MA GUEST HOUSE IN THE MALDIVES

Maldives to not (too) expensive? It's possible. There is an alternative to the islands luxury hotels: guesthouses inhabited islands.

New tourism in the Maldives archipelago

I discovered the Maldives in February 2014 A new destination on Small bubbles Elsewhere! 8)

In southern India, this huge archipelago to water flower is known for its islands hotels and luxurious resorts, overpriced, cut off from the local population, frequented by rich tourists and honeymoon couples.

Island resort in the Maldives. February 2014.

The Maldives has long opted for luxury tourism, taking care to limit contacts between foreign visitors and the local population. But this is changing. Recently, residents were allowed to open "guesthouses", ranging from small boarding house in the tourist hotel.

These guesthouses have multiplied in recent years, and there are now choosing from north to south of the archipelago, for independent travelers. It can stay in the villages inhabited islands and discover the real lives of "real people."

Maldives, February 2014.Maldives February 2014.Maldives February 2014.Maldives, February 2014.

This is the option I chose for the first week of my Maldives trip! (Before you grant me a second week chic on a cruise ship-diving ...;-))

So I first spent a few days in the north of the archipelago, on the island Hanimaadhoo, the very nice guesthouse Asseyri Inn. I chose an island far away from Male (about 280 km or an hour's flight), to avoid the busiest corners. I hesitated with Gan in the south, but that's for another time ...

The sandy street in front of the guesthouse Asseyri Inn. Hanimaadhoo, Maldives, February 2014.

The sandy street in front of the guesthouse Asseyri Inn. Hanimaadhoo, Maldives, February 2014.

My room Asseyri Inn in Hanimaadhoo.Ma bathroom Asseyri Inn in Hanimaadhoo.

These are the glowing reviews on TripAdvisor have decided to contact me Asseyri Inn. Their package "solo traveler" with activities for every day suited me, they had the availability at my dates and in addition there is a small diving center. Perfect to immerse myself in the atmosphere of the country and acclimatize smoothly!

Guesthouses and small hotels

Some "guesthouses" in the Maldives are very small, others are downright chic. Cheaper revolve around € 30-40 a night, the most expensive in the € 100-150. We find much in Male (the capital island) to Hulumalé (artificial residential island near the airport) and on two islands close enough to Malé, Maafushi (island prison) and Guraidhoo. But it looks like accommodation opened in almost all atolls of the archipelago. There are cheap ferries at all to go from one island to another and links more expensive aircraft with Maldivian Aero to reach the most remote.

You do not find a lot of information via a Google search with the words "Maldives guesthouses +" or "+ Maldives backpacker."

The best known and most popular listed on TripAdvisor in "cottages" and many of these accommodations or use Agoda.com Booking.com sites to rent their rooms (very convenient to book yourself on the internet or get an idea of ​​prices). Some other links in bulk, found during my research before you go:

→ Guesthouses in Maldives: a selection of guesthouses in several different atolls

→ Maldives Guesthouses & BB: small selection by Lonely Planet

→ Maafushi Maldives choice of guesthouses on several islands, not just Maafushi

Good to know: we have to check if taxes are included or not, otherwise you have to add 10% and 8% (it was in any case the amount during my visit, but that may change). We must also consider the services included in the price, it sometimes has interesting packages:

→ just the night (with or without transfer)

→ overnight-breakfast or half board

→ night + all meals + activities for the day ...

Cap on Hanimaadhoo!

Hanimaadhoo has the advantage of having an airport now "international", with links from Sri Lanka to India and soon, perhaps. It is a peaceful island, stretched long and narrow, with less than 1,500 souls, inhabited only a small portion north.

The arrival Hanimaadhoo. Maldives in February 2014.

My guesthouse is at the heart of the village, close to the port where the fishermen arrive dhoni, a traditional boat, with fish of the day, and the school. We see boys and girls go cycling in their uniforms at the end of the course.

The day's catch at the port of Hanimaadhoo. Maldives in February 2014.

I think this college has piqued the bike his sister ... Hanimaadhoo, Maldives, February 2014.

Remember, Islam is the state religion in the Maldives. Hanimaadhoo is one of the few inhabited islands where wearing the bikini is allowed to foreign tourists, on a stretch of beach delineated. Permission is required and Asseyri Inn recently obtained. The guesthouse also has a new building in front of the beach and move there before the turquoise water and white sand.

The range of tourists, where the bikini is allowed to Hanimaadhoo. Maldives in February 2014.

The stretch of beach where the bikini is allowed to Hanimaadhoo.

On the public beach Hulumalé, residential island near Male airport, it is forbidden to wear bikini. Maldives in February 2014.

On the public beach Hulumalé, residential island near Male airport, it is forbidden to wear bikini.

Another thing to know: Alcohol is also prohibited on so-called "local" islands. For a beer (possibly bikini), it is only in the islands tourist hotels, on cruise ships and at the hotel next to the airport in Male. For those who are in need, it is always possible to arrange, for a fee, a small room for a day or half a day at a nearby resort, to temporarily enjoy the pleasures reserved for luxury tourists.

But that's obviously not why I picked on Hanimaadhoo Muslim village ... The atmosphere quiet and authentic, mashed intense light suits me, as a first Maldivian cultural immersion. People are more reserved in Indonesia, but very welcoming. Following in the next post!

Source: petitesbullesdailleurs