How to a week in the Maldives for less than a night at a resort
I've always wanted to visit the Maldives. I often dream of this over-water bungalows and white sandy beaches. But those dreams turned into nightmares when I realized how much these bungalows actually cost. Fortunately, changes in the way tourism have done in the country for a little welcome, but growing budget travel industry arise, and today, Kristin Addis Be My Travel Muse stocks, such as the Maldives to travel on a budget. You just got back, and I'm curious to hear their advice.
If the Maldives image, you might think, to sit outside an overwater bungalow while served overlooking the jade and sapphire blue sea, with close personal sparkling and ready for every pleasure and mood.
, it is the epitome of romantic luxury.
And it costs a fortune. Resort Rates start at hundreds per night and did not even include foods!
For many people, this country is an unattainable dream.
But what if I told you that you can easily stay in the Maldives for less than the price of a night at a luxury resort? What if I told you that you can travel there without eating to stay in high-priced resorts with or too expensive?
It was not until I can be as easy and affordable travel to the Maldives an AirAsia flight to the island nation, which I had booked pulse learned.
While the Maldives is known for its luxury resorts and over-the-top pampering known, it is possible to enjoy an affordable trip to paradise.
Getting to the Maldives for cheap
Getting to these beautiful islands used much of time and money, flying layovers upwards of $ 1000 and many.
The good news is that now offer more and more regional airlines to the Maldives very cheap flights. For example, flying SriLankan Airlines from Colombo to Male for around $ 100 USD for one-way. Cheap tickets can also be found with Emirates via Dubai, start with rates at $ 300th Low-cost airline AirAsia introduced only one way from its hub in Kuala Lumpur with fares as low as $ 130 (that's how I ended up here). Flights from Bangkok and Singapore start at $ 300th
In short, you can fly here from most major hubs in the Middle East and Asia on cheap, direct flights.
(Matt says: If you are not already in the region to take advantage of the low rates and want from North America, Europe or Australia, your international flight to fly expensive to get, but with travel hacking you can score some free flights out. more here.)
to for cheap Driving
the Maldives nothing is accessible without a ferry or additional take domestic flights. The ferries from the airport and Malé (the main island) are in the immediate vicinity of the airport exit and can not be overlooked. With the exception of the prayer times - five times a day to keep up with the Muslim religion - they always run and leave full when. The ferry to Malé runs every 15 minutes, costs $ 1 USD, and is about a 20-minute drive.
From Malé, take a taxi for around $ 5 get to the main ferry to the other islands.
to get around the islands, you can take a public ferry, but be sure to check the timetables, since the ferries. Every day of the week Ferry prices are $ 20.03 USD. If a ferry is not running on the day you need or your island of choice is accessible to far from the ferry, you will find either a night in Male, a very expensive (think $ 300-400) speedboat or $ 0 domestic flight.
If you are looking for an island further away from Male to visit, you need to do some island hopping on the ferry system, you may require overnight on an island along the stay way.
may stay cheap
In 09, the Maldives began so locals to start their own board. This opened the door for more affordable and locally facilities owned glad to welcome guests to the local islands. While there is no hostel or dorm options in the country are private rooms for as little as $ 40 may be found per night. If you are traveling with a friend or partner, their share drops to $ 20.
I used Airbnb, which I found very useful because it can communicate directly with the host. I stayed on the Mahibadoo Amazingly Noovilu on Ari Atoll.
My guest house owner used to work for the places, so he had a great grip on what guests wanted and how they are tailored their needs. The room itself was clean and comfortable, with air conditioning and fans. The bathroom was Maldivian style: outdoors, but completely for privacy, with frangipani plants growing through the sand and up to the shower shut off. It was just the coolest bathroom I have ever used. It also had hot water and a western toilet.
