Traveling to the Maldives from the UAE: Our 4-Night DIY Travel Guide
- Jul 3
- 4 min read
Before booking our trip from Dubai, we had plenty of questions. Was August a good time to visit? Was an all-inclusive resort worth it? How did airport transfers work? And was staying in an overwater villa really worth the extra cost?
This guide is based on our four-night trip to Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives and is designed for independent travelers who enjoy planning their own holidays. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach escape, celebrating a special occasion, or simply want to know what to expect before booking, you’ll find practical travel tips and honest insights to help you plan your own Maldives trip with confidence.
Quick Facts
📍 Destination | Maldives |
✈️ Departure | Dubai, UAE |
🏨 Resort | Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives |
🛏️ Stay | 4 Nights |
🍽️ Meal Plan | All Inclusive |
🏡 Room | Sunset Overwater Bungalow |
📅 Travel Month | August |
🌡️ Temperature | Around 29–30°C |
🌊 Sea Temperature | Around 29°C |
🚤 Transfer | Complimentary Speedboat |
Maldives Entry Requirements
Before booking your holiday, it’s worth checking the latest entry requirements for your nationality.
All travelers must complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival.
If you’re traveling on a Philippine passport, you can receive a free 30-day visa on arrival, provided you meet the Maldives’ entry requirements.
Why We Chose to Visit the Maldives in August
One of the reasons we chose the Maldives was because it was easy to reach from Dubai and offered exactly the type of holiday we were looking for—a few days to slow down, enjoy the ocean, and switch off from everyday life.
We traveled in August, during the July to September green season. Although there’s a higher chance of rain, many resorts offer lower prices during this period. During our stay, we enjoyed warm weather, plenty of sunshine, and only a few brief showers.
For our flights, we chose Gulf Air because it offered better value than the other options we compared.
Is an All-Inclusive Resort Worth It in the Maldives?
We stayed at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, an all-inclusive resort located on its own private island.
One thing we learned while planning is that many Maldives resorts are completely separate islands. That means there usually aren’t restaurants, cafés, or supermarkets nearby.
For us, choosing an all-inclusive package made the trip much easier because our meals, drinks, and round-trip airport transfers were already included.
Getting from Malé Airport to Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
After landing at Velana International Airport (Malé), we found our resort representative waiting at the welcome counter before boarding the complimentary speedboat.
The journey to the resort took around 2½ hours. On the way there, the sea was a little rough because of the weather, while the return journey back to the airport was much calmer.
💡 Planning Tip: Send your flight details to the resort after booking so your airport transfer can be arranged.
What It Was Like Staying at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt relaxed. We were welcomed with live music, refreshing drinks, and beautiful views of the lagoon before taking a buggy to our overwater bungalow.
The resort had two restaurants, several bars, gift shops, a large swimming pool, and beautiful white-sand beaches. There was also a clinic providing basic medical care and first aid if needed. For more advanced treatment, the nearest hospital is located on another island.
Was the Overwater Villa Worth It?
We decided to book a sunset overwater bungalow because we wanted the full Maldives experience.
It quickly became one of the highlights of the trip.
Watching tropical fish through the glass floor, swimming directly from our deck, and ending each day with sunset views made the extra cost worthwhile for us.
The minibar was also included in our package and was stocked with water, soft drinks, and juice throughout our stay.
Things to Do at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
Our all-inclusive package included breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and a stocked minibar.
The buffet offered a wide variety of international dishes, fresh seafood, grilled food, desserts, and tropical fruit.
During our stay, we also:
Joined the complimentary guided snorkeling excursion.
Booked the dolphin-watching tour.
Relaxed by the pool.
Walked along the beach.
Swam directly from our overwater bungalow.
One of our favorite experiences was seeing a large group of dolphins during the excursion.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Maldives
Looking back, these are the tips we’d share with anyone planning a similar trip:
Many Maldives resorts are located on private islands.
An all-inclusive package can be a convenient option if you plan to spend your entire stay at the resort.
Complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration before your flight.
Sea conditions during speedboat transfers can vary depending on the weather.
Travel insurance is worth considering. We purchased five days of cover through AIG Travel for AED 92 per person.
The resort has a clinic for basic medical care, but larger hospitals are located on inhabited islands.
How Much Did Our Maldives Trip Cost?
Traveling during the green season helped reduce the overall cost of our trip.
Expense | Approximate Cost (Per Person) |
Gulf Air Flights | AED 2,725 |
Resort (4 Nights) | AED 3,600 |
Travel Insurance | AED 92 |
At the time of booking, the same all-inclusive stay with airport transfers could cost around AED 19,700 during peak season, while a green season booking was approximately AED 5,754.
Final Thoughts
Our four-night trip showed us that you don’t have to visit the Maldives during peak season to enjoy an unforgettable holiday. Traveling during the green season helped us save money without missing out on the experience we were hoping for.
If you’re planning a similar trip from the UAE, we hope this guide gives you a better idea of what to expect and helps you plan your own Maldives getaway with confidence.
Happy travels!
About the Author
Kaven Jane is a Filipina traveler based in the UAE who enjoys exploring new destinations through solo adventures as well as trips with friends and family. She loves balancing active excursions with relaxing holidays and shares practical travel tips and first-hand experiences to help others plan memorable trips.
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