The Maldives have a reputation as a honeymoon destination for those with large budgets. However, there is another way to discover them, with a much more reasonable Maldives budget: stay on the local islands, inhabited by Maldivians, where guesthouses and small hotels cost a fraction of the price of a resort.
I spent 10 days between Maalhos, in the Baa Atoll, and Dhigurah, in the South Ari Atoll. How much does such a trip really cost? Much less than you might imagine.
Flights, boat transfers, accommodations, meals, excursions, and other expenses: I'll detail each of my costs, with the total at the end. The budget is calculated for two people, the most common configuration, whether you're traveling as a couple or with friends. Prices in dollars are converted at the October 2026 exchange rate ($1 ≈ €0.87) 👇
This trip also had a special flavor: my brother and I surprised our parents with it, thanks in part to my collaborations. They only discovered the destination at the airport, while waiting to board! Having hardly ever traveled, they experienced ten days of true rest, a real vacation. Seeing them enjoy it so much was magical.
My itinerary in brief
| Duration | 10 days (10 nights on site) |
| Itinerary | Paris → Malé → Hulhumalé (1 night) → Maalhos (4 nights) → Dhigurah (4 nights) → Malé (1 night) |
| Travellers | budget calculated for 2 people |
Local islands or resort: what's the difference for your budget in the Maldives?
A local island is an inhabited island, with its village, mosque, small cafes, and guesthouses. A resort, on the other hand, occupies an entire island dedicated to a single hotel. The lagoon is just as turquoise, but the price is completely different: where a night at a resort costs hundreds of euros, a double room in a guesthouse here starts at around €80.
Some rules to know before leaving:
- No alcohol : the Maldives is a Muslim country, and alcohol is prohibited on the local islands.
- Appropriate attire in the village : shoulders and knees covered, out of respect for the residents.
- Bikini beach for swimming in a swimsuit : most local islands have a beach reserved for tourists, where you can wear the swimsuit of your choice.
Maalhos is a small island, but full of charm. What struck me most was its tranquility and friendliness: you feel at home from the very first moment. Our hosts were remarkably kind and helpful, showing genuine dedication and numerous thoughtful touches throughout our stay.
Dhigurah, on the other hand, boasts an absolutely spectacular beach, and its sandbank alone is worth the trip. The island is also more lively, with a wider selection of restaurants, but also more tourists and higher prices. However, we were a little disappointed with the activities: our hosts seemed less involved in organizing them than in Maalhos.
Flights Paris → Malé: €1,256 for 2
I booked directly with Etihad, with a stopover in Abu Dhabi: €628 per person round trip. This is the largest item in the budget, so it's the one on which to compare prices the most.
And I don't regret this choice: comfortable seats, halal meals on board, and a stress-free layover in Abu Dhabi. My father was almost more impressed by the A380 than by the destination itself 😄
I booked in September for an October departure: outside of school holidays and at the very beginning of the season, prices were lower. My advice: keep an eye on fares a few weeks in advance, avoid school holidays, and book directly on the airline's website once you've found a good price.
Boat transfers: ≈ €348 for 2
This is often the most surprising expense in a Maldives budget. To reach a local island from Malé, you have to take a boat, and the price quickly increases depending on the distance.
| Route | Price per trip and per person | Round trip for 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Malé ⇄ Maalhos | $55 (≈ €48) | ≈ €191 |
| Male ⇄ Dhigurah | $45 (≈ €39) | ≈ €157 |
Good to know: You can book your transfer through your hotel, or find it yourself, which is often cheaper. For Dhigurah, the hotel was offering $65 per person per trip, and I found it for $45 by booking independently.
Accommodation: ≈ €1,283 for 2 people (10 nights, taxes included)
Hulhumalé: Six Beach Hotel (1 night)
For the first night, we slept at Six Beach Hotel, In Hulhumalé, the island is very close to the airport. Spending the first night there allows you to rest after your flight and reach your island the next day, stress-free. Expect to pay €37 per night for two people, excluding taxes.
Maalhos: Thundi Ocean View (4 nights)
The rates of Thundi Ocean View Prices vary depending on the season. The hotel offers two options:
- Breakfast included : from $90 (≈ €78) per night for 2
- Breakfast and lunch included : from $110 (≈ €96) per night for 2
For this budget, I therefore opted for the package including lunch: $440, or approximately €383 for 4 nights. Only dinner needs to be arranged on site.
My opinion: An excellent stay. The hotel is very clean, the room is unique, and the ocean view is magnificent: that was my favorite thing. The food is also good, a real bonus with the lunch package.
