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The Budget Traveller's Guide to the Maldives 2025
Planning a budget holiday to the Maldives requires a different approach than typical vacation planning. The Maldives is renowned for its luxury resorts, each occupying its own private island, which creates the misconception that staying at these resorts can be done affordably.
While there are some genuinely affordable resort options that offer good value (which we'll discuss below), it's important to set realistic expectations.
Before writing this guide, I researched what other websites recommend as budget resorts in the Maldives. Surprisingly, many of these "affordable" guides feature some of the most expensive resorts available.
For example, Conde Nast Traveller's affordable guide to the Maldives recommends going all-inclusive and choosing OZEN Reserve Bolifushi or Soneva Jani—resorts that cost well beyond typical premium resorts in the Maldives.
If you want the absolute best money can buy for a Maldives vacation, these resorts are certainly worth considering, but they're hardly budget-friendly.
Beyond resorts, the Maldives offers guesthouses—a much more affordable accommodation option. The main compromise with guesthouses is that you won't be staying in an overwater villa. However, if you can accept this trade-off, you might be able to enjoy a Maldives holiday for a fraction of the price of a holiday at a resort.
With a budget approach, you can still expect beautiful beaches and rooms with stunning views. Most tourist-oriented islands feature water sports and dive centres, and some guesthouses even operate their own diving facilities. You can find dive centres on most islands if a guesthouse does not have its own diving facility.
The Three Budget Categories for a Maldives Holiday
Backpacker's Budget Holiday (Less than $1000): This option is for travellers with limited funds who make saving money a priority wherever they go. It's ideal for solo travelers or those on extremely tight budgets who still want to experience the Maldives. You'll need to choose homestays for the most affordable accommodation. However, don't expect to stay long on such a tight budget while fully experiencing what the Maldives has to offer.
Budget Holidays (Less than $3000): This is what most people mean when they say "budget holiday"—saving money while still experiencing most of what a destination offers. You can enjoy 7+ days in the Maldives while participating in the amazing excursions and activities the destination is famous for. The main compromise is an overwater villa stay. However, you could optionally spend 2-3 nights at a resort in a water villa if this experience is essential to your trip.
Affordable Luxury Holiday (More than $3000): This represents a comfortable middle ground—not strictly budget travel, but still accessible for many travellers. Your only compromise is avoiding world-renowned, brand-name resorts famous for their premium services. However, you're still guaranteed a memorable holiday experience.
EXCLUSIVE DEAL
Wait, before you start searching for accommodations on your own...
We've partnered with the fantastic Araaik Beach Village in the Maldives that's offering our customers an incredible all-inclusive package that honestly seems too good to be true.
What You Get for Under $4,000 (7 nights):
- Comfortable rooms: Premium guesthouse accommodation with ocean view rooms*
- ALL meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Complete activity package: Snorkelling gear, guided snorkelling trips, sunset fishing, island hopping tour, sandbank trip and cultural island visit
- Airport transfers to the island included: no surprise costs when you land
Choosing Your Budget Accommodation
The first step in planning your Maldives holiday is deciding where to stay. You have three main options:
- Local island guesthouses: More affordable but without overwater villas
- Resort stays: More expensive but offer the full luxury experience
- Combination stay: Split your time between both for a balanced experience
Each option offers distinct advantages, and your choice should align with your budget and priorities for the trip.
Guesthouses in Local Islands
Local island guesthouses represent the most budget-friendly way to experience the Maldives. These accommodations are located on inhabited islands where Maldivian communities live and work, offering an authentic cultural experience alongside significant cost savings.
Why Choose a Guesthouse
- Accommodation Standards: Modern guesthouses in the Maldives typically offer clean, comfortable rooms with air conditioning, private bathrooms, and Wi-Fi
- Local Interaction: Daily conversations with Maldivian families, fishermen, and shopkeepers who share stories about island life
- Cheaper Excursions: You can book excursions directly with local operators at a fraction of the resort prices (Bonus: excursions are included if you book our exclusive guest house deal)
- True Insider Knowledge: Learn about hidden sandbanks, secret snorkelling spots, and local fishing techniques that only islanders know
- More Dining Options: Depending on the island size, enjoy multiple local restaurants, tea shops, and cafes
- Local Shopping: You can browse island shops for essentials, snacks, souvenirs, and local products
- Island-hopping: Use your guesthouse as a home base for day trips to nearby islands, resorts, and uninhabited islands without changing accommodation
- Authentic Local Events: Experience real Maldivian celebrations (such as Eid), festivals, and community events that happen on inhabited islands throughout the year
Our Top Pick: Araaik Beach Village
We have chosen Araaik Beach Village as our top pick for a budget holiday at a Maldives guesthouse. Unlike most guides you'll find on the web, we've chosen a place where you actually get privacy. What makes Araaik Beach Village special is that it has its own private beach. This is a unique experience even among Maldives guesthouses, since most don't have their own private beach access.
