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This video made me smile. The world’s Richie Riches taught “the poor natives” how to serve up luxury. They rebelled-hooray!-and now set up their own mini-luxury B&Bs, luxury they had first learned to cater to in the fancy bungalows. What a great job training program! Bravo, Maldives!
Reminds me that that's how French gastronomy democratized. After the big aristo houses fell to the Revolution, their master cooks opened restaurants and the fare of dukes and marquesses reached many in the lower classes
Exactly! I’ve always believed that the vast amount of money in vacation destinations should go DIRECTLY to the people and local economy, and not multinational corporations where they extract the wealth.
They rebelled? Huh? They EMBRACED is more like it. Ask why it took so long. How many would have seen a higher quality of life DECADES AGO had the government not oppressed them. The Richies showed the locals how to prosper you silly communist.
I went to Maldives in 2014 on $600 budget ( flights, hotel, food, boat rides) I went with 4 other friends and we stayed on a beautiful island with locals and explored other tropical 5-star islands as well. Our hotel was 4 star but it was truly 5 -star experience. We practically had $3000 experience for $600. You have to plan your trip ahead and believe me you can experience proper luxury for budget.
This is very accurate. I stayed in the Maldives twice when my husband was working there. My children and my family from Belgium all stayed in these affordable guesthouses on beautiful island. The service was second to none and we could do all the same activities as on the resorts.
Thanks for sharing. Yes the locals Guesthouses are truly nice and the beautiful ocean and lovely atmosphere can be felt on most of the island. Do you also have a favorite place in the Maldives?
Say me please - I've always wondered how the sewage disposal issue is resolved in all these resorts... I don't think they were able to make many septic tanks below sea level
I hope this video reaches more people. More people need to know that for literally 1/100th of the price you can pay at a luxury resort, you can stay at a local guesthouse, where you know that the money you spend is guaranteed to be aiding the local community instead of making a big company's portfolio bigger. And yes, the service will indeed be the EXACT same as on a resort because the people that usually run these establishments are experienced veterans of the service industry and know how to make a guest feel welcome.
screw the price buddy - what´s even more important is the life experience you get at the "local" accommodation! Even if one has the money to spend, or money doesn´t matter, you can´t buy that experience you get (mostly) at local stays! I´m glad I was reminded by this video! Back to basics are sometimes the best!
@@ClausThannerindeed! for the best experiences with the locals, I recommend researching Maldivian and Islamic holidays. National Day, Independence Day, Republic Day, Victory Day, Martyrs Day, and Unity Day all have varying degrees of importance and celebratory flair
@@Tugela60 Slum? The whole point is that travellers are having great experiences at the same location, but not having to get spoon fed at a Disneyland fairytale resort - the other experience to that doesn´t not have to be slum!
Lakshadweep ✅✅ Maldives ❌❌ is overrated, overpriced and full of racist people. Totally unsafe for tourists. Lakshadweep located in the Arabian Sea is far better. #BoycottMaldives #StopRacism
As a Maldivian, thank you very much for raising awareness about this ❤🇲🇻 Edit. This applies to everyone. Could we end the ridiculous nonsensical controversy between Maldives and Lakshadweep. I’m sick of it. I have nothing against Lakshadweep. If anything I have respect for the place and the people. So could we please just stop? The media on both sides are just escalating the situation and anyone normal is trying to get it to end. We don’t need the moronic Maldivian media and government to make this a bigger problem than it actually is. So could we pls have some sort of peace. Maldives ❤️ Lakshadweep.
Hello, Maldivian! I have two questions for you! Do female tourists have to cover their hair? Are we allowed to tip for great service? I never wanted to go to one of the ridiculous resorts owned by foreign companies but the idea of meeting locals and helping the LOCAL economy is incredibly alluring!!!
@@tropicaldaze23 if you are a female tourist it isn’t compulsory in anyway to cover your hair. I do advice on tipping because local businesses don’t usually make too much money.
But it is not cheap to go to Maldives anyway 🤷♀️ Because maldives is buying everything from other countries and people need to understand that it can’t be cheap
@@alibellka Maldives isn’t completely reliant on imports from other countries. The Maldivian fisheries industry is mainly for the benefits of the locals granted we do still export fish. Our tourism industry is our biggest source of income which means that of people weren’t visiting Maldives, our government would quickly go bankrupt. Going to Maldives and staying at a good resort would mean spending several thousands of dollars. Going to Maldives and staying on a local island is cheaper and I would argue that it’s just as good if not better than staying on a resort. Going to another country will never be cheap but if you have the opportunity wouldn’t you want to make it cheap especially if you’re giving money to the locals rather than any large organization?
Hello from Maldives. I hope you visit the undiscovered side of Maldives in the North and South islands next time. Beautiful mangroves and wetlands are unspoken beauty.
@@indiantinamorals5791 you can live on the coast of Kenya for a fraction of the cost with the same white sandy beaches. The difference is they clean the beaches in the Maldives..I prefer it natural. A coconut in the Maldives costs 3 to 4 times more than in Kenya. The food is also very cheap in Kenya. A large population of Indians from Goa settled on the Kenyan coast at one time and left their Indian food everywhere on the coast. Lots of history from Fort Jesus that was built with help from people from Goa and the Portuguese in the 15th Century. Sadly many of the people were massacred with the Portuguese in this Fort when the Sultan's son staged a revolution in the late 16th century His father had had been killed by the Portuguese and he was sent to Goa for an education. When he was an adult he returned to Kenya and avenged his father's death. He did allow a handful women and children from Goa to return back. There are the National parks with all the top 5 animals and friendly people. Lots of Italian, German and British people live on the coast so you should fit in being from Ireland. They have lots of Irish Catholic priests and nuns in Kenya if you get home sick.
Lovely and would love to visit and like to meet you n other Maldivian's as well someday. Our similar cultures, heard like the people of Lakshwadeep. I am a Keralite Muslim also known as Malabaris.
Wow thank you! The locals deserve the support and respect you gave them so much. I think everything is better than get stuck in a resort, where ever it is. Living the local live is what a trip makes it interesting and help the locals in their own businesses.
@WildVikingTravels Norway and Iceland are also on my bucket list. I have Norwegian blood in me from waaaay back. Born and raised in BC Canada (Victoria) I've been traveling alot this year (15 countries in Europe and Japan and Philippines for a total of 17)... my first year ever going over seas. I'm thinking I might have to check it out here now too. Thanks for the video and all the great ideas. Got my meat computer thinking about it now.
Thanks to you guys, the Maldives is now back on my list of places to visit. Thanks for showing the other side, the real side of it. Happy and safe travels!
Try Philippines it has more to offer better than Maldives it is absolute paradise with low-cost budget to travel ,you won't regret going in philippines
@@allantagbar5883 I will go to the Philippines first. It's in my top 5 places to visit. The Maldives is somewhere far behind it. I just need to win the lottery. ☺
At the same time, i believe they are either brainwashed by those who are attempting to rule the world with their global agenda, or they're being paid by them. Almost all their videos have something that leads you to believe they're working for them, trying to convince the viewers to embrace their world agenda propaganda. Such as climate change being caused by humans; to accept the cool digital world where they control every aspect of your life; take the vaccines that make you sick; no gender identification; avoid traveling through Russia cos they're the enemy, etc.
Tourism screwed up the country. They had easy lives before, then they started wanting what the tourist had, and wanting the tourist money which increased the price of living everywhere. It forced most people to get full time jobs they didn't need before. People started having to move to the big city islands to get jobs. Tourism did a lot for the country, but it also erased lots of the previous ways of life. It also caused lots of divorce. They have the highest divorce rate in the world. Many spouses would work on separate islands, so husband's would get girlfriends, mostly foreign workers at resorts, and wives also do that alot. I worked there for over 3 years.
Thank you for making a dream destination that always seemed out of reach into something tangible…the world is for everyone not just one class of people ❤️
@@darkdragonspinaki if it was that easy to visit .. it would have been ...but the infrastructure needs to be done for the preservation of the marine life around it ... Mainly the coral reefs. Us Indians are good at making paradise into a dustbin in matter of hours. So proper rules has to be assigned as it is an island nation having vulnerable eco system.
The Maldives dream🏝️🏖️ destination is a nightmare☪️☀️. While the world🌏🌎🌍 might be for everyone, The Maldives🇲🇻 is only for fanatical Sunni Muslims☪️ who are the only people who are allowed to vote or have other citizenship rights.
