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How to visit The Maldives on a budget ... plus a few things you should know before you go
Get the inside scoop on doing the Maldives without breaking the bank.
You don’t often hear Maldives and budget in the same breath, and while it’s true that holidays here are on the pricier side, there are still a few ways to keep your costs down if you’re planning a visit. Check out some of our top tips for visiting the Maldives on a budget. Plus, a few handy tips to know before you go …
DON’T GO ALL INCLUSIVE
If you’re not fussed about post-dinner cocktails and beers on the beach, you might get the best bang for your buck by picking a different board basis. Lots of our hotels offer a choice of boards, from Bed & Breakfast right up to All Inclusive, so you could save a packet by getting your food and drink as and when, rather than paying upfront for meals and drinks that you’re not going to have.
Take a look at the Kurumba Maldives or the SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, which both offer Bed & Breakfast as a board basis.
Take a look at the Kurumba Maldives or the SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, which both offer Bed & Breakfast as a board basis.
GO ALL INCLUSIVE
Ok, we know this completely contradicts what we just said, but hear us out. Going All Inclusive could actually net you a tidy saving if you make full use of it. Whether its sipping on a G&T by an infinity pool or grabbing a mid-afternoon ice-cream to enjoy on your terrace, it’s the best way to tuck into all the food and drink on offer without having to worry about your bill creeping up. And sure, the initial cost of your holiday will probably be higher, but once you’re there, you can forget about getting your wallet out when you fancy some grub or a bevvie.
All of our hotels in the Maldives offer an All Inclusive option, like the TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance and the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.
All of our hotels in the Maldives offer an All Inclusive option, like the TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance and the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.
BOOK A STANDARD ROOM
Picture a hotel room in the Maldives, and there’s a good chance your mind will jump straight to the overwater villas. And while we agree they’re pretty special, the hotels here aren’t just about villas on stilts and beachfront bungalows. Standard rooms are available at a number of our hotels, and even if your back door doesn’t open out on to a sandy beach, you can still expect a tonne of essential facilities as standard, like air-con and Wi-Fi. And, you’ll still be just a few steps away from the beach.
Check out the double rooms at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa and the Riu Atoll.
Check out the double rooms at the Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa and the Riu Atoll.
And here’s a few things you should know before you go ...
WHAT POWER SOCKETS DO THEY USE IN THE MALDIVES?
You might be surprised to know that many of the resorts use the exact same power sockets that we have in the UK, which is known as a type G plug. However, it’s still worth taking an adapter with you, because type D plugs are also common here. They also have three prongs in a triangular shape, but the prongs are round instead of rectangular, so a standard UK plug won’t fit them.
WHAT’S THE TIME DIFFERENCE IN THE MALDIVES?
Officially, the Maldives is five hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), but many of the islands run to their own time, and are six or seven hours ahead, so they can make the most of the daylight hours. Don’t worry about your watch just yet though, they’ll let you know when you arrive if you need to update your clock.
WHAT CURRENCY DO THEY USE IN THE MALDIVES?
The official currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa, but you’ll find prices in all the resorts are listed in US Dollars. So, while it may be worth having a few Rufiyaa on you for tips, it’s better to have US Dollars to pay for any meals, drinks and extras in the resort.
Ready to book your holiday to the Maldives?
Check out our Maldives holidays. For more inspiration, check out some of the best things to do in the Maldives or read up on some of the best hotels in the Maldives.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles. And did you know, you can view all our brochures online, or even create your own bespoke brochure.
Author: Darren Notley
Last updated: 14.06.2023