MALDIVES on a Budget DHIFFUSHI Ultimate Island Guide

[@FrugalTravellers]

Yes, it is possible to travel to Paradise on a budget! Keep watching for the next Dhiffushi video to find out prices around the island and more frugal travel tips 🙌🤗 We had an amazing time in the Maldives and have more videos in our Maldivian playlist to show you how to travel to Paradise on a budget 🏝️🇲🇻☀️ We hope you enjoy them! Maldives on a Budget playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLCmNbKU5iMrlCIr9vrDlgOEvxDMac0HVb

[@Abraracourix]

They opened up the islands for the local tourism businesses back in 2008 so Maldives is no longer a swanky vacation destination for the rich western tourists where a week vacation costs $6000-7000. Now you can spend a month there in the non resort atolls and still have a vacation for two for $100-150 a day even if you splurged and did a lot of activities like scuba and snorkeling. It attracts a lot of tourists from India and Sri Lanka and other SE Asian countries and even middle class families can go to Maldives now and spend a week or two and still come out spending way less than the resorts. The locals are very hospitable people and lot of the hotel staff and businesses are run by people from India and Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. $35 a day for a hotel is a far cry from $700 a night overwater bungalows in the resorts and expensive transportation to get to them. The opening up of Maldives to local businesses ended the stranglehold of the resorts and big hotel chains and even budget travelers can now enjoy a nice vacation in Maldives for cheap. Dhiffushi looks awesome by the way and you got to enjoy paradise for pennies on the dollar.

[@michellefathers1619]

Wow, just wow! I've never been that keen on visiting the Maldives until now. You're such an inspiration and your enthusiasm for each place you visit is catching. The Maldives is on my to-visit list now 🥰

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@michellefathers1619 Oh, that's so wonderful to hear, Michelle! You've made my day... and it's s slightly cold and rainy day here in Portugal so thank you! Tilly's keeping me company on the sofa and I've been talking to Lee... still no diagnosis but I'm sure it's coming. It's actually so lovely to be editing this Saturday's video as Lee looks so well and happy... and we'll show you more of the beautiful island of Dhiffushi. We so appreciate your kindness and support, Michelle, and your wonderful comments. Thank you xx ♥️🥰

[@carolinacadabra8278]

If there’s a way to travel somewhere on a budget you are the ones to figure it out! That hotel room is amazing for $35. Well done!👍

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thank you so much, Carolina 🙏🤗 We love the compliment... you've made our day xx🥰♥️

[@carynsteele1706]

Oh my! What a beautiful island! We and I’m sure many other viewers had no idea about this island. Thank you for creating such a great video! We also appreciate your honesty explaining so many things. You two are just amazing humans!

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thanks so much for all of your loving support Caryn. ❤️❤️❤️. It's people like you who inspire us to keep going when we find it tough to make KZbin videos. 😍🙏😍

[@cindybruin4888]

Oh wow wow wow this definitely looked like paradise! This is definitely how I'd like to visit the Maldives too. On the list. Can't wait for your video Mandy.

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@cindybruin4888 Thank you so much, Cindy 🙏🤗 It's wonderful to hear that you're looking forward to my Dhiffushi island video, otherwise known as All the Prices & Frugal Travel Tips, or simply Part 2 😁😂🏝️. The only thing is that we've now come to the end of all our edited videos... we haven't had the mental space to make any lately with the concerns about Lee's stomach issues & trips to the hospital etc... and Lee's normally the one who makes 75% of the vlogs! It's up to me to get motivated and finish my Dhiffushi video for next Saturday, and the Male/Villingili vlog... and then start on the mountain of footage from India and Pakistan 😳😂 Luckily I tend to work best under pressure so I'm sure I'll make our self-imposed deadlines 😁🤗. It'll be great to get feedback from you as they'll be a bit less polished than normal as Lee and I normally review each other's vlogs for spelling mistakes etc, which definitely won't be happening anymore. I hope you enjoy the upcoming vlogs, and as always, we love to hear from you xx🙏🤗♥️

[@cindybruin4888]

@@FrugalTravellers no worries Mandy, look after both your health first. Gee I hope they find and fix the stomach problems Lee is having. It's been challenging times for you both, but am sure you both will come out fit and strong at the end. Don't get stressed about pushing out videos, I love your pace, too many vloggers have turned it into a boring business and don't share real travel experiences. Being money motivated most vlogs are becoming like an advertisement or a show off of how they can upgrade after being monetized, many loosing appeal for me and I guess lots more who follow them. I like how you guys keep it real! At the end of October I'm off to Italy, Czech Republic and then will be in Poland for December, so will be re-watching your videos. Hope I can survive the cold! Take care.