Having visited the Maldives 8 times in the past 5 years and staying every time in some luxury resort with over-water villas and spending latterly tens of thousands of dollars, I am shocked of how much this video is an eye-opener. Especially that I am no alcohol drinker. Thank you for this wake-up call.
Especially knowing that by staying at only resorts, the local people are at most gaining a job with an hourly rate as low as the resort can get away with paying them. While spending much less in the local areas, the local people benefit much more. It being their islands, they should be the ones gaining the most, not being exploited.
I call bullsh*t on this. If you are sufficiently wealthy to take 8 luxury holidays in 5 years and spend tens of thousands of dollars, I find it hard to believe that you have had some epiphany after watching a short video. I think you’re telling porky pies 😂
@@ddraigmafon4725 It's not hard to believe at all, it makes perfect sense. If you are wealthy, you probably do not spend time researching budget travel destinations and budget tips/tricks for travelling...
@@ddraigmafon4725 Especially the fact that people who travel to the maldives are there for the over water stay and the indian ocean, not to stay at a hotel or visit a beach that is basically the same experience across world beaches. If you got it you got it
Same in Bora Bora. All the tourism is geared to the very expensive resorts. Instead we stayed at one of the motus (small islands inside the lagoon) run by local natives who owned their ancestral motu. It was an amazingly beautiful location way far from the high tourism, and better than the resorts' areas we saw, with modest but comfortable accomodations and meals. They also had kayaks. We were the only gringos there because the other lodgers were only French. And it was a wonderful, memorable stay. The only touristy thing we did in the main island was to go by jeep to the top for an amazing view of the lagoon and to a pineapple farm where we ate. Our tour guide was also native.
What makes this guy cool is his sincerity, that messy hair, that space between his teeth (hey I'm a fan - I have the same thing), and his friendly girlfriend.
I also love to travel in a way that I experience the local culture, because to me that’s what travelling is about. When people stay in hotels (bubbles) they experience nothing. Thanks for sharing some of the local culture and most importantly for supporting the locals by booking their guest houses 🙏🏽👍🏽👏🏽💪🏽
I always knew there was a real Maldives in the capital city / island and not just resorts. Thanks so much for showing me this. It makes me a lot more interested in visiting the Maldives as a country, to meet the real people and culture... and not just be separated from a real world "paradise".
I visited the Maldives in July this year with my best friend, and after watching this video it all makes even more sense! We stayed on a beautiful island called Fulhadoo and we chose to stay in a local guesthouse called Azsoush. The place cost us 300 euros for 2 people and included THREE meals per day - breakfast, lunch, dinner. I'm just so grateful to the owners for making our Maldivian dream come true and anyone who wants to visit these heavenly islands MUST do it ASAP while WizzAir flies direct from Abu Dhabi to Male for like 190 pounds RETURN! So glad the locals allowed tourists on their islands, it was the best holiday we ever been to. The people are so friendly and welcoming. I wish I was back there even for a day!
Hey there, Fulhadoo island looks beautiful from photos. How's the situation with swimming, is the water deep enough around the beaches without dangerous currents?
it is just perfect! I have spent a very long time researching many islands, this is the best one and I proved myself right when I was there. Cheap, BEAUTIFUL and gorgeous beaches. Dont even think about anything else, Fulhadhoo is a hidden gem! Dont be aftaid to stay in the locak guesthouses, you will save sooo much money and get the best local experience. I cant wait to go back !!! 😊@joannacuper5496
I also have been there but i go for luxury.I dont care about the local industry.Also i want a beer when im on Holiday not following muslim rules.So sorry its the expensive islands for me.Also Male is a hole.
Im 61 & have never been out of the US besides Canada & Mexico. After I turned 60 I decided every day left on earth is a gift I need to explore now. I am so grateful to you for sharing this. The people respect & love their environment & it loves them. Bucket list today. ❤
As a retired photographer in my sixties now I look back with great fondness to my first photo safaris in the 80s and the rare privilege of living with curious locals on fishing islands like Felidhu when only a handful of resorts catered to mostly Italian tour groups . Take the time and trouble to follow this excellent guide to experiencing paradise before it’s too late Shukuriya ….🦖😎
This practice of overcharging tourists, I believe, is common around the world by many big companies. The experience one has with the locals has no price tag and is more valuable than anything a high-end resort would ever be able to offer. Thank you for sharing this
Reminds me of my experience when I traveled to Costa Rica. Stayed with a local for one night and stayed at an Airbnb throughout the rest of my time there. I also met a local one night on a Pub Crawl who I became really cool with, we didn't leave one of the night clubs until about 3AM and the next day, we were going around the city with his guidance, of course. One of the BEST experiences ever!
Hvala brate što otvaraš oči ljudima iz celog sveta. Nije u redu "da nas deru" veliki lanci hotela i kao i uvek profitiraju, umesto da obični ljudi iz lokalne zajednice imaju neke koristi od turizma. Pozdrav iz Srbije! 🇷🇸
@@ridinwithjake Of course, South-Slavic languages (Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian...) are very similar to the other Slavic languages like Polish, Czech or Slovakian... We have much respect to our northern brothers, and also to all eastern Slavs (Russians, Ukrainians, Belarussians)! Cheers! 🍻 🇵🇱✊🇷🇸
I was in the Maldives in 2011, once we walked around the island and went to the wrong place, more precisely, where local people live and work and where tourists do not belong! Everyone greeted us, they were very friendly and hospitable! I will definitely come to the Maldives again with my family! With love from Russia.
Having travelled the Maldives extensively and tried both resorts ranging in the thousands for just a few days and lots of local guesthouses, this video is so on point and a worthwhile watch for anyone who thinks Maldives isnt possible on a budget. Another good point for giving the local life a chance is that many luxury resorts are absolutely ecological disasters, drilling their stilt houses into local coral reefs, producing massive plastic waste that often ends up in the ocean and turning neighbouring islands into smoldering trash burning pits... In short: Do as the Wild Viking says and support the local way of life!
@@nailbanger2 It goes to the local (yes, based on the island) water processing/treatment plant and reused or released back to the sea. It is not all doom and gloom as some try to present it. The Maldivian government has gone into great lengths to preserve their natural habitat and identity, even if they had to force big corporations to comply.
Thank you for this video! It has opened my eyes from viewing the Maldives as a place I would never be able to afford to go to, to a place I can make plans to experience and make life memories! Thanks to you!
I am so glad you made this video! All the others vids about vacationing in the Maldives seemed over the top and WAY too expensive. Plus no culture to experience. You have shown me the way and I'm extremely grateful to you and your girlfriend for this Thank you!
How absolutely stunning! Thank you for showing us that the Maldives can be a destination for everyone and to stay more locally, would benefit the community instead of multinational corporations.
Omg! I'm so glad we ran into this channel! My husband and I are getting ready to retire but but don't have much$. We we seriously considering either buying a home or taking the vacation of our dreams.... we have been watching the luxury videos to dream, but usually ended up with tears and depression due to the perceived cost! Now I have tears of joy!! Thank you!!😂❤😂❤
Fiji is where we have gone from New Zealand, and the service is great- always- chilled coconuts quite cheap. Good food, excellent facilities; we love the place, and it is just 3 hours from us and Australia.
This is why I love you tube, I am so glad I got to see this video, now I know I can afford to go to the Maldives and experience the beautiful culture ❤
me and my wife visit maldive in 2021. we lived in local island. we did all our activities and enjoyed alot .in resorts you can not enjoy local life and some time alone . everything was perfect ,food,hospitality,nature, beach and locals. its a great memory for us..
I think it's genuinely awesome that you're offering a different perspective on the Maldives. My wife and me went many years ago to Kuramathi (as well as Sri Lanka) for our honeymoon. We did the whole tourist experience, water villa and all inclusive, and it was amazing and I have no regrets about that. However, I looked recently and I found it just not worth the money for the value you're getting. But I admit I was only considering the big private islands rather than the more traditional / guesthouse approach.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video - I've always been an "off the beaten path" kind of traveler shunning tour groups, resorts, tourist traps and tour guides with large groups. All of my most memorable travels were totally off the well-traveled paths; you can see the local life and sights a 100x better when you're not with a tour group or stuck in a resort.
