1. Price

To say that staying at a guesthouse decreases the cost of your stay would be an understatement. My boyfriend and I paid $3000 in total for a 7-day trip to the Maldives. That included round-trip tickets from Singapore, round-trip seaplanes from Male, boat transfers, all meals (and they were delicious), two dives each and a welcome massage. This is close to half as much as we would have spent elsewhere. And while the rooms weren’t over the water, we had beachfront access to one of the most amazing beaches I’ve ever seen.

The rooms were simple, but very clean and comfortable.

And the beach made up for anything the rooms lacked. This beach was directly in front of our room.

2. Culture

Guesthouses are located on islands where Maldivians actually live. You are free to roam the island, modestly clothed of course, and take in daily life. It was interesting to see how and where they lived. For me, seeing and learning about culture is the most important part of traveling. You don’t get this on a resort. Click here for more pictures of the island itself.

Pool and outdoor restaurant at Casa Mia.

3. Access to the island

I’ve heard some complain about being restricted within their resort. This was not the case for us. We were free to roam the guesthouse grounds, the entire island and even had a private island that we had access to via kayak. When we grew tired of the hotel we went for a stroll or kayaked. No place was off limits to us, including the nearby beach where the locals congregated at sunset, the soccer pitch where people of all ages hung out, or even the graveyard and tiny mosque. It was pretty cool actually.

This outdoor living space was great for reading or stretching out and enjoying the view from our room.

4. Avoid the crowds

We basically had the beach to ourselves the entire stay. There was no competing for umbrellas and chairs. No crowded pool or restaurant. We didn’t even really hear our neighbors. We were of course free to meet people and get to know the other guests, but we were also free to just relax and not be bothered.

5. Price

Did I mention how cheap it was? For me saving is important because it allows me to travel even more, but not at the expense of the experience. If you can research and find just the right guesthouse you can have a magical experience in the Maldives at a price that makes it a trip you can do more than once in a lifetime.

Tip: When booking keep in mind that not all guesthouses are created equal. There were seven guesthouses total on the island of Mathiveri where we stayed, but ours was the only one I’d actually stay in. It was really more of a boutique hotel with beachfront property and a beautiful small pool and common area. I can’t say the same for the others. Only one other guesthouse on the island had access to a private beach where regular bathing suits were allowed, and even that was a walk to get to. All others had no access to a private beach, so you were free to swim in the local beaches, but had to be fully clothed. Of the seven guesthouses, ours was the only one right on the beach, with a view, a pool, and diving. A little research goes a long way though, and there are some fantastic deals out there. Good luck!

To get the full experience, make sure you have an ocean front property. This place was popular, but looked a little shabby and was not on the beach.

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Flight

If you are coming from within Asia, flights to Maldives are pretty reasonable. But you will likely need another flight and perhaps even a boat once you arrive. Unless you plan on staying near the main island of Male, you will need to book a separate seaplane, which will cost at least a few hundred US dollars round-trip. For me, this was just about the amount I paid for my international flight, nearly doubling my total flight costs. There are of course very nice resorts within sailing distance from Male, but these resorts often have lots of seaplanes flying overhead throughout the day, making it perhaps not as tranquil as you had hoped. So there is a trade off; close and possibly busy or farther away and more expensive.

You should also plan your flight time carefully. Seaplanes do not operate after dark, so you will have to stay a night in Male if you arrive too late. And just from the bit of Male I did see on my trip, it’s safe to say that there is very little reason to stay in Male more than you have to.

The advantage to taking a seaplane is this view.

Food

If presented with the option of getting an all-inclusive package, get it. Most islands have nothing but the resort on them. If you do not get an all-inclusive package you will be buying ala carte which can quickly add up and maybe even cost more in the long run. You can also try bringing in food, but ramen on a hot desert island gets old quick. If you are staying at a guest house there may be some dining options on the island, and even stores, but the options are very limited. Also, you should pay close attention to the small print. Some resorts offer all-inclusive options with special surcharges during holidays that you are forced to pay on top of the already ridiculous prices. In fact, pay attention to all small print. You may be surprised by how much of it there is.

We packed lots of snacks just in case, but luckily they were not needed.

Drinking

I’m not a drinker, but this is one thing I was worried about. What if I want to relax with a nice glass of wine at the end of the day? I am on vacation after all. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the prices were even more reasonable than at home. But I had to take a small boat to get to a big boat where drinking was allowed. I paid $6 for a beer and could have purchased a whole bottle of wine for $25. Not bad at all. I’ve heard others complain of the prices of alcohol in the Maldives, but I think the price is often based on the hotel itself. The fancier the hotel, the more expensive the drinks. If you plan on enjoying a drink or ten, make sure to figure out what the prices are like beforehand.

Our hotel had limited drink options, but what they had was pretty cheap. There was a wine list as well.

Guesthouses Are An Option

You’ve seen the pictures of the over the water bungalows with their own private pools and glass floors so you can see the fish below you. Yeah, well they cost a small fortune. When I was searching for hotels I couldn’t find anything fitting that description, with food, for below $800 a night, plus flight. So I opted for a guesthouse. I didn’t know what to expect really, but was so pleasantly surprised. For exactly $1160 each, my boyfriend and I stayed at a guesthouse on the beach for 6 days with all meals included, two dives each, plus our seaplane and boat transfer.

The private beach of Casa Mia on Mathiveri Island.

Modesty

The Maldives is a Muslim country. When you see itsy bitsy bikini pictures on the beach this may not be the first thing to come to mind, but it is important to remember. If you are a woman, you should make sure to pack at least one sleeved shirt and a longer pair of shorts (to the knees). Guys must also cover up, but generally it’s less of an issue. While most people stay on the resort their entire trip, you should be modest when getting to and from the resort. I saw plenty of people disregarding this rule, but I had no interest in being “that girl”.

By considering these 5 things before booking, you are sure to find the perfect place for you. The planning is the hardest part. The rest is paradise.

The post 5 Things to Consider When Planning a Trip to Maldives appeared first on Maya the Explorer - Expat Blog | Travel & Lifestyle.