For what is a perfect honeymoon destination to most, can be completed in a weekend for many Dubai residents. But that doesn't mean the pricetag of this idyllic, island getaway is any cheaper.
Maldives is often associated with clear waters, indigenous plantation, white sandy beaches, unlimited Mai Tais and soaking up that golden hour from your overwater villa/bungalow - all of which at a hefty cost. But what if we were to tell you that you CAN do the Maldives on a budget - even moreso as a solo traveller without all the romantic mumbo-jumbo...
Adam and I visited The Maldives approximately this time last year. This was actually the first time we had travelled together - so was a weird and wonderful 'make or break' destination. The reason we decided to go in May was because it was the start of the rainy season and prices typically tend to be 30% cheaper on average. Don't led the words 'rainy season' dampen your spirits however. There was only heavy/terrential rain once during our 4-day trip - however it was actually quite refreshing (a nice break from the Dubai, dry, desert heat) and gave us the opportunity to sit in the bar all day and make the most of our all-inclusive package. Holiday-makers will always recommend visiting the Maldives from December through to April, to guarantee the sunshine and a less humid climate. But given the fact it is in the Indian Ocean and surrounds itself with sub-tropical temperatures; you will often get tropical rainfall - regardless of whether it is monsoon season or not.
When booking your island getaway; it can be incredibly overwhelming with where to start. So many budget flight operators will take you to the island directly for mega cheap (it is only a 3.5-4 hr flight time from Dubai afterall). If you are willing to go hand luggage only; you can easily get a return flight with Fly Dubai or Wizz Air for as little as AED2000. And trust me, 7kg baggage allowance for a long weekend, filled with bikinis and flip flops is more than doable. Despite the fine-dining restaurants which some resorts promote; it is still an extremely casual, barefoot island - so doing your hair or playing dress-up for dinner, really isn't needed.
We actually booked our entire 4-day Maldives trip with Emirates Holidays. We usually steer clear from package holiday providers, as we are confident we can get a cheaper deal elsewhere if we patch everything together ourselves. However, we had Skywards miles which were expiring and they had a very appealing offer on top of this. We chose to stay at a 4 star resort (Varu by Atmosphere). The reason why this resort appealed to us is because it is the only resort in the South Atol which is classed as 'ultra all-inclusive', this means you get the following items included in your stay:
A deluxe overwater villa for the duration of your stay (this does not include having your own private pool - that is an additional add-on. But when booking a pool villa, you get a free floating breakfast/room service on a morning of your choice).
Complimentary airport tranfers via 40-min speedboat ride (to and from Male) on arrival and departure - all boats are private to fit around your flight schedule. This is something important to consider, as not all resorts include this in their stays. Tourists often get a seaplane (which is faster) but often sets you back an additional AED1000-2000pp (depending on which atol the resort is located), and on top of this; you will get slammed with tourist tax and green tax.
Champagne reception on arrival/check-in.
Full buggy/cheauffer service around the island, including bicycles if you'd rather scoot around instead.
All you can eat breakfast, dinner, lunch, afternoon tea and midday snacks are all fully included - this includes all soft drinks and alcoholic beverages throughout the day at no additional cost.
x2 complimentary opportunities to dine at one of the resort's fine-dining restaurants, if staying for x3 nights or more.
A complimentary 2hr signature spa treatment (including a full body massage and facial) and full use of spa facilities thereafter.
Full, unlimited use of all the water sports' activities - including snorkel equipment, kayaks and paddleboards (motorized equipment - such as jetskis - are at an additional cost)
Complimentary use of the exercise classes - sunrise yoga on the beach was indeed very dreamy (especially after going hard at the buffet the night before).
x2 complimentary excursions to a nearby island - we opted for snorkelling with sea turtles and going on a fishing trip. Other activities include swimming with dolphins, whale watching and a sunset and stargazing cruise.
The resort always held nightly entertainment with incredibe musicians and evening feeding/swimming with the local reef sharks.
This whole trip (including flights) cost us a total of AED16,000 - we had a total of 50,000 Skyward points to use, so this also shaved off another AED1300. Despite it being expensive for 4 days and 3 nights; we really did feel like we got exceptional value for money, as it was one of those few trips where we didn't need any spending money. We did however get shafted for a $60 bottle of after-sun lotion. With the Maldives and all associated resorts being extremely isolated, if you do need to swing by the gift shop; necessities can cost up to triple with what you would pay at home. So do make sure you pack all the major items you need in your case.