Have made several trips to the Maldives. As a commercial airline mechanic, I was fortunate enough to have this type of cost cutting inside info. I had a beautiful little villa for about $30 a day, stayed 14 days each time. One of my fav parts is the toilet in with the shower. Seemed weird to me at first but I really grew to love this concept. 👍
This honestly looks so much better than the fancy rich people villas over the water. :'D I would love to go the Maldives but never thought it possible before! Now it feels like I could possibly go AND take a friend lol I'll check out the book when I go to plan the trip, thanks for sharing!
Truly informative, truthful and down-to-earth vlogging content. Thanks forgiving us the 'other side' of the real, least expensive, and truly cultural Maldives! Keep up the good work! Love and Mabuhay from our equally beautiful and enchanting paradise islands- the Philippines!
I have now had the privilege of being based in the Philippines for 24 years. Some down sides but mostly far better than living in Europe. Stick to the locals and put your cash into the community. Stay away from big cities and avoid multi national corporations with their glossy brochures.
My husband and I just got back from the Maldives and we stayed in a luxury resort. We are not rich by any means but by budgeting our money we will go back for the same experience in 2 years. Our accommodations were much better than what I've seen in this video. Anantarah Kihavah can't be beat!!
Outside resorts you cannot openly express religion and must dress modestly, and you may need to pretend to be married. Maldives is based on Sharia law.
@@jumpyjoanne I missed nothing in translation. The money is being spent in the local economy, even in the luxury resorts. You are the one missing something in translation.
I went there with my family, many, many years ago (almost 40.) We stayed in a hut on the beach and didn't get electricity after 9 at night. Amazing to see how it has changed.
Wow, I loved this video! For our family, traveling means living *with* the locals. I hope you'll continue making videos, showing us the less expensive ways to experience and mostly, the local culture and what we should expect when we go. For instance, if my wife and I were to go, we'd respectfully be "sisters" while we're there.
I would never have even considered the Maldives until now! Thank you for showing us the possibility of making a dream come true! I am a new follower and look forward to more videos.
Thank you so much for making this video - I have been considering the Maldives as my next holiday destination and now I know I can save a lot of money but also help the local economy instead of making big corporations even richer.
What a beautiful video, in so many ways. Your appreciation for the local people comes through so strongly and your tone is warm and respectful. It's also great to see that there are alternatives that allow our tourist dollars to make their way directly into the local economy. Fantastic work!
This has been the best travel video I’ve ever seen! Honest, wholesome and purposeful! Thank you for sharing! I will OF COURSE be buying the guide! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Wow, thank you for the kind words! It really warms our hearts to see how many people find this useful 😊🙏. Our plan was to simplify share our experiences in the Maldives, yet it is truly amazing to see that this information was new and insightful for other. Best Wishes currently from Norway Joe and Liisu 😊
I agree with your synopsis, travel smarter, not over priced junk, alot of these high end resorts offer influencers and RUclipsrs free accommodation for free publicity for their followers. Great video
Some folk travel the more expensive path and others do not. It’s all about your purchasing power, circumstances and most of all personal choice. Simple 👍🏾 (Good to see a video showing the more affordable choice)
Thank you for doing this video. Now i have a new dream destination on my list. Maldives has always been close enough for me to go to, but too expensive to try. Also I'm really grateful on behalf of the local people, who deserve to live a comfortable life from their own tourism. ❤
Well a bit of a head's up spend the money or visit the resort 1/3 of Maldivian is a foreign workers, usually indian Sri Lankan Bangladesh. And people can't be certain about you're experiences and impression as you go through it , see it as levels the more you pay the better overall experience you get even the ppl you see interact
If you're visiting a resort there will be a specialisd ground person taking care of all you're needs and guiding you to you're flight sea plane or preferred transport either a boat and there on the other side all the head of departments awaiting to welcome you, but if you're going to visit a local island you will not have these privileges most of the time people assume you know what you're doing and they are busy with their life unless you ask for help everyone would be willing to help but if you visit an island expect most the shop cashier's and people in the streets you might come across are foreigners
I’m so thankful to you how much you have gone through in depth all the problematic area when it comes to tourism in Maldives. Yes everyone can enjoy holidays without spending 100 thousand dollars and even get to know the culture here in Maldives with the local islands guest house offers.
I’ve heard about this from my Indian friends that Maldives on a budget is doable. I’ve always thought it’s too water locked for my taste and the high price made me even more disinterested. Seeing how relaxed the island life it can be, it definitely is one place I would like to visit someday.
Thank you for showing the another side of Maldives which at a lower budget. The water is so clear and we were surprised by the unique stingray experience! 😍
Before the local islands opened up, my now wife and I went to Faru, just 15 minutes boat from the airport. The whole trip cost us around $2500, all inclusive. The hotel was adverted as a two star but the food was five, easily. We had so much fun and it was a great experience that didn't ruin us financially. Now that the islands are open, it would be amazing to go again. Thank you for this wonderful video!!! 🙏❤️
Very nice video. I have been to Maldives and stayed in a five star resort for four days. You can understand what it means. And I came to realise exactly what you brought out. Gooood work. All the best
I´ve been fortunate enough to travel the whole world thanks to my family. I´ve seen the luxury side of things and I´ve also seen the "on-budget" side of things when I travel with my friends. Everything comes down to preference but I do enjoy both sides. When I travel with my whole family, I travel with my parents and grandparents and both of them want to spend their holidays in luxury. They want the typical all-inclusive service (unlimited food, drinks etc.) so that they don´t have to worry about anything and when we travel to Maldives, they usually book the water villas. It´s awesome and I do enjoy it a lot. But when I travel with my friends we travel on a budget and it´s amazing as well, when we sometimes sleep in a car, tent, in the open or in a local house. The experience is great as we need to buy our food locally, cook it and such. So I wouldn´t call luxury places a scam. You won´t get unlimitet food, drinks and the service of a 5* luxury resort in a place where it costs $20/night. But I do get your point. In the end, as I mentioned at the beginning, it all comes to personal preference. I´ve seen Maldives from both sides and both sides have their ups and downs. Cool video anyways. ;)
@@ImtheONEnotthetwoThat kinda thinking is what I live by. Small retailers suffer around me in S.France all the time. I avoid big stores out of principal
Thank you for showing us this side of the Maldives. I am sure every place that can be very expensive must have cheaper options. It was nice to see what is actually available for a very reasonable price.
We was at Maldives this year at Ukulhas and it was my best holiday ever. I always tought that Maldives is just the expensive resorts, that was a shock. Beautiful beaches and trees everywhere. ❤
Do you guys have any recommendations for exactly what to search for pleeeease? I only need an internet connection and tasty food & nice people :) happy to try and learn the lingo and just polite and respectful. I haven’t finished the entire video yet so sorry if it’s covered later. I will keep watching and check description. Many thanks ❤
You couldn’t be more right! My husband and I are visiting the Maldives exclusively on local islands and are overwhelmed with the hospitality and kindness of all people!! ❤️
Bro, lemme first tell you that your voice sounds super sincere and just listening to it made me happy. I like how you are actually telling us the story from the locals end. I however believe that people will still prefer the expensive resorts not because they want to spend extra but because the resorts in all these years have created a brand of trust. any nationality would freely come to these resorts enjoy themselves & return safely. The world is unaware of the locals customs, their behavior, their temperment, and how safe it is to directly deal with the locals. People believe that even if the resorts charge them more, the service would be more refined, they will get what they are promised & all of this under one roof.. The locals need to make more videos offering their services and letting the world know how they do business. If possible a local organisation should step up to ensure fair prices and tourist safety. Even then this will take some time,but you are amazing because right now you are the beginning of that change. I really hope the world can come to accept this side of Maldives. All the best for your Future Travels.
you are funny. there are plenty of videos for the most travelled places like paris , prague, milan with lots scams and horroe stories but people still go there. not having any info on the places should not deter you to go there......
Been going to Maldives since 2010. Stayed at the village/local islands all times. But with each visit, it seems to be getting more and more crowded and commercialized. Definitely good for the locals.. But the experience is not the same I had in my first visit in 2010. The charm of the islands has changed
I really love your videos, you know how to enjoy yourselves with sending much less than other people expect, and what make it even better is that you share your full experience so others can discover these places and enjoy while being on budget. Thanks for sharing
Saying thank you is not enough. You have given me back my dream to take my Wife to the Maldives. I never thought I would ever be able to take her there.
Wow, thank you for this comment! It is so lovely to see that this video is truly helping others. Take care and i hope you will have a wonderful time in the Maldives!!