[@akdamagecontrol]

My wife and I absolutely love you guys! We watch you from Iowa in the USA and plan our biannual Sri Lankan adventures while we watch you!

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@akdamagecontrol Oh, thank you for your wonderful comment 🤗😁 It makes us so happy to hear that our videos are helpful to others, and we always love such positive feedback! Thank you both so very much 🙏😍♥️

[@TabithaGamlin]

You look so happy! Love your videos. Hope Lee is better now.❤

[@ditocruz1030]

What I really love about this couple is that they are not self-entitled, especially Lee being a British. I'm sure Mandy and Lee are nice, down-to-earth people, even off cam. It reflects on their smiles.

[@savingfortravel698]

Lee is a proper down to earth Englishman who you would have a pint down your local with. An ordinary guy living an extraordinary life. Mandy is just the best, a friend I would love to meet one day. I'm hoping if they use Stansted again they will Couchsurf with me and stay in my cottage. They literally have changed my travelife and shown me how I can go to places when I gave up work. Just amazing 🌎💙🌎

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@ditocruz1030 Thank you so much for your lovely comment 🙏😍 One of our mottos is "reality, not glamour", and what you see is what you get with us. We're so pleased that you find us relatable and down to earth 🤗♥️

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@savingfortravel698 Julie, I hope you realise how much your beautiful comment touched me... I have tears in my eyes writing this ♥️. Thank you so much for being on this journey with us for years, and for sharing your travel experiences with us on the way. Thinking of you in this time of grief, and I'm still so sorry we weren't able to make that Premiere that you and your mum were at 😢 I am positive we will meet one day, and it will be so wonderful exchanging travel tips and stories. A huge hug from us both to you xx🤗♥️ ~ Mandy

[@savingfortravel698]

​@@FrugalTravellersThanks Mandy. I WILL go to Alexandria on Friday. I know I will love it and appreciate every moment. I like to think that those we lose 😢😢 are still with us and we live for them. Hubby is a big fan of you both too btw, he loves your vlogs and always whistles along to the intro music. Julie E 🌎💙🌎

[@michellel3348]

I really enjoyed this video, a nice long one too! Delighted ye had such a lovely stay at what looks like a beautiful island in the Maldives. That would def appeal to me a lot more than one of those expensive ones! Looking forward to the other videos😁

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@michellel3348 Thank you so much, Michelle! We're so pleased you enjoyed this video... we weren't too sure about the length but there was so much information to share... so much so that there's another Dhiffushi island video coming soon from me, with more prices, information and frugal travel tips. The only thing is... I haven't made it yet. Lee and I had built up a reserve of videos, thankfully enough, as we haven't managed to make any new ones for the past month. We'd intended to catch up in the UK and here in Portugal, but most of our time has been dedicated to Lee's stomach issues so the videos have taken a back seat. I will make sure I start work on the next Maldives video tomorrow, as we haven't missed a week for ages, and I don't want to confuse that blimmin' algorithm even more. So, thank you so much for your lovely comment and here's hoping you'll get to see Part 2 next Saturday! Big hugs from Lee and I xx🤗♥️

[@michellel3348]

@@FrugalTravellers I would say take your time, ye have enough to be doing at the moment but I can also understand the need to keep up with algorithms, paid adds etc etc, that all counts too! Take care awhile guys xx

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@michellel3348 Thank you for your understanding and your support, Michelle 🙏🤗♥️

[@benandhaley]

So cool to see you do Maldives on a budget!!...I can totally relate to the excitement about the free laundry service at 10:50. Also, nice backpacks we travel with the exact same Osprey backpacks and they are awesome!! Great video, thanks for sharing 😄

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@benandhaley Hello 👋 We're so pleased you enjoyed this video... have you seen the other videos in our Maldives series? It's an amazing place, and we couldn't believe how easy it was to travel there on a budget provided you have the right information 🤗🇲🇻🏝️ Maldives on a Budget: kzbin.info/aero/PLCmNbKU5iMrlCIr9vrDlgOEvxDMac0HVb

[@missperia]

Absolutely adored this long video ! u both seem so happy , I can tell you had an amazing time, Glowing!

