How Much Maldives Go Cost?
Maldives get two very different price worlds. Private-island resorts famously expensive, while inhabited "local islands" like Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Dhigurah and Fulidhoo dey make di country surprisingly affordable for budget travellers.
Di currency na Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), but US dollars dey accept almost everywhere and resorts dey price for USD. Cards dey work for resorts and most guesthouses; carry small cash for small cafes and ferries.
Daily Budgets
- Budget (local island): 60 to 90 USD per day. Guesthouse room 35 to 60 USD, local cafe meals 4 to 8 USD, public ferry rides 2 to 4 USD.
- Mid-range: 150 to 300 USD per day. Better guesthouse or small hotel, couple of excursions, speedboat transfers.
- Resort/luxury: 500 to 1,500+ USD per day. Overwater villas often start around 600 to 900 USD one night before seaplane transfer.
Sample Prices
- Local cafe "short eats" (snacks): 0.50 to 1 USD each
- Tuna curry with rice (local cafe): 4 to 7 USD
- Resort dinner per person: 60 to 120 USD
- Half-day snorkelling trip: 25 to 45 USD
- Sandbank or dolphin cruise: 30 to 60 USD
- Public ferry Male to Maafushi: about 2 to 3 USD
- Speedboat Male to Maafushi: 25 to 35 USD one way
- Seaplane transfer to resort: 350 to 700 USD round trip
Money and Cards
Visa and Mastercard dey widely accepted; carry small USD cash for tips, ferries and island shops. Green tax (3 to 6 USD per night) and service charges dem dey add for most properties, so check whether di quoted rate don include am.
How You Go Save
- Stay for local islands and visit resorts on day pass instead of sleep there.
- Take public ferry instead of speedboats where schedules allow (dem no dey run Fridays).
- Chop for local cafes, no be tourist restaurants.
- Book excursions directly through your guesthouse to skip agency mark-up.
- Travel for di wetter shoulder season (May to November) for lower room rates.
- Remember say most local islands dey dry: alcohol na only for resorts or floating bars.
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