A budget Maldives stay may seem like a pipe dream. However, not every dream needs to break the bank. According to Trip Advisor, these are the top-rated budget accommodations for you to check out and experience the beauty of the Maldives.
Dive Villa – Top Budget Stay
This budget guest house is based on the island of Thoddoo. A transfer from Male is also possible via public ferries. The direct public ferries cost $10 one way to Thoddoo, which takes around 5 hours.
Or alternatively, the faster express local speedboat leaves at 4 pm daily (except Fridays) and costs $35 per person, which takes around 35 minutes.
There are several rooms available which can occupy 2-4 guests.
Thoddoo island has a beautiful beach for tourists and is also the largest producer of papaya, passion fruit, coconut, watermelons and bananas. There is access to the House Reef and Dive Centre. A definite recommendation for anyone looking for a budget Maldives stay.
Sevinex Inn
Sevinex Inn is a local guest house which is located on the island of Feridhoo.
For a fast-budget option, there are speedboats that leave from Male for around $50 per person, they leave daily at 4 pm (except Fridays.). Additionally, other options include slow ferries that take 7 hours and cost $4 one way.
Feridhoo is a beautiful Maldivian island, surrounded by a turquoise lagoon with crystal white sandy beaches. Sevinex Inn guesthouse has rooms that sleep up to three.
The Inn is located away from a 3-minute walk to the beach. In addition, there are two beaches on the island with many snorkelling spots and a great house reef to swim and beach activities.
Thundi Guest House – Top Budget Stay
Thundi guest house is another low-budget guest house located on the beautiful island of Fulidhoo. Fulhidoo can be reached on a budget by a public ferry that takes 3.5 hours. The cost is $4 dollars one way which runs three times a week.
Thundi offers uninterrupted views of the breathtaking scenery of the white sandy beaches and crystal clear lagoons of the pure Maldivian islands. It has several rooms that can sleep 2.
The property is 250 yards from the Fulidhoo Cave and the Reef Tip Faru Kolu which is close to a small beach.
Hanifaru Transit Inn
Hanifaru Transit Inn is another small guest house located at the heart of Dharavandhoo Island in the Baa Atoll. To get to Dharavandhoo Island on a budget you can get a speedboat transfer, for $65 per person which leaves at a schedule. This takes around 2 hours.
For those on a tighter budget, a cargo ferry which takes 8 hours costs $25 per person. Which leaves on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Similarly to other budget stays. A variety of rooms are available sleeping up to three.
The tourist bikini beach, intended exclusively for tourists is in the northwestern part of the island, and this is where you can swim, sunbathe and play. This island has turquoise crystal waters, white soft sand and many shady trees to create the perfect vibe for a stunning beach experience. Not far from the shore is a house reef with abundant marine life ideal for snorkelling.
Beach Star Maldives
Beach Star Maldives which is located on a very tropical, cultural island called Hangnaameedhoo in South Ari Atoll.
Hangnaameedhoo island can be reached on a budget by Ferry Dhoni, which takes 4 hours and 45 minutes and costs $5 per person one way. These leave the mainland and the island on certain days so it should be planned in advance. Speedboat transfers cost $35 per person one way which takes over an hour.
This island is litter strewn in some places but the guest houses and their grounds are super clean and mostly right next to a beach.
Since Hangnaameedhoo is a local island, an appropriate dressing is required on the island. However, there is a designated bikini beach for tourists.
Kalaafaanu Retreat
Kalaafaanu Retreat, located in the midst of Ari Atoll Hangnaameedhoo Island, consists of 4 luxury rooms, built as a Maldivian-style mansion.
There are 4 room styles available to guests, including a villa room. See above for more information on Hangnaameedhoo Island.
Banyan Villa Maldives
Banyan Villa is a Guest house located on Dhangethi island, just a couple of minutes away from the bikini beach area.
There are multiple ways to reach Dhangethi island, the budget option includes a $5 per person one-way public ferry which takes 5 hours. Or a $45 per person one-way speedboat that takes 80 minutes.
Banyan Villa guesthouse has multiple rooms and packages available starting from $80 a night. With private beach minutes away as well as a well-maintained garden.
Gurus Maldives
Gurus Maldives is located on Gulhi island. Gulhi Island is a fishing island that can be reached on a budget by ferry for $1.5 one way which takes 1.5 hours.
This guest house is a 1 minute’s walk from the tourist beach with four spacious double rooms with standard amenities. Gulhi Island is one of the least populated isles of the Kaafu Atoll, with only about 900 permanent residents instead of picking a crowded resort. You can pick this quiet stay.
Situated near the island of Maafushi, Gulhi is an ideal destination for tourists wanting to connect with locals and experience Maldivian culture.
Beach Veli
Located on Ukulhas, a beautiful local island in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives. However, you can reach Ukulhas island from Male on a budget a public ferry will cost $3.5 and takes 4 hours.
There are several rooms available including a twin room that can sleep three.
The island is surrounded by a white sandy beach and is home to 1000 residents. Which makes this budget stay a peaceful one.
La Cabana Maldives – Top Budget Stay
La Cabana Maldives is a guest house is located on the Ari Atoll island of Maamigilli. Maamigilli can’t be reached by boat so a domestic flight needs to be taken. There are around 5 flights a day. Prices vary so look and plan in advance.
There are several rooms available at La Cabana which sleep two.
Additionally, there are over fifty dive sites close by and south Ari Atoll is one of the top diving destinations around the world. Maamigili is located at the most famous area for Whale Shark explorations.
