Is Maldives expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
The Maldives can be one of the most expensive destinations on Earth if you stay at resorts, but guesthouses on local islands have made budget trips possible. A local-island day is about US$140 per person, a mid-range resort day about US$550, and luxury overwater villas around US$2,000, with transfers and taxes adding a lot.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$50 | US$250 | US$1,200 |
| Food & drink | US$30 | US$100 | US$300 |
| Sights & tickets | US$40 | US$100 | US$250 |
| Local transport | US$20 | US$100 | US$250 |
| Per person, per day | US$140 | US$550 | US$2,000 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Maldives day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse double on a local island | about US$80–150 |
| Resort double in North or South Malé Atoll | about US$300–600 |
| Overwater villa at a luxury resort | about US$1,000–4,000 |
| Seaplane transfer return | often US$500–900 per person |
| Public ferry to a local island | a few dollars, slow and not daily |
| Sunset dolphin cruise | about US$50–100 per person |
| Whale shark tour, South Ari | about US$100–150 |
| Taxes and service on bills | often 20–25% or more |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
At resorts, the room rate, meal plans and transfers dominate: resorts are on private islands, so you eat and drink at resort prices, and seaplanes to further atolls cost several hundred dollars per person. Bills add a service charge, GST and a green tax per person per night. On local islands, guesthouses and local cafés are cheap, and the main costs are excursions such as snorkelling, sandbank trips and diving. Alcohol is not sold on local islands, only at resorts and liveaboards.
When it is cheaper
May to November, the south-west monsoon season, often brings lower resort rates than the December–April peak, with good deals outside school holidays; Christmas–New Year is the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Stay on a local island such as Maafushi, Thulusdhoo or Dhigurah instead of a resort.
- Choose a resort reachable by speedboat to avoid seaplane costs.
- Split your stay: a few nights on a local island and one or two at a resort.
- Use public ferries or shared speedboats rather than private transfers.
- Compare all-inclusive plans with half board, as resort food and drinks are expensive.
- Travel in the shoulder season (late April, May, October–November) for lower rates.
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Common questions
How much does a Maldives trip cost per day?
About US$140 per person on a local island, US$550 at a mid-range resort and US$2,000 in luxury.
Why are Maldives bills so high?
Service charge, GST and a green tax per person per night are added, often 20–25% or more.
Are seaplanes expensive?
Yes, often US$500–900 per person return; speedboat resorts near Malé are cheaper to reach.