If you are looking to experience the Maldives, get to know the locals, and to save money at the same time staying in one of these small inns allows you the beauty and wonder of this amazing part to experience the world without paying resort prices (beginning per night usually at $ 300).
this privately run (and affordable) B, the following sites to find the best are:
- Airbnb
- Guest Houses in Maldives
- TripAdvisor
- Agoda
food on a budget
at my pension, every meal was authentic Maldivian cuisine, as a group with family eaten the owner and included in the price of the board. This is typical, as is not so that you will find many islands many restaurants in most inns meals in their nightly rate.
If your guest does not offer meals, local restaurants are very inexpensive. Coffeehouses around the island serve coffee from early morning until late at night for around $ 1.50. They also offer snacks, sandwiches and pasta for closer to $. 3
In addition, every morning I was there, Fischer would dock and sell some of their catch. You could the locals simply join haggle for fresh fish directly from the source at a reasonable price, and then throw it to your house on the grill.
Anders includes as grilled fish, typical Maldivian cuisine breakfast with sweet and sour milk tea, tuna mixed canned with onions and lime juice and tasty flatbread called Roshi , the Indian roti is similar. Lunch and dinner consisted mainly of incredibly fresh fish, delicious curries, more Roshi and buttered rice, which we ate with our hands (although a fork and spoon were provided, if desired).
Affordable, Awesome Desk
Considering how much weight I had put on diving our Airbnb correspondence, my board made the owner a point it myself on a to take some dives, rent the hall of local sea cucumber fisherman and his brother to ask ourselves in the speed boat to drive family. It ended on only the two of us were, which meant that I was diving the best reefs in the world with no other divers around for only $ 65 per tank.
My host took us with mantas (for $ 30) and, something I dying to see for years: whale sharks. Other boatloads of tourists jumped, who due to the nature of the larger group snorkeling in the Maldives just jump out of the water five minutes later. However, I had the pleasure to swim with a whale shark for 45 minutes, as my guide was happy for me to stay as long as I wanted. He was enjoying the encounter as much as I was!
Each excursion as it was, of night fishing on a local fishing boat (for $ 25) to visit a deserted island near ($ 60). I had a private everyday tour guide, driving me to the best spots and flexibility that simply does not come with a packaged Resort. These types of experiences are achieved much more if staying in a smaller guest house; most also their prices for excursions on their websites and advertisements Airbnb list so you know what you are getting into before booking.
If your guest is not offering these tours, the local resorts wondering what they might deliver. They may be willing to give you come to let their trips, even if you do not want to stay with them. Tour operators Secret Paradise is to specialize, to help those who want to set up a local experience, while avoiding trips and diving expensive resorts.
Other things to remember
While I would not trade my experience for anything, I would think, to go twice on the cheap way when I drink wine can and wanted to wear a bikini, which usually allowed only on the holiday islands. The Maldives is a Muslim country and prohibits alcohol (and pork!) Is consumed from entering the country or on local islands. It is also important for women, shoulders and legs to cover up, which means no bikinis, though, if we, the island was on an outing to the left, a bikini fine.
In addition, while my board was great, he was still going through some growing pains as a lack of Wi-Fi and the occasional cold shower, since most of the newer inns do.
But the eye was opened to find out that it is quite possible to spend a week in the Maldives, complete with excursions and meals, for the same price as one night at a resort bungalow. While being pampered is great, I do not like in a posh resort walled be removed. Taking advantage of the opportunity to see how local Maldivians living, eating meals with them, and joining them for trips on their speedboats made paradise nor idyllic.
Budget Tourism in the Maldives is just beginning, and now is to go a good time because there are not yet many foreigners outside of the resort (I was the only foreigner on my ferry) and the islands are not many budget travelers "radar. the remoteness of the country will always mean that it will take time and money to complete to get, but the Maldives is no longer the exclusive playground of the rich and can be enjoyed by all types of travelers.
Kristin Addis is a banker former investment sold all of her belongings and offer solo by Asia travel California farewell favor during search for off-the-beaten path adventure. There is almost nothing that they will not try , and almost nowhere they will not discover. you can find more of her thoughts on be My Travel muse . Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook .
For more travel tips in Maldives, check out this detailed planning aid.
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