Dhigurah: Beach Hotel (4 nights)
THE Beach Hotel operates as a bed and breakfast, with three categories of rooms:
| Bedroom | Price per night for 2 | 4 nights |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | $101 (≈ €88) | ≈ €351 |
| By the sea | $118 (≈ €103) | ≈ €411 |
| Ocean view | $141 (≈ €123) | ≈ €491 |
I stayed in a seaside room, that is approximately €411 for 4 nights.
My opinion: The hotel is clean, pleasant, and well-located, with a lovely beach right in front. However, I wasn't as impressed with the organization of activities and the staff's support. The prices are also a bit high, and the food was inconsistent: some dishes were good, others more basic.
Malé: Lemonrock Comfort (1 night)
For our last night before the return flight, we slept at Lemonrock Comfort, in Malé: €85 for 2 people, excluding taxes.
Taxes, to be added to the price of the hotels
The prices shown above do not include taxes. Two additional items are therefore added to the hotel price:
- the green tax : 6 $ per person per night, i.e $120 (≈ €104) for 2 people and 10 nights;
- the TGST (17 %) and the service charge (10 %) : applied one on top of the other, they add approximately 29 % to the price of the rooms, i.e. ≈ €263 across my four hotels.
I've included these amounts in the budget. To fully understand these taxes, read my guide. Maldives local islands: everything you need to know before you go.
Meal budget in the Maldives: ≈ €190 to €360 for 2
Good news: eating out on a local island remains very affordable and will hardly impact your Maldives budget. In Dhigurah, count between €8 and €15 per person per meal in the small restaurants and cafes on the island.
- In Maalhos : with the breakfast and lunch option. On the same basis, account approximately €64 to €120 for 2.
- In Dhigurah : since breakfast was included, we had lunch and dinner at the hotel or in nearby restaurants, either approximately €96 to €180 for 2.
- In Hulhumalé and Malé : for arrival and departure days, allow approximately 2 meals, i.e. approximately €32 to €60 for 2.
These amounts are approximate: they are an average, which varies depending on your preferences and the restaurants you choose.
My favorite places in Dhigurah: Lime Restaurant and Dhiguveli Maldives, two restaurants near my hotel that are great!
Budget for activities and excursions in the Maldives: ≈ €644 for 2
Whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, dolphins: excursions are one of the highlights of a trip to the Maldives.
In Maalhos: ≈ €331 for 2
| Activity | Price per person | For 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Whale shark | $70 (≈ €61) | ≈ €122 |
| Manta rays | $70 (≈ €61) | ≈ €122 |
| Dolphin cruise | $50 (≈ €44) | ≈ €87 |
Manta rays : the trip lasted about 2 hours, at two different spots. A magnificent time… even if I ended up vomiting and feeding the fish, between the blazing sun and the rocking boat 😅 Bring anti-nausea medication, a hat and sunscreen, even if you never get seasick.
The whale shark : we had barely arrived when our hosts suggested we go that very evening. I was scared; I had no idea what to expect. But it was incredible: the water was warm and very pleasant, and seeing it swim next to us was impressive without being frightening at all. I absolutely don't regret it, and I'm so glad our hosts insisted!
In Dhigurah: ≈ €313 for 2
| Activity | Price per person | For 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Whale shark and turtles | $120 (≈ €104) | ≈ €209 |
| Fishing trip | $60 (≈ €52) | ≈ €104 |
The whale shark and turtle excursion was the one that disappointed me the most. The search lasted nearly seven hours: the team was dedicated and even used a drone to spot whale sharks… but we didn't see a single one. No one had clearly warned us that there was a real risk of not seeing any, and no compensation is offered in this case. The result: $120 per person to catch a glimpse of a turtle is disappointing. Before booking, be sure to ask what happens if the animal doesn't show up.
My opinion: If you're staying on both islands, book your excursions in Maalhos instead. I found them better and more affordable than those in Dhigurah, where the experience seemed less worthwhile for the higher price.
My most beautiful memory remains without a doubt the encounter with the manta rays and the whale shark in Maalhos: an incredible moment, which I am not about to forget!
Small expenses to anticipate
- SIM card: $50 (≈ €44). I bought an Ooredoo SIM card directly at the airport: valid for 30 days, with 30 GB of data and an additional 70 GB for social media. One is enough for two people when sharing the connection.
- Tips : they are not mandatory, but always appreciated, whether by the hotel staff or by tour guides.
- The currency : on site, almost everything is paid for in dollars (hotels, excursions, transfers). Exchange your euros for dollars before departure, and keep some rufiyaa, the local currency, for small purchases.
