A traveller has shared how she holidayed in the Maldives on a budget - spending less than £500 on her six-day trip.
Kara Wilbur, 23, and her friend, Natasha Whitley, 28, set off from London Heathrow to Thususdhoo and Dhiffushi in the Maldives on April 1. The island nation is known for its sandy beaches, turquoise water and stays at the famous water hut resorts costing up to £1,300 per night.
Rather than booking accommodation on resort islands, Kara decided to book a hotel in the local islands, Thususdhoo and Dhiffushi. Her room ended up costing her £25-per-night and it still had an ocean view.
Resorts can cost up to £1,300 per night in the Maldives, but Kara found a hotel for £25-per-night (@okay.kara.travels / SWNS)The popular holiday destination can be expensive if staying in a resort. But Kara managed to spend around £50-a-day on food, activities and travel. A ferry cost her £1.70 and she spent £7 on meals out, while enjoying the beaches for free. One disadvantage Kara did find, was that the island doesn't allow drinking and most places close by 8:30pm.
"It was an insane adventure, as soon as we left we wanted to go back. When we arrived we were so surprised, it is one thing being told it is a cheap place to travel and then experiencing it yourself," the travel content creator said. "When we realised that we could actually do this for £500 it was a nice experience. I will definitely be going back."
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With her friend, Kara split her time between the islands of Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi, staying in two beautiful beach front rooms at the Beach House by Sii Hotels and the Batutu Surf View Hotel.
The most expensive part of their trip were the flights, which included a stopover and cost them £950 each (@okay.kara.travels / SWNS)Natasha, a pharmacist and content creator, from Bournemouth, Dorset, said: "Rooms on Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi islands were around £30-a-night for a room per person. Ferries and transport were also cheap so it was much more affordable than it looked."
The pair also didn't spend a fortune on activities. Swimming with sharks set the friends back £88 each, and a trip to a deserted island including jet ski rides, cost £28 each. They also paid £12 each to take a trip to a floating bar, which is common in the local islands as they don't serve alcohol on land.
Kara said: "Thulusdhoo is really well know for its surfing and we made the most out of the beaches. It is illegal to drink on the islands themselves but legal to drink on the water so we took a boat out to have a drink and watch the sunset."
Kara posts all her content on her TikTok page, @okay.kara.travels (@okay.kara.travels / SWNS)Food cost roughly £7-a-day per person with breakfast included with their rooms. In fact, the most expensive part of their trip was the flights, which included a stopover and cost them £950 each.
Kara said: "The advantage of the Maldives is that you can walk straight out of your hotel and you will be on the beach. The views were insane and the locals on the islands are lovely."
Kara posts travel content to her TikTok page, @okay.kara.travels.
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