The area around Araaik is also separate and secluded from the main island, giving you that resort-like feeling of exclusivity without the resort prices. The island of Haa Alifu Hoarafushi is easily accessible via a 40-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport, since the island has its own airport - no lengthy speedboat transfers required.
The guesthouse is also perfect for wellness retreats, as stretches on your own private beach is a great way to begin your day in the Maldives.
The Budget Traveller's Guide to the Maldives 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Affordable Resorts in Maldives
While most resorts in the Maldives are luxurious, there are some affordable resorts where you can cut back on costs. Alternatively, you can do a hybrid stay between a resort and a local island for more savings. But don't expect to save a lot - even shorter resort stays are still expensive.
By choosing a tight budget for your resort stay, your meal plan might not be all-inclusive, which can be problematic since you're stuck on the resort island and relying entirely on its facilities for your meals. So if you go without a meal plan, you might end up spending even more.
Recommended: The Luxury Traveller's Guide to the Maldives 2025
Why Choose a Resort
- Overwater villa experience: the iconic Maldives accommodation you see in all the photos
- All-inclusive convenience: meals, drinks, and many activities included (at higher-end resorts)
- Resort amenities: spa, multiple restaurants, bars, pools, and organised activities
- Professional service: dedicated staff and 24/7 support
- Privacy and exclusivity: your own slice of paradise with minimal crowds
- Instagram-worthy setting: picture-perfect beaches, crystal clear lagoons, and luxury surroundings
- Alcohol availability: bars and wine with meals (not available on local islands due to local laws)
- Water sports included: Non-motorised water sports such as, kayaks, paddle boards, snorkelling gear often complimentary
- Fine dining options: multiple fine dining outlets with international and local cuisine
Stay at Both a Local Island and a Resort
You can split your stay between a local island and a resort if you want the best of both worlds. However, you must remember this adds transportation costs, plus resorts tend to charge higher rates for stays less than 5 nights. Many travellers opt to do this so they can drink alcohol and stay in an overwater villa for part of their trip while saving money on the rest.
Why people choose this option:
- Experience an overwater villa without paying for a full week
- Access to alcohol and resort bars (not available on local islands)
- Get those iconic Maldives resort photos for social media
- Enjoy resort amenities like spas and fine dining for a few days
- Still save money by spending most nights at a guesthouse
The downsides:
- Additional transfer costs between islands
- Packing and unpacking multiple times
- Higher per-night resort rates for short stays
- Less time to settle in and truly relax at either location
If having that overwater villa experience and access to alcohol is important to you, this hybrid approach can work - just budget for the extra transportation and higher nightly rates.
Frequently Asked Questions about Budget Resorts in the Maldives
6-Day (5 Nights) Sample Budget Itinerary for the Maldives
- Day 01: Arrive in the Maldives and settle into island life. Take a walk along the beach, enjoy a swim, or explore the house reef with some snorkelling.
- Day 02: Start with a speedboat snorkelling tour to discover the beautiful marine life around the island, then return for a satisfying breakfast. End the day watching the sunset or paddling around in a kayak.
- Day 03: Begin with a full breakfast and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach. Try fresh coconut water straight from the shell while you soak up the sun. Cap off the evening with a sunset cruise to take in the stunning views.
- Day 04: Take a day trip to a nearby local island to experience Maldivian culture firsthand. Enjoy a traditional lunch and learn about daily life in this island community.
- Day 05: Go snorkelling again, this time visiting multiple spots by speedboat. In the afternoon, visit a pristine sandbank for drinks and relaxation, or try sunset fishing and catch your own dinner.
- Day 06: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your final morning, pack your belongings, and prepare for your journey home.
Things to Do in the Maldives on a Budget
Here's the thing about activities in the Maldives - you don't need to spend thousands to have an incredible time. Some of the best experiences are actually the most affordable ones, and honestly, you will often receive a more authentic experience when you try them in local islands. If you take advantage of our exclusive secret deal, all the activities below are included!
Snorkelling
if you're coming to the Maldives and not snorkelling, you're missing out! The house reefs around local islands are absolutely stunning, and many guesthouses will let you rent snorkelling gear for just a few dollars per day. I've seen manta rays, harmless reef sharks, and countless tropical fish just steps from the beach on local islands.
