The Maldives is well-known as an uber-chic tropical holiday destination for the rich and the famous. But did you know that plenty of budget holidaymakers are making the most of the stunning islands and luxury resorts by buying some pretty cheap holiday packages to the Maldives? Want to know how to travel to the Maldives on a budget? Read on!

Maldives | img by Mark Hodson Photos via flickr

Around 200 of the 1,000 plus islands are occupied and most are home to private island resorts. Hold on before you think of skipping over to the budget resorts because part of enjoying a budget holiday in the Maldives is about snagging some pretty good accommodation options on the luxury resorts. Yes! It's possible. All you need to look for are the special offers. Especially the ones that roll around during off-season and shoulder seasons. Shoulder seasons are in-between low and high seasons. November to April is shoulder season in the Maldives and fits right in with anyone trying to escape winter in the west. Of course, being a tropical destination, the islands only have two seasons (the wet and dry), so you really don’t have much to worry about apart from some occasional showers.

Otherwise, you can consider the all-inclusive offers that too are pretty cost-effective allowing you to gauge the cost of your holiday upfront. Most Maldives beach resorts are happy to offer such incentives to guests, with the popular ones like Holiday Inn Kandooma Maldives adding more offers.

In case you have heard about the expensive seaplane and speed boat transfers to the island resorts from the capital island Male, and are fretting about high transport costs, consider the other option which is the local ferry. The cost of travel in comparison is exceedingly low with the only downside being how slow the service is. But if it comes to a crunch between saving a whole lot of dollars and getting to your resort a little slower, the ferry seems a very alluring compromise. You can book the ferry for your other travels too, such as exploring the local islands as well as the attractions in the capital Male. Since ferries do not travel to the private island resorts, you will have to pay for your Maldives hotel to pick you up from the nearest local island; the cost is quite minimum of course. Another point to keep in mind in case you do decide on a seaplane transfer is to minimise your baggage. While your long-haul flight to the Maldives may allow 40 kg or more, the seaplane will not, and you may end up having to pay for all the excess.

If you book an all-inclusive package, your meals are going to be included, which is a huge saving and a pretty delicious option. However, for times you are out exploring places like Male, you can check out the local tea houses and skip the fancy restaurants. The cosy little tea kiosks are perfect for a cup of tea and local snacks, which are pretty amazing and offer island flavours in every bite. Make sure to try out the range of short eats on offer as they are a speciality among Maldives cuisine.

Unless your all-inclusive package does not cover excursions as well, you will have to book them yourself or through your resort in the Maldives. Avoid sudden surprises and disappointment by doing your homework before you get to the islands. Get online and see what’s on offer. Dolphin-watching cruises, island hopping tours, surfing safaris, snorkel and diving tours are all popular options and if you explore you are bound to find some good deals and make your bookings and schedule before getting to the Maldives.