How much does it cost to travel to the Maldives?
You should plan to spend around $301 (MVR4,623) per day on your vacation in the Maldives. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $78 (MVR1,205) on meals
- $139 (MVR2,140) on local transportation
- $236 (MVR3,621) on hotels
A one week trip to the Maldives for two people costs, on average, $4,216 (MVR64,719). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is the Maldives expensive to visit?
The Maldives is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Asia, the Maldives is very expensive compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in Asia for its travel costs. There are only a few countries as expensive or more expensive than the Maldives in the region.
For more details, see Is the Maldives Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to the Maldives?
The average Maldives trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Maldives travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | MVR3,621($236) |
| Local Transportation1 | MVR2,140($139) |
| Food2 | MVR1,205($78) |
| Entertainment1 | MVR564($37) |
| Alcohol2 | MVR263 -789($17 - 51) |
Accommodation Budget in the Maldives
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in the Maldives is $118 (MVR1,811). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in the Maldives is $236 (MVR3,621). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$118
MVR1,811
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
See AlsoWhy is Maldives expensive?How Much Does It Cost To Go To The Maldives? Book NowBora Bora vs Maldives: Comparing the Cost of ParadiseHow Much Does Maldives Trip Cost from India in 2024$236
MVR3,621
Hotel Prices in the Maldives
Looking for a hotel in the Maldives? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in the Maldives based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $333. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Recommended Properties
Local Transportation Budget in the Maldives
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in the Maldives is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $139 (MVR2,140) per person, per day, on local transportation in the Maldives.
Local Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$139
MVR2,140
Recommended Services
Food Budget in the Maldives
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in the Maldives can vary, the average cost of food in the Maldives is $78 (MVR1,205) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in the Maldives should cost around $31 (MVR482) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in the Maldives is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
Food2Meals for one day
$78
See AlsoIs The Maldives Worth The Cost?MVR1,205
Recommended
Entertainment Budget in the Maldives
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in the Maldives typically cost an average of $37 (MVR564) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$37
MVR564
Recommended Activities
Alcohol Budget in the Maldives
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $34 (MVR526) on alcoholic beverages in the Maldives per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$34
MVR526
Water Budget in the Maldives
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, people spend $0.61 (MVR9.38) on bottled water in the Maldives per day. The public water in the Maldives is considered safe to drink.
Water2Bottled water for one day
$0.61
MVR9.38
The Maldives on a Budget
The Maldives
The Maldives is a tropical nation located in the Indian Ocean, consisting of ring-like coral islands or atolls. It is a popular destination for honeymooners, as well as for visitors interested in scuba diving or snorkeling explorations along the unique reef ecosystem.
At a Glance
The Maldives consist of 20 administrative atoll groups, only ten of which are open to tourism. The naming of these groups are complex as they have traditional names as well as code names that are easier to remember and used most often by tourists. The 10 that are open to tourism include Lhaviyani (Faadhihpolhu), Raa (Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi), Baa (Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi), Kaafu (North and South Male Atoll), Alifu (Ari), Vaavu (Felidhu), Meemu (Mulak), Faafu (Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi), Dhaalu (Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi), and Seenu (Addu). The code names, most used by the general public, are listed in bold. Of these ten, Kaafu is the most popular and most developed with tourism. It is home to the capital (Male), the airport island (Hulhule), and most Maldivian resorts. The second most popular group of atolls is Alifu, located just to the west of Kaafu. Here there are many additional resorts that can be reached by seaplane in 20-30 minutes, or speed boats, which take several hours. Seenu is the southernmost atoll group, which is home to Gan International Airport, and has a series of four islands connected by a causeway. The second largest city in the Maldives is also located here. The remaining atoll groups, which are not open to tourists, consist of Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Laamu, Nyavinani, Seenu, Shaviyani, and Thaa.
Many people flock to the Maldives to enjoy the serenity of their own personal water bungalow at one of the main resort destinations.
The next most popular activities are scuba diving and snorkeling. Since the islands are actually coral reefs, located far away from any mainland, the water is crystal clear and the underwater wildlife is abundant. Prices for diving excursions vary from resort to resort, but generally can range between $50-$100 USD, depending on whether or not you have your own gear, boat usage, guides, etc. Another option is to stay on a Liveaboard dive boat in the Maldives for several days. This way you can have all of your meals and sleep on the boat. Then, you just spend the entire time scuba diving whereever the boat takes you. For more information, check out this guide to the best liveaboards in the Maldives.
Surfing is another popular activity during a visit to the Maldives. The best period for surfing here is between March and October, with the biggest waves occurring in June, July, and August. The unique setting of the Maldives' turquoise waters has become a draw for surfers, divers, snorkelers, swimmers, sunbathers, and honeymooners alike.
Top Tourist Attractions
While Kaafu and Alifu are the most popular atolls for tourists seeking out a tranquil bungalow escape, there are several other locations throughout the tropical nation that are frequented for different reasons. Hanifaru Bay, for example, in the Baa atoll is one of the Maldives' most famous marine sites. Especially notable is one of the largest seasonal gatherings of manta rays in the world. Whale sharks are also seen seasonally, especially during monsoon when many species gather to feed on plankton that have washed into the lagoon. Another noteworthy site within Baa is the Blue Hole, which is very popular with snorkelers and scuba divers, who have the opportunity to experience a coral-lined underwater chimney that gradually narrows from 22 meters to seven meters. As a whole, the Baa atoll is an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, meaning its waters are protected, which has allowed for an abundance of more than 200 species of coral and over 1,000 species of reef fish.
Popular Foods
As far as the resorts go, breakfast is almost always included and visitors can opt to purchase package deals that can include lunch and/or dinner buffet. (Check out Dhigurah Island Beach and Diving Resort if you're looking for one of the nicer places to stay.) Typically the food here is European or Asian to meet the expectations of guests, but there are options outside of the resorts that will have a wider range of local offerings. Being an island nation, the Maldives mainly serves up cuisine that revolves around fish (mas), drawing heavily from Sri Lankan and south Indian traditions. Tuna (kandu mas), in particular, is widely used, and dishes are often hot and spicy, served with rice, and flavored with coconut. Curries (riha) are also popular and usually served with roshi (unleavened bread) and other local flatbreads. A few additional Maldivian specialties include:
mas huni: a common Maldivian breakfast that consists of shredded smoked fish with grated coconuts and onions
fihunu mas: barbequed fish, basted with chili
bambukeylu hiti: breadfruit curry (breadfruit is from a flowering South Pacific tree, potato-like in flavor)
hedhikaa: snacks that are usually fish-based and deep-fried
bajiya: a pastry stuffed with fish, coconut, and onions
gulha: pastry balls stuffed with smoked fish
keemia: deep-fried fish rolls
kulhi borkibaa: spicy fish cake
masroshi: mas huni (see above) wrapped in roshi bread and baked
theluli mas: fried fish cooked with chili and garlic
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
