A solo traveller insists that travelling to a paradise location like the Maldives is possible on a budget – and she has shared how she did it.
Tasha, who has been travelling around the world for two years, took to TikTok to share a simple hack to cut the cost of your holiday in half.
She said:”Why don’t more people know this about the Maldives? And that is that you don’t have to be a millionaire to visit here.”
The trick? Stick to local islands instead of splashing out a fortune to stay at a fancy private resort.
For example, Tasha visited one of the local islands called Dhigurah. She described the spot as “just the most beautiful island paradise surrounded by palm trees and blue water”.
Tasha explained: “There are hundreds of local islands that you can choose from.” She said you can get to these islands via a public ferry which costs just £1.
She noted there are also plenty of beach front accommodation options that cost £50 per night, food is as cheap as £5 for a local meal, excursions £50 which are “significantly cheaper than if you were to do the exact same excursion but from a resort”.
“I don’t know why more people aren’t discovering the local island of the Maldives, because this is the way you can discover paradise on a budget,” Tasha added.
She noted there are some restrictions on local island as the Maldives is a Muslim nation. Wearing bikinis on public beaches is generally prohibited, as well as drinking alcohol.
Tasha, who is currently travelling around Cape Town, concluded: “So next time you’re thinking of a tropical island getaway, forget Thailand, forget the Philippines, Maldives needs to be number on your bucket list.”
Another said: “I loved Dhigurah! So gorgeous.” A third wrote: “Dhigurah is the best place. I miss it so much!”
And a fourth gushed: “I had no idea. Always wanted to go to the Maldives but thought it wouldn’t happen for a long time. Maldives is honestly so amazing, thanks so much for the tips.”
However, others were less than impressed. One argued: “The experience is not the same, it is gorgeous anyway I agree, but the ideal trip to the Maldives involves 4/5 stars resort all inclusive with overwater bungalow… otherwise you just go to Spain.”
It’s worth noting that flights are pretty pricey too – whether or not you visit a local or private island. For a roundtrip to the paradise spot, you are looking at a minimum of just less than £1,000 for your flights. Skycanner states the current cheapest flight, with a change over, is priced at £464 for a one way trip.
How to do Maldives on a budget
1. Go off peak – The Maldives’ off-season is from May to October, which overlaps with the monsoon season. Although you might experience occasional rain, you can enjoy significant discounts on flights, accommodations, and activities.
2. Stick to local islands – Instead of staying at luxurious private island resorts, opt for budget-friendly guesthouses or boutique hotels on inhabited local islands. Popular local islands for budget travellers are Maafushi, Dhigurah, Fulidhoo, Thoddoo, and Hulhumalé.
3. Take the ferry – The Maldives has a reliable ferry network connecting Malé (the capital) to local islands. Public ferries are incredibly affordable, costing as little as £1 per trip.
4. Eat like a local – Skip the pricey resort restaurants and eat at local cafés (called “hotaa”). Traditional meals cost around £5. Traditional Maldivian dishes include mas huni (tuna and coconut), fish curries, and roshi (flatbread).
5. Book affordable trips – Excursions (like snorkelling, diving, or sandbank trips) from resorts are usually quite expensive, but guesthouses on local islands offer budget-friendly packages starting at about £20-£50 per activity.