Maldives on a Budget: Overwater Bungalows, Luxury Resorts, & More
WANT TO TRAVEL TO THE MALDIVES… BUT ON A BUDGET?
When I think about the Maldives, I immediately think of overwater bungalows, pristine white sand beaches, and lots of MONEY. There’s no way around it. The Maldives are expensive.
Or are they?
In this guide, you’re going to learn exactly how we funded our luxury vacation to the Maldives on a budget.
Plan Your Trip With My Favorite Resources
– Best accommodation site: Booking.com
– Book day tours here: Viator.com
– Purchase travel insurance here: SafetyWing
OVerview
Tips For Traveling To The Maldives On A Budget
I want to be upfront with everyone reading this. Staying in high-end accommodation in the Maldives will never be “cheap”, especially compared to some other beach destinations around the world.
But, if you know the right tricks, you’ll be able to find awesome deals that would otherwise be outrageously expensive.
Before you plan your vacation to the Maldives, take these five tips into consideration to save big and book your trip on a budget.
1. Use The Low-Season To Your Advantage
One of the best ways to travel to the Maldives on a budget is to go during the cheapest time of year. Just like any other vacation destination, there is a high season and low season.
During the low season, fewer tourists travel to this archipelago, meaning that hotel rooms aren’t in high demand. Because of this, resorts lower their prices.
That is when YOU dive in and get those sweet deals!
The peak of the low season is in June and this is also the cheapest time of year to visit the Maldives.
Keep in mind, it’s low season for a reason. June is the rainiest time in the Maldives, typically raining 14 days during the month.
Although you may come head-to-head with a few rain clouds in June, you’ll be able to save immensely on luxury resorts and perhaps even extend your stay. You’re sure to get some sunny days, so consider booking your Maldives vacation for June.
2. Early Bird Specials
Another way to save big on your luxury Maldives holiday is to book your accommodation early.
Many resorts have early bird specials where they take a specific percentage off of the overall price if you book your stay several months in advance.
Check each resort’s website for these; search the page for anything related to “deals” or “packages”.
3. Book Directly With The Hotel
To save even more money on your overwater bungalow, book your stay directly with the hotel.
Although I typically suggest booking through third-party sites like Booking.com or Hotels.com, I’ve found the best deals on overwater bungalows by booking directly on the hotel’s website.
Below, I’ve listed 6 resorts that offer great deals on overwater bungalows. You can find their websites by clicking on the links provided.
4. Check Transfer Prices
When I originally started searching for great overwater bungalow deals in the Maldives, I was excited.
The prices seemed relatively reasonable for what you were getting: an amazing room over turquoise blue waters in the most beautiful resorts in the world. I would gladly pay $400 per night for that.
What I didn’t realize was that the resorts don’t include the transfer fee. The trick is.. you NEED to pay the transfer fee in order to get to the island.
When I started to investigate further, these resorts were charging a ridiculous amount of money for speedboat or seaplane transfers. And by ridiculous, I mean like $500 per person. Crazy!
So before you go ahead and book an amazing Maldives resort on a budget, be sure to check the transfer fees. If they don’t display the cost on their website, ask them via email.
The cheapest transfer fee I could find was approximately $150 per person and that was for Meeru Resort, Fihalhohi Island Resort, and the Hard Rock Hotel Maldives.
5. Beachfront Accommodation
I’ve saved the best tip for last.
If you truly want to enjoy a luxury Maldives holiday on a budget, the easiest way is to book a beachfront bungalow rather than an overwater bungalow.
I realize this isn’t what most of you picture when thinking about a Maldives vacation. The iconic overwater bungalows are where you want to be.
But, with a beachfront villa, you’ll still get the same amazing views, you’ll be able to swim in the same crystal clear waters, and you’ll enjoy the same amenities. Except for MUCH less money.
Or perhaps you could mix and match. Spend a night or two in an overwater bungalow before moving to your beachfront villa for the remainder of your stay.
6. Stay On A Local Island
The Maldives isn’t just about overwater bungalows and luxury resorts.
If you’re after a more budget-friendly adventure, consider staying on a local island, where you’ll find affordable guesthouses and a more authentic Maldivian experience.
Local islands like Maafushi (we stayed here for a few nights), offer comfortable accommodations at a TINY fraction of resort prices. I’m talking $50/night accommodation!
