Fair prices in Maldives — what things really cost

The public ferry between the airport island and Malé is by far the cheapest way across, costing only a few rufiyaa and taking about ten to fifteen minutes. Schedules can be loose, so check the next departure and keep small change ready.

Taxis run over the Sinamalé bridge from Velana airport to the city for a modest flat fare. Agree the price before you set off, use the official rank, and know that a shared shuttle bus or the ferry costs far less if you are travelling light.

Taxis in Malé charge set flat fares rather than using a meter, and a hop across the small island costs only a couple of dollars. Confirm the fare first, or book through a local app like Avas Ride or PickMe to fix the price.

Frequent public ferries and buses link Malé with Hulhumalé for very little, while private speedboats cost more. The public options are cheap and comfortable; buy your ticket at the terminal and keep some rufiyaa handy.

A sit-down meal at a cafe or restaurant in Malé is reasonable value, with fresh tuna and curries the local specialities. Busy local places offer better value than tourist-facing ones, and many add a service charge and tax to the bill.

Teahouses sell Maldivian 'short eats' such as gulha, bajiya and fish rolls by the piece for very little. Order a mixed plate with tea in the afternoon and pay for what you take, the way locals snack between meals.

Sweet black tea and coffee are cheap and everywhere in Malé's teahouses. A café on the tourist strip costs a little more than a local sai hotaa, but both are normal, not a scam.