I never knew this side of the Maldives. The idea of staying in a hut over the water was not appealing, but now seeing that there are other options, makes this a bit more feasible. :)
Most high end resorts have island villas as well as over water villas. They are usually separated from each other by jungle, so if you want you can have essentially your own private beach.
The generosity and the friendliness of the Muslims always amazes me. Now that I can get a copy of your travel itineraries, I will definitely visit there. Thanks bro
Really like this informative video. I have gone to the Maldives in one of those luxury resorts. I would say that whether it's the budget friendly way of experiencing Maldives like in this video or the expensive way, both are unique. The luxury experience just can't be experienced at low budget. It's very unique and still worthwhile in my mind. However if on a budget I think this video shows that it can be done
@@amitsivaraman3940not misleading. He did not suggest that budget accommodation gets one the same luxury in a 5* resort. He merely introduced to readers that one can enjoy the Maldives at low budget.
OMG I am going to Maldives in March 2005 and booked thru travel agent. I had seen vlogs from Filipino vloggerd doing it cheap and they enjoyed the place too. Unfortunately my husband and I are on our 70's and cannot do it on our own, hence the need for travel agent and tour packages. Your vlogs is an eye opener and very honest and cares for other people. Kudos to you, hope you have more vlogs about other places.
Heyhey! Thank you for the kind words! And I truly hope that you will have a wonderful holiday over there!! PS! Bring a lot on sunscreen :) Best wishes! Joe and Liisu
Very true! I have been to several resorts in The Maldives. They are indeed great, however I must say that the best overall experience I have had was in a local island. Fehendhoo. Just to add up something that wasn’t mentioned, you can always book a day pass to many resort island and experience some of its luxuries. It usually including transportation, lunch and drinks and costs between 80-130usd PP.
Nature & man coexisting in harmony is truly a beautiful thing! Thank you for sharing your experience - the ones who pay all that $$$$ will never experience the true feelings of Maldives 🇲🇻. ❤
You are right in a way. We stayed at Kaani and a luxury resort as well. I loved both of them in their own ways. The luxury resort offered more services in terms of kids clubs, more variety of food and nicer pools for the kids. I guess for a couple with no little kids, a local island is just perfect and definitely more bang for your buck.
Jo and Liisu just loving your content and love the bond you two have for each other . It’s so nice to have a channel based solely on trying to help people save money and still have a blast ! I am sorry that I never got to say hi while you was at the Great Ocean Road , I could have shown you some beautiful spot along that road that is not very well known . Keep up the wonderful content and stay safe ❤
This is probably the most likeable travel video I've seen. Thank you for these great insights! I've now subscribed to the channel and look forward to more.
Maldives has never been on my bucket list but watching this video has changed that. When I travel I enjoy meeting and seeing different cultures . Thank you.
Same! I love local experiences and the ads gave the illusion that this is strictly a luxury vacation spot with no local places to access. Watch a tourism video for other places and you’ll see locals, not the case for ads for the Maldives.
Fantastic video. I'd never considered the Maldives as a destination as I hate these luxury resort style holidays. You've introduced a whole new perspective on the place that I was completely unaware of.
I have booked a 2 week stay in a guesthouse in Addu atoll, scuba diving included. I am now struggling to make my colleagues and friends realize I paid less than a 10 days holiday in Europe, they refuse to believe me. Ok, no alcohol for 2 weeks, but I am diving anyway, so would not drink regardless. I might just share this video so no need to argue anymore!
Yes! I totally agree, holiday to Europe can be much more pricy and I think you already know this, but diving in the Maldives is so much fun 😁👌. You are definitely going to have a great time 😉👍
There are plenty of beaches in the UK and in particular in Scotland that are significantly nicer than any in the Maldives. Yes we don’t have the high temperatures but the sand is as white and water is as turquoise blue. Plus the sea food here is better.
Thank you for sharing this and showing a more lively side of the Maldives. In most countries, holiday resorts don't benefit the local economy. However, even the presence of hostels will make an impact and improve the standard of living for local people and their businesses.
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Check out the Maldives On a Budget Travel Guide and start planning your dream vacation: www.wildvikingtravels.com/shop-1/p/maldives-on-a-budget-travel-guide
Thank you! Wow, what a difference, I am so so excited to put this place back on my list for our family. So much love to you guys ♥️
Where did you start ?
Thank you 🙏 peace and blessings for giving me an opportunity to take my family to this destination. I will look to book thanks to the travel guide.
Thank you so much for sharing this information. God bless!
No mate. Il do my own thing thanks. Don’t need your negativity or to live like a chump on $49 a day.
This video made me smile. The world’s Richie Riches taught “the poor natives” how to serve up luxury. They rebelled-hooray!-and now set up their own mini-luxury B&Bs, luxury they had first learned to cater to in the fancy bungalows. What a great job training program! Bravo, Maldives!
Exactly, everything was a process
Reminds me that that's how French gastronomy democratized. After the big aristo houses fell to the Revolution, their master cooks opened restaurants and the fare of dukes and marquesses reached many in the lower classes
Come to Ireland if you want B&B
Exactly! I’ve always believed that the vast amount of money in vacation destinations should go DIRECTLY to the people and local economy, and not multinational corporations where they extract the wealth.
They rebelled? Huh? They EMBRACED is more like it. Ask why it took so long. How many would have seen a higher quality of life DECADES AGO had the government not oppressed them. The Richies showed the locals how to prosper you silly communist.
I went to Maldives in 2014 on $600 budget ( flights, hotel, food, boat rides) I went with 4 other friends and we stayed on a beautiful island with locals and explored other tropical 5-star islands as well. Our hotel was 4 star but it was truly 5 -star experience. We practically had $3000 experience for $600. You have to plan your trip ahead and believe me you can experience proper luxury for budget.
Where did you fly from? Cause tickets itself can be a nightmare. How long were you there for?
@@Dan-xx5jqflights for 600 all? Where from
@@Dan-xx5jqI think if people from India and Middle East areas the flight would be a lot cheaper than North America
Where did you book? Because all the travel agents in the UK sell you the expensive stuff, they don’t show you the other side like this video
I spend a minimum of 12k on trips
This is very accurate. I stayed in the Maldives twice when my husband was working there. My children and my family from Belgium all stayed in these affordable guesthouses on beautiful island. The service was second to none and we could do all the same activities as on the resorts.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes the locals Guesthouses are truly nice and the beautiful ocean and lovely atmosphere can be felt on most of the island.
Do you also have a favorite place in the Maldives?
I'm actually Maldivian and while it's better than the content a lot foreigners make, it's not super accurate. You tried tho 🤷🏽♀️
@@xiainacamelotwhat's not accurate?
@@xiainacamelotexplain what's not accurate?
@@xiainacamelot cry more
I am a Maldivian and I am so happy you Posted the real Maldivian life
Say me please - I've always wondered how the sewage disposal issue is resolved in all these resorts... I don't think they were able to make many septic tanks below sea level
I hope this video reaches more people. More people need to know that for literally 1/100th of the price you can pay at a luxury resort, you can stay at a local guesthouse, where you know that the money you spend is guaranteed to be aiding the local community instead of making a big company's portfolio bigger. And yes, the service will indeed be the EXACT same as on a resort because the people that usually run these establishments are experienced veterans of the service industry and know how to make a guest feel welcome.
Yeah, but I don't WANT to hang out with poor people like you. That is what people pay for. It is not all about being as cheap as possible.
screw the price buddy - what´s even more important is the life experience you get at the "local" accommodation! Even if one has the money to spend, or money doesn´t matter, you can´t buy that experience you get (mostly) at local stays! I´m glad I was reminded by this video! Back to basics are sometimes the best!
@@ClausThannerindeed! for the best experiences with the locals, I recommend researching Maldivian and Islamic holidays. National Day, Independence Day, Republic Day, Victory Day, Martyrs Day, and Unity Day all have varying degrees of importance and celebratory flair
@ClausThanner I don't go to places like that to slum. I can do that just fine back home.
@@Tugela60 Slum? The whole point is that travellers are having great experiences at the same location, but not having to get spoon fed at a Disneyland fairytale resort - the other experience to that doesn´t not have to be slum!
Thank you for showing us the true heart of Maldives....the people and their culture
Our pleasure! Gald you enjoyed it!
Ppl there aren't the natives to the island . It's filled with illegal migrants, creating ruckus to gov too.
