Published 8 Oct 2026 · Updated 11 Oct 2026
You can see the Maldives for roughly ₹45,000 to ₹70,000 per person by staying in a guesthouse on a local island such as Maafushi, not in a private-island resort. The visa is free on arrival, but you must file an online Traveller Declaration first.
Visa and entry rules for Indians
Indian passport holders get a free tourist visa on arrival in the Maldives and must also file the free online Traveller Declaration. The Maldives Department of Immigration’s tourist visa page, which we checked on 8 October 2026, lists what you need:
- A passport valid for at least one month.
- A prepaid, confirmed booking at a registered facility.
- Confirmed return tickets.
- Sufficient funds for the stay. Maldives mission pages we saw in search results give a guideline of US$100 plus US$50 a day, but the immigration page does not state an amount.
- A Traveller Declaration, submitted electronically through the IMUGA portal up to 96 hours before arrival and shown at immigration. Each traveller, including children, files their own.
The page we fetched does not state the length of stay. Maldives mission pages give it as 30 days for most nationalities, so confirm it with the department if you plan a long trip. The department says the Traveller Declaration is free, needs no agent and is filed on the official portal at imuga.immigration.gov.mv. Immigration officers decide entry at the port, so keep the guesthouse confirmation and return ticket on your phone and on paper.
Do not pay a website to file the declaration or arrange a “visa”. The government form is free, and look-alike sites exist.
What it costs in rupees
Per person, sharing a double room, five days and four nights in a guesthouse on Maafushi. These are our estimates for typical rates, not quotes. Sources vary widely on guesthouse prices, and rates rise in the December to April peak.
| Item | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Return flight, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi to Malé | ₹18,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Guesthouse, 4 nights (half the room cost, with tax) | ₹10,000 – ₹18,000 |
| Speedboat transfers, both ways | ₹3,000 – ₹4,000 |
| Green tax at about US$6 a night, 4 nights | ₹2,000 – ₹2,200 |
| Food, ₹1,200 – ₹1,800 a day | ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 |
| One snorkel or sandbank trip, plus extras | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
| eSIM, insurance, small extras | ₹2,500 – ₹4,000 |
| Total | ₹45,000 – ₹70,000 |
Flights are the biggest line, and fares are usually lower outside the December to April peak. Compare prices for your dates, and book three to four weeks or more ahead. A package may look cheaper, so check whether it includes the speedboat and the green tax.
Day-by-day plan: 5 days on Maafushi
Day 1: land and transfer
Fly into Velana International Airport on Hulhulé. After immigration, find your guesthouse’s speedboat desk (a shared boat to Maafushi takes roughly 45 minutes). Ask the guesthouse in advance to meet you at the jetty. Spend the afternoon on the island’s bikini beach, and eat dinner in the village.
Day 2: snorkelling and a sandbank
Book a half-day trip through your guesthouse: reef snorkelling, a sandbank stop and often a turtle or stingray encounter. Compare quotes from two operators, and confirm that life jackets and a guide are included.
Day 3: a quiet day, or a dive
Beginners can try a discovery dive at a local dive centre, but ask for certification details and safety rules first. Otherwise, rest on the beach, rent a kayak and swim at the bikini beach. Sunset is best from the island’s far side.
Day 4: a second island or a sunset cruise
Hop to a nearby local island by public ferry, or join a sunset dolphin cruise from Maafushi. Dolphin sightings are common on these cruises, though never guaranteed.
Day 5: back to the airport
Take your pre-booked speedboat to the airport at least four hours before an international flight. Speedboats are for island hopping, not for last-minute connections, so leave a buffer.
Rules on a local island
- No alcohol in guesthouse villages. It is sold at resorts, not on local islands. Check the current customs rules before you pack any.
- Dress modestly in the village, covering shoulders and knees. Swimwear belongs on the designated bikini beach.
- Fridays are quieter, and some ferries do not run.
- Vegetarians should tell the guesthouse in advance. Fish is the staple, and a kitchen used to Indian guests will cook rice, dal and vegetable curries.
Best time to go
December to April is the dry, sunny season, with calmer seas and the highest prices. May to November is wetter and windier, with cheaper flights and rooms, so most budget travellers aim for the shoulder months, April and November. Check the forecast for snorkel trips, because rough seas can cancel them.
Practical tips
- Money: US dollars are widely used. Carry a forex card, and keep some cash for small shops, because not every guesthouse takes cards or charges a card fee.
- UPI: do not rely on it. Ask your bank about international UPI before you go.
- SIM: a prepaid tourist SIM or an eSIM bought in advance avoids queues at the airport.
- Plugs: guesthouses use Type D, G and others, so carry a universal adapter.
- Sun and reef: use reef-safe sunscreen and do not touch coral.
Related guides
Want another island trip? Read our Seychelles island-hopping plan, our Mauritius honeymoon plan, our Malaysia honeymoon plan or the Sri Lanka guide. For a cheaper, mountain-based trip, see Bhutan trip cost from India. More facts are on the Maldives hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?
Indians do not apply for a visa in advance. A free tourist visa is issued on arrival, and Maldives mission pages give it as valid for up to 30 days. You must also submit a free online Traveller Declaration, and carry a confirmed return ticket, a prepaid booking at a registered facility and enough funds.
What is the Maldives Traveller Declaration and what does it cost?
It is an online form on the official IMUGA portal, imuga.immigration.gov.mv, filed once per traveller, including children. It is free, and the immigration department says no agent is needed. File it up to 96 hours before arrival and show it at immigration.
Can I visit the Maldives on a budget from India?
Yes, by staying on a local island such as Maafushi in a guesthouse instead of a private-island resort. Budget roughly ₹45,000 to ₹70,000 per person for five days including flights, which is a fraction of resort prices.
How do I get from Malé airport to a local island?
The airport is on its own island, Hulhulé. Guesthouses usually arrange a speedboat transfer, which reportedly costs about $20 each way for a shared boat to Maafushi. A cheaper public ferry runs from Malé city but not on Fridays and not on every day at the same time, so check mtcc.mv or ask your guesthouse.
What is the green tax in the Maldives?
It is a per-night tax on tourists. Reports from February 2026 put it at USD 6 a night in guesthouses and USD 12 a night in resorts and hotels, with children under two exempt. Confirm with your guesthouse whether it is included in the quoted price.
Is the Maldives safe and suitable for vegetarians?
Local islands are quiet and relaxed. Vegetarian food is manageable but limited: expect rice, roshi, vegetable curries, fruit and eggs, and ask guesthouses in advance because fish features in most local dishes. Many guesthouses have Indian or Sri Lankan cooks.
Can I drink alcohol on a local island?
No. Alcohol is generally not served on local islands, because it is sold only at resorts and on some safari boats. Dress modestly in the village and use the designated bikini beach for swimwear.
