It might be hard to imagine what mistakes you could make while planning your Maldives travel. After all, the Maldives is a considered a paradise! The dreamy vistas, the crazy blue waters meeting the blue skies in the horizon, and the resplendent luxury setting in your private villa sounds just about perfect. What could you possibly do wrong? However, you could make some costly mistakes on your Maldives trip that would stop you from having the best time ever! Read on to know what they are.
When thinking about being budget-conscious on your travels, there are some things that you should save on, and some that you should indulge in. Also, note that there are steps that you can take to get the best value for your money. A Maldives vacation does not always mean that it will be expensive. However, if you are making your way down to the Maldives, this is the time for indulging. Go for those upgrades. Treat yourself to that expensive massage. Consider spending that extra amount for a room with a view. That being said, there are still plenty of opportunities where you can be a bit more budget-conscious.
Why is the Maldives so expensive?
The Maldives are a group of islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Access from other countries and within the islands is by boat or air, making it expensive. In addition, there are high taxes on imports and limited local production driving up costs. Also, the establishment of luxury hotels and its branding as a major luxury vacation destination make the Maldives expensive.
However, note that even though the Maldives is known for high-end vacations, budget travel is picking up. Budget hotels and resorts are on the rise there and you will see many options for budget travelers.
Costly mistakes to avoid on your Maldives trip
These are the 15 mistakes you should avoid while in the Maldives.
1. Going for all-inclusive
This might be controversial but hear me out. The only reason I would recommend going for an all-inclusive resort is if you want convenience. However, if you don’t care about that, going all-inclusive is not good value for money. Resorts price this option at the highest tier of their offerings, but you will rarely be able to make up for it. Think about it. When you’re on vacation, you won’t be eating the highest-priced menu items from the most high-end restaurant on the island every day. You probably also won’t be drinking several drinks at all your meals. When we were in the Maldives, we skipped lunch every day, since we had a heavy breakfast and went out to do activities during the day. Then, at night, we went for a nice dinner. Because of how they price the all-inclusive option, you will end up leaving money on the table.
2. Not requesting the best villa you can within your budget
Another way that you can save money is to ensure you get the best possible deal within your budget. While making your hotel booking, you can request the best possible room within the category you book. For example, if you book a water villa, add a note in your booking that you would like the one that is farthest in the lagoon. This would ensure complete privacy and uninterrupted views. Similarly, for a beach villa, request one that has beach access but is not in a heavy traffic area. Most hotels will try to accommodate your request.
For the best tips on planning your travel, check out my article here.
3. Not booking a hotel well in advance
Another costly mistake to avoid on your Maldives trip is not booking in advance. Hotels usually have the best deals months in advance. I booked the Constance Halaveli about 11 months in advance and received a pretty sweet deal on the water villa. Booking.com had a 10% discount going on at the time. So, keep an eye out for these deals offered by third-party booking sites.
4. Getting water activities gear from the resort instead of your own
Depending on your resort, renting equipment for water activities may or may not cost money. Some hotels provide free snorkeling gear to all guests. They include a snorkel mask, snorkel, and fins. However, some resorts will only provide the fins for free. So, make sure to read the fine print of your booking and pack your own gear if your baggage allowance works.
5. Getting a hotel far from Male
Seaplane rides are expensive. Our seaplane rides from Male to the resort hotel and back (25 mins each way) cost a whopping $450 each! Honestly, even our flights from Delhi to Male were cheaper than that! If you are budget conscious, pick a resort or hotel that can be accessed from Male in a speedboat instead. Or, another option is to pick a hotel close enough for a less expensive seaplane ride.
6. Opting for a sunrise water villa over a sunset water villa
Unless you are an early morning person, do not get the sunrise villa. Even though the sunset villas are typically priced slightly higher, they are the better value for money. Imagine this. You are on your vacation. You will probably wake up after sleeping in (you’re on vacation after all). Then, you head out for breakfast. By the time you are back in your room, it’s close to noon. At a sunrise villa, the sun won’t be shining on your patio for very long afterward. In order to make the most of your afternoons working on your tan, a sunset villa is better. Not to mention the crazy beautiful sunsets you can enjoy with a glass of sparkling wine.
