I went on a budget holiday to the Maldives - spending less than £500

A traveller has shared how she holidayed in the Maldives on a budget - spending less than £500 for a six-day trip.Kara Wilbur, 23, and her friend, Natasha Whitley, 28, bagged a £950 return flight from London Heathrow on April 1 for their jaunt to Thususdhoo and Dhiffushi in the Maldives. The island nation is known for its sandy beaches and turquoise water and stays at the famous water hut resorts can cost up to £1,300 per night.But instead of staying in the resort islands, Kara decided to book a hotel in the local islands - Thususdhoo and Dhiffushi - and was able to nab a room overlooking the ocean for £25-a-night. Kara said she spend around £50-a-day food, activities and travel - she caught a ferry for £1.70, spent £7 on meals out and enjoyed the beaches for free.She said that a disadvantage of the island is that it doesn't allow drinking and most places are closed by 8:30pm but said it means you wake up feeling fresh every day you're there.