If you want more information on traveling to the Maldives from the United States on a budget with COVID testing tips and tricks, keep reading. I went to the Maldives for the first time in late January of 2022 and it was totally worth the long flight. We had a long layover in Abu Dhabi which was perfect for a little exploration on the way.
I know you’ve seen photos of the Maldives. You know, those stunning overwater bungalows that look like they’re out of a daydream. For the last decade I’ve wanted to visit and always thought I’d have to wait for my honeymoon or a time when I was ready to splurge, totally not the case. There are more affordable ways to travel to the Maldives to sharing tips below so you can plan your trip. So you want to do the Maldives on a budget, here’s what you need to know.
The best time to visit the Maldives is January through April which works well with U.S winter. At the moment, as of early 2022 only a PCR test and vaccine card are needed to travel freely to the Maldives. Getting a PCR test within 72 hours of travel is probably the hardest part since these tests are super delayed in most parts of the states. I found one place in Chicago that took insurance and would do a rapid PCR test but there are a few more options in cities like New York.
TIPS FOR MALDIVES ON A BUDGET
- You can find flight deals to the Maldives from the US via Etihad for $500 per person round trip. After you’ve paid $500 RT from the Midwest or East Coast it might be shocking when you arrive and realize that’s the same price as a sea plane to some resorts. If you’re on a budget stay on the main island of Male to save a ton on transportation.
- Food and beverage (especially alcoholic drinks since the Maldives is a Muslim country) can get expensive so opt for an all-inclusive resort to save money. We stayed at Cinnamon Hotels Hakuraa Huraa for the first few days and it was great. Don’t miss out on the included activities like snorkeling either. They offer snorkeling twice per day!
- If you’re looking to book at Cinnamon Hotels it’s important to note that the room night pricing is about $400-600 per room, per night but the sea plane pricing is another about $300-$400 per person round trip, if you’re looking online make sure you click in to see the breakdown of all the fees. The hotel is about a 40 minute sea plane ride away from Male so it is quite far but the views are a great perk of the trip.
- Luckily for you, overwater bungalows are a base room category here so they’re likely to be one of the cheaper options since beach space is limited making beach villas more expensive.
- Check your flight times and try to fly overnight to minimize hotel stays on your way to and from the Maldives.
- Buy sunscreen in advance because you’ll need it. Don’t be me buying $53 dollar sunscreen you should have bought from home.
- You can definitely visit the Maldives on a budget you just need to be intentional and plan in advance because the costs can definitely add up and may not be what you’d expect. The Maldives is a Muslim country so you’ll also want to be mindful of your attire if you’re staying on the mainland and don’t be surprised if traditional bathing suits are harder to find.
- I’d also make sure you add testing to your budget as it’s about $65-75USD per person to get PCR tests which we needed to fly Etihad regardless of the U.S taking rapids. Unlike most other places it’s quite difficult to get this at a lab itself and it’s way easier to do at the resorts anyway.
We splurged on a floating breakfast on one of our last days at Cinnamon Resorts and the value was amazing. A completely customized breakfast with coconuts and sparkling wine, at anytime you’d like! Highly recommend if you’re looking for a little something special. I’ve wanted to visit the Maldives for years now and was determined to find a way to fully enjoy without breaking the bank so can’t wait to continue share all of the details with you. Follow along on Instagram
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