7. Skipping breakfast
A lot of Maldives resorts include breakfast in your booking. If it is not included, consider adding the breakfast-only option. Many times, you may find yourself skipping lunch since you may want to go for activities or sail the entire day. You even have the option to get a packed lunch and spend the majority of a day on a private sandbar! Hence, don’t skip out on breakfast. Make lunch optional. And indulge in your dinner!
8. Not going for any water activities
You may not want to do much in your Maldives activities, but you must go for water activities. It can be just swimming in the lagoon by the way. But, know that some of the best vistas are underneath the water surface. For water activity, the best and most I would highly recommend snorkeling. Diving is another popular option too. The reason I say that it would be a costly mistake to not go for it is because you will have already spent a good deal of money on your trip. Plus, the marine life you will see in the azure waters will make for a lifetime memory.
9. Flying directly from opposite parts of the world
The Maldives is not the most accessible vacation destination from North America. Best accessed from Asia, you need to be mindful of where you will fly in from. For example, if you are flying from the US, consider adding a stopover in Dubai or Doha. India is another good stopover or add-on to your trip. Check out my post here for more comprehensive information on how to plan your flights.
10. Purchasing clothes or swimsuits at the resort
As mentioned earlier, everything is more expensive in the Maldives. While it might be tempting to go souvenir shopping in your resort in the form of a swimsuit or kaftan, opt for getting them from your home instead. Not only will you be fully prepared for your vacation, but you also will not be limited by style and budget. In addition, your once-in-a-lifetime memories, photos, and videos will be the perfect souvenirs. 🙂
11. Forgetting to apply sunscreen
You know what happens if you forget to apply sunscreen. Absolute misery. One can call it a costly mistake as your vacation will be marred by your sunburn. In fact, you will likely have to stay out of the sun while your skin heals. So, don’t make this mistake, or your entire vacation could come to a standstill. Oh, and if you forget to pack some, you can buy them at the airport or your resort store.
12. Spending too many days or too few days
There is a right number of days to spend in the Maldives. If you spend too few days, the amount of money you spend to reach your resort and the amount of time getting there will not be worthwhile. If you spend too many days, you may get bored. Not to mention the cost of each additional day adds up. My recommendation is to spend more than 4 days at one location. Read on to learn more about how many days you should spend in the Maldives below.
13. Scuba lessons and certification
Scuba diving is fantastic in the Maldives. At least, that’s what I have heard and seen in videos. I have only snorkeled there, and it is awesome. However, if you are looking to get scuba lessons to get certified, the Maldives may not be the best place due to its high costs. Instead, opt for another destination that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. A great option is an island in southern Thailand.
14. Traveling during the rainy season
The rainy season in the Maldives is from April to early November. Avoid these months as they experience frequent tropical rains during the day. Now, it might be tempting to book these months since they are off-season. However, my advice would be to spend the extra amount to go during the right season so that you can have the best weather for the most epic time in the Maldives. You are likely going there to celebrate a big event in your life, or to treat yourself. So, don’t skimp out on the season as the weather plays a significant role in whether you have a grand time or a meh-time.
If you are looking to save some money during the high season, opt for a less expensive hotel instead. Yup, I truly believe you need to go during the dry season.
15. Opting for a water villa if you are a light sleeper
While a water villa is a dreamy place, it can be no for light sleepers. Since these villas are placed deep in the lagoon, you will hear the sounds of waves crashing below your bed. This could be soothing (for me it was so peaceful!) but for others, it could disrupt your sleep. If you are a light sleeper, consider a beach villa instead.
Is the Maldives worth visiting?
Heck yes! You will definitely have an awesome time there.
