so-called” low season? The Maldives are located almost on the equator. The temperature there is the same all year round, approximately +28. And both day and night. The temperature can vary literally by several degrees (and more likely towards the plus side - on clear days).

During the high season the sky is almost cloudless. In the low you you may experience a few cloudy days. But the sun in the Maldives is merciless! You will still get a tan, even if the sky is overcast all the days of your vacation! But this, most likely, will not happen. For example, when we were on vacation for two weeks in the second half of June, we experienced two or three cloudy days. There were several rains, a couple of times in the middle of the day, several times at night (they were even refreshing), and one day was completely cloudy, tropical rain poured down almost the whole day, it was stormy. That day we got plenty of sleep, had lunch at one restaurant, dinner at another, and between meals we explored the contents of the souvenir shops. Not too bad. But we saw the Maldives like this! When the water is brighter than the sky! Amazing!

Yes, in clear weather the coral reefs look much brighter and richer than in cloudy weather, but I still think that the Maldives are beautiful even in the low season. They even write that during the rainy season the water is clearer - but somehow I can’t believe it.

By the way, during the low season there will be significantly fewer tourists on the beach! I promise;)

3. Inexpensive excursions

In the case of the Maldives, excursions include fishing trips, snorkeling trips, to the habitats of dolphins, stingrays, whale sharks, as well as day trips to other islands. If it's important to you relax cheaply, you don’t have to go on excursions. But if your budget allows, definitely, definitely go! At least one resort island. I definitely recommend Biadu Island, it is one of the most budget-friendly, but very picturesque, green and beautiful.

Your communication skills will help you go on cheap excursions :-) The larger the group you organize, the cheaper the trip will be. The dependence is direct. Sometimes the managing manager of the hotel or guest house where you are staying is ready to gather a large company. At our hotel in Maafushi, the manager Mohammed really tried not to rip off more money from us, but to save our money. If in your guest house or hotel you can only rely on yourself, do not hesitate to meet someone on the beach or in your hotel. You can go there for much less!

By the way, there are enough Russians in the Maldives! But I haven’t seen those of our compatriots who are called “cattle” - they probably choose Egypt and Turkey. They used to choose. Now, probably, they go to Crimea or Sochi.

4. Public ferries

To get around in the Maldives, use public transport. I mean ferries. Public. They are very inexpensive. This is much cheaper than specially ordering a boat or, especially, a seaplane)) The downside is that you have to adapt to their schedule. For example, on Fridays they don't seem to go at all. The second disadvantage is that public ferries do not sail to all the islands of the archipelago. The ferry service connects only the islands where local residents live (Maafushi, Guli, Guraidhoo, Rasdhoo, Thoddhoo, etc.). Try searching for public ferry schedules here:
http://www.mtcc.com.mv (if you know English well, this is the primary source site for the Maldivian transport campaign)
and here in Russian, but not first-hand: http://wildmaldives.ru/ru/ferry-schedule

The article, as you understand, reflects my personal point of view. There will probably be people who will disagree with me on some part of it.

You might also be interested in:

• Could it be

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) to the International Airport. Ibrahim Nazir on the island of Hulhumale (near Male).
Male — Moscow: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday. Departure at 11.15 (local time) from the International Airport. 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

A 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 of 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 cost of 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 the 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 snow-white beach, bright sun and turquoise water.

The amazing underwater world will leave an unforgettable impression of 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 out to the outside of the 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. Clean, transparent and warm water 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 house, while there is no single 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? At the 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 availability 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 communications and 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

The Maldives has relatively recently become a popular tourist resort. The first resort hotel was built on Maldives in 1973.

But a few years ago, cheap guesthouses opened, and we were among the first to organize our own cheap holiday to the Maldives, and ceased to be a pipe dream for us.

Good to know:

However, many budget travelers still do not know that it has become possible to travel to the Maldives inexpensively. For some reason, it is believed that holidays in the Maldives are only available to the rich and stars, and that prices for tours are insanely high, but this is now far from the case! Today, anyone can travel without the help of a travel agency, although you need to prepare a little.

Related article:

I would like to dispel rumors that the Maldives is boring and there is nothing to do. This is not true, since even on local ones there is a large selection of different ones for vacationers. And even despite the strict rules inherent in a Muslim country, we both found that most Maldivian residents are quite friendly, welcoming and happy to speak a little English with foreigners (with the exception of married women).

