The Ultimate Budget Travel Guide to the Maldives
Known for luxury resorts and sapphire waters, Maldives has always been seen as the ultimate travel vacation for those who have a lot of money to spend. While it is true that the Maldives is home to one of the most luxurious beach resorts, there are now more ways to visit the Maldives without draining your savings.
Here is the ultimate guide to the Maldives if you are traveling on a budget.
Booking the cheapest flight
One of our favorite ways to find the cheapest flight is through third-party websites like SkyScanner. The website scours through almost all airlines and finds the cheapest way to get from point A to point B. It may be through a connecting flight or through an airline you might have never heard of.
It is one of the easiest ways to find the cheapest flights anywhere. We especially recommend it when going to smaller airports like that of Maldives. It automatically gives you a list of airlines to choose from, even select the dates with the cheapest available flights.
There are, however, a few things to consider when availing tickets from these third-party websites. First, refunding in cases of flight cancellation would not be as easy as filing for a refund directly to the airline. Also, the cheapest flights are almost always red-eye. That’s primarily the reason why these flights are so cheap.
What we usually do is find the cheapest option on these websites and go directly to the airline’s website and book it there. It’s the safest way to go for sure.
Finding cheap (but still great) accommodation
Unlike other backpacking countries, Maldives is not exactly known for cheap hostels or dormitories. Stays in the Maldives used to be exclusive and just all-around expensive. Today, due to the surge of tourists, lots of other places offer affordable accommodations.
You may find couchsurfing hosts, Airbnbs, and budget guesthouses. The guesthouses are certainly not dirt cheap (compared to average rates in the Philippines or Thailand), but they are not that bad. For $30 to $60, we guarantee you can already find a clean, modern room with free breakfast and a good bathroom.
Getting around the Maldives
Getting to the Maldives may cost you, but getting around the Maldives is surprisingly cheap. Local ferries would not cost you more than $4 and that already accounts even for a three-hour-long journey.
Another way to get around and go resort hopping is through fishermen in the areas that offer transport services. Their rates can still be pricier than you would expect, but it is one way to help the local economy directly.
Visa and other travel considerations
One of the many things we love about the Maldives is the visa-on-arrival process. It just cuts a lot of extra expenses and effort. All you really need is a valid passport. One that is valid for at least 30 more days upon entry.
Other basic entry requirements include pre-paid hotel booking or accommodation, sufficient funds to stay for the intended period of time, and confirmed return tickets. Due to the pandemic, a travel health declaration is now required. The maximum number of days is still 30 days. Know more about Maldives’ entry requirements here.