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@missperia Oh, it's great to hear that you enjoyed this video... we're always a bit unsure about putting out longer videos but Lee didn't want to cut this one up 🤗😁. We had such a wonderful time on Dhiffushi - it really was our idea of Paradise, and I'm not even a beach person 🏖️🏝️ There's another Dhiffushi video coming as I wanted to show more details, menus, prices etc, and some of the fun things we saw on the island. We hope you enjoy that video as well when it comes out on Saturday 🙏♥️😍

[@gergana-spasova]

Thank you for sharing your impressions, wonderful people! We have a holiday coming up in Difushi, and your video has been very helpful to us.

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment 🙏. We're so pleased our video has been helpful to you. We loved Dhifushi so much that we made a second video with loads more budget travel tips 🤗❤️: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn2XnIV-mM2pra8

[@ADawn]

I was delighted to come across your channel! I appreciate your down-to-earth and unpretentious videos. As we're planning a trip to the Maldives in October, I'm enjoying watching all your videos one by one. Happy 2025 from Canada!

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thanks so much! We’re so glad you’re enjoying our videos! We hope you have an amazing time in the Maldives. Happy 2025! 😊

[@ingridkhan5847]

Absolutely brilliant video - so informative, interesting and enjoyable. It also so excellently explains how you can travel to the beautiful Maldives on a budget - genius.

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@ingridkhan5847 Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words, Ingrid 🙏🤗♥️. Here is the link to our Maldives playlist, with one more video to come as soon as we are able to finish the editing process. We hope you enjoy them: Maldives on a Budget 🏝️: kzbin.info/aero/PLCmNbKU5iMrlCIr9vrDlgOEvxDMac0HVb

[@ald2105]

Hi guys, I recently found your channel and I’m loving following your journey 🙏

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@ald2105 That's so wonderful! Welcome to our Frugal Travellers family and we're looking forward to hearing more from you! It'll be great to hear what you think of our Maldives series 🙏🤗 ~ Mandy

[@JasenomadeTV]

Yeah, lookign forward to your next videos: I love your prices and tips video, I often use your videos as a reference when I choose a place to visit as I am a traveler too. You got me to do 24 hours bus ride in South Africa..It was great. Thanks for the inspiration x

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@JasenomadeTV That's so wonderful to hear, Jase, and is exactly what we want for everyone watching our videos! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely feedback and your experience... we love long bus journeys and are so pleased you enjoyed yours! Liking and commenting on our videos helps with reaching a wider audience, so we really appreciate you taking the time to join us for the Premiere and for your two lovely comments 🤗♥️🙏 ~ Mandy

[@lucchese20]

Great video - as always. It brought back memories from our 2018 trip-had to look it up since coudn’t remember. 😅 I recall those sandy streets, no vehicular traffic, and rough ride to/from Male airport. It was a speed boat (bump, bump, bump) and about 1/5 the size of your public ferry!! Hard to forget. 😅 Love to return and spend less even money like you all did. 👍🏻 Keeping my fingers crossed for Lee’s health. ❤❤ Warm hugs.

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thanks Lucchese 🙏 So glad this bought back some good memories for you. I wonder if it has changed much since then? Tourism seems to be having a big effect everywhere. Hopefully we will get to go back too when we are both fit and well. 🙏🙏

[@peterdnreynolds777]

Brilliant video as always, hope both of you are well, take care of yourselves

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@peterdnreynolds777 Thank you so much, Peter, for your lovely comment. Lee's still in hospital and waiting for a diagnosis. I'm in Portugal and am editing this Saturday's video, which is Part 2 of our Dhiffushi island experience... and it's so lovely to see Lee look so happy and healthy on the footage. As soon as he gets answers we'll be making sure he's on the path back to full health and wellness xx😍♥️

[@peterdnreynolds777]

@@FrugalTravellers you're most welcome as always!! Hoping and praying that Lee gets a diagnosis and treatment very soon, wishing him a very speedy recovery. Huge hugs and prayers being sent to you too Mandy, take care of yourselves

[@teresita5794]

Looks peaceful and relaxing ❤

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@teresita5794 It's such a beautiful place, and yes, it's so peaceful and relaxing 😎🏝️💙

[@CLH-hc8ce]

Thank you for this informative video, I will be traveling to the Maldives "on a budget" soon. Love your so candid coverage, love that you are so natural, and not a 20something perfect body people and with a really good attitude towards being a traveller, not a tourist. I am not young but - an avid traveller.