Now I will tell you in detail how to relax in the Maldives cheaply!

Cheap hotels in the Maldives

The first thing to note is that there are no super cheap accommodation options in the Maldives. You won't find $5 hostels here (like in ) or $10 bamboo bungalows (like in ). Coming with a tent is also not an option, since there are no campsites on the Maldives, unlike. Yes, and couchsurfing is practically not developed here. So, all that remains are inexpensive, but very cozy guesthouses, the choice of which is quite large, and almost all of them have the status of a 3-star hotel.

For just 45-70 dollars per night you will get a clean, modern and spacious room with comfortable furniture, air conditioning, hot shower, free breakfast, mask and fins for snorkeling, cold drinking water, daily cleaning and fairly fast Wi-Fi internet up to 10 MB /With. Almost all guesthouses on different islands are quite good, and their friendly owners do everything possible to make their holiday in the Maldives interesting and memorable for their guests.

Related article:

More than 50 islands in the Maldives offer affordable accommodation, and each of these islands is unique and different from all the others. So if you hear somewhere that all the islands there are the same, do not believe it under any circumstances. It’s better to visit several islands, staying on each for several days, and make sure that they are all very beautiful and unique.

One of the very first guesthouses in the Maldives - Summer Villa

Here are 5 cheap hotels in the Maldives that we recommend for a beach holiday:

1. Cheap hotel on Ukulhas island, for have a relaxing holiday(price from $55 ) — Coral Reef View Inn
2. The best hotel on Guli Island, half an hour from Male (from $70 ) — Tropic Tree
3. Inexpensive hotel with a high rating on Dhiffushi Island (from $60 ) — Rashu Hiyaa
4. Cozy guesthouse on the huge Thoddoo plantation island (from $50 ) — Thoddoo Retreat
5. Farthest from Male new hotel on the island of Dhigurah (from $60 ) — Dhiguveli

Helpful advice: If you have a very small budget, we recommend booking a cheap hotel in the Maldives on those islands where there is a public ferry. This is the cheapest form of public transport in the Maldives (it costs only a few dollars or even less than $1, like the ferry in). But the islands on distant atolls can only be reached by plane or seaplane, the flight of which will cost 300-700 dollars.

Read our descriptions of nearby islands in the Maldives and how to get there from the airport:

It is important to know: all public transport In the Maldives there is no service on Fridays, so plan yours according to this factor so as not to stay an extra day. However, if this cannot be avoided, then keep in mind that you can inexpensively spend the night near the airport on the island for only 50-60 dollars (the price usually includes breakfast and transfer).

About taxes and fees for Malwonders you need to know in advance in order to correctly calculate your budget and not end up in an awkward position. When you book a hotel, be sure to pay attention to how much you will have to pay in addition to the listed price:

• VAT at 12%
• Environmental fee per person per night - $3-5
• 10% service fee
• Transfer fee per person

That is, if you find a cheap guesthouse room for 50-60 dollars, then you will have to pay an additional $20-25 per day for two, plus transfer.

Examples of hotel prices in the Maldives:

You can find the cheapest food in the Maldives in grocery stores, which are located on each local island. Buying various fruits, cereals, groceries, snacks and other products there, you can cook yourself, costing 5-7 dollars per person per day. You can have a meal in a cafe-restaurant for locals for 3-5 dollars. Lunch and dinner in a guesthouse will cost an average of 10-15 dollars.

In hotels and guesthouses, the food is usually tasty and varied, although you won’t find a single pork dish here.

• Breakfast usually offers a choice of continental, American and traditional Maldivian.
• Lunch and dinner are from the menu or a buffet is prepared for all guests, based on boiled rice and vegetable curry.
• The main hit is fried or baked fish, which, depending on the size, is divided among several people.
• There are often very tasty tuna-based snacks and many fish dishes.
• Quite a lot of vegetarian dishes, such as vegetable fried rice, hot curry sauces and roshi flatbreads, fried or steamed vegetables and fresh fruit.

The rule is this: the smaller the island where you are going to vacation, the more expensive the food there will be due to the lack of competition. By the way, if you don’t like the food at your hotel, you can always go to your neighbors for lunch or dinner, paying extra.

Most holidaymakers in the Maldives take part in sea excursions and go snorkeling or scuba diving. Budget tourists are no exception. But when it comes to cheap Maldives, a lot depends on the cost of entertainment and how much you are willing to spend on it from your budget .

