Maldives money, costs and taxes: a practical guide
Rufiyaa or dollars, ATMs and cards, the 17% Tourism GST, green tax and service charge explained with a worked example, plus tipping and how to keep costs down.
By Dhiffushi Island Council8 min readUpdated
The Maldives uses the rufiyaa (MVR), but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere in tourism, and most room rates are quoted in dollars. What surprises people is the add-ons: a 10% service charge, 17% Tourism GST (since 1 July 2025) and a nightly green tax of USD 6 or USD 12 per guest. Stay on a local island, travel by shared speedboat or public ferry, and eat in local cafés, and the Maldives costs far less than its reputation.
The currency: rufiyaa and US dollars
The official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), issued by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the central bank. It is managed against the US dollar: the official rate is around 15.42 MVR to USD 1, within a band the MMA set in 2011. Small shops may use a slightly different rate, so check before you pay.
Which currency to use where
- Guesthouse rooms, excursions, transfers and resort bills: usually priced and paid in US dollars.
- Local cafés, shops, the fish market and small purchases: prices are often in rufiyaa. Many places take dollars, but your change will usually come back in rufiyaa.
- Public ferries: pay in cash, in rufiyaa. Have small notes ready.
A simple approach: bring US dollars in cash, change a modest amount into rufiyaa when you arrive, and use dollars for the bigger items. Bring clean notes in good condition: they are the easiest to change and spend.
Changing money
You can change money at banks and exchange counters at Velana International Airport and in Malé. On local islands, exchange options are limited, so it is easier to arrive with some rufiyaa or plan to use an ATM.
ATMs and cards
- ATMs: there are plenty at the airport and in Malé. Many local islands also have at least one, usually run by Bank of Maldives. Dhiffushi, for example, has a Bank of Maldives ATM that accepts foreign cards. Most ATMs dispense rufiyaa; the one on Dhiffushi also gives US dollars. Your bank may charge foreign withdrawal fees.
- Cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted at resorts, larger guesthouses and many dive centres. Smaller cafés and shops on local islands may be cash only, and some add a fee for card payments. Ask before you order.
- Back-up plan: island ATMs can run out of cash or go offline, especially before weekends and holidays. Carry enough cash for a couple of days.
The taxes added to your stay
Room prices are often shown before tax. Three charges are commonly added.
Tourism GST (TGST): 17%
The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) collects Tourism Goods and Services Tax on tourism goods and services. It covers resorts, hotels, guesthouses, tourist vessels and the services sold at them. The rate rose from 16% to 17% on 1 July 2025.
Service charge: 10%
A 10% service charge is commonly added to room bills, food and drinks at tourist establishments. It goes to staff and is not a government tax.
Green tax: USD 6 or USD 12 per person per night
Since 1 January 2025, MIRA charges a green tax for each guest for each night:
- USD 6 at guesthouses and hotels with 50 rooms or fewer on inhabited (local) islands.
- USD 12 at resorts, larger guesthouses and hotels, and liveaboards.
- Children under 2 are exempt.
The green tax is a flat amount per person. It weighs more heavily on a low-cost stay.
A worked example: a local island guesthouse
Two adults book a double room at a small guesthouse on a local island for USD 80 a night, for three nights. This example charges TGST on the room price plus the service charge and adds the green tax on top; your guesthouse can show you exactly how its bill is set out.
| Item | Per night (USD) |
|---|---|
| Room rate | 80.00 |
| Service charge, 10% of 80 | 8.00 |
| Subtotal | 88.00 |
| TGST, 17% of 88 | 14.96 |
| Green tax, 2 guests × USD 6 | 12.00 |
| Total per night | 114.96 |
Over three nights that comes to USD 344.88, against a headline price of USD 240. In other words, expect the final bill to be roughly 40% more than the room rate on a small local island stay for two.
Before you book, check whether the price you see is “inclusive” or “plus taxes”. The green tax is sometimes collected separately at check-in.
Departure tax and airport fee
You do not pay these at the airport. Since 1 December 2024, for tickets issued from that date, two charges are built into your air fare:
- Economy: USD 50 departure tax plus USD 50 airport development fee, about USD 100 in total.
- Business: USD 120 plus USD 120.
- First: USD 240 plus USD 240.
There is nothing extra to pay on departure. For entry rules and paperwork, see our visa and entry requirements guide.
How much does the Maldives cost?
It depends almost entirely on where you sleep. We have not quoted price ranges, because prices move with season and exchange rates, and no official survey covers them.