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thanks for watching and it's good to know you resonate with us. We've been backpacking the world together on a budget for over 30 years and absolutely love this way of life. We're glad to share the reality of this kind of travel and hope to inspire others. Keep on travelling! ❤️

[@AlphaTraveler1]

Wow, I didnt think you can do it on a budget. HAHA. Super cool. 👍👍👍

[@FrugalTravellers]

We were the same, so it was wonderful to discover how to visit the Maldives on a budget and share it with you 🏝️😊

[@Karenemm1]

Brilliant - What an Amazing Video - I Really Enjoyed it - The Place Where You are Staying is Beautiful - The Beaches - The Views are Wonderful - What an Experience - Love It ❤❤

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@Karenemm1 We were so happy to finally be visiting one of those beautiful paradise islands of the Maldives, and are so happy you enjoyed exploring it with us, Karen 🤗😍 Thank you so much for your lovely comment xx🙏🤗💙 ~ Mandy

[@Karenemm1]

@@FrugalTravellers it Was Amazing Mandy - Thanks to you Both ♥️♥️

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@Karenemm1 That's wonderful to hear, Karen, thank you 🤗😍💙

[@allymayful]

Well 😊 you certainly wet my appetite. Fabulous video encouraging one’s sense of adventure.

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@allymayful That's so lovely, thank you, AllyMay 🙏♥️🤗 We're so happy you enjoyed the video, and appreciate you taking the time to comment. We're looking forward to catching up with you in a few months time xx😍♥️ ~ Mandy

[@explorermaldives]

Truly amazing 😍

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@explorermaldives We're so pleased you enjoyed this video! Please share it with your viewers 🙏🤗♥️🇲🇻

[@JasenomadeTV]

This place is paradise! At only $25 per day, it might be perfect for our 27th wedding anniversary next February❤

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@JasenomadeTV We love Dhiffushi and would go back in a flash! I'm not sure what the weather would be like in February, as we were there in May, but I'm sure you'd have an awesome time 😊♥️

[@steves7013]

Looks amazing! Veggie food options may be limited! The sea looks great and the prices are epic compared to the place across the water! Take care & stay safe 🙏❤🇬🇧

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@steves7013 Hi Steve 👋 Yes, veggie options were fairly limited in the Maldives... even the veggie curry I had in Malé had fish in it 😳🤣 That water and the beaches were so absolutely beautiful, Lee and I had the best time there and I'm not even a beach person! I don't think we're ever going to stay in an over-water bungalow... but we'll certainly go back to Dhiffushi one day 🏝️😍 Thank you so much for your lovely comment, and we hope this finds you well 🙏🤗

[@muhammadsohaibtariq3087]

Living on a local island is not only more affordable, but it also offers a sense of freedom to explore and enjoy life. In contrast, staying at resorts can be costly and often makes daily routines feel robotic. Therefore i would always prefer to stay on local island the way i did in 2017 (lived in Hulhumale)

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thanks 🙏 I agree that it's far better to be on a local island for an authentic experience. We loved our time there and hope to return to explore more islands. 👍

[@susangranger3089]

Incredible place to visit. ❤ xx

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@susangranger3089 I think it's one of our favourite places, Susan, and we'll definitely return one day 🏝️🤗♥️

[@clam371384]

I think this is a real hidden gem

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@clam371384 We agree! We'd always thought the Maldives were way out of our price range, so it was wonderful to discover that it's possible to travel there on a budget. Thank you so much for your lovely comment 🙏😊

[@sumitpanigrahy5140]

Great video!! Lovely couple god bess you

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@sumitpanigrahy5140 Oh, that's so kind of you, thank you 🙏🤗❤️

[@eternity68]

Nice to watch so thanks for sharing this. Maldives are just paradise 🙌a year ago me and my daughter went there to Reethi Faru Resort, friendly staff, beautiful surroundings and several restaurants. We paid 3000dollars in total from Sweden staying in a water villa so i'm curious checking out cheaper options next time cause i definetly will go back there.