Sure, the Maldives is an expensive destination. Alright, very expensive destination. But, armed with this list, you can still budget and save in different ways. A Maldives trip is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of us. So, make sure you make the most of it!
Packing List for the Maldives
Packing for the Maldives can be tricky. While you want to be comfortable and sun-ready with your summer clothes, you also need IG-worthy clothing and water gear. Here is a shortlist of what you should pack for the Maldives.
Clothing
- Swimsuit – Obviously 😉
- Flowy dresses – Preferably in breathable materials like cotton and linen
- Shorts (for women and men) – It is hot in the Maldives. However, if you are going out of the airport in Male, make sure to dress conservatively.
Beach vacation essentials
- Reef safe sunscreen – Always wear reef-safe sunscreen at places where you go snorkeling or diving. This is to protect marine life. Regular sunscreen contains harmful chemicals that kill coral reefs. This leads to a reduction in fish and other animals that live and sustain on these reefs.
- Gear for water activities, such as flippers and snorkeling masks – The snorkeling mask is a nice-to-have for a good fit for your face. I would highly recommend bringing it with you, especially if you are a newbie snorkeler.
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat – For protection against the sun and super awesome photos!
- Flip flops – A must for any beach vacay
- Go Pro – For those super awesome underwater shots.
- Lip balm with SPF
- Moisturizer – Some hotels may provide it, but carry some with you nonetheless. Note that your skin will be parched from the salty waters and strong sun.
Check out my complete Maldives packing list along with a free printable checklist you can use for your travel planning here.
Entertainment and other knickknacks
- Hair tie – Super important for people with long hair. Few annoyances equal that of having your hair curls float to your face as you snorkel. You are then stuck constantly pushing them out of your sight range coz you can’t see a dang thing. Ugh.
- Makeup items – Use this checklist for all the items you should have in your carry on bag
- Motion sickness medicine – Many hotels have a speedboat transfer from the Male airport. Our hotel had a seaplane transfer followed by a boat transfer in a traditional Maldivian boat! In between these transfers you can definitely feel the rough ocean waves. I felt better knowing that I had motion sickness meds if things went sideways.
- A good book – Always on my travel lists!
You might be tempted to take your drone but bear in mind that most places do not allow a drone on the island. This is to protect the privacy of their guests.
When to visit the Maldives
The best time for visiting the Maldives is from November to early March. If possible, avoid the Christmas to New Years’ season. That time is very busy and there are high chances of the on-site hotel restaurants being fully booked. The beach at your hotel will also be busier. And not to mention it’ll be more expensive.
How long should you stay in the Maldives?
About 5-7 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in the Maldives. That way, you will get plenty of time to settle down, get your bearings and start your ultimate relaxing vacation. Take your time to enjoy your room or villa. Soak in the pool or go check out the reefs (if your lagoon has any). Then, around days 3-5, you can explore the island, plan some activities and still have some downtime.
Also, I would recommend against changing villas during your stay as it can be a waste of time. When I am on vacation, I like to maximize my time chilling or experiencing something new. Changing hotel rooms in between can be time-consuming. With the difference between check-out and check-in timings of your hotel, you may need to plan the entire day around this. So, best to avoid it and pick a room that best works for your needs.
If you are hopping islands, I would add a day for travel, and at least a couple of days at each island to get the best experience.
Where to stay in the Maldives
If you are visiting the Maldives for a special occasion and it fits your budget, I would recommend staying in a water villa. Even if it’s for a few days. The Maldives offers world-class hotels and if you’ve been waiting to splurge with loved ones for a dream vacation, this is it.
If you are on a budget though, fret not. There are still plenty of hotel options for you to choose from. My biggest tip would be to get a hotel close to the island of male. The further out it is, the more expensive it will get for you to reach the island, after factoring in the seaplane or boat transfer.
Luxury hotel: Soneva Jani, Noonu
Mid-range: Sun Island Resort and Spa, Maamigili
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