Most people would be very happy to find themselves in the enviable position of deciding whether to visit either the island of Bora Bora or the islands of The Maldives. By taking a closer look at the comparative prices of these destinations, it may be easier to choose which dream getaway best fits your vacation plans.
It is universally agreed that the pristine island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia and the breathtaking island chain of The Maldives in the Indian Ocean, are among the most uniquely beautiful and luxurious destinations in the world. However, when planning a vacation from mainland USA, The Maldives is considered the most expensive of the two destinations.
The diversity of accomodation and variety of choice offered in Bora Bora, combined with roughly half of the flying time of a trip to The Maldives, means that Bora Bora just edges in over The Maldives as the least expensive destination.
How do I get there?
The overall travel time is probably the greatest factor to consider when comparing the prices of these two destinations. West coast airports such as San Francisco or LAX fly to Tahiti in only 8 hours.
From the USA to the Maldives however, you have to transit through either the Middle East, Asia or Europe. To reach Male, the capital of The Maldives, it can take up to 33 hours of travel.
This huge difference in distance will obviously not only affect the price of the plane ticket but also will significantly impact how much time you can spend relaxing on a white sandy beach.
However, it’s good to bear in mind that the longer routes to The Maldives are served by some excellent flight operators including Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines. So those extra hours can be passed in style and comfort.
On arrival in either Tahiti or Male you will need an airport transfer to reach your final destination. Unfortunately these airport transfers can really hike up the overall cost of the trip.
The flight from Tahiti is scheduled so will probably work out to be more budget friendly as opposed to transfers in The Maldives which are arranged directly by the resort and can be expensive.
Which has the cheapest accommodation?
These two exotic locations offer a range of accommodation options including the famous overwater bungalows which afford you amazing views of the ocean and its inhabitants. The incredible natural beauty of these islands means that both these places are definitely at the pricier end of the market.
If there can be any price comparison made it would be that The Maldives has a greater variety of hotels spread across the islands and so can offer some different pricing options. For redeeming hotel points, both Bora Bora and The Maldives have incredible options such as the Conrad and Intercontinental in Bora Bora and the Park Hyatt and W in The Maldives.
What activities can I do?
Whilst relaxing is obviously at the top of your itinerary on a trip to either place, there are plenty of activities that you can enjoy during your island stay.
Watersports are the main pursuit in the Maldives while Bora Bora can also offer hiking up Mount Otumanu and day trips to the main island. Once again Bora Bora marginally wins on price as you can arrange trips with independent operators instead of being more or less confined to one island and reliant on resort prices.
Where can I eat out?
The Maldives and Bora Bora both have many highly acclaimed restaurants and the food is very varied, although equally reliant on seafood for obvious reasons. On Bora Bora, you may be able to find more cost-effective options for eating out as you are not restricted to eating at the resort, as you may be in The Maldives.
Which is the best for me?
In terms of high end, luxury destinations, Bora Bora, and The Maldives have it all. Stunning vistas, turquoise waters, and a vivid array of aquatic life literally on your doorstep. They both provide the perfect backdrop to any vacation, honeymoon, or romantic getaway.
Based on overall cost, the longer flight time to The Maldives makes all the difference and so even though this remote island chain is a dream destination, it could be best to first tick Bora Bora off your bucket list.