Related article:

The easiest way to go on a sea excursion is to book it at your guesthouse or hotel. The same goes for . However, before making a decision, check prices in other places, including neighboring hotels, because it may be more convenient and cheaper there! Be sure to find out about its duration and what is included in its price (and in the case of diving, how many spots you will visit and what number of dives there will be), and then decide for yourself whether you want to additionally pay for any special conditions, as well as lunch and water, or you can limit yourself to a minimum set of services.

• Read about how we went to look at dolphins in the sea.

Boat excursions are one of the most interesting things to do in the Maldives

Good to know: each guesthouse offers special types of excursions in the Maldives: spend the whole day alone on a desert island in the middle of the sea, go to a picnic island or take an excursion to a resort excursion, where for just 10% of the cost of living there you can sunbathe on its beaches and swim with other vacationers, and also do a lot beautiful photos as a keepsake. We have tried each of them and recommend that you definitely use them so that you have an even better impression of your trip to the Maldives.

Most often, tourists in the Maldives pay for all services when leaving in dollars, but this is not profitable due to exchange rate differences reaching 5-10%. Moreover, when paying by card, the amount will increase by another 3-5% due to non-cash payment and conversion, so better to pay in cash. Paying for the ferry, as well as buying souvenirs and food in stores and paying in restaurants on local islands is also cheaper in local currency - .

Therefore, take cash dollars with you to the Maldives, and if you exchange them in advance for rufiyaa in banks in Male immediately after arrival (there are usually no banks on the islands, and the exchange rate is unfavorable), then in the end, paying for food and services will be up to 10% cheaper. However, it is worth keeping in mind that it can be quite difficult to exchange the remaining rufiyaa after a vacation back to dollars when flying home from the Maldives, since not all banks agree to do this.

During the year, the Maldives has two distinct seasons due to the monsoons: low and high. They differ mainly in the weather, although recently, due to climate changes across the planet, it is quite difficult to predict in advance what it will be like during your trip. But it’s beautiful all year round!

However, the cheapest time to vacation in the Maldives is in late spring, summer and early autumn, when hotel prices drop by one and a half to two times compared to winter. At this time, despite short-term rains, there are still more sunny days than cloudy ones, it is warm outside and a refreshing breeze blows. But the hotels have few guests and are quiet, the beaches are free, and excursions and entertainment will not escape you.

And like this - at the height of the tourist season

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

This year I decided to visit the Maldives. Organize a trip to Paradise islands more difficult than seeing 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 in 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. There are grocery stores on the island - we bought fruit 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 fruits, rice cakes and coconut donuts. Tourists often order Tom Yum and egg noodles. Dinner at a restaurant will cost 40 € or 2809 ₽.

Forget about tours and trips to the Maldives! It's time to go to the Maldives on your own: prices for tickets and hotels have become lower. How to go? It’s very simple and much more interesting than using a voucher - you choose how many days you want to relax, and you can choose a hotel at the price and comfort that suits you. I’ll tell you how to travel on your own and what prices are now in the Maldives.

Why do I choose the Maldives for a seaside holiday?

Firstly, prices in the Maldives have become lower. Previously, we most often went to the sea, on a romantic vacation, to Thailand or Indonesia, to Bali. But Thailand, and especially Bali, are becoming more and more expensive, prices have become comparable to the Maldives, and holidays are worse every year, there are more tourists. Of course, for those who love a noisy holiday, Thailand is still relevant, but for a romantic getaway for two or a honeymoon, Indonesia and Thailand are becoming less and less suitable.

Secondly, beautiful beaches with white sand + amazing snorkeling. Yes, the Maldives has some of the best beaches in the world. White sand, amazing underwater world, high-quality service!

How much does a holiday in the Maldives cost? On average 450 euros for a flight and from 40 euros for a double room. Total for two people is about 1300 euros for 10 days.

In general, while tourists are jostling their butts on the beaches of Phuket and Bali, it’s time to take a closer look at the Maldives - the prices for a quality holiday are the same, but the pleasures are incomparably greater.

Visa to Maldives

Russians, Ukrainians, Kazakhstanis and citizens of many other countries do not need a visa to the Maldives!
The Maldives is a country where an entry stamp is placed upon arrival. No unnecessary bureaucracy - we take foreign travel. passport and get on the plane. The visa is issued at the airport free of charge. With this visa you can travel around the Maldives for up to 30 days - much more interesting than a couple of weeks on a package deal. We recommend taking printouts of your return ticket and hotel reservation with you.

