Beauty and Its Cost - Paradise Island Resort - Maldives

Cost Incurred in the trip to Maldives

Undoubtedly, one of the most expensive country Maldives was on top of my travel list. It has got the best beaches from around the world. The dream honeymoon destination for couples where I got the chance to hop around with Nitin in my birthday week. We planned for this trip in the month of June. We were both geared up to any how make this trip cost effective. We did lot of researches and gathered hell lot of information before making this trip to happen.

Romantic view - Maldives

Flight and Accommodation

‘Male’ being the Main Island and the gateway to Maldives (as the airport of Maldives is located on this island) is equipped with lots of accommodation. But also being the most densely populated city, we were not in favor of staying there. We always wanted to experience the true beauty in a secluded island Resort, for which Maldives is famous for.

Note : Always keep in mind that transfers cost are very high in Maldives, So if you are on budget always try to choose a resort near Male city. And always include your transfers in your Package. Individual transfer cost is very high. Higher than your Resort cost even. (See transfer cost at Atoll Transfers)

So we were looking for a nearby island so that we don’t need to hire a see- plane or a speed boat for long distance that could cost us high. Read our journey to Island (Also Read: Maldives Arrival- Land of Blue Water and White Sand)

Some of the Islands that are close to Male Airport are (See hotel Reviews)

1.      Paradise Island Resort
2.      Bandos Maldives
3.      Kurumba Maldives
4.      Adaaran Club Rannalhi
5.      Cocoa Island Maldives

And so we found, Paradise Island Resort, located in the North Male Atoll which is 15 Minutes ride from Airport. All set with required flight tickets and accommodation, now is the time I should share my average expenditure.

Spice jet Ticket - Small place - Cochin to Maldives

Flight tickets costs both for INR 36,000/- (for a couple) from Delhi and a beach bungalow stay at Paradise Island Resort costs us around INR 49,000/-per couple (Half Board – Breakfast and Dinner) for three nights and four days.

If you are planning to experience the stay at ‘Water Villa’, I recommend to get it pre- booked. Option to upgrade to Water Villa for one or more nights is also available at the resort but that can cost you very high.

Water villa - paradise island - Maldives

Activities at the Resort

Coming to the Water Activities Paradise Island Resort provides you with wide variety of activities including Scuba Diving, Snorkeling (Read Our Experience) and any other activity like Dolphin Watching, parasailing etc. Scuba Diving and Snorkeling were among the dream activity for both of us. So we could not manage to drop them down from the to-do list. ;-)

To inform you in advance, each and every activity is a non-refundable activity. One you get it booked, you have to pay for it whether you go for it or not (For more details also Read: Blue All around- Scuba Diving and Snorkeling at Maldives)

Scuba Costs us ($111 + Taxes) around INR 9,000/- per person that is INR 18,000/- for both of us.

For Snorkeling we got our own equipment’s ready so we saved our penny from hiring them at the resort. (Snorkeling equipment cost – Rs.1,500 Two Set) And also, we did snorkeling at our own convenience any number of times at any location we liked. So we saved our money here also by not booking this activity.

For other water activity, you can add INR 6,000/- more to your expenditure list.

Food and Beverages

Though we got our package pre-booked but that was half board, which includes breakfast and dinner for the meal. Also, it doesn’t include any of the drink. I recommend you to go for All-Inclusive (If your Budget allows) because it includes all meals and drinks in your package. So that you don’t need to hassle for your drinks at the resort. We opted for half-board because of several reasons:

One, we both are non-Alcoholic drinkers.

Second, we knew the food at this resort won’t be that alluring for vegetarians. (For details read Previous post - Varied Food Options at Paradise Island Resort)

Burger King - price list - Maldives Airport

    

We spent ($ 11 * 2) around INR 1,500/- for buying Veg Burger Meal (Only vegetation Option available) at Burger King at the Airport on the day Maldives Arrival. A Long journey from Delhi to Maldives will always make you feel hungry once you reach the airport (Lunch not included in our package), so you have to compensate for that at airport) Also, the resorts are at some distance from airport where it is not necessary that you reach at the time of meal.

We also spent ($ 20 + Taxes) around INR 1,600/- in buying pizza at the resort from 'Tramanto' (an Italian restaurant). – Not as per our taste buds – Definitely not for 1 person.

Rest we had our ‘Ready to Cook’ eating stuffs with us – Our all time favorite, saves cost, as well as life savoir for Vegetarians.

Invoice - Paradise island resort - Maldives

Total Expenditure

Summing every cost above,

INR (36,000 Flights + 49,000 Resort booking + 1500 Burger King + 21000 Resort Bill)

Total INR 1, 07,500 (Total) was spent by us in our trip to Maldives for three night and 4 days.

A worth spent for a couple on such a romantic destination, a secluded one equipped with its own natural beauty.

Maldives, for which I have already starting dreaming about and planning to visit it again to experience some more of islands and its beauty.