Maldives Trip Cost Breakdown

Beyond flights and room rates: a complete breakdown of transfers, activities, taxes, and other hidden costs

Read Time:8 min read

Last Updated:March 27, 2026

Category:Trip Planning

Budget TravelBeginner FriendlyEssential Info

The Four Core Cost Buckets

•Most Maldives trip budgets break down into four parts: international flights, room and meal costs, resort transfers, and on-island extras. The biggest surprise for many travelers is how taxes and service charges are calculated.

⚠️ Extra Taxes and Fees You Should Never Ignore

•At most Maldives resorts, the listed price is not the final amount. In many cases, nearly 27% is added through taxes and mandatory charges:

•1. T-GST (Tourism Goods and Services Tax): currently 17% (subject to change by the government, so always confirm at booking time).

•2. Service Charge: a fixed 10%.

•3. Green Tax: USD 12 per person per night (typically charged for guests aged 2 and above).

•Tip: on our platform, package and room totals are usually displayed with these costs already included, so pricing is closer to what you actually pay.

Resort Transfers: A Major Budget Line

•Even if you’ve booked your room, you still can’t reach the resort without arranging transfer transportation in advance.

•- Speedboat: around USD 150 - 300 round-trip per adult

•- Domestic Flight + Speedboat: around USD 300 - 450 round-trip per adult

•- Seaplane: around USD 450 - 800 round-trip per adult (and sometimes higher at ultra-luxury resorts)

•Watch for special offers that include free transfers. Those deals can save you a significant amount, especially for couples or families.

•Compare Maldives transfer options and trade-offs

Big On-Island Extras: Activities and Spa

•Even with an all-inclusive package, most plans cover food and drinks only, not premium experiences (except some non-motorized water sports).

•- Scuba Diving: introductory dives are usually around USD 150-250 per session; Open Water certification is often around USD 700-1,000.

•- Spa: a 60-minute Balinese or Thai-style treatment typically costs USD 150-250.

•- Excursions: dolphin/whale shark trips or sandbank picnics are commonly around USD 100-300 per person.

•- Floating breakfast / underwater dining: floating breakfast add-ons are often USD 100-150; underwater restaurant dinners often start around USD 250-400 per person.