Cost To Visit Maldives: Complete 2026 Budget Guide
Discover what a trip to the Maldives cost with this ful breakdown for 2026. I'll cover hotels, food, attractions, & and more.
💡 Is Maldives Expensive to Visit?
Yes — the Maldives is considered one of the most expensive destinations in the world, especially for overwater villas and luxury resorts. However, budget travel is possible, particularly if you stay on local islands, use public ferries, and travel outside of peak season.
Compared to U.S. travel costs, the Maldives is more expensive overall, especially when it comes to accommodations and seaplane transfers. For the region (South Asia), it's by far the most luxurious and costly destination. In this guide, we’ll show you how pricing changes with the seasons, the cost of food and transportation, and which islands offer budget vs. luxury experiences.
🗓️ Seasonal Cost Breakdown
Timing your trip to the Maldives can drastically affect how much you spend — particularly on flights and resorts. Let’s break it down.
🔥 Peak Season: December – March
- Why it's expensive: Dry weather, sunny skies, and winter holidays in the Northern Hemisphere.
- What to expect: High airfare, fully booked resorts, and limited deals.
- Tip: Book 6–9 months in advance or use flight deal alerts.
🌤️ Shoulder Season: April – early May, mid-October – November
- Why it’s ideal: Lower prices with decent weather.
- What to expect: Scattered rain, fewer tourists, better hotel rates.
- Savings: 20–40% cheaper on accommodations than in peak season.
🌧️ Off-Season: May – early October
- Why it's cheapest: Monsoon season brings rain and humidity.
- Best for: Budget travelers and scuba divers.
- Watch out: Daily rain is common, though storms are usually short.
💸Most Expensive Times to Visit Maldives
- Mid-December through early January: Holiday travel demand skyrockets. Expect prices to double.
- Chinese New Year & Easter weeks: Vary each year but draw regional tourists.
- Luxury resort events or weddings: Cause rate hikes at private resorts.
💰 Cheapest Times to Visit Maldives
- May through early October is the best time for discounts.
- Local guesthouses and budget resorts offer rooms from $40–$80 USD/night
- Flights from the U.S. can be found for $900–$1,100 round-trip
- Avoid public holidays celebrated locally, like Eid, as transport and prices spike.
📍 Where You Stay Matters
Location impacts cost dramatically — especially if you're choosing between local islands vs. private resort islands.
Most Expensive Areas to Stay
- North Male Atoll: Closest to the capital and airport, it’s home to the most famous luxury resorts.
- Pros: Short transfer times, high-end resorts, excellent snorkeling.
- Cons: Very expensive, starting at $700–$1,500+ USD/night
- Nearby attractions: Sandbanks, diving reefs, speedboat island hopping.
- Baa Atoll: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Pros: Marine biodiversity, manta rays, 5-star luxury.
- Cons: Requires domestic flight or seaplane.
- Hotels: Soneva Fushi, Anantara Kihavah, Vakkaru Maldives.
Affordable Areas to Stay
- Maafushi: A top pick for budget travelers.
- Pros: Guesthouses from $50 USD/night, dining options, public beach.
- Cons: Not as secluded or pristine as private islands.
- Thulusdhoo: Known for surfing and local culture.
- Pros: Budget stays, authentic feel.
- Cons: 1.5-hour ferry from Male.
Cheapest Islands to Stay
- Gulhi: A tiny, quiet island ideal for relaxing on a budget.
- Dhigurah: Long beach, whale shark diving.
- Guesthouses as low as $40 USD/night, great for backpackers or solo travelers.
- Public ferry access from Male for just $2–$5 USD.
Maldives Vacation Costs
🏨 Average Accommodation Cost (per night)
| Season | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (Dec–Mar) | $90–$140 | $250–$450 | $900–$2,500+ |
| Shoulder | $60–$100 | $180–$300 | $700–$1,500 |
| Off-Season | $40–$80 | $120–$220 | $500–$1,200 |
🍽️ Food Costs
| Meal | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | $3–$6 | $6–$15 | $30+ |
| Lunch | $6–$10 | $12–$25 | $50+ |
| Dinner | $10–$15 | $25–$50 | $75–$150+ |
- Local islands: Inexpensive cafes and guesthouse meals.
- Resorts: Often require purchasing meal packages or à la carte dining.
🚤 Transportation Costs
- Public Ferry: $2–$5 USD
- Speedboat Transfer: $30–$100 USD (one-way)
- Seaplane Transfer: $250–$600 USD (round trip)
- Domestic Flights: $100–$300 USD round-trip
🏛️ Attractions & Tours in Maldives
- Snorkeling Excursions: $25–$60 USD
- Scuba Diving (2 dives): $100–$150 USD
- Whale Shark or Manta Tour: $80–$200 USD
- Sandbank Picnic: $30–$70 USD
- Jet Ski / Parasailing: $80–$150 USD
🌴 Popular Day Trips from Malé
| Destination | Distance | How to Get There | Round Trip Cost | Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maafushi | 30 min | Public ferry / speedboat | $5–$30 | Snorkeling, beach cafes |
| Gulhi | 20 min | Public ferry | $2–$5 | Quiet beach, local life |
| Sandbank Tour | 15 min | Boat tour | $30–$50 | Swimming, photos, lunch |
| Vaadhoo Island | 90 min | Speedboat | $100–$200 | Bioluminescent beach (glow-in-the-dark) |
💵 Daily Budget in Maldives (All Seasons)
| Traveler Type | Daily Budget |
|---|---|
| Budget | $85–$130 USD |
| Mid-Range | $200–$350 USD |
| Luxury | $700–$1,400+ USD |
📅 Weekly Budget in Maldives (7 Days)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodging | $280–$560 | $1,200–$2,000 | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Food | $90–$140 | $200–$400 | $700–$1,200 |
| Transportation | $20–$50 | $100–$300 | $300–$800 |
| Attractions | $60–$120 | $200–$400 | $500–$1,000 |
| Total | $450–$870 | $1,700–$3,100 | $6,500–$13,000 |
✈️ Flight Cost to Maldives (From U.S.)
- Low season: $850–$1,100 USD
- Shoulder: $1,000–$1,300 USD
- Peak: $1,300–$1,800+ USD
Prices vary by city. Get notified of any amazing deals by signing up for cheap flight alerts from Jetsetter Alerts.