>> Alaika Maafushi (this is the place where we stayed – it’s $48 per night including breakfast)
You’ll find cozy guesthouses and small hotels, many with ocean views, at much lower rates than resorts. Plus, you’ll get a taste of local life and culture, from trying traditional Maldivian dishes to exploring the island’s neighborhoods.
Maldives OVERWATER BUNGALOWS ON A BUDGET
I get it. Some of you are set on staying in an overwater bungalow while visiting the Maldives.
I was too, and I can confidently say that I don’t regret it one bit. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.
For those looking to stay in an affordable overwater bungalow, I’ve made a list of some of the cheapest options in the Maldives:
Before you begin sorting through this list, keep in mind that I found these prices directly from the resort websites.
I used the dates February 5-8 for each of these reservations.
1. Reethi Beach Resort – From $387 Per Night
After extensive (and I mean EXTENSIVE) research, we’ve found that Reethi Beach Resort offers one of the best deals for overwater bungalows in the Maldives.
I regularly find nightly deals for overwater bungalows at this resort for under $400, which is less than 1/3 of the cost of an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora.
And no matter which package you decide to book with this resort, breakfast is always included.
2. Sun Siyam Olhuveli – From $377 Per night
This four-star resort offers amazing amenities for guests, including eight restaurants, a sunrise pool, an infinity pool, and live music.
Breakfast is included in the price shown above, as well as two kids for free!
Sun Siyam Olhuveli is located 45 minutes from Male and you can reach this island by speedboat transfer. Be ready to pay $220+ per adult for the speedboat transfer.
3. Villa Park Sun Island Resort – From $430 Per night
Sun Island always comes out on top for the cheapest overwater bungalows in the Maldives. Although the furniture and style of these overwater bungalows are a bit dated, the views from your front porch more than make up for it.
With this price, breakfast is included. You must purchase all the other food during your stay.
Since this resort is quite far from Male, getting to Sun Island requires taking a seaplane from Male International Airport, as well as a short speedboat ride.
Transfer fees to Sun Island Resort are $250+ per person.
4. Medhufushi Island Resort – From $444 per night
Medhufushi Island Resort is that laid-back Maldivian escape where life slows down, and it’s all about pure island vibes.
Think classic beachfront and overwater villas with all the essentials for a cozy stay, and views that look straight out of a postcard.
Grab a cocktail at the overwater bar, unwind at the spa, or head out for some easygoing snorkeling right off the beach. It’s the kind of place where you can really disconnect without breaking the bank.
5. Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives – From $473 Per night
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa is the perfect adults-only hideaway for anyone craving that quiet, romantic Maldives escape.
This place feels like a private island dream whether you’re staying in an overwater villa or right on the beach. You’ll get the kind of ocean views that make you forget the rest of the world exists.
There’s an infinity pool, a handful of great restaurants, and a spa that knows how to do “relaxation” right.
Plus, if you’re up for some adventure, you can snorkel on some of the best coral reefs around.
6. Kudafushi Resort & Spa – From $597 Per night
Kudafushi Resort & Spa feels like a hidden gem in the Maldives, perfect for a getaway that combines adventure with easy luxury.
This resort is surrounded by bright turquoise water and soft white sands, and offers everything from spacious beach villas to dreamy overwater bungalows, each designed for top notch ocean views.
HOW WE STAYED IN AN OVERWATER BUNGALOW IN THE MALDIVES FOR FREE
If you’re anything like me, $350+ per night for a hotel room seems a bit steep. On our budget, this was too much.
Luckily, we used our sneaky travel hacking skills to book an overwater bungalow in the Maldives for free.
Yes, we actually stayed in an overwater bungalow in the Maldives for free. Here’s how we did it:
In early 2018, Micheal and I both opened up new credit cards.
While we opened several new credit cards, we benefited the most from the Chase Sapphire Preferred.
After spending $4,000 in the first three months (on everyday bills and groceries that we would purchase regardless of having a credit card), we were each awarded 60,000 Chase points. Chase points are pretty valuable; 60,000 points are worth more than $1,000 USD.
Since we both opened Chase Sapphire Preferred credit cards, we earned more than $2000 toward travel, which INCLUDES overwater bungalows in the Maldives. HELLO Maldives on a budget!
OTHER LUXURY OPTIONS IN THE MALDIVES ON A BUDGET
While overwater bungalows in the Maldives are iconic, there are plenty of budget-friendly options that let you experience this paradise without emptying your wallet.
Across the islands, you’ll find hundreds of hotels and resorts offering beachfront rooms, cozy garden villas, and even inland suites that give you a taste of Maldivian luxury at a lower cost.
