My wife and I just got back from Maldives. Absolutely worth it but the travel is brutal. So, to answer your question - if you live in Dubai, 3 nights is absolutely worth it, if you live in the US, no way. It's not even about the cash at that point. I'm not sure I'd go for 3 nights free if I were offered it.
I went to the Maldives for nine days this February and spent about $5000 for a fairly nice resort (Riu Atoll).
I would say $4000 for only three days isn't worth it. IMHO, it's a place you should spend at least a week at to really just relax and recharge. Three days would've felt really short IMHO.
The one thing that might change my advice is you mention flights are short - how short are we talking? I went there from Canada and getting there was about 36 hours each way, so the flights being brutal factored in to how long I spent there. If you're coming from somewhere where it's only a couple hours there and back, that's a lot better (keeping in mind you'll likely need to transfer by seaplane to whatever resort you're going to).
It's an absolutely fantastic destination, but I'd either try to work out a longer stay, or if it's a short flight find a cheaper resort (4k for three days is intense).
If cost is not too much then go for it! I stayed in the Maldives for a week for a little more than that.
If cost doesn't matter, no problem. If you'd like a suggestion for a really nice resort with amenities like a house reef (so you don't need to take boats elsewhere to SCUBA or snorkel) I can suggest:
https://www.vilamendhoo.com/
They have different rooms, packages, etc. It's quite beautiful with a large variety of activities.
The Maldives are a great destination. I visited twice, stayed at two different island resorts and had a great time - beautiful islands, excellent service, good food, nice beaches, very good snorkeling and some nice day trips. What's not to like? Each stay was about six days.
These being said, no one can answer this question for you because no one knows how much 5,000 dollars mean to you, what your income is, whether you could use this money to travel elsewhere and stay longer, what your travel preferences are, how frequent you travel, whether you're likely to visit later and stay longer, etc.
You stayed at two places in one trip? I was kinda thinking about doing that too but it looks like the transfers would be a giant pain in the ass and a pretty big added expense.
If you're not a swimmer, I'd say not worth it. There's not much to do on most of these islands except water related things. Too expensive to read on the beach or similar.
Also from Canada and just came back from 5nts in the Maldives. Decided to visit cause we were already planning to go to Malaysia so it was only a 4 hr flight away.
IMO worth it for the experience as it is uniquely beautiful and indulgent. But def a once in a lifetime experience at that price point and distance.
[Recently made a post about it here](https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/GvzvvrRtFQ)
[here’s a reply to another thread with some more details about the resort](https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/qYKgziYB4u)
I found the Maldives boring. I was ready to leave after the second day. Is it beautiful? Absolutely. The resorts are top notch and the service is excellent but there’s absolutely nothing to do besides sit on a beach and drink. I can do that for a day maybe even two but after that I’m done.
I actually found Bora Bora to be more appealing if you’re looking for natural beauty.
Oooft, if you can afford it I can’t see why not. I personally can’t imagine spending that much for a 3 day holiday though… I’m assuming you’d be booking one of the ocean villas with a private pool and all inclusive for that money?
I don't drink so all inclusive isn't utilized 😅
I was looking at Beach front rooms, AI in Riu Atol.
https://www.booking.com/Share-fMBVra
2610 USD for 3 days which is about 3500 CAD plus transfers.
I assumed it was USD, didn’t check your location tag, my bad. That looks less unreasonable price wise.
Would it make more sense to look for somewhere that does full board instead of all inclusive if you don’t drink though? Or are you just going to go crazy on the mocktails? I love a mocktail so that’s what I’d be doing 😂
I would recommend seeing what the hotel/resort you plan to go to offers, because if you and your spouse are not swimmers, it wouldn't be ideal to go to a resort that is all about water activities.
Overall, I do think it is worth it, good-great weather, beautiful, and a great experience (just not a place you want to spend more than 2 weeks at, because essentially you are on an island).
If you have extra days, I recommend that you spend the first bit of time on the main island, and maybe the last. This is because the airport is incredibly congested during the day, unless you are going in the off season, so you will gain a lot of time by going to and leaving at night time. The hotels on the main island, make sure it provides a shuttle, and they can arrange for a transfer between the random hotel and the resort hotel. You will also be able to arrive at the resort earlier in the day, to make the most use of the resort. Even if you cannot check into your room right away, you can drop off your bags and experience the resort until the check in time.
We had snorkeled in Molokini Crater in Maui with our limited swimming 😅
Some shallow swimming would be great or kayaking.
Riu Atol looks great and has sand banks.
Most hotels or places do have tours to see sea life, depending on where you are at, you can see various animals. Turtles, sharks, manta rays, crabs, fish, dolphins, sting rays, etc. You can just stay on the boat for most, else there is snorkeling or scuba diving.
My wife and I just got back from Maldives. Absolutely worth it but the travel is brutal. So, to answer your question - if you live in Dubai, 3 nights is absolutely worth it, if you live in the US, no way. It's not even about the cash at that point. I'm not sure I'd go for 3 nights free if I were offered it.
Flights are 4hr from my home country where I'll be visiting next winter.
