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Bookmark & shareYou could conceivably visit the Maldives on as little as US$35.00 per day, but only if you stayed in the cheap guesthouses in Malé, the built-up island capital of the Maldives, and passed up on beach activities and watersports. The cheapest resorts start at around US$50.00 per day in the low season, for a standard double room with full board - but bear in mind that the low season coincides with the rainy season. At most resorts, for most of the year, a double room with full board will cost around US$100.00 a day or more. Diving costs vary from resort to resort but keen divers expecting to undertake about 10 dives a week should allow about US$350.00 per week if they have their own equipment or US$500.00 per week if they rent everything. On a dive safari, the costs can be anywhere between US$60.00 to US$160.00 per day, depending on the luxury, plus another US$70.00 or so for diving. Unless you're content to bask on the beach all day, expect to spend around US$30.00 per day hiring windsurfers, snorkel gear, tennis courts, etc.
If you stay at a resort, you don't need to carry money at all since everything will be billed to your room and you can settle up when you leave with travellers cheques or credit cards (American Express, Visa and MasterCard are best). It's best to carry money in US dollar denominations, but British pounds and euros are pretty acceptable. You won't need Maldivian rufiyaa unless you're using local shops and services. The capital, Malé, has some excellent local restaurants serving spicy fish curries for just a few rufiyaa.
Officially, tipping is discouraged in the Maldives. Unofficially, if the service is good - and it usually is - it's quite customary to tip room staff and waiters in your resort. US$10.00 per week is a suitable amount. A few resorts add a 10% service charge, in which case there's no need to tip. Bargaining is limited to tourist shops in and around Singapore Bazaar in Malé and at island village souvenir shops where prices are not fixed.
- Name
- Rufiyaa
- Symbol
- Rf
-
Sample Price Guide
- roll of 24 exposure print film
- Rf 90.00
- postcard and stamp
- Rf 23.00
- small bottle of beer
- Rf 35.00
- internet access per half hour
- Rf 100.00
- roll of 24 exposure film
- Rf 75.00
- public toilet useage fee
- Rf 2.00
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe US$30-160 US$160-500 US$500-800 US$800+ Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe Rf7-12 Rf12-25 Rf25-65 Rf65+
Currency
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
