A Maldives vacation costs anything from around $1,600 per person for a week on a local guesthouse island to well over $10,000 per person at a luxury overwater resort. The gap comes down to where you sleep, how you reach your island and what you eat.
Below is a realistic breakdown for US travelers, using prices at the time of writing (November 2026). Treat every figure as a starting point and check live quotes for your dates.
Flights from the US
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Malé (MLE), so you’ll connect through the Middle East, Europe or Asia. At the time of writing, Etihad advertises economy round trips from around $1,070 from Boston and $1,210 from New York, and United lists US-Maldives fares from about $1,320. Many travelers pay more; FareCompare shows an average round-trip fare of around $1,570 from Las Vegas.
Airport departure charges are built into your ticket. Since December 2024, the departure tax plus airport development fee for foreign economy passengers totals $100.
Where you stay: guesthouses, mid-range and luxury
Guesthouses on local islands
Islands like Maafushi have dozens of small guesthouses, with doubles typically around $60–$150 a night including breakfast. Remember that inhabited islands don’t allow alcohol and swimwear is limited to designated “bikini beaches.”
Mid-range resorts
Three- and four-star resort islands generally run around $250–$500 a night for a room, before meals and taxes. You get the private-island experience, often with a beach villa rather than an overwater one.
Luxury overwater villas
At five-star resorts, villas commonly start around $800 a night and climb past $2,000 in high season. Top-end resorts go much higher.
Maldives taxes and the Green Tax
Taxes add a lot to the Maldives vacation cost, and many quoted rates don’t include them. Resorts usually add:
- 10% service charge on room, food and most extras.
- 17% Tourism Goods and Services Tax (TGST), up from 16% on July 1, 2025.
- Green Tax, which doubled on January 1, 2025: $12 per person per night at resorts and larger tourist properties, and $6 at guesthouses with 50 rooms or fewer on inhabited islands. Children under 2 are exempt.
On a $400 room, the service charge and TGST alone lift the bill to about $515 a night, before the Green Tax.
Getting to your island
Transfers are often the surprise line item. Typical round-trip costs per person:
| Transfer type | Typical round-trip cost per person |
|---|---|
| Public ferry (local islands) | A few dollars |
| Shared speedboat to a guesthouse island | Around $60–$80 |
| Resort speedboat | Around $150–$300 |
| Domestic flight plus speedboat | Around $250–$600 |
| Seaplane | Around $400–$700, more for remote atolls |
For a real example, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo lists its round-trip seaplane at $620 per adult and its domestic-flight option at $495.
Meal plans and drinks
Resort restaurants are priced like an upscale US hotel, so meal plans can make sense. Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, for example, lists half board at $95, full board at $160 and all-inclusive at $210 per person per day, plus service charge and tax.
Without a plan, expect main courses around $30–$60 and cocktails around $18–$25 at resorts. On guesthouse islands, local cafés are far cheaper at roughly $10–$30 a day. If you prefer everything included, our list of adults-only all-inclusive resorts is a good place to compare.
Activities: snorkeling, diving and spa
On local islands, snorkeling trips, sandbank picnics and dolphin cruises typically cost around $30–$80 each. Diving is good value at local dive centers; Maafushi Dive lists a guided single dive for certified divers at $50 including GST. Resort excursions and dives cost noticeably more, and spa menus vary widely, so check prices before you book. New to diving? See our guide to scuba diving destinations for beginners.
Sample 7-night Maldives budget
Per person, two people sharing a room, economy flights from the US. Accommodation and meals include service charge and TGST.
| Cost (per person) | Budget (guesthouse) | Mid-range resort | Luxury overwater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights | $1,100–$1,600 | $1,100–$1,600 | $1,100–$1,600 |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | $210–$525 | $1,125–$2,250 | $3,600–$9,000+ |
| Green Tax | $42 | $84 | $84 |
| Transfers | $60–$80 | $150–$500 | $400–$700 |
| Food and drinks | $70–$210 | $850–$1,000 (half board) | $1,350–$2,700 |
| Activities | $100–$250 | $200–$400 | $500–$1,000 |
| Total | About $1,600–$2,700 | About $3,500–$5,800 | About $7,000–$15,000+ |
How to save money
Base yourself on a guesthouse island
This is the biggest saving by far. You can still book a resort day pass or a final splurge night.
Travel in the shoulder or wet season
December to April is peak season with the highest prices. Rates usually drop from May through October or November, when the weather is less settled. Our guide to the best time to visit the Maldives covers each month.
Look at packages and inclusions
Resorts sometimes run offers with free transfers or meal upgrades, which can save hundreds per person. Compare the total including taxes, not the headline nightly rate. A travel card built for international trips also helps you avoid foreign transaction fees.
Final thoughts
A Maldives trip can be a $2,000 adventure or a $15,000 honeymoon. Choose your accommodation tier first, add transfers and taxes early, and the rest of the budget falls into place.
FAQs
What is the cheapest way to visit the Maldives?
Stay in a guesthouse on a local island, use shared speedboats or the public ferry, and travel outside December to April.
How much is the Maldives Green Tax in 2026?
At the time of writing, $12 per person per night at resorts and $6 at small guesthouses on inhabited islands, with children under 2 exempt.
Is all-inclusive worth it in the Maldives?
Often, yes, if you drink alcohol or prefer not to track a bill. Compare the plan’s daily price with what you’d typically spend.
How much is a seaplane transfer?
Usually around $400–$700 per person round trip, depending on distance.