Going to Maldives is easier than you think!
The idea of visiting the luxurious Maldives seems intimidating to many Malaysians. Sure, a vacation in Maldives is no budget trip at all and requires effort to plan, but it doesn’t have to just remain a fantasy - especially if you are a beach lover.
Here’s a quick lowdown on planning your first trip to the Maldives - read it, and don’t be surprised to find yourself checking out flights after this!
01 / Understanding the structure of the Maldives
You’re no stranger to the name Maldives, but you’re probably unaware that it is not one single destination but home to 1,200 islands. The ones that you can visit are either the inhabited local islands or uninhabited resort or picnic islands developed solely for tourism. Most resorts have their own private islands and are costlier, while staying on local islands like Maafushi and Thulusdhoo will cost less and are accessible by public ferries.
02 / Accommodation choices
Next is a make-or-break decision: accommodation. This will affect most of your following budget plans, as you will likely spend most of your time hanging around where you stay. A typical Maldives holiday is spent at a water villa resort in its own private island complete with all-inclusive facilities; alternatively, staying in affordable guesthouses brings you closer to the real Maldives life, not to mention the rates will be much more reasonable too. Tip: guesthouses only became available 8-9 years ago so the establishments are still fairly new!
When choosing your accommodation, it’s important to consider its distance from Male, the capital where most visitors fly into. Airport transfers can get really expensive if the resort is far away and requires a seaplane transfer (USD $250 - $450 / trip), and you could end up paying more for transfers than the room itself! Also, try to spot for places with meals included as there are limited restaurant options on the islands.
The world class beach paradise stays perfectly around 27ºC hot all year round, though there is a monsoon season that runs from May to October. The best weather to visit is the dry season between November and April, but beware of high season rates, which peaks around December to March.
Your best bet of avoiding the high costs is towards the end of dry season, around April to May. If you have specific activities that you want to do, e.g. snorkeling & scuba diving, you’ll be happy to find that the ideal time to visit will be in the more affordable winter months when the water gets clear.
04 / How long should I stay
Malaysians require a visa, applied on arrival, and a hotel/guesthouse reservation to stay in Maldives for up to 30 days. It then comes down to two biggest criteria: 1) luxury of money and time, 2) how much do you love the beach life. If you’re a die-hard beachlover and can afford to stay longer, we suggest to spend at least a week here. Generally, many visitors may get bored after 4-5 nights by the beach and too many water activities can drill a hole in your pocket fast.
05 / Finding the right flight
The more money you save from flights, the more you get to splurge on the island experiences. As of now, AirAsia is the only airlines offering direct flights to Male from Kuala Lumpur. In the past, the daily direct flights operated by AirAsia Malaysia land in Male during the evenings; now with additional frequencies operated by its long-haul affliate AirAsia X flying four times weekly to Male, you can arrive in the morning and make more flexible travel arrangements to your hotel.
The D7 code AirAsia X flight will commence in February 6 2018, and offers a valuable kids-free quiet zone upgrade starting from RM39 so you can begin indulging in peace and serenity even in the flight itself. For extra comfort throughout your journey, you can opt for premium flatbed upgrades for not only the complete lie-flat seats, but to receive 40kg luggage and complimentary Red Lounge entry as well.
06 / Planning your activities
The relaxing beach and the watersports are the main reasons people flock to the tropical paradise, so do not expect much nightlife or entertainment programmes like tours and excursions (though certain resorts do come with these). With waters clear as crystal and spectacular underwater life, Maldives is deemed the mecca of scuba-divers. You can even get a discovery dive at one of the many PADI dive shops if you’re non-certified.
Resorts and guesthouses offer a plethora of water activities like snorkelling and parasailing, but if you’re traveling on a budget, beware that the costs may pile up easily. Nevertheless, lounging on a beach and indulging in the dreamy sea views will feel equally divine.
07 / Useful tips to be mindful of
Staying near to the locals means you can avoid high tourist prices, but it also means you need to refrain from disrespectful behavior as Maldives is a predominantly Muslim country. In other words, no alcohol, no revealing beachwear, and no public display of affection! Fret not, you can still flaunt your bikini body while enjoying a cocktail when you take day trips to resort islands, where all the above are not illegal.
As resources need to be flown into Maldives, pack everything you need or pay an unreasonably high price on the island, so maximize the 40kg luggage AirAsia X is giving you via premium flatbed from only RM699. Hunt for local packages and flight promotions from now till 28 January 2018, as these can bring you huge savings for a luxurious holiday in return when you travel from 6 February till 31 July 2018. Â
Booking Period: From now till 28 January 2018
Travel Period: 6 Feb till 31 July 2018
Fare: From RM199
With Premium Flatbed: From RM699
Book now on AirAsia website!
