Is all inclusive worth it in the Maldives?

When planning a trip to the Maldives, a recurring question is “is all-inclusive worth it in the Maldives?”. The answer is not as easy as it seems and we’ll break it down for you!

9/24/20254 min read

The Maldives is one of the world’s most beautiful tropical destinations, a place of turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches, and luxurious resorts spread across hundreds of islands. But one of the most common questions our clients ask before booking is about meal plans: should you choose breakfast only, half board, full board, or go all-in with an all inclusive package?

While breakfast-only plans may seem very attractive at first, most luxury travelers debate between half board, full board, or all-inclusive. The choice makes a huge difference in the cost and experience of your trip. So, is all-inclusive worth it in the Maldives? Let’s break it down and find out whether you should choose this package or still to a more basic one.

What does all inclusive mean in the Maldives?

Not all all-inclusive packages are created equal. In the Maldives, there are three broad categories when we talk about all inclusive resorts:

Basic all inclusive (food & drinks only)
For most people, when thinking about all-inclusive in the Maldives, it is mostly about food and drinks, being able to have breakfast, lunch and dinner covered, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

This type of plan covers your daily meals and beverages. Alcohol is included, usually house wines, beers, cocktails, and sometimes premium brands. It’s convenient because you don’t have to worry about the cost of dining each time you order, but activities and spa treatments are charged separately.

This is what we would call the “basic” all-inclusive package in the Maldives. An excellent option for this would be Hurawalhi with it’s excellent AI package (read our full review of Hurawalhi Island Resort here).

All-inclusive with extras
Some resorts offer all-inclusive that includes more than just meals. These packages might feature one complimentary spa treatment, access to non-motorised watersports, or 1 or 2 excursions like sunset dolphin cruise for instance. These extras add value, especially if you’re planning to take part in activities anyway.

A good resort offering such kind of package would be Ayada Maldives, with its Diamond All-inclusive package. To learn more about it, read our review of Ayada here.

Ultra all-inclusive (everything included)
Finally, if you are looking for a next-level all-inclusive resort in the Maldives, you may want an option where EVERYTHING is included.

Resorts like Kudadoo Maldives Private Island take all-inclusive to another level. Here, absolutely everything is included: unlimited spa treatments, diving, water sports, excursions, fine wines, premium Champagnes, and even destination dining. It’s designed for guests who want complete freedom without ever signing a bill.

This is why Kudadoo Private Island ranks as our favorite all-inclusive resort for honeymoon in the Maldives. There, you won’t have to look at prices, EVER. You can fully enjoy without ever worrying about the final bill. This is really a special experience, but, of course, it comes at a premium price.

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So, is it worth choosing all-inclusive in the Maldives?

Now that you know the different types of all-inclusive packages that you can get in the Maldives, let’s get back to the initial question: is all-inclusive worth it in the Maldives?

The answer isn’t the same for everyone as it really depends on your travel style.

If you don’t drink alcohol: An all-inclusive package may not be worth it. Since alcohol is one of the most expensive items in the Maldives, not drinking means you miss out on one of the main perks of all-inclusive.

If you want a relaxing holiday: Guests who are happy spending their time between the beach, the pool, and their villa may find that half board or full board (with meals covered) is more than enough. You’ll still enjoy incredible dining without paying the premium of an all-inclusive plan.

If you plan to be very active: For travelers who love spa treatments, excursions, water sports, and fine dining with premium drinks, a next-level all-inclusive plan like the one offered at Kudadoo can represent real value. The costs of activities in the Maldives can add up quickly, so having them bundled can actually save a lot of money.

Ultimately, whether an all-inclusive Maldives holiday is worth it comes down to how you intend to spend your days.

One very important thing to keep in mind: EVERYTHING is expensive in the Maldives, so when doing your calculations before going, you need to be very cautious. As experts and travel agents for the Maldives, we can obviously assist you with this and help you understand what would be the best package based on your profile and requirements. Our bespoke concierge service would help you make the right decision to get the best value for money of your Maldives holidays.

Why is all-inclusive so much more expensive?

It often surprises travelers to see just how big the jump is in price between half board, full board, and all-inclusive. The main reason is that everything in the Maldives is expensive once you arrive.

Alcohol is imported and heavily taxed, making it far pricier than in most destinations. Always have in mind 25 to 40 USD for a cocktail or a glass of champagne in all the 5* resorts in the Maldives.

Excursions like diving, jet skiing, parasailing, or dolphin cruises often cost hundreds of dollars per person. Concrete examples would be around 170-210 USD per dive or 300 USD for 30 minutes jet-skiing.

Spa treatments at luxury resorts can run from $200 to $350 per session. Hence, having complimentary spa treatments included in your all-inclusive package may save you a lot of money if you’re planning to have such treatments everyday.

When you add these up, it’s easy to see why resorts charge a premium for all-inclusive packages. They’re essentially giving you unlimited access to items that are otherwise very costly.

Conclusion: should you choose all-inclusive or not in the Maldives?

So, is all-inclusive worth it in the Maldives? The answer depends entirely on your preferences.

If you’re a non-drinker and plan to mostly relax at the resort, a half board or full board plan will often be the smartest choice.

If you love cocktails at sunset, spa days, and daily excursions, all-inclusive may actually save you money compared to paying as you go.

And if you’re looking for the ultimate worry-free experience, ultra all-inclusive resorts like Kudadoo provide unmatched value.

In the end, the Maldives is about tailoring the holiday to your own dream. For some, all-inclusive is the perfect option. For others, simpler meal plans make more sense. What’s certain is that the Maldives offers options for every kind of traveler, so you can decide whether the convenience of all-inclusive is worth the premium price tag.