Cost of Living in Male
How much does it cost to visit Male? Daily budgets, accommodation costs, and real price examples for 2026.
Photo: Jared Rice / Unsplash
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget
Hostels, street food, free attractions
MVR 50
per day
Weekly: MVR 350
Monthly: MVR 1500
Examples
- 🏨Maestay Guesthouse shared dormMVR 250
- 🍽️Local cafe for Mas huni and RotiMVR 100
- 🚌Walk or short ferry to nearby islandMVR 50
- 🎟️Relax on Rasfannu Beach, people watchMVR 0
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, restaurants, guided tours
MVR 150
per day
Weekly: MVR 1050
Monthly: MVR 4500
Examples
- 🏨Hotel Ocean Grand at HulhumaléMVR 800
- 🍽️Seafood curry at Sea House CafeMVR 300
- 🚌Taxi for short distances, local ferryMVR 150
- 🎟️Snorkeling trip to a nearby reefMVR 250
Luxury
5-star hotels, fine dining, private tours
MVR 400
per day
Weekly: MVR 2800
Monthly: MVR 12000
Examples
- 🏨The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli ResortMVR 15000
- 🍽️Fine dining at Muraka restaurantMVR 6000
- 🚌Private speedboat transferMVR 3000
- 🎟️Sunset dolphin cruise with champagneMVR 4000
Cost by Category
accommodation
500-1500 MVR (budget guesthouse to mid-range hotel)
food
200-600 MVR (street food to restaurant meals)
Transport
50-150 MVR (taxis, ferries)
activities
100-300 MVR (museum entrance, local tours)
Cost by Neighbourhood
| Neighbourhood | Budget Level | vs City Centre | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henveiru | Mid-range | At Center | first-timers, culture |
| Galolhu | Budget | Slightly Cheaper | families, culture |
| Machchangolhi | Budget | Cheaper | foodies, budget |
Money-Saving Tips for Male
🏨 Accommodation
- Stay in budget neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre
- Book apartments for longer stays (weekly discounts)
- Travel in shoulder season for lower hotel rates
- Compare prices across multiple booking platforms
🍽️ Food & Drink
- Eat where locals eat, away from tourist hotspots
- Try street food and market stalls for cheap eats
- Buy lunch specials instead of evening meals
- Cook some meals if your accommodation has a kitchen
🚌 Transport
- Buy multi-day transit passes for unlimited travel
- Walk between nearby attractions to save fares
- Use public transport over taxis where possible
- Book airport transfers in advance for fixed prices
🎟️ Activities
- Take free walking tours (tip-based)
- Look for free museum days or discounted hours
- Book tours and activities online for lower prices
- Explore parks, markets, and neighbourhoods on foot
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FAQ: Male Costs
How much does it cost to visit Male?
Budget travellers can visit Male for around MVR 50/day (MVR 350/week). Mid-range travellers should budget MVR 150/day, while luxury travel costs around MVR 400/day.
Is Male expensive?
Male is affordable for most travellers. At just MVR 50/day for budget travellers, your money goes a long way here.
How much should I budget per day in Male?
For a comfortable mid-range experience in Male, budget MVR 150/day. This covers a decent hotel, meals at sit-down restaurants, public transport, and a couple of activities.
What is the cheapest way to visit Male?
Budget travellers in Male can get by on MVR 50/day by staying in hostels or budget hotels, eating street food and local restaurants, using public transport, and choosing free walking tours and public attractions.