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@eternity68 Wow, it was always Lee's dream to visit the Maldives and stay in a water villa... but being frugal travellers we consider ourselves blessed to have found such excellent value accommodation on beautiful Dhiffushi island, with an excellent value public ferry option. Thank you for sharing your experiences in the Maldives, and we hope this video, and the others in our Maldives playlist, has been helpful to you.

[@eternity68]

@FrugalTravellers ❤️

[@eternity68]

@FrugalTravellers We were actually going to book a trip to Zanzibar but the deadly Marburgh virus appeared on mainland Tanzania. Since lots of workers commute we didnt want to take that risk. I will be going to Zanzibar but also wanna go to Okinawa and Colombia, paradise beaches there🤗

[@FrugalTravellers]

@eternity68 It's 6:22am here in Perth, Australia, and we're camping with family at Lancelin beach... where the water and sand are almo as beautiful as the Maldives 🏝️🏖️

[@FrugalTravellers]

@eternity68 Oh wow, I hadn't heard of the Marburgh virus! Definitely a good reason to stay away from Zanzibar for a while! I haven't been to Colombia yet... Lee loved it there when he went back in 1995. I've spent a bit of time in Japan but never made it to Okinawa.

[@savingfortravel698]

All I can say is you both deserve this experience 💯 percent. You appreciate everything so much., your glass is always half full. I've been through it a bit recently (like you guys) and contemplated cancelling another trip because of my grief. But now I am imagining what you both would say to me, if we were sitting having tea? It's such a privilege to be able to travel. I shouldn't waste it. Big love to you both. Julie 💜💜💜💜

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@savingfortravel698 Julie, you are a frugal traveller after our own hearts, and I know we'll get on brilliantly when we do finally meet and have that cup of tea together ☕🍵🫖 Things have definitely been rougher than we'd expected over the past 12 months but I have faith that everything will work out, and am grateful to wake up every day and be alive on this wonderful planet. Sending you hugs and all the very best wishes during this time of grief. Here's to seeing more amazing places, finding more great bargains and meeting up with incredible people. Love from Lee and I xx🤗♥️

[@RajaKhan-x2l]

Nice

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@RajaKhan-x2l Thank you so much 🙏🤗

[@DebyColes]

OMG That ferry trip gave me extreme anxiety. Abt 25 yrs ago our ferry in the Maldives almost turned over and we had to turn back. Worst boat trip I'd ever been on, people were screaming, really terrified, shouting that we were all going to die. I've had such terrible small boat anxiety ever since. I'd love to go here, but I would not be able to take that boat trip. We had to go by helicopter instead.

[@FrugalTravellers]

I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible experience. I can only imagine how frightening that would have been. It would be totally understandable for you to take the seaplane next time!

[@annettegraham-q4x]

I know it’s a Muslin country Can you get a glass of wine or a beer anywhere ?

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@annettegraham-q4x We talk about that in the follow-up Dhiffushi video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn2XnIV-mM2pra8

[@veradanson5890]

How is Lee?

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@veradanson5890 Hello Vera 👋 Lee's still in hospital in the UK, waiting on results from the biopsy as the flexi sig didn't show any signs of inflammation. We're hoping he'll receive answers soon and will be able to join me in Portugal for our last Tilly the cat house-sit in Praia del Rey.

[@lbunnygordon1133]

How is Lee and yourself now hope ok.... health wise. I always seem to get caught on transport wherever I am ie no local bus etc ...

[@FrugalTravellers]

We love to travel on local transport ❤️❤️ Still trying to heal. 🙏

[@henaqureshi907]

Is there ANYTHING else to eat apart from tuna ???

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Good job. I thought it will be 1000usd per day

[@FrugalTravellers]

Thanks 🙏. Fortunately there is another way. 😊

[@slavvisa]

Why did you delete my comment?

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@slavvisa We haven't deleted any comments. Sometimes KZbin doesn't show comments if, for example, there are links to other channels. We've heard other times that it deletes perfectly innocent comments. We want all comments to show as they help with the algorithm, and it doesn't matter if they're good or bad comments.

[@ahmedifthi7077]

Those are sting rays.

[@FrugalTravellers]

@@ahmedifthi7077 Ah, thank you! I'm not sure why we thought they were manta rays.

[@henaqureshi907]

This is a bit too cheap….not my cup of tea

[@g.t.g1111]

No short shorts 🩳. That explains why the guys are wearing long pants.

[@FrugalTravellers]

Yes the locals do. 👍