One thing we did like about this trip (a nice touch, especially if you're married), is that we visited during a honeymoon offer. This means that if you show the concierge team your marriage certificate (dated from the last 12 months), you get to enjoy a rose petal hot tub experience in the comfort of your own room and a private, candlelit, romantic beach-front dinner with a personal butler. We knew this offer didn't apply to us as we are not a married couple, but the hotel staff just assumed and we got to enjoy all the perks nonetheless. We really made the most out of our fictitious honeymoon - which gave us good practice for the real deal...
As much as we loved our romantic getaway; there were times where we were a tad bored. Adam and I are not switch off and relax type people - so once we tackled all the activities the resort had to offer; we wanted to further explore the country, which is incredibly difficult as you cannot just waltz out of the resort like Mauritius or Seychelles. This then got us thinking; if we were to redo this trip, could we stay elsewhere, for much cheaper and be closer to a social scene? In short: yes we can and below is our guide to where:
Male
Being the capital city; there are many B&Bs, hostels and budget-friendly resorts on the mainland which can accomodate an array of travellers. There are many hotels which you can find on booking.com for as little as AED179 a night, which include free breakfast. If you are a Marriott Bonvoy member; you can enjoy a 4 night stay for 129,000 points for 2 people at the Sheraton Full Moon Resort and Spa. Another option is staying on an island just off the Hard Rock Hotel in a 4 star resort called Saii Lagoon Maldives, a Curio Collection by Hilton. This venue is a bit more expensive, costing AED1000 per person per night (though does include free breakfast). However, you have the joy of walking straight out of the resort and onto the mainland, where you can enjoy at least 6 different bars and restaurants and take a 20 minute ferry boat to the mainland of Male for as little as $5 return. There are other hotels such as Centara and Kurumba close by to Male - or you can even stay on the island of Gulhi Falhu - this is a main dock and port however, so it won't be the most tranquil and relaxing of destinations, but it is still close enough to plenty of amenities, a party scene and very cheap.
Maafushi
This is about 90 minutes from Male via ferry boat and is a good central destination between both atols, which pleases both the romantic couple or solo/group traveller. The island itself feels like a mix between the Philippines and Thailand and definitely has more life about it, compared to other private resorts which feel more isolated and secluded. Hotels and guest houses are extremely cheap - most of which include a free breakfast and range from AED150-300 per night. The Kaani Grand Seaview and Kaani Palm Beach are both good hotels at an affordable price and only a 0.5km walk from beautiful beaches. You can also stay in the Arena Beach Hotel. This is located along the Maafushi coastline and feature modern and tranquil accomodation with free water sports activities for all residents, such as snorkelling and windsurfing. This hotel will set you back AED350 a night, but includes free breakfast. It is closeby to a nudist beach however, so just bear that in mind.
One of the benefits of staying in Maafushi is just how accessible and cheap everything is. You can walk into almost any local store or stumble across any restauarant and pay as little as $3 for a meal. There are also endless day tours and trips you can enjoy on this island from Viator - you can enjoy a day of swimming with whale sharks and manta rays, snorkelling among ship wrecks or enjoy a full day tour to Gulhi Island. This one is especially good if you want to tick off another island whilst staying in the Maldives.
Kihaadhuffaru
One offer which really caught our eye is with Fly Dubai Holidays, staying at Kihaa Maldives on Kihaadhuffaru Island - this is located north of Male in the beautiful Baa Atoll. Kihaa Resort is set on a stunning Maldivian island, ringed by perfect white sandy beaches and turquoise lagoons. On the edge of UNESCO world heritage site of Hanifaru Bay, famous for incredible manta ray aggregations. Just a 20-minute domestic sea plane transfer from Velana International Airport, your holiday experience starts with a journey soaring over the famous Maldives Atoll. This 5-star resort is 4km from the famous Dharavandhoo Mosque.
For a total of AED7442 you can enjoy return flights and an all-inclusive villa with Fly Dubai Holidays for x2 adults. Throughout the week the resort organise regular night-fishing, dolphin safaris, and sunset cruises, as well as trips to visit local villages where guests can get a taste of the traditional Maldivian culture. Couples can enjoy a number of romantic and private excursions during their time on Kihaa to celebrate those special moments. From spending time on deserted islands and sandbanks, to private cruises and snorkeling adventures. With a kid's club, spa facilities and endless water sports; it really is a perfectly enjoyable and affordable destination to all.
Top Tips For First-Timers
Whether you are staying in a budget-friendly resort or not; below are our top tips for first timers to the Maldives:
Don't count the pennies. You may find yourself fretting over the price of things, but try to remember that the Maldives is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. A generous dash of indulgence is part of the Maldives experience, and you won’t enjoy it if you’re constantly worried about cash. Build out your budget before you arrive, so you won’t have to worry about pinching pennies and splashing the cash too hard.