These spots still deliver beautiful views, access to some of the world’s most incredible beaches, and the full island vibe but much, much cheaper.
Here are a few options you can check out for less than $200 per night:
MALDIVES ON a VERY TIGHT BUDGET
Some of you have made it this far in the blog post and you’re thinking, “this is NOT how to spend a vacation in the Maldives on a budget”.
You’re right. Luxury resorts are never quite budget-friendly.
Don’t be discouraged though. The Maldives can still be done on a tight budget if you decide to venture off the beaten path.
During our last few days in the Maldives, Mike and I stayed on a local island among the native people, and it was such a unique experience.
The beaches were still beautiful, the water was still the turquoise-blue that you see in pictures, but the price was FAR less.
Two local islands that we can recommend visiting are Maafushi and Hulhumale. On these islands, you’ll find cheap accommodation, cheap food, and cheap excursions.
But you won’t find any 5-star resorts.. sorry!
Cheap Accommodation Options In The Maldives
During our stay on Maafushi, we stayed at a lovely guesthouse called Alaika At Maafushi. Run and operated by a group of local guys, they made us feel welcome at all times.
The food here was great and the guys helped us book awesome excursions for a fraction of the price that you’d pay at a fancy resort. We paid $40 per night at Alaika, which was a steal!
Cheap Transportation Options To The Maldives
One of the biggest reasons people think the Maldives is out of reach is the cost of flights to get there.
It’s true! Flying across the world, especially from the United States, can be pricey. But it doesn’t have to cost tens of thousands of dollars if you know the right route and a few booking tricks.
Here’s how we make it affordable:
First, take a flight from the U.S. (Los Angeles or San Francisco) to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur. By using some clever Skyscanner tricks, you can find flights for a fraction of the usual cost.
We’ve typically fly roundtrip from the U.S. to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur for under $800 each. And get this… we once scored business class (lie-flat seats!) from San Francisco to Bangkok for just $650 roundtrip per person. Crazy, right?
Once you’re in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, book a budget-friendly AirAsia flight to Malé, the Maldives’ capital. This leg typically costs $250-300 roundtrip.
You may need to stay a night in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur to line up your flights, but honestly, it’s a fun excuse to explore those amazing cities!
This route is by far the easiest and most affordable way to get to the Maldives without blowing your budget. Trust us, dreaming of turquoise lagoons and overwater bungalows doesn’t have to break the bank when you fly smart.
Cheap Food Options In The Maldives
If you’re staying at a fancier resort in the Maldives, be sure to purchase a dining package. Meals at resorts can add up fast, and most will offer cheaper options when you book ahead of time.
But if you’re looking to save even more, the best way to keep food costs low is by exploring local options on local islands. If people actually live in these paradise destinations, they must have budget-friendly places to eat, right?
On local islands, you’ll find small cafes and restaurants offering authentic Maldivian dishes like mas huni (a tuna and coconut breakfast dish), roshi (local flatbread), and delicious seafood curries, all at a fraction of resort prices.
Our favorite local food was called hedhikaa (or short eats), which are small bite-sized pastries eaten in mid-afternoon. Some hedhikaa are savory, others are sweet, but they are all delicious.
Check out our Maafushi Youtube video for a sneak peek of what hedhikaa looks like (2:29) and what we think of it!
Cheap Excursions In The Maldives
No trip to the Maldives is complete without trying out some unforgettable excursions. Whether it’s jet-skiing, night fishing, or island hopping, the atolls offer activities for every type of traveler.
But here’s the catch… Maldives excursions can be pricey, especially at resorts.
We found the best way to keep costs down was by booking excursions on local islands. For example, instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for night fishing at a resort, we paid just $25 per person on Maafushi.
We also enjoyed snorkeling and swimming at the local tourist beach for free; no hidden fees, just pure fun.
My advice is to get out and explore the Maldives, but don’t feel pressured to spend a fortune on every two-hour adventure.
Either choose a resort that offers complimentary kayaks, snorkeling gear, and other activities, or wait until you’re on a local island where excursions are way more affordable. This way, you can enjoy the beauty of the Maldives without emptying your wallet.
A Final Note: Maldives on a Budget
Traveling to the Maldives is a dream vacation for beach-goers and water-sport enthusiasts alike. Although these incredible islands are pricey, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting them. Use these tips to achieve your fairytale Maldives holiday on a budget.
Read Next: How To Travel To Bora Bora On A Budget