@@WildVikingTravelsTHANK YOU FOR THE TRUE 🙏
Alot of people don't know about our culture indeed
Lakshadweep ✅✅ Maldives ❌❌ is overrated, overpriced and full of racist people. Totally unsafe for tourists. Lakshadweep located in the Arabian Sea is far better. #BoycottMaldives #StopRacism
As a Maldivian, thank you very much for raising awareness about this ❤🇲🇻
Edit. This applies to everyone. Could we end the ridiculous nonsensical controversy between Maldives and Lakshadweep. I’m sick of it. I have nothing against Lakshadweep. If anything I have respect for the place and the people. So could we please just stop? The media on both sides are just escalating the situation and anyone normal is trying to get it to end. We don’t need the moronic Maldivian media and government to make this a bigger problem than it actually is. So could we pls have some sort of peace.
Maldives ❤️ Lakshadweep.
Hello, Maldivian! I have two questions for you! Do female tourists have to cover their hair? Are we allowed to tip for great service? I never wanted to go to one of the ridiculous resorts owned by foreign companies but the idea of meeting locals and helping the LOCAL economy is incredibly alluring!!!
@@tropicaldaze23 if you are a female tourist it isn’t compulsory in anyway to cover your hair. I do advice on tipping because local businesses don’t usually make too much money.
I am planning a trip there and will be doing the same, the resorts will not get my money!
But it is not cheap to go to Maldives anyway 🤷♀️ Because maldives is buying everything from other countries and people need to understand that it can’t be cheap
@@alibellka Maldives isn’t completely reliant on imports from other countries. The Maldivian fisheries industry is mainly for the benefits of the locals granted we do still export fish. Our tourism industry is our biggest source of income which means that of people weren’t visiting Maldives, our government would quickly go bankrupt. Going to Maldives and staying at a good resort would mean spending several thousands of dollars. Going to Maldives and staying on a local island is cheaper and I would argue that it’s just as good if not better than staying on a resort. Going to another country will never be cheap but if you have the opportunity wouldn’t you want to make it cheap especially if you’re giving money to the locals rather than any large organization?
The quality of the video, the subtitles, the b-roll shots, and THE MESSAGE - absolutely fantastic. Thank you algorithm!
Glad you enjoyed it!
And thank you for the kind words!
Thank you for this. Good on the Maldives people for fighting back against the corporations
Yes great to hear they managed to stand up to big giants
Hey now it was to corps that brought the attention. It was their government that was stifling the locals.
Hello from Maldives. I hope you visit the undiscovered side of Maldives in the North and South islands next time. Beautiful mangroves and wetlands are unspoken beauty.
@muhsinaabdulrahman9072 You are so lucky to be living there, love from Ireland
@@indiantinamorals5791 you can live on the coast of Kenya for a fraction of the cost with the same white sandy beaches. The difference is they clean the beaches in the Maldives..I prefer it natural. A coconut in the Maldives costs 3 to 4 times more than in Kenya. The food is also very cheap in Kenya. A large population of Indians from Goa settled on the Kenyan coast at one time and left their Indian food everywhere on the coast. Lots of history from Fort Jesus that was built with help from people from Goa and the Portuguese in the 15th Century. Sadly many of the people were massacred with the Portuguese in this Fort when the Sultan's son staged a revolution in the late 16th century His father had had been killed by the Portuguese and he was sent to Goa for an education. When he was an adult he returned to Kenya and avenged his father's death. He did allow a handful women and children from Goa to return back. There are the National parks with all the top 5 animals and friendly people. Lots of Italian, German and British people live on the coast so you should fit in being from Ireland. They have lots of Irish Catholic priests and nuns in Kenya if you get home sick.
We hope to visit the north and south the next time as well since the middle part we discovered! Glad that there is so much more still yet to visit!
Would love to visit. Looks like heaven. Greets from Frankfurt
Lovely and would love to visit and like to meet you n other Maldivian's as well someday. Our similar cultures, heard like the people of Lakshwadeep. I am a Keralite Muslim also known as Malabaris.
Wow thank you!
The locals deserve the support and respect you gave them so much.
I think everything is better than get stuck in a resort, where ever it is. Living the local live is what a trip makes it interesting and help the locals in their own businesses.
Totally agree!
For us traveling is all about learning and discovering new cultures 😊👍.
Best wishes currently from Norway 😁
@WildVikingTravels Norway and Iceland are also on my bucket list. I have Norwegian blood in me from waaaay back. Born and raised in BC Canada (Victoria) I've been traveling alot this year (15 countries in Europe and Japan and Philippines for a total of 17)... my first year ever going over seas. I'm thinking I might have to check it out here now too. Thanks for the video and all the great ideas. Got my meat computer thinking about it now.
This blew my mind. I never thought about it that there are other options.
Thanks to you guys, the Maldives is now back on my list of places to visit. Thanks for showing the other side, the real side of it. Happy and safe travels!
Try Philippines it has more to offer better than Maldives it is absolute paradise with low-cost budget to travel ,you won't regret going in philippines
@@allantagbar5883 I will go to the Philippines first. It's in my top 5 places to visit. The Maldives is somewhere far behind it. I just need to win the lottery. ☺
I think the world needs more of you guys, exposing the stupidly greedy giants and showing the world equally if not better alternatives
At the same time, i believe they are either brainwashed by those who are attempting to rule the world with their global agenda, or they're being paid by them. Almost all their videos have something that leads you to believe they're working for them, trying to convince the viewers to embrace their world agenda propaganda. Such as climate change being caused by humans; to accept the cool digital world where they control every aspect of your life; take the vaccines that make you sick; no gender identification; avoid traveling through Russia cos they're the enemy, etc.
Tourism screwed up the country. They had easy lives before, then they started wanting what the tourist had, and wanting the tourist money which increased the price of living everywhere. It forced most people to get full time jobs they didn't need before. People started having to move to the big city islands to get jobs. Tourism did a lot for the country, but it also erased lots of the previous ways of life. It also caused lots of divorce. They have the highest divorce rate in the world. Many spouses would work on separate islands, so husband's would get girlfriends, mostly foreign workers at resorts, and wives also do that alot. I worked there for over 3 years.
Hell yeh
I didn’t know that the Maldives is an Islamic country. They really don’t show us everything in the media! Thank you 🙏
Formerly colonized by Somalia!
@@managementhelpline5022 They’re racist because they said they didn’t know Maldives was Islamic? You need to grow up. 🤦🏻♂
@@managementhelpline5022 Not racist.... we're just learning about a beautiful country.
@@hotmess9640lol😂😂 get educated. Don't embarrass yourself here.
@@indianabukidboyszutowicz3191don’t, they are surly better without you
Thank you for making a dream destination that always seemed out of reach into something tangible…the world is for everyone not just one class of people ❤️
Exactly. Let's smash the lies and boundaries.
Visit Lakshadweep instead ✅✅
Far cheaper and affordable in the same Indian Ocean 🌊
@@darkdragonspinaki if it was that easy to visit .. it would have been ...but the infrastructure needs to be done for the preservation of the marine life around it ... Mainly the coral reefs. Us Indians are good at making paradise into a dustbin in matter of hours. So proper rules has to be assigned as it is an island nation having vulnerable eco system.
One day we will have it all even better and it will be foe eternity the rich only have it temporarily our is for eternity without end
The Maldives dream🏝️🏖️ destination is a nightmare☪️☀️.
While the world🌏🌎🌍 might be for everyone, The Maldives🇲🇻 is only for fanatical Sunni Muslims☪️ who are the only people who are allowed to vote or have other citizenship rights.
Having visited the Maldives 8 times in the past 5 years and staying every time in some luxury resort with over-water villas and spending latterly tens of thousands of dollars, I am shocked of how much this video is an eye-opener. Especially that I am no alcohol drinker.
Thank you for this wake-up call.
Especially knowing that by staying at only resorts, the local people are at most gaining a job with an hourly rate as low as the resort can get away with paying them. While spending much less in the local areas, the local people benefit much more. It being their islands, they should be the ones gaining the most, not being exploited.
You don’t ask questions?
I call bullsh*t on this. If you are sufficiently wealthy to take 8 luxury holidays in 5 years and spend tens of thousands of dollars, I find it hard to believe that you have had some epiphany after watching a short video. I think you’re telling porky pies 😂
@@ddraigmafon4725 It's not hard to believe at all, it makes perfect sense. If you are wealthy, you probably do not spend time researching budget travel destinations and budget tips/tricks for travelling...