Embrace local culture. For insights into local life, you need to visit one of the officially designated “inhabited islands,” where most of the 400,000 Maldivians make their homes. Until 2009, tourists needed a permit to explore non-resort islands, but today many inhabited islands are open for both day trips and overnight stays. A liveaboard trip is a great way to go local in the Maldives, allowing you to enjoy a spot of boduberu (traditional folk music and dance), sample tasty hedhikaa (sweet or savoury tapas), and wander local villages.
Don't feel like staying in an overwater villa is a requirement. A stay at an overwater villa, or “bure,” is an item for the bucket list, and rightly so: they’re idyllic, secluded, and utterly indulgent. Be warned, however, that they can be overrated. Yes, they offer your own passage into the ocean, but they’re usually set a far walk from the actual beach. Some bures are packed together in an effort to maximize the number of travellers that can fit in a small space, and therefore don’t actually offer that much seclusion or privacy.
Don't expect perfect weather. The typical vision of the Maldives is of gin-clear water and bone-white sand. This is certainly a reality — but not all the time. The best weather in the Maldives is between November and April, and the high tourist season falls between December and March. Beginning in May, the weather is less predictable (but rarely bad enough to completely dampen a holiday). Temperatures remain warm during the rain, which rarely lasts very long.
Destination hop. If you are taking the time to visit the Maldives, it might be worth your while to tie in a trip to India or Sri Lanka at the same time. This is especially true if you live far away, as you might not get the chance to be in the area again for a while.
Local customs. Though the Maldives is a Muslim country, travellers staying on private islands are not subject to any restrictions on attire or food and beverages. However, it is always a good idea to understand and respect local customs to make sure you travel responsibly. For instance, during Ramadan, most staff members may not eat or drink during the day. Also, many shops and services will be closed during prayer times. The Maldives has customs based on Indian, Malaysian, African, Indonesian, Sri Lankan, Arab, and Persian influences which makes it unique. The country is also visa-free, so expect to see many fellow tourists from various nationalities which equally require the same level of respect.
Choose your transportation wisely. One of the most important tips for first-time visitors to the Maldives is to choose regional or domestic flights from Middle East Asia, as these are cheaper options. Choosing a flight to Male and then a speedboat for Maldives transportation between islands to reach the specific islands will be affordable although you can also choose a round trip seaplane ride which will be unforgettable, though expensive. You can also choose the Maldivian domestic flight for the transfer. Flights can get delayed and there is also no scheduled time for seaplane transfer within its dawn-to-dusk window. So try to plan for the flight that lands in the first half of the day to get transferred to the island before 4PM, otherwise you have to spend the night at Male and take the earliest transfer the following day.
Check and compare tour prices. Among the common tips for traveling the Maldives on a budget is to check the distance of the coral reefs from the resort to verify whether you can reach by swimming a little or have to book a ferry from the resort for snorkeling or diving. Sea-kayaking, jet-skiing, parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, boating, and the whale, dolphin, or Manta watching trips are offered by resorts and private organizers. Compare their prices before choosing. Manta-rays in North Male Atoll, dolphins and Whale Sharks in South Ari Atoll, and sea-turtles, rays, reef fishes, Reef Sharks, and Hammerhead Sharks in Rasdhoo Atoll should be on your list.
The bioluminescent beach must not be missed. Visiting the Baa Atoll should be among the top 10 travel tips to know before you go, as this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the planktons emitting luminescent toxins during the night under the sky, creating a starry look on the ocean bed. This is one of the most unique things to do in the Maldives. There are many resorts offering bioluminescent tours, but you must verify their authenticity first. Make sure you check the timing of this phenomenon beforehand, when you are planning or figuring out how to travel to the Maldives, so you can pick the islands or resorts for your stay accordingly.
Keep an eye out for local taxes and hidden costs. One of the key Maldives travel tips would be to look out for the extra cost for the imported food and drinks at the luxury resorts, along with their 10% service cost and 8% service tax (rapidly increasing). Don’t miss out on the public price on menus, taxes on equipment rentals, spa sessions, and more. You don’t have to pay additional tips but you may offer it as a gesture of appreciation, along with a 10% food tax. While traveling in a foreign country, just be careful of these few things, and you are good to go!
And there you have it - our little rundown of experiencing the Maldives for a little less buck. If you have any further questions or concerns; please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are always happy to help!
Many thanks for stopping by and having a read. Keep on discovering.
Danie and Adam
xxx
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