On a local island
- Rooms: small guesthouses on local islands are the most affordable way to stay in the Maldives. Rates vary by season, view and size.
- Food: local cafés serve Maldivian dishes, curries, fried rice and fresh fish at modest prices. Tourist-focused restaurants charge more, especially for imported food.
- Transport: shared speedboats cost much less than a private boat or seaplane, and public ferries are the cheapest of all.
- Excursions: snorkelling trips, sandbank visits and dolphin cruises are booked on the island, often in small groups, which keeps prices down.
At a resort
Resorts are private islands with their own rules and prices. Everything is bought on the island: meals, drinks, activities and transfers. Seaplane or long speedboat transfers can add significantly to the bill, and the green tax is USD 12 per person per night. Costs are typically many times higher than on a local island.
For a side-by-side comparison, read local island vs resort.
Other costs to plan for
- Alcohol: not sold on local islands. If you want a drink, you will need a resort day trip or a liveaboard, where prices are high.
- Imported goods: sun cream, snacks and toiletries cost more than at home. Pack what you need.
- Activities: diving and full-day trips (for example to look for whale sharks or mantas) are the biggest extra costs on a local island.
Tipping in the Maldives
Tipping is not expected, because the 10% service charge already goes to staff. A small cash tip for good service is still appreciated, especially by boat crews, dive guides and housekeeping. Rounding up in a café is plenty. Never feel obliged.
How to keep a Maldives trip affordable
These choices make the biggest difference:
1. Stay on a local island. Guesthouses on inhabited islands cost a fraction of a resort, pay the lower USD 6 green tax, and let you see real Maldivian life. Our local islands guide explains how they work.
2. Choose an island near the airport. Islands in Kaafu Atoll, such as Dhiffushi, are a short shared speedboat ride from Malé, so you avoid domestic flights and seaplanes.
3. Use public ferries when the timing works. MTCC ferries are slow but very cheap. They take cash in rufiyaa and run on limited days, with no Friday service on most routes. See our getting around the Maldives guide.
4. Take shared speedboats instead of private transfers.
5. Eat where locals eat. Small cafés and bakeries are much cheaper than hotel restaurants. Try the Maldivian dishes you will find on any local island.
6. Book excursions on the island. Local operators run group trips at fair prices. Compare a few before you choose.
7. Travel outside the busiest weeks. Rates are usually higher in the dry season. Our best time to visit guide explains the seasons.
For a full plan with real examples, read our affordable Maldives trip guide, or start with the Maldives travel guide.
Questions people ask
What currency should I bring to the Maldives?
Bring US dollars. They are accepted for rooms, transfers, excursions and resort bills across the country, and most tourist prices are quoted in dollars. Change a small amount into rufiyaa on arrival, or use an ATM, for local cafés, shops and public ferries.
How expensive is the Maldives?
It depends on where you stay. At resorts, everything from meals to transfers is bought on a private island, and costs add up fast. Local islands are a different story: small guesthouses, local cafés, shared speedboats and group excursions make a Maldives trip affordable for many travellers. Remember that a service charge, 17% Tourism GST and a nightly green tax are usually added to room prices.
What is the Maldives green tax?
It is a nightly charge per guest, collected by MIRA. Since 1 January 2025 it is USD 6 per person per night at guesthouses and hotels with 50 rooms or fewer on inhabited islands, and USD 12 at resorts, larger hotels and guesthouses, and liveaboards. Children under 2 do not pay. It is often shown separately from the room rate, so check whether your booking includes it.
Is there a tourist tax in the Maldives?
Yes, in two forms. Tourism GST of 17% (since 1 July 2025) applies to rooms, meals and most tourist services, and the green tax of USD 6 or USD 12 per person per night applies to your stay. There is also a departure tax and airport development fee, about USD 100 in economy, but these are already included in your air fare.
Can I use my card in the Maldives?
Mostly, yes. Visa and Mastercard work at resorts, many guesthouses and dive centres, and ATMs in Malé and on many local islands accept foreign cards. Smaller cafés and shops on local islands may only take cash or add a card fee. Island ATMs can occasionally run out of money, so keep enough cash for a day or two.
Do I need to tip in the Maldives?
No, tipping is not required. A 10% service charge is commonly added to bills and goes to staff. Small tips for excellent service are still welcome, particularly for boat crews, dive guides and housekeeping. Rounding up in a café or giving a few dollars after a good excursion is plenty. Hand tips directly to the person, in cash.