@@ddraigmafon4725 Especially the fact that people who travel to the maldives are there for the over water stay and the indian ocean, not to stay at a hotel or visit a beach that is basically the same experience across world beaches. If you got it you got it
Same in Bora Bora. All the tourism is geared to the very expensive resorts. Instead we stayed at one of the motus (small islands inside the lagoon) run by local natives who owned their ancestral motu. It was an amazingly beautiful location way far from the high tourism, and better than the resorts' areas we saw, with modest but comfortable accomodations and meals. They also had kayaks. We were the only gringos there because the other lodgers were only French. And it was a wonderful, memorable stay.
The only touristy thing we did in the main island was to go by jeep to the top for an amazing view of the lagoon and to a pineapple farm where we ate. Our tour guide was also native.
What makes this guy cool is his sincerity, that messy hair, that space between his teeth (hey I'm a fan - I have the same thing), and his friendly girlfriend.
SAME As Any Other Island Resort
Thank you for the kind words!
And I am truly lucky to have Liisu (my girlfriend) traveling with me 😁👍
I also love to travel in a way that I experience the local culture, because to me that’s what travelling is about. When people stay in hotels (bubbles) they experience nothing. Thanks for sharing some of the local culture and most importantly for supporting the locals by booking their guest houses 🙏🏽👍🏽👏🏽💪🏽
I always knew there was a real Maldives in the capital city / island and not just resorts. Thanks so much for showing me this. It makes me a lot more interested in visiting the Maldives as a country, to meet the real people and culture... and not just be separated from a real world "paradise".
Same
I visited the Maldives in July this year with my best friend, and after watching this video it all makes even more sense! We stayed on a beautiful island called Fulhadoo and we chose to stay in a local guesthouse called Azsoush. The place cost us 300 euros for 2 people and included THREE meals per day - breakfast, lunch, dinner. I'm just so grateful to the owners for making our Maldivian dream come true and anyone who wants to visit these heavenly islands MUST do it ASAP while WizzAir flies direct from Abu Dhabi to Male for like 190 pounds RETURN!
So glad the locals allowed tourists on their islands, it was the best holiday we ever been to. The people are so friendly and welcoming.
I wish I was back there even for a day!
Nice. People helping people. Good experience, fair profit for the kind hosts. 👍 its right on
Hey there, Fulhadoo island looks beautiful from photos. How's the situation with swimming, is the water deep enough around the beaches without dangerous currents?
it is just perfect! I have spent a very long time researching many islands, this is the best one and I proved myself right when I was there. Cheap, BEAUTIFUL and gorgeous beaches. Dont even think about anything else, Fulhadhoo is a hidden gem! Dont be aftaid to stay in the locak guesthouses, you will save sooo much money and get the best local experience. I cant wait to go back !!! 😊@joannacuper5496
I also have been there but i go for luxury.I dont care about the local industry.Also i want a beer when im on Holiday not following muslim rules.So sorry its the expensive islands for me.Also Male is a hole.
Sorry, did it cost you 300 euros in TOTAL or each day????
Gan Island is a very beautiful local island. The Hotel Equator Village had one of the most beautiful reefs I have seen
Im 61 & have never been out of the US besides Canada & Mexico. After I turned 60 I decided every day left on earth is a gift I need to explore now. I am so grateful to you for sharing this. The people respect & love their environment & it loves them. Bucket list today. ❤
As a retired photographer in my sixties now I look back with great fondness to my first photo safaris in the 80s and the rare privilege of living with curious locals on fishing islands like Felidhu when only a handful of resorts catered to mostly Italian tour groups . Take the time and trouble to follow this excellent guide to experiencing paradise before it’s too late Shukuriya ….🦖😎
This practice of overcharging tourists, I believe, is common around the world by many big companies. The experience one has with the locals has no price tag and is more valuable than anything a high-end resort would ever be able to offer. Thank you for sharing this
Reminds me of my experience when I traveled to Costa Rica. Stayed with a local for one night and stayed at an Airbnb throughout the rest of my time there. I also met a local one night on a Pub Crawl who I became really cool with, we didn't leave one of the night clubs until about 3AM and the next day, we were going around the city with his guidance, of course. One of the BEST experiences ever!
Overcharging doesn't exist. If you dont like the price, then dont buy it. The person paying has agency in the decision.
Hvala brate što otvaraš oči ljudima iz celog sveta. Nije u redu "da nas deru" veliki lanci hotela i kao i uvek profitiraju, umesto da obični ljudi iz lokalne zajednice imaju neke koristi od turizma. Pozdrav iz Srbije! 🇷🇸
I speak Polish and I understood your comment without translation 😛🇵🇱 Slavic languages are close enough.
@@ridinwithjake But Serbians don't think like Poles. Their mind works like Russians. They love Russki Mir
Jedan slovenacki par ima hotelcic na jednom od ostrva.
@@ridinwithjake
Of course, South-Slavic languages (Serbian, Croatian, Slovenian...) are very similar to the other Slavic languages like Polish, Czech or Slovakian... We have much respect to our northern brothers, and also to all eastern Slavs (Russians, Ukrainians, Belarussians)! Cheers! 🍻 🇵🇱✊🇷🇸
@@ridinwithjake Дзякуй, Děkuji, Dziękuję, Ďakujem, Дякую.....
I've been to Ohmadoo island before. Amazing place!
I was in the Maldives in 2011, once we walked around the island and went to the wrong place, more precisely, where local people live and work and where tourists do not belong! Everyone greeted us, they were very friendly and hospitable! I will definitely come to the Maldives again with my family! With love from Russia.
Having travelled the Maldives extensively and tried both resorts ranging in the thousands for just a few days and lots of local guesthouses, this video is so on point and a worthwhile watch for anyone who thinks Maldives isnt possible on a budget. Another good point for giving the local life a chance is that many luxury resorts are absolutely ecological disasters, drilling their stilt houses into local coral reefs, producing massive plastic waste that often ends up in the ocean and turning neighbouring islands into smoldering trash burning pits... In short: Do as the Wild Viking says and support the local way of life!
Amén!! 🙏🏼
That is pretty ignorant. Sounds like you have an agenda.
The first thing I thought upon seeing the rows of stilt houses- "where does the sewage go?"
@@nailbanger2 It goes to the local (yes, based on the island) water processing/treatment plant and reused or released back to the sea. It is not all doom and gloom as some try to present it. The Maldivian government has gone into great lengths to preserve their natural habitat and identity, even if they had to force big corporations to comply.
Thank you for this video! It has opened my eyes from viewing the Maldives as a place I would never be able to afford to go to, to a place I can make plans to experience and make life memories! Thanks to you!
As a Maldivian, I say this video is done pretty well, I will share this video with my friends around the world, thanks!
Wow, thank you!
I am so glad you made this video! All the others vids about vacationing in the Maldives seemed over the top and WAY too expensive. Plus no culture to experience. You have shown me the way and I'm extremely grateful to you and your girlfriend for this Thank you!
How absolutely stunning! Thank you for showing us that the Maldives can be a destination for everyone and to stay more locally, would benefit the community instead of multinational corporations.
Omg! I'm so glad we ran into this channel! My husband and I are getting ready to retire but but don't have much$. We we seriously considering either buying a home or taking the vacation of our dreams.... we have been watching the luxury videos to dream, but usually ended up with tears and depression due to the perceived cost! Now I have tears of joy!! Thank you!!😂❤😂❤
Why not try Philippines ,,so will see low cost world class beach resort awesome nature ,,,and some modern global city
This video is so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for this priceless information. I will be getting the travel guide.
Glad it was helpful!
Fiji is where we have gone from New Zealand, and the service is great- always- chilled coconuts quite cheap. Good food, excellent facilities; we love the place, and it is just 3 hours from us and Australia.
This is why I love you tube, I am so glad I got to see this video, now I know I can afford to go to the Maldives and experience the beautiful culture ❤
me and my wife visit maldive in 2021. we lived in local island. we did all our activities and enjoyed alot .in resorts you can not enjoy local life and some time alone . everything was perfect ,food,hospitality,nature, beach and locals. its a great memory for us..
Thank you that was great! I have always wanted to go to the Maldives but I thought it was too expensive, but thanks to you I will give it a go!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I think it's genuinely awesome that you're offering a different perspective on the Maldives.
