Introduction
Maldives Travel Tips: Your Ultimate Guide. Have you ever dreamed of escaping to the Maldives or planning a trip to the Maldives? 🌴✨ I recently celebrated my birthday in this tropical paradise, and while it’s a dream destination for many, there are a few things I noticed that companies and influencers don’t often share. Planning a trip to the Maldives can be overwhelming with over 90 resorts to choose from. I hope my blog can help give you a better idea of what to expect and how to go about planning your next trip to this stunning destination. Instagram Post
Overwater Bungalows: The Secret to Saving Money
Those stunning overwater bungalows you see? Most people don’t pay full price, and neither did I! The trick is to use your points. When booking at a name-brand hotel, you can buy points and use them for your stay. It’s a huge money-saver!
Instead of choosing a date to visit the Maldives, let the Maldives choose a date for you. In other words, wait for sales or bonus points. Hilton and Marriott often have sales or promotions when it comes to points. They might offer to match the points you buy, give you 3x more points when you buy a certain number, or let you book a stay on selective dates for 25-50% off points. Deals like this can turn a $14,000 stay into just $4,000. It’s worth signing up for hotel newsletters and keeping an eye on these promotions.
Seaplane and Seaboat Transfers: What You Need to Know
While using points for the hotel stay is great, there is a catch: the seaplane or seaboat transfer costs. You’ll have to pay full price for these transfers, and let me tell you, they are expensive with no way around it.
Once you land at Male International Airport (MLE), you’ll need to take a seaplane or seaboat to your island. The seaplanes, contracted with Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), can’t be booked on your own unless you know a pilot. These tiny planes are pricey, and you’ll be sharing them with 14 other passengers. The further your hotel, the higher the cost.
I paid $595 per person for a 25-minute seaplane ride. Note that seaplanes operate only between 6am and 3:30pm. Make sure your flight to MLE arrives early, or you’ll need to stay overnight in MLE or take a more expensive seaboat.
Getting to Male International Airport (MLE)
Flying directly from the US or Europe to the Maldives can be incredibly expensive. If you can’t afford a direct flight, consider making it a two-country trip by flying through India, Sri Lanka, or Qatar. These countries are right next to the Maldives, and flights from them are much cheaper. I flew from Sri Lanka for under $200!
If that’s not an option, look for connecting flights from the US with layovers in Singapore, Dubai, or Qatar. These countries are great for layovers as there’s so much to do and explore. Call the airline and ask if you can extend your layover to 1-3 days at no additional cost—it doesn’t hurt to ask!
When landing in MLE airport, you’ll go through customs and immigration before connecting to your seaplane or seaboat for your hotel. The Maldives has about 200 inhabited islands and approximately 97 islands with tourist resorts. Your hotel website should provide details on the island you’ll be staying on and usually handles booking your seaplane or seaboat for you.
Baggage Allowance and Cultural Considerations
Seaplanes have a baggage allowance of 20kg for checked luggage and 5kg for hand luggage per person. Excess baggage costs $5 per kg, and prices might have increased since my last visit in 2023. Pack wisely to avoid extra charges.
Remember, Islam is the state religion of the Maldives. While locals understand that tourists are not Muslim, be respectful of local customs and dress codes. On resorts, swimwear can only be worn in your villa and by the beach. When walking elsewhere on the resort, you need to be covered up. Respect the local culture and guidelines to have a pleasant stay.
Alcohol and Weather Considerations
Bringing alcohol into the Maldives is restricted. You can only purchase it once you’re in the country, and it’s quite expensive. Plan accordingly!
The weather in the Maldives can be unpredictable. It rains a lot, even during the so-called non-rainy season. The rain can last between 5 to 10 minutes, but it pours hard. Be prepared for sudden showers.
All-Inclusive Packages: Worth the Splurge
When booking your stay in an overwater bungalow, I highly recommend opting for an all-inclusive package. The only option to eat is from the resort since you’re stuck on the island. Buying food on the property is extremely pricey—I paid $40 for plain pasta! If the hotel only provides half-board or full-board options, I recommend half-board. Not only is it cheaper, but the amount of food provided at the buffet will surely fill you up.
Activities and Island Life: My Honest Opinion
In my opinion, the Maldives can get boring quickly, especially if you don’t have the budget to enjoy it to the fullest. While there are numerous activities to do, they can be quite expensive. Activities like snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, sailing, watersports, biking, tennis, and movie nights are available, but you can do these same activities in other countries for half the price.
To me, the Maldives is more of a refresh-and-disconnect getaway—a place to relax and become more in tune with yourself. I mean, you’re stuck on an island, so what else is there to do? Haha! I can understand why it’s a popular honeymoon destination or, as I call it, a “baby-making” destination. There’s really only one thing you can do out there with your partner!
Conclusion
Those are my tips and advice for visiting the Maldives. I hope you found this information useful and that it helps you plan your trip better. Make sure to watch my full video for more detailed tips and insider info.