Recap of my Maldives budget: all my expenses
In total, my Maldives budget for 10 days amounts to approximately €3,765 to €3,935 for 2 people, Including flights, this amounts to approximately €1,900 per person and €190 to €200 per person per day. Here are the full details:
| Expense | For 2 people |
|---|---|
| Flights Paris ⇄ Malé | 1 256 € |
| Hulhumalé Hotel, Six Beach Hotel (1 night) | 37 € |
| Boat transfers | ≈ €348 |
| Hotel Maalhos (4 nights, breakfast and lunch included) | ≈ €383 |
| Dhigurah Hotel (4 nights, breakfast included) | ≈ €411 |
| Hotel Malé, Lemonrock Comfort (1 night) | 85 € |
| Green tax (10 nights) | ≈ €104 |
| TGST and service charge (4 hotels) | ≈ €263 |
| Meals | ≈ €190 to €360 |
| Dhigurah Activities | ≈ €313 |
| Maalhos Activities | ≈ €331 |
| SIM card | ≈ €44 |
| Total | ≈ €3,765 to €3,935 |
| Per person | ≈ €1,880 to €1,970 |
My tips for reducing your Maldives budget
- Book your excursions in Maalhos : they are both more successful and less expensive there than in Dhigurah.
- Choose the simplest room : in Dhigurah, choosing the Comfort room rather than the seaside room saves €60 over 4 nights.
- Limit the number of islands : each additional island implies a new round-trip transfer.
- Travel outside of peak season : accommodation prices vary considerably depending on the period.
- Always check if taxes are included before booking, to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
What I would do differently: I would book all my activities in Maalhos, and I would bring my own mask and fins to avoid having to rent them there.
FAQ: Budget and tips for the Maldives
How much does a 10-day trip to the Maldives, visiting the local islands, cost?
For a 10-day trip for two people, I spent between €3,765 and €3,935, including flights, which is about €1,900 per person. This budget includes flights, boat transfers, 10 nights in a hotel (taxes included), meals, excursions, and a SIM card.
What daily budget should I plan for in the Maldives on a local island?
Without flights, budget approximately €125 to €135 per person per day for hotel, transfers, meals, and excursions. With flights, my budget comes to €190 to €200 per person per day.
How much does a Paris – Malé plane ticket cost?
I paid €628 per person for a round trip with Etihad, via Abu Dhabi, booking in September for an October departure. This is the biggest expense in the budget: avoid school holidays and compare prices a few weeks in advance.
When is the best time to go to the Maldives to save money?
During the rainy season, from May to November, accommodation prices drop. Opt for July to October, which are sunnier than May and June, or April and November for the best balance between weather and price. Above all, avoid Christmas and New Year's, the most expensive period.
How much does it cost to take a boat to a local island?
By speedboat, expect to pay 45 to 55 $ per person per trip to islands about 2 hours from Malé, such as Dhigurah or Maalhos. Book directly with the company: for Dhigurah, I paid 45 $ instead of the 65 $ quoted by the hotel. The public ferry costs only 2 to 6 $, but it is much slower.
What taxes need to be added to the price of hotels in the Maldives?
The green tax of 6 $ per person per night, plus the TGST (17 %) and the service charge (10 %), together add approximately 29 % to the room price. For my stay, these taxes amounted to about €367 for two people: always check if the price is "taxes included".
How much do excursions in the Maldives cost?
Between 50 and 120 $ per person in general: 70 $ for manta rays or whale sharks in Maalhos, 50 $ for the dolphin cruise, 120 $ for the whale shark and turtle excursion in Dhigurah. For my trip, the activities cost me approximately €644 for two people.
How to travel to the Maldives on a small budget?
Stay on a local island rather than in a resort, limit the number of islands you visit to reduce transfers, choose the simplest room, and travel outside of peak season. Also, bring your own mask and fins so you don't have to rent them every time you go out.
Are the local islands of the Maldives Muslim friendly?
Yes, and that's what I liked most: the food is halal everywhere, each island has its own mosque, and alcohol is forbidden on the inhabited islands. Locals swim fully clothed, and swimsuits are only allowed on the bikini beach reserved for tourists.
The Maldives is a trip that requires some planning, but it's much more accessible than you might think. I hope this detailed Maldives budget will help you organize your stay. Any questions about the budget? Leave a comment and I'll answer them.
Transparency: The stays at the Thundi Ocean View in Maalhos and the Beach Hotel in Dhigurah, as well as some activities, were offered to me for two people as part of a collaboration. We paid for the other two people. My opinion remains 100% sincere: I'm sharing both the positive and negative points with you.
As a photographer and content creator based near Paris, I share my Muslim-friendly travels, detailed budgets, and tried-and-tested addresses here to help you plan your own trips with peace of mind.
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