Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
27 of the 29 items cost less in Sri Lanka.
Bottled, convenience store
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.15 – $0.30 Rs 50–100 Maldives: ≈ $0.19 – $0.52 MVR 3–8 Cafe or street vendor
Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.20 – $2.60 Rs 400–850 Maldives: ≈ $1.30 – $3.20 MVR 20–50 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.80 – $3.60 Rs 600–1,200 Maldives: ≈ $4.50 – $12 MVR 70–180 Tourist area, main course
Sri Lanka: ≈ $8 – $18 Rs 2,500–6,000 Maldives: ≈ $10 – $26 MVR 150–400 Local market or stand
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.91 – $2 Rs 300–650 Maldives: ≈ $1.60 – $5.20 MVR 25–80 Mixed drink, bar
Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $9.10 Rs 1,500–3,000 Maldives: ≈ $16 – $26 MVR 250–400 House wine, restaurant
Sri Lanka: ≈ $18 – $36 Rs 6,000–12,000 Maldives: ≈ $45 – $84 MVR 700–1,300 Cafe or street stall
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.76 – $1.80 Rs 250–600 Maldives: ≈ $2.60 – $4.50 MVR 40–70 Standard route
Sri Lanka: ≈ $15 – $27 Rs 5,000–9,000 Maldives: ≈ $4.50 – $9.70 MVR 70–150 Metered or typical fare
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.21 – $0.39 Rs 70–130 Maldives: ≈ $1.90 – $6.50 MVR 30–100 Single ride
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.09 – $0.45 Rs 30–150 Maldives: ≈ $0.32 – $3.60 MVR 5–55 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.61 – $6.10 Rs 200–2,000 Maldives: ≈ $3.20 – $7.80 MVR 50–120 Tourist shop
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.61 – $1.50 Rs 200–500 Maldives: ≈ $4.50 – $9.70 MVR 70–150 Tourist shop
Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $7.60 Rs 1,500–2,500 Maldives: ≈ $5 – $13 MVR 80–200 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.50 – $11 Rs 500–3,500 Maldives: ≈ $7 – $65 MVR 100–1,000 Data package
Sri Lanka: ≈ $1.50 – $4.50 Rs 500–1,500 Maldives: ≈ $39 – $52 MVR 600–800 Pharmacy or shop
Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $15 Rs 1,500–5,000 Maldives: ≈ $4.20 – $9.10 MVR 65–140 Supermarket
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.24 – $0.45 Rs 80–150 Maldives: ≈ $0.65 – $0.97 MVR 10–15 Pack of 20
Sri Lanka: ≈ $5.40 – $6.10 Rs 1,800–2,000 Maldives: ≈ $16 MVR 240–250 Pack of 20 tablets
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.18 – $0.30 Rs 60–100 Maldives: ≈ $1.30 – $3.20 MVR 20–50 Spray or lotion
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.91 – $2.40 Rs 300–800 Maldives: ≈ $1.90 – $9.70 MVR 30–150 Local barbershop
Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $11 Rs 1,500–3,500 Maldives: ≈ $3 – $16 MVR 50–250 Laundry service
Sri Lanka: ≈ $0.45 – $1.50 Rs 150–500 Maldives: ≈ $1.30 – $3.20 MVR 20–50 Standard full-body massage
Sri Lanka: ≈ $9 – $33 Rs 3,000–11,000 Maldives: ≈ $39 – $78 MVR 600–1,200 Basic cut, salon
Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $12 Rs 1,500–4,000 Maldives: ≈ $16 – $32 MVR 250–500 Entrance ticket
Sri Lanka: ≈ $4.50 – $12 Rs 1,500–4,000 Maldives: ≈ $7 – $13 MVR 100–200 Organized excursion
Sri Lanka: ≈ $17 – $37 Rs 5,600–12,200 Maldives: ≈ $32 – $97 MVR 500–1,500 Organized excursion 6-8h
Sri Lanka: ≈ $24 – $54 Rs 8,000–18,000 Maldives: ≈ $26 – $97 MVR 400–1,500 Local cuisine cooking class
Sri Lanka: ≈ $18 – $32 Rs 6,000–10,500 Maldives: ≈ $30 – $80 MVR 465–1,240 Tourist prices are about 3.2× the fair price in the Maldives, against 2.9× in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka 16th highest of 60
Maldives 4th highest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Sri Lanka Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge is added. Drivers and guides expect 500-1000 LKR per day; hotel porters appreciate 200-500 LKR per bag.
Maldives Most resorts add a 10% service charge, so extra tipping is optional. For exceptional service, 5-10 USD per day for dive instructors or butlers is appreciated.
No. In Sri Lanka you pay about 61% less than in the Maldives at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Sri Lanka 55, Maldives 140 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 27 of the 29 items cost less in Sri Lanka.
A week is cheaper in Sri Lanka: about $140 at fair prices, against $285 in the Maldives. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $340 in Sri Lanka and $1,060 in the Maldives.
In Sri Lanka: food and drinks cost about 52% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $8 – $18 in Sri Lanka and $10 – $26 in the Maldives, street food $0.91 – $2 and $1.60 – $5.20.
In the Maldives: tourist prices there are about 3.2× the fair price on average, against 2.9× in Sri Lanka. The biggest gaps in the Maldives: local handcraft (15.0×), public transit ticket (9.5×), and water 0.5 L (5.9×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Sri Lanka vs Maldives, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/sri-lanka-vs-maldives/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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