The beauty of staying on local islands is that you can snorkel whenever you want. No need to book an excursion or wait for scheduled trips. Just grab your gear and walk into the water.
Sunset Fishing Trips
Sunset fishing trips are a staple Maldivian experience. The best part? You'll often catch your dinner, and many guesthouses will cook your catch for you. It doesn't get more authentic than that!
Island Hopping
This is where staying on local islands really pays off. You can hop between different islands for reasonable prices. Each island has its own character - some are known for their beaches, others for diving, and some for local culture.
Sandbank Trip
Imagine being dropped off on a tiny sandbank in the middle of the ocean - literally just you and your loved one, crystal clear water, and a small patch of white sand. It is one of the most intimate experiences the Maldives has to offer. Sandbank trips usually last 2-4 hours, giving you plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and snap some photos for your Instagram.
Lovers Island Trip
Don't let the cheesy name fool you - this is actually a beautiful uninhabited island experience that's perfect for couples or anyone wanting a secluded beach day. These trips typically combine a sandbank visit with time on a small, pristine uninhabited island where you can explore, have a beach picnic, and snorkel in untouched reefs if you want.
Diving
The Maldives is consistently ranked as one of the world's best diving destinations, and staying on local islands gives you access to incredible dive sites. Moreover, local dive centres charge less than resorts for dives. Expect to see manta rays, reef sharks, Incredible coral reefs, massive schools of fish including, barracuda, tuna, and countless tropical species on your dive.
Local dive centres offer PADI courses if you're not certified yet. And the Maldives is probably the perfect place to learn diving!
For non-divers, Many of these same marine animals can be seen while snorkelling. Local operators organise snorkelling trips to the best spots (our secret deal mentioned above certainly does!)
Try the Local Cuisine
Make sure you sample the local cuisine of the Maldives. Forget what you've heard about local food being "too spicy." Local restaurants on inhabited islands serve fresh, delicious food at reasonably cheap prices. And don't forget to try a local Kurumba (coconut) - maybe once every day? It is a part of the island life!
FREE Experiences
Don't forget to take in the amazing experiences nature offers you for free. In the morning, take walks on the beach and watch the sunrise - do the same in the evening to catch the sunset. Talk with the friendly locals on the island and learn about their culture and daily life.
At night, stargaze under the incredibly clear starry sky (the lack of light pollution in the remote islands of Maldives makes for spectacular stargazing). If sunbathing is on your list, do that too! Capture all these incredible moments and show them off on Instagram - your friends back home will be seriously jealous.
Your Arrival in the Maldives
Visa and Entry
All nationalities can get a visa upon arrival to the Maldives. The visa is valid for 30 days and all you will need is:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- Return ticket
- Booking confirmation
Click here to read more about getting your visa to the Maldives.
Money Exchange
If you are only visiting a resort in the Maldives, it is not necessary to exchange your currency for MVR.
Most resorts in the Maldives accept USD for all transactions. This includes payments for accommodation, food, activities, and services. Therefore, you can use USD throughout your stay at the resort without converting it to Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).
You can exchange money to MVR at dedicated money exchange centres, bank ATMs, and most hotels and guesthouses. However, remember that the exchange rates at hotels and guesthouses may not be as favourable.
Click here to read more about money exchange in the Maldives.
Getting a SIM Card
At Velana International Airport (Male), you’ll find counters for local mobile companies like Dhiraagu and Ooredoo. You can get a tourist SIM or you can skip getting a SIM since most properties in the Maldives will have WiFi.
Transfer to Your Island
If you book through Maldives.com, your transfer - to a local guesthouse or a resort - is included in the price and completely taken care of. Remember, the transfer to your island is an experience in itself. When you take a domestic flight or seaplane in the Maldives, you'll get some of the most spectacular aerial views in the world. You'll see the tiny scattered islands of the Maldives and shades of blue you've never seen before - from deep navy to the most incredible turquoise that looks almost unreal from above.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Pack light, but don’t forget beachwear, sunscreen, and flip-flops (Recommended: Things to Pack for the Maldives)
- Remember, you cannot drink alcohol at local islands in the Maldives (However, alcohol is available at resorts)
- Bring your own snorkelling equipment if you don't want to rent them
- Get permission beforehand if you want to fly a drone in the Maldives
- Share the details of your international flight arrival in the Maldives with your guesthouse or travel agent so they can guide you and arrange transfers on time
