The Maldives is one of those dreams that we keep preciously in the back of our minds, saying to ourselves “one day”… before looking at the prices and closing the tab as quickly as we opened it. Unreal blue lagoons, white sand like icing sugar, bungalows on stilts suspended above the waters: the image is perfect. The price, much less. So, do you really have to pay a fortune to access this type of tropical paradise? Not necessarily. There are two islands, much less publicized, which offer exactly the same visual and sensory promisewithout the bill that leaves you speechless. Their name? THE Gili Islandsin Indonesia, and Zanzibaroff the coast of Tanzania. Two destinations that are well worth our time.
Why the Maldives are a dream (but empty wallets)
The myth of turquoise lagoons at the price of great luxury
The Maldives is above all an image. That of an archipelago of 1,200 coral islands disséminées in the Indian Ocean, with some of the most beautiful seabeds in the world. Manta rays, sea turtles, multicolored corals within reach of the mask. A golden light that transforms every sunset into a postcard. It’s hard not to succumb to the allure of this place.
But behind the postcard image hides a budgetary reality which cools people’s enthusiasm: a week in the Maldives costs on average €2,100 per person, excluding flights. For two weeks, the bill rises to around €4,200, and these are just averages. Accommodation, in particular, is reaching new heights, with prices more than double those in France. On private islands, reserved for luxury resorts, the rate for one night can easily exceed €800 for two people.
Quand le rêve devient difficile à concrétiser
There are many more accessible options in the Maldives, particularly on local islands like Maafushi or Thulusdhoo, where small hotels offer much more reasonable rates than resorts. But even there, the bill can quickly rise: tourist restaurants already have high prices, and the slightest nautical activity adds to the bill. This high cost is partly due to the isolation of the atolls, which requires the importation of a large part of the products consumed there.
As a result, for many French travelers, the Maldives remain an attractive dream on paper, but often rejected when it comes time to take action. What if the real alternative was found elsewhere, in two archipelagos capable of offering the same impression of escape, with infinitely more flexible rules of the game?
The Gili Islands: paradise without the salty note
Equally beautiful beaches for three times cheaper
Off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, the three small Gili islandsGili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, form an enchanting trio from which we will not leave unscathed. Transparent waters in shades of turquoise and emerald, white sand beaches lined with coconut trees, seabeds that have nothing to envy of Maldivian postcards: the visual argument is there, undeniable.
And yet, the necessary budget is beyond measure. Comfortable accommodation on Gili Air or Gili Meno can easily be found between €30 and €80 per night. A meal in a local warung, these small Indonesian neighborhood restaurants, costs 3 or 4 €. Even diving and snorkeling activities remain very accessible. In short: you can have a similar experience for much less than half the Maldivian budget.
A young and bohemian atmosphere which changes closed resorts
What distinguishes the Gili from the Maldives is also theatmosphère. Here, there are no hermetically sealed resorts that cut the traveler off from the real world. The Gili Islands are alive, crossed by cyclists (there are no cars or motorbikes on these islands), bustling with markets, small wooden cafes, terraces on stilts where you sip watermelon juice while watching traditional boats pass by. Gili Trawangan attracts a more festive clientele, when Gili Meno et Gili Air are more oriented towards relaxation and a calm change of scenery.
How to enjoy the seabed without mortgaging your house
The Gili are famous for their sea turtlesalmost certainly visible when snorkeling from the beach, without even needing to take a boat. Dive sites are full of healthy corals, tropical fish and sometimes completely harmless reef sharks. PADI certified diving courses are offered at very competitive prices, well below what you would find elsewhere for equivalent quality. This is one of the best value for money in the aquatic world in Southeast Asia.
Zanzibar: the authentic exoticism of the Swahili
Such spectacular landscapes, with more local culture
Off the Tanzanian coast, Zanzibar is an island that says a lot. Its beaches on the north and east coast, notably at Nungwi, Kendwa or Paje, line up kilometers of immaculate white sand facing almost unreal blue waters. The resemblance with the Maldives is striking. But Zanzibar offers something that the Maldives cannot: rare cultural and historical depth.
Stone Town, the old town listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, unfolds a labyrinth of streets where Arab, Indian and African influences intersect. The carved wooden doors, the spice-scented souks, the mosques and colonial houses: everything exudes a unique mix of civilizations in the world.
Dream stays for prices that don’t scare you
Budget-wise, Zanzibar is much more generous than the Maldives. Quality accommodation, with a sea view, costs between €50 and €120 per night in a lodge or small charming hotel. Local restaurants offer meals for €5 to €8, featuring grilled fish, spiced rice pilaf and remarkably fresh tropical fruits. Even higher category hotels remain below the most affordable Maldivian rates.
Entre plage de rêve and historical discoveries
What makes Zanzibar so precious is precisely this dual nature: island of relaxation and destination of curiosity. You can spend an entire day lying on Kendwa beach without the outside world seeming to exist, then the next day immerse yourself in the spices of a plantation visit or sail in a dhow (the traditional Swahili sailboat) to neighboring islets. The richness of the experience there is far greater than what a remote resort in the Maldives offers, however luxurious it may be.
The little secrets to transform your trip into a memorable experience
Times to travel without breaking the bank
In the Gili as in Zanzibar, the price of accommodation and flights varies significantly depending on the period. For the Gili, the dry season (approximately April to October) offers the best weather conditions, with calm waters ideal for diving. In Zanzibar, periods of low tourist season allow you to find much lower pricessometimes up to 40% cheaper than in high season, without the weather being prohibitive depending on the area of the island.
Where to sleep and eat without deny your budgeting principles
On the Gili Islands, the small bamboo bungalows or guesthouses Run by local families often offer a much warmer experience than standardized hotels. In Zanzibar, Stone Town’s Swahili guesthouses and seaside lodges are excellent value for money. Eating local is not only cheaper, but often much tastier : the freshly caught fish grilled on the beach of Zanzibar is more than worth the Michelin-starred tables of a Maldivian resort.
The essential activities that won’t ruin you
In the Gili Islands, snorkeling with sea turtles from the beach is free, and a guided diving trip costs around twenty euros. In Zanzibar, a dhow excursion at sunset, a visit to the Jozani forest (where the red colobus, a remarkable endemic monkey lives) or a stroll through the streets of Stone Town are intense and very affordable experiences. Kitesurfing in Paje attracts enthusiasts from all over the world, with schools offering competitive rates.
Two islands, two atmospheres, the same promise : that of a trip that resembles what we imagined when dreaming of the Maldives, but without the budgetary constraints that are so often associated with it. The Gili Islands will appeal to those looking for lightness, marine fauna and a relaxed atmosphere, while Zanzibar will be more suitable for travelers looking for a mix of postcard beaches and cultural richness. In both cases, the sea is beautiful, the sand is fine, and the memories are well worth the ones you come back with, from a bungalow on stilts to €800 per night. So, which of these two islands deserves the top spot on your travel list?
