Maldives on a Budget

Maldives on a budget? You got to be kidding me! It is a prime destination which is commonly associated with Hollywood celebrities and members of the royal families. Yet, believe it or not, it is possible now. Budget tourism in the Maldives has just been born and it is certainly the perfect time to go there. Although the word "budget" is a relative thing, there are definitely cheaper ways to visit this paradise without robbing the bank. Read on and we’ll blow all the misconceptions about one of the most expensive tropical places in the world.

Quick Facts

Time:	GMT+5hrs
Capital City:	Male’
Total islands:	1,190
Inhabited islands:	200
Resort islands:	105
Population:	Approx. 350,000
Lingua Franca:	Dhivehi
Major industries:	Tourism and Fishing
Currency:	Rufiyaa (USD 1 = MRF 15.50)
Electricity:	240 AC
Government Working hours:	8:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday to Thursday
Bank hours:	9:00am to 03:00 pm Sunday to Thursdays
Official State Religion:	Islam

• 99% of the Maldives is water.
•  It has the lowest natural highest point in the world with 2.4 meters above sea level. By average of 1.5 meters, it is considered as the lowest country.
• Bikinis can only be worn in private island resorts. The country has a deeply rooted Islamic culture that calls for casual but modest clothing in public places – even in the beaches.
• The word atoll came from the Dhivehi word atholhu to refer to ring-like coral island surrounding a lagoon. It is the English word taken from the language.  
• It is the smallest country in Asia and the smallest Muslim country in the world.

Getting There

There are no direct flights from the Philippines to the Maldives. The next best thing to do is to book a flight to Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and buy another ticket heading to Male. The cheapest suggestion could be MNL-KUL for approximately PHP9,000.00 (or less) round trip through AirAsia and MYR2,600.00 (PHP35,000.00) for KUL-MLE through Malaysian Airlines. This is the regular fare and you can always check low-cost carriers for cheaper flights. Overseas Filipino Workers in the Maldives say that the usual airfare they allot for a round trip ticket averages from USD800-USD1000 all in. Yes, the hardest part is getting there but once you’re done with saving for this one, it is easier to make the budget for everything else. As for me, I was lucky enough to get a hint from co-travelers about the last AirAsiaX flights in February of 2014 so I didn’t spend this much.

Going Around

Dhoni – Remember this word and you’ll be a certified Maldivian traveler in no time. It is easy to commute there since you’ll probably be going to one of the very few inhabited islands of the archipelago. That is, if you are not checking in to the luxurious resorts and hotels from which the island nation is more famous for. Traveling by Dhoni is easy and cheap. Just make sure you get there on time since most trips are on schedule basis.

Seaplane – If you have the dough, this is the fastest and the perhaps the most exciting way of visiting the islands. The cheapest deals start from USD100 depending on the distance and stopovers.

Walk – All the islands in the Maldives have a walking distance area. We stayed in Maafushi which I was able to stroll in fifteen minutes. Male City can be explored in 30 minutes by foot.

Cab – When you’re in Male Island, you can get a cab going to anywhere the 5.8 kilometer square city. In the short travel, just pay MRF25.00 (PHP375.00 as of February 2014) to the driver and any amount beyond that is a rip off.

Accommodation

The rumors are true. Maldivian accommodation is no joke. Some hotels charge as much as $2,000.00 per night. $200.00 - $500.00 is pretty much a reasonable price for mid-range. Still a bit pricey for your pocket? Try the guest houses in Maafushi Island and you can get as low as $75 per night and even less than that if you are being referred by someone. Try Rehendhi Inn andRestaurant. It’s the most affordable hotel in the island. And affordable doesn’t mean compromised service. Read my separate blog about it.

Food

Continental or Maldivian breakfast? Choose one of these and you’ll be starting the day right. Though honestly, after the seafood, noodle or rice meal, there is nothing more to Maldivian cuisine. Or am I missing something? The fact of being a Filipino perhaps gave me some biases on other cultures when it comes to satisfying the palate. Price: 5 USD is the usual.

Nightlife

Before going to the Maldives, know first that it is an Islamic country with a very conservative government and tradition. If you want to socialize with other travelers, go to private resorts. Maldives is all about nature and relaxation. Its very laidback mood will give you a sense of peace. So if you are into loud music and partying, this is not the place to go.

More detailed posts soon...