My wife and me went many years ago to Kuramathi (as well as Sri Lanka) for our honeymoon. We did the whole tourist experience, water villa and all inclusive, and it was amazing and I have no regrets about that. However, I looked recently and I found it just not worth the money for the value you're getting. But I admit I was only considering the big private islands rather than the more traditional / guesthouse approach.
❤
I thoroughly enjoyed this video - I've always been an "off the beaten path" kind of traveler shunning tour groups, resorts, tourist traps and tour guides with large groups. All of my most memorable travels were totally off the well-traveled paths; you can see the local life and sights a 100x better when you're not with a tour group or stuck in a resort.
Wow! A new vacation for my bucket list.
Have fun! It really is a lovely place!
I loved this. Your respect for the local culture and people. Your compassion. I absolutely loved this. You have such a good heart and it showed here ❤
Thank you so much!
Have made several trips to the Maldives. As a commercial airline mechanic, I was fortunate enough to have this type of cost cutting inside info. I had a beautiful little villa for about $30 a day, stayed 14 days each time. One of my fav parts is the toilet in with the shower. Seemed weird to me at first but I really grew to love this concept. 👍
This honestly looks so much better than the fancy rich people villas over the water. :'D I would love to go the Maldives but never thought it possible before! Now it feels like I could possibly go AND take a friend lol I'll check out the book when I go to plan the trip, thanks for sharing!
We were really surprised to see this side of the Maldives ourselves as well!
Authentic, but still beautiful 😊👍.
And thank you for the comment 🙏
😅5
😮
@@WildVikingTravelswhy not try Philippines to experience different paradise and awesome people and culture
The Maldives is my favorite vacation destination. The most relaxing place on earth.
Truly informative, truthful and down-to-earth vlogging content. Thanks forgiving us the 'other side' of the real, least expensive, and truly cultural Maldives! Keep up the good work! Love and Mabuhay from our equally beautiful and enchanting paradise islands- the Philippines!
I have now had the privilege of being based in the Philippines for 24 years. Some down sides but mostly far better than living in Europe. Stick to the locals and put your cash into the community. Stay away from big cities and avoid multi national corporations with their glossy brochures.
My husband and I just got back from the Maldives and we stayed in a luxury resort. We are not rich by any means but by budgeting our money we will go back for the same experience in 2 years. Our accommodations were much better than what I've seen in this video. Anantarah Kihavah can't be beat!!
My woman and I want to go to the Maldives. We would be more than happy to spend our money in the local economy than mega hotel chains.
Go to an exclusive hotel chain then.
Outside resorts you cannot openly express religion and must dress modestly, and you may need to pretend to be married. Maldives is based on Sharia law.
@@Tugela60I think you missed something in the translation there.
@@jumpyjoanne I missed nothing in translation. The money is being spent in the local economy, even in the luxury resorts. You are the one missing something in translation.
Great idea, but remember no alcohol on the local islands
I went there with my family, many, many years ago (almost 40.) We stayed in a hut on the beach and didn't get electricity after 9 at night. Amazing to see how it has changed.
Wow, I loved this video! For our family, traveling means living *with* the locals. I hope you'll continue making videos, showing us the less expensive ways to experience and mostly, the local culture and what we should expect when we go. For instance, if my wife and I were to go, we'd respectfully be "sisters" while we're there.
Good eye opener for a budget traveler. Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
I would never have even considered the Maldives until now! Thank you for showing us the possibility of making a dream come true! I am a new follower and look forward to more videos.
Thank you so much for making this video - I have been considering the Maldives as my next holiday destination and now I know I can save a lot of money but also help the local economy instead of making big corporations even richer.
What a beautiful video, in so many ways. Your appreciation for the local people comes through so strongly and your tone is warm and respectful. It's also great to see that there are alternatives that allow our tourist dollars to make their way directly into the local economy. Fantastic work!
Thank you for posting this. Also Bravo to the Maldivians for rising up and claiming the right to welcome travelers their own way.
This has been the best travel video I’ve ever seen! Honest, wholesome and purposeful! Thank you for sharing! I will OF COURSE be buying the guide! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Wow, thank you for the kind words!
It really warms our hearts to see how many people find this useful 😊🙏.
Our plan was to simplify share our experiences in the Maldives, yet it is truly amazing to see that this information was new and insightful for other.
Best Wishes currently from Norway
Joe and Liisu 😊
I agree with your synopsis, travel smarter, not over priced junk, alot of these high end resorts offer influencers and RUclipsrs free accommodation for free publicity for their followers. Great video
Some folk travel the more expensive path and others do not. It’s all about your purchasing power, circumstances and most of all personal choice. Simple 👍🏾
(Good to see a video showing the more affordable choice)
Thank you for doing this video. Now i have a new dream destination on my list. Maldives has always been close enough for me to go to, but too expensive to try. Also I'm really grateful on behalf of the local people, who deserve to live a comfortable life from their own tourism. ❤
I have never seen you before but the way you present everything with this positive attitude made me smile.
Looking forward to traveling there!!
Well a bit of a head's up spend the money or visit the resort 1/3 of Maldivian is a foreign workers, usually indian Sri Lankan Bangladesh. And people can't be certain about you're experiences and impression as you go through it , see it as levels the more you pay the better overall experience you get even the ppl you see interact
If you're visiting a resort there will be a specialisd ground person taking care of all you're needs and guiding you to you're flight sea plane or preferred transport either a boat and there on the other side all the head of departments awaiting to welcome you, but if you're going to visit a local island you will not have these privileges most of the time people assume you know what you're doing and they are busy with their life unless you ask for help everyone would be willing to help but if you visit an island expect most the shop cashier's and people in the streets you might come across are foreigners
@@BurnerAccount-j9s good insight. Thanks!
I’m so thankful to you how much you have gone through in depth all the problematic area when it comes to tourism in Maldives. Yes everyone can enjoy holidays without spending 100 thousand dollars and even get to know the culture here in Maldives with the local islands guest house offers.
I’ve heard about this from my Indian friends that Maldives on a budget is doable. I’ve always thought it’s too water locked for my taste and the high price made me even more disinterested. Seeing how relaxed the island life it can be, it definitely is one place I would like to visit someday.
Thank you for showing the another side of Maldives which at a lower budget. The water is so clear and we were surprised by the unique stingray experience! 😍
Glad you enjoyed it
Before the local islands opened up, my now wife and I went to Faru, just 15 minutes boat from the airport. The whole trip cost us around $2500, all inclusive. The hotel was adverted as a two star but the food was five, easily. We had so much fun and it was a great experience that didn't ruin us financially. Now that the islands are open, it would be amazing to go again. Thank you for this wonderful video!!! 🙏❤️
Very nice video. I have been to Maldives and stayed in a five star resort for four days. You can understand what it means. And I came to realise exactly what you brought out. Gooood work. All the best
I´ve been fortunate enough to travel the whole world thanks to my family. I´ve seen the luxury side of things and I´ve also seen the "on-budget" side of things when I travel with my friends. Everything comes down to preference but I do enjoy both sides. When I travel with my whole family, I travel with my parents and grandparents and both of them want to spend their holidays in luxury. They want the typical all-inclusive service (unlimited food, drinks etc.) so that they don´t have to worry about anything and when we travel to Maldives, they usually book the water villas. It´s awesome and I do enjoy it a lot. But when I travel with my friends we travel on a budget and it´s amazing as well, when we sometimes sleep in a car, tent, in the open or in a local house. The experience is great as we need to buy our food locally, cook it and such. So I wouldn´t call luxury places a scam. You won´t get unlimitet food, drinks and the service of a 5* luxury resort in a place where it costs $20/night. But I do get your point. In the end, as I mentioned at the beginning, it all comes to personal preference. I´ve seen Maldives from both sides and both sides have their ups and downs. Cool video anyways. ;)
I like the way you put it. Have you ever been to South Africa?
Staying on the “budget” side, also helps enrich the locals and the local economy, unlike the huge resorts, so that’s something to think about.
@@ImtheONEnotthetwoThat kinda thinking is what I live by. Small retailers suffer around me in S.France all the time. I avoid big stores out of principal
You put my research skills to shame! Great work, thank you for showing us this side of the Maldives. Great video
Thank you for showing us this side of the Maldives. I am sure every place that can be very expensive must have cheaper options. It was nice to see what is actually available for a very reasonable price.
We was at Maldives this year at Ukulhas and it was my best holiday ever. I always tought that Maldives is just the expensive resorts, that was a shock. Beautiful beaches and trees everywhere. ❤
Exactly!
