As of November 12, 2026, Nepal is cheaper than Maldives for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $48 in Nepal against $232 in Maldives, a gap of 384.7%. Over the past year Nepal has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (+6.1% after inflation, against −0.4%). Both sit at US advisory Level 2. Maldives is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Maldives | Nepal |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $232 | $48 |
| Lean day | $74 | $21 |
| Comfortable day | $634 | $115 |
| Real change, 12 months | −0.4% | +6.1% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | 0.0% | +5.8% |
| Versus 5-year average | +3.0% | +11.7% |
| US advisory | Level 2 · Increased caution | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 3.8 · Well set up | 3.2 · Workable |
| Index score | 43 | 75 |
| Best months | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder months | May, Nov | Feb, May, Dec |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
Overwater villas at any price you care to name, and guesthouse islands at a tenth of it.
The catchResort islands price in dollars with heavy taxes and transfer fees. Alcohol is banned on local islands.
The Himalaya at teahouse prices.
The catchRoads are slow and domestic aviation has a poor safety record. Buy insurance that covers helicopter evacuation at altitude.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.