Budget Travel - Inexpensive Maldives travel: Is it Possible???

My wife and I are trying to plan a trip to the Maldives. We live in the region, so the airfare is not killing us. But finding places to stay that are not on the luxury end is proving more challenging. Anyone have any knowledge of places to stay in the Maldives that won't break the bank?

While we're there we expect to dive quite a bit. We haven't gotten to that research yet. I presume the diving cost are reasonable (by international standards). But any suggestions for places/outfits to dive with would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

The Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is only 15k PC points - or the equivalent of $90.

The Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is only 15k PC points

Wow, that is good value considering location (know nothing of said property) ^

EmailKid

Yes Kandooma is an absolute steal. I am staying there is Dec using points and cash. 5000 points + $60 per night.

Food and activities are expensive though, about $150 per person per day at least

Stayed at HI Kandooma; it is nice (though nothing spectacular-you pass much nicer properties on the 50 minute boat ride out there), though like pretty much everywhere else in the Maldives EVERYTHING else is expensive. I had a challenge one day to eat 3 meals and try and get the cheapest thing on the menu and drink only water. Breakfast was over $45 (buffet), lunch I chose the cheapest thing which was a Pizza still over $25, and dinner was well over $60. I would say $150-$200 a day on food alone needs to be budgeted, activities are much more. Remember, its not as though you can just stroll across the street to the nearest non-resort restaurant ;)

Stayed at HI Kandooma; it is nice (though nothing spectacular-you pass much nicer properties on the 50 minute boat ride out there), though like pretty much everywhere else in the Maldives EVERYTHING else is expensive. I had a challenge one day to eat 3 meals and try and get the cheapest thing on the menu and drink only water. Breakfast was over $45 (buffet), lunch I chose the cheapest thing which was a Pizza still over $25, and dinner was well over $60. I would say $150-$200 a day on food alone needs to be budgeted, activities are much more. Remember, its not as though you can just stroll across the street to the nearest non-resort restaurant ;)

That's all really good information. So far the thread has focused on the HI Kandooma, and it sounds like a decent place at a decent price. As you've pointed out it's not the hotel that gets you, it's the extras (food/activities). If I'm reading this right people are saying $150-$200 per person per day, which means $300-$400 for a couple.

If I've got this right, I wonder if from a budgeting perspective it would make sense to consider something that might seem more expensive, but if it includes food might end up being a better deal. When I first started looking at the Maldives I heard about $400-$500/night rooms (which I presumed must include food). That seemed high to me, which is why I started this thread in the first place. But if food really is that expensive, maybe an "all inclusive" would be the most cost-effective way to stay there.

So if anyone has any suggestions of a "reasonable" (which is clearly relative) place they would recommend for hotel and food, I would be happy to get the suggestions.

I'm sure activities are another matter entirely. I expect the diving to be expensive, or at least at normal international rates (not inexpensive Asian rates). But if anyone has any places that either have good rates on diving, or are at least associated with a good diving outfit or in really good diving places, that would be appreciated as well.

Thanks.

I dare say "inexpensive Maldives travel" is an oxymoron!

If you stay on Male, the Maldives can be very cheap. I spent 10-15$/day on food in Male. 60$ a night for a hotel. If you want beaches, a 30 cent ferry to Hulhumale and you are all set.

considering the top luxury properties are pretty much the best beach value in the world, there must be budget options

just talk to maldives travel agencies and ask what the cheapest options are for shared island (like near GAN), private island, and perhaps MLE as well

We live in the region
also talk to local travel agencies

$150-$200 a day on food alone needs to be budgeted, activities are much more.

$400-$500/night rooms

for upscale, not budget properties...

suggest me the inexpensive hotels .

I just looked up vacation rentals in the Maldives and found some inexpensive options.

The better search term is "holiday homes" by the way.

I found one that was just $25 USD per person per night on a remote island and another at 35 pounds pp/night in Male.

The one that I like the best is on "Velidhoo (Noonu Atoll)".

Just came back from Maldives. We stayed at the HI Kandooma for 5k points + $60 per night. The bill for food, watersports, and a couples massage at the spa together came out to about $1700 for a 3.5 day stay.

I highly recommend Vilamendhoo (http://www.vilamendhooisland.com/Default.aspx). It offers good bang for the buck. Lovely island. Not too many guests. Good shore diving at your leisure on the reef that surrounds the island, or, you can join a dive excursion via boat.

This thread should not be in the budget section, $300/night hotels? LOL!