The local islands are truly beautiful as well!
Do you guys have any recommendations for exactly what to search for pleeeease? I only need an internet connection and tasty food & nice people :) happy to try and learn the lingo and just polite and respectful. I haven’t finished the entire video yet so sorry if it’s covered later. I will keep watching and check description. Many thanks ❤
I am going to tip these people so hard 🎉🎉🎉
Think my problem’s solved btw but any good suggestions would be appreciated 🙏
Ukulhas is the best. Liked it a lot. For top notch excursions go to Papa fish Maldives
I love travelling “off the beaten path” and Maldives is one of the places I’d love to visit. Thanks for showing us more of these beautiful islands.
You couldn’t be more right! My husband and I are visiting the Maldives exclusively on local islands and are overwhelmed with the hospitality and kindness of all people!! ❤️
Exactly!!
Thank you very much for sharing the valuable information, that will be of great help to travelers who will travel to Maldives, super great job! 👍🥰🙌
My pleasure 😊
We were really surprised to see this side of the Maldives ourselves and it just felt right to share it with everyone!
@@WildVikingTravels You really provided useful information, thanks a lot again! 🙏
Fantastic information, thank you so much 😊
@@russdando5153 👍😄🙏
Thank you for exposing the tyranny but especially the local culture which is what I'm always looking for.
Bro, lemme first tell you that your voice sounds super sincere and just listening to it made me happy. I like how you are actually telling us the story from the locals end. I however believe that people will still prefer the expensive resorts not because they want to spend extra but because the resorts in all these years have created a brand of trust. any nationality would freely come to these resorts enjoy themselves & return safely. The world is unaware of the locals customs, their behavior, their temperment, and how safe it is to directly deal with the locals. People believe that even if the resorts charge them more, the service would be more refined, they will get what they are promised & all of this under one roof.. The locals need to make more videos offering their services and letting the world know how they do business. If possible a local organisation should step up to ensure fair prices and tourist safety. Even then this will take some time,but you are amazing because right now you are the beginning of that change. I really hope the world can come to accept this side of Maldives. All the best for your Future Travels.
you are funny. there are plenty of videos for the most travelled places like paris , prague, milan with lots scams and horroe stories but people still go there. not having any info on the places should not deter you to go there......
Great information and thank you for posting.
Been going to Maldives since 2010. Stayed at the village/local islands all times. But with each visit, it seems to be getting more and more crowded and commercialized. Definitely good for the locals.. But the experience is not the same I had in my first visit in 2010. The charm of the islands has changed
Agree with you...very crowded....don't go there
I really love your videos, you know how to enjoy yourselves with sending much less than other people expect, and what make it even better is that you share your full experience so others can discover these places and enjoy while being on budget.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you, that's the kind of travel I would like to have on an island. Enjoying nature shouldn't have to be so expensive.
Saying thank you is not enough. You have given me back my dream to take my Wife to the Maldives. I never thought I would ever be able to take her there.
Wow, thank you for this comment!
It is so lovely to see that this video is truly helping others.
Take care and i hope you will have a wonderful time in the Maldives!!
I never knew this side of the Maldives. The idea of staying in a hut over the water was not appealing, but now seeing that there are other options, makes this a bit more feasible. :)
you only need to check online and you will find anything you want - this is not a miracle
Most high end resorts have island villas as well as over water villas. They are usually separated from each other by jungle, so if you want you can have essentially your own private beach.
The generosity and the friendliness of the Muslims always amazes me.
Now that I can get a copy of your travel itineraries, I will definitely visit there.
Thanks bro
Just avoid the ones with a backpack
Really like this informative video. I have gone to the Maldives in one of those luxury resorts. I would say that whether it's the budget friendly way of experiencing Maldives like in this video or the expensive way, both are unique. The luxury experience just can't be experienced at low budget. It's very unique and still worthwhile in my mind. However if on a budget I think this video shows that it can be done
Well said brother....this video is so one sided.....its totally 2 different worlds and there is no comparison.....so misleading !!
@@amitsivaraman3940not misleading. He did not suggest that budget accommodation gets one the same luxury in a 5* resort.
He merely introduced to readers that one can enjoy the Maldives at low budget.
OMG I am going to Maldives in March 2005 and booked thru travel agent. I had seen vlogs from Filipino vloggerd doing it cheap and they enjoyed the place too. Unfortunately my husband and I are on our 70's and cannot do it on our own, hence the need for travel agent and tour packages. Your vlogs is an eye opener and very honest and cares for other people. Kudos to you, hope you have more vlogs about other places.
Heyhey!
Thank you for the kind words! And I truly hope that you will have a wonderful holiday over there!!
PS! Bring a lot on sunscreen :)
Best wishes!
Joe and Liisu
I appreciate Ragnar Lodbrok's travel channel and tips. Good to see him still conquering the islands to the south.
LOL, this made me laugh. Ragnar’s back! Would have been fun to see a Viking’s spinoff where they went all the way to the Maldives… LOL.
🤣👍🏼
Very true! I have been to several resorts in The Maldives. They are indeed great, however I must say that the best overall experience I have had was in a local island. Fehendhoo.
Just to add up something that wasn’t mentioned, you can always book a day pass to many resort island and experience some of its luxuries. It usually including transportation, lunch and drinks and costs between 80-130usd PP.
That is a good point! Thank you for adding! Yes, it is possible to go to a resort for a day for the cost mentioned above
As a Maldivian, I approve this 😂
Thank you brother 😁👍
Nature & man coexisting in harmony is truly a beautiful thing! Thank you for sharing your experience - the ones who pay all that $$$$
will never experience the true feelings of Maldives 🇲🇻. ❤
You are right in a way. We stayed at Kaani and a luxury resort as well. I loved both of them in their own ways. The luxury resort offered more services in terms of kids clubs, more variety of food and nicer pools for the kids. I guess for a couple with no little kids, a local island is just perfect and definitely more bang for your buck.
Jo and Liisu just loving your content and love the bond you two have for each other .
It’s so nice to have a channel based solely on trying to help people save money and still have a blast !
I am sorry that I never got to say hi while you was at the Great Ocean Road , I could have shown you some beautiful spot along that road that is not very well known .
Keep up the wonderful content and stay safe ❤
Thank you so much!!
A very well made and produced video. You have certainly convinced me to look into having a holiday in the Maldives. So informative.
This is probably the most likeable travel video I've seen. Thank you for these great insights! I've now subscribed to the channel and look forward to more.
Maldives has never been on my bucket list but watching this video has changed that. When I travel I enjoy meeting and seeing different cultures . Thank you.
Same! I love local experiences and the ads gave the illusion that this is strictly a luxury vacation spot with no local places to access. Watch a tourism video for other places and you’ll see locals, not the case for ads for the Maldives.
Fantastic video. I'd never considered the Maldives as a destination as I hate these luxury resort style holidays. You've introduced a whole new perspective on the place that I was completely unaware of.
Wow I never knew!! The info shared is invaluable. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
I have booked a 2 week stay in a guesthouse in Addu atoll, scuba diving included. I am now struggling to make my colleagues and friends realize I paid less than a 10 days holiday in Europe, they refuse to believe me. Ok, no alcohol for 2 weeks, but I am diving anyway, so would not drink regardless. I might just share this video so no need to argue anymore!
Yes!
I totally agree, holiday to Europe can be much more pricy and I think you already know this, but diving in the Maldives is so much fun 😁👌.
You are definitely going to have a great time 😉👍
*maldives is the glance of heaven, no beach in the world can compete with the beaches in maldives*
You haven't been to Zanzibar clearly 😂😂
To me Bora Bora is more beautiful.
Ur crazy, get out more
HEAPS MORE BEACHES AROUND THE WORLD ARE MORE, HEAPS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN LETHARGIC MALDIVES!
There are plenty of beaches in the UK and in particular in Scotland that are significantly nicer than any in the Maldives. Yes we don’t have the high temperatures but the sand is as white and water is as turquoise blue. Plus the sea food here is better.
I always wanted to go to the maldives but the cost was not worth it when there are cheaper alternatives. Now it seems like I can afford it!
Glad to hear the people are able to do what they can to prosper!!!
Thank you for sharing this and showing a more lively side of the Maldives. In most countries, holiday resorts don't benefit the local economy. However, even the presence of hostels will make an impact and improve the standard of living for local people and their businesses.