When is the best time to go to the Maldives?

Air temperature + 30 all year round. The sea is always warm. But from April to November, strong winds come to the Maldives, the sea is rough and it often rains, so this season is considered low.
From the second half of November the weather becomes more comfortable and the sea calms down. From December to March in the Maldives the most best season and the most transparent sea. The high season begins on December 20, prices triple, but despite this, the hotels are overcrowded and there are no places in the best budget hotels.
February and March are the most comfortable times to travel to the Maldives. The sea is perfectly clear, there is no rain. But the prices are also high. However, if you’re lucky, you can find a hotel for 60 euros in February-March.

☀ Advice: We went, we know
For inexpensive trip It's a great time to go to the Maldives from mid-November to December 20. The dry season is beginning, rains are rare, and prices are still very low. Hotels from 25 euros.

Somebody think best time October and November. At this time, appears in the sea a large number of plankton, which glows beautifully at night. In the evenings, stingrays swim straight to the shore to feast on plankton. Amazing sight! But you still need to take into account that at this time it can often rain, the sea is opaque due to plankton, so this is not a suitable time for diving.

Flight to the Maldives

The most expensive thing is a plane ticket. For example, the price of a flight Moscow – Maldives and back costs on average about 450 euros per person. On holidays, of course, prices are higher. But if you buy in advance and on sales, you can find cheaper tickets.

Comparison different airlines and see the lowest prices for air tickets to the Maldives from different cities.

7 best hotels in the Maldives

Previously, hotels in the Maldives cost from 250 euros per night and it was difficult to book them on your own, but now everything has changed. For budget travelers, there are even guest houses in the Maldives, very cozy and with good service. Now holidays in the Maldives have become very inexpensive, you can find accommodation from 25 euros for two per day(for example, this).

☀ Advice: We went, we know
If you want to travel to the Maldives inexpensively, when choosing a hotel, pay attention to which of the Maldives islands it is located - sometimes a transfer from Male airport to the island where the hotel is located can be very expensive, so it is better to contact the hotel owners in advance and clarify the price of the transfer and how get there (public ferry, boat or seaplane) or take those hotels where transfer is included.

It is advisable to book hotels in the Maldives in advance, because... The best hotels usually sell out within 2-3 months. Especially inexpensive ones with good beaches.

Here is a list of hotels in the Maldives, the best in terms of price and quality:

1. SeaLaVie Inn 3* – inexpensive hotel in the Maldives, but cozy and beautiful

The inexpensive three-star mini-hotel SeaLaVie Inn is located on the small cozy island of Ukulhas, a kilometer long. There is a transfer from the airport - they will meet you and show you off if necessary. The hotel is run by Thais, everything is clean, and the food is very tasty and inexpensive.
See photos of this paradise and prices

2. Kaafu Inn Guraidhoo – a piece of paradise in the Maldives for very little money

Reef in the Maldives near the Kaafu Inn hotel

☀ Advice: We went, we know
If you want to create a real Maldivian paradise for two, but inexpensively, then you are unlikely to find a better Kaafu Inn! It is calm, romantic and incredibly beautiful here.

3. Inexpensive hotel Thoddoo Retreat with private beach

North Ari Atoll island

Another inexpensive Maldivian hotel with pleasant service.

Simple and comfortable rooms with TV and cable channels, a minibar, and even a washing machine. Gorgeous private beach.

4. Serene Sky – inexpensive guest house in the Maldives

6. Luxurious Kandolhu Island Hotel – ideal for newlyweds

Male Island

A magnificent expensive hotel for a luxurious holiday for two. All rooms have beautiful ocean views. There is a picturesque reef nearby.

7. Hotel Samura Maldives – an unforgettable holiday in the Maldives at an affordable price

Thulusdhoo Island

Inexpensive private mini-hotel with its own beach. Located right on the beach. From the rooms there is a sea view:

To see all the options and book hotels in the Maldives yourself - I recommend Booking - there are very favorable prices and suggestions. But to find cheaper hotels, you need to book in advance.

If you need a hotel urgently, here are the current prices:

I think that you should visit the Maldives at least once in your life - after all, they are disappearing islands (there will be something to tell your grandchildren about) and indeed, paradise which you will never forget in your life. Especially now, while package tourists have not yet realized that it has become cheap, and there is still the possibility of comfortable privacy on the islands in the Indian Ocean.