DigivaMaldives travel guide
Overwater villas, local islands and unreal turquoise water. What it costs, when to go, where to stay and what to book.
Best time to visit
November to April is dry season. May-October is cheaper with some rain — surfers love it.
Where to stay
Luxury resorts on private islands for honeymoons; local islands like Maafushi and Thulusdhoo for guesthouses at a tenth of the price.
Top tours & bookings
Snorkelling & sandbank boat trip
Reef snorkelling, dolphin watching and a white sandbank — the best-value day from Maafushi.
Resort day visit from Maafushi
Experience a private-island resort for the day without the villa price tag.
Maldives stays — compare prices
Resorts, guesthouses and liveaboards with live prices and transfer details.
Typical costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Flights (return, regional) | $250-$450 |
| Guesthouse (local island), per night | $40-$80 |
| Resort, per night | $250-$800+ |
| Food/activities, per day | $40-$90 |
Planning a full trip? Add your own numbers in our Trip Budget Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Maldives on a budget?
Yes — local islands like Maafushi have guesthouses from about $40 a night, local ferries for a few dollars, and the same lagoons as the resorts.
How do transfers work?
Resorts arrange speedboats or seaplanes (extra cost). Local islands are reached by public ferry or shared speedboat from Malé.
Is alcohol available?
Only on resort islands and liveaboards. Local islands are alcohol-free, with designated bikini beaches for swimwear.
Prices are typical ranges checked when this guide was written and change by season and availability. Always check the live price before booking. Some links on this page are affiliate links.