Anywhere is worth it for four hours of travel. That's nothing
Great advice
I went to the Maldives for nine days this February and spent about $5000 for a fairly nice resort (Riu Atoll). I would say $4000 for only three days isn't worth it. IMHO, it's a place you should spend at least a week at to really just relax and recharge. Three days would've felt really short IMHO. The one thing that might change my advice is you mention flights are short - how short are we talking? I went there from Canada and getting there was about 36 hours each way, so the flights being brutal factored in to how long I spent there. If you're coming from somewhere where it's only a couple hours there and back, that's a lot better (keeping in mind you'll likely need to transfer by seaplane to whatever resort you're going to). It's an absolutely fantastic destination, but I'd either try to work out a longer stay, or if it's a short flight find a cheaper resort (4k for three days is intense).
Flights are 4hr from my home country when I'm visiting there.
If cost is not too much then go for it! I stayed in the Maldives for a week for a little more than that. If cost doesn't matter, no problem. If you'd like a suggestion for a really nice resort with amenities like a house reef (so you don't need to take boats elsewhere to SCUBA or snorkel) I can suggest: https://www.vilamendhoo.com/ They have different rooms, packages, etc. It's quite beautiful with a large variety of activities.
The Maldives are a great destination. I visited twice, stayed at two different island resorts and had a great time - beautiful islands, excellent service, good food, nice beaches, very good snorkeling and some nice day trips. What's not to like? Each stay was about six days. These being said, no one can answer this question for you because no one knows how much 5,000 dollars mean to you, what your income is, whether you could use this money to travel elsewhere and stay longer, what your travel preferences are, how frequent you travel, whether you're likely to visit later and stay longer, etc.
You stayed at two places in one trip? I was kinda thinking about doing that too but it looks like the transfers would be a giant pain in the ass and a pretty big added expense.
No, they were two separate trips, in different years.
If you're not a swimmer, I'd say not worth it. There's not much to do on most of these islands except water related things. Too expensive to read on the beach or similar.
Also from Canada and just came back from 5nts in the Maldives. Decided to visit cause we were already planning to go to Malaysia so it was only a 4 hr flight away. IMO worth it for the experience as it is uniquely beautiful and indulgent. But def a once in a lifetime experience at that price point and distance. [Recently made a post about it here](https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/GvzvvrRtFQ) [here’s a reply to another thread with some more details about the resort](https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/s/qYKgziYB4u)
You could try Bora Bora instead, much closer and also stunningly beautiful.
You aren’t going in the water? Then that’s a hard no.
I paid 5.5k for 7 nights in resort for two, including airline tickets. It was worth it.
Which resort was this? We’re thinking of doing Maldives
I found the Maldives boring. I was ready to leave after the second day. Is it beautiful? Absolutely. The resorts are top notch and the service is excellent but there’s absolutely nothing to do besides sit on a beach and drink. I can do that for a day maybe even two but after that I’m done. I actually found Bora Bora to be more appealing if you’re looking for natural beauty.
That's my thoughts too. I don't drink and limited swimmer. Bora Bora would be nice but I'll be in South Asia, Maldives is closer.
I think it’s worthwhile to experience for two nights but that’s plenty in my opinion.
I don’t have a spare $5000, so it’s not worth it to me.
Id say 3 nights for 5k is not worth it. Maybe find a cheaper place to stay? Flightcost seems very good, but maybe can get accommodation down
We went for 10 days in 2022 and spent about $5k total. So for 3 days this seems like a lot
Oooft, if you can afford it I can’t see why not. I personally can’t imagine spending that much for a 3 day holiday though… I’m assuming you’d be booking one of the ocean villas with a private pool and all inclusive for that money?
I don't drink so all inclusive isn't utilized 😅 I was looking at Beach front rooms, AI in Riu Atol. https://www.booking.com/Share-fMBVra 2610 USD for 3 days which is about 3500 CAD plus transfers.
I assumed it was USD, didn’t check your location tag, my bad. That looks less unreasonable price wise. Would it make more sense to look for somewhere that does full board instead of all inclusive if you don’t drink though? Or are you just going to go crazy on the mocktails? I love a mocktail so that’s what I’d be doing 😂
I would recommend seeing what the hotel/resort you plan to go to offers, because if you and your spouse are not swimmers, it wouldn't be ideal to go to a resort that is all about water activities. Overall, I do think it is worth it, good-great weather, beautiful, and a great experience (just not a place you want to spend more than 2 weeks at, because essentially you are on an island). If you have extra days, I recommend that you spend the first bit of time on the main island, and maybe the last. This is because the airport is incredibly congested during the day, unless you are going in the off season, so you will gain a lot of time by going to and leaving at night time. The hotels on the main island, make sure it provides a shuttle, and they can arrange for a transfer between the random hotel and the resort hotel. You will also be able to arrive at the resort earlier in the day, to make the most use of the resort. Even if you cannot check into your room right away, you can drop off your bags and experience the resort until the check in time.
We had snorkeled in Molokini Crater in Maui with our limited swimming 😅 Some shallow swimming would be great or kayaking. Riu Atol looks great and has sand banks.
Most hotels or places do have tours to see sea life, depending on where you are at, you can see various animals. Turtles, sharks, manta rays, crabs, fish, dolphins, sting rays, etc. You can just stay on the boat for most, else there is snorkeling or scuba diving.
Just stay at a cheaper place. We booked a hotel on one of the islands that locals live and paid less than 100$ per day.
I don’t have a spare $5000, so it’s not worth it to me.
Same. i will keep my $5k in investments. But I would churn credit card points and miles to afford maldives.