15 Tips to Save Money in the Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands does not have one signature type of budget stay, but there are still ways to keep accommodation costs down. In Majuro, look for basic hotel rooms with shared bathrooms, economy rooms or older locally run properties, while the outer islands sometimes have simple rooms costing less than the capital’s standard hotels.

Compare the total cost rather than the room rate alone, as taxes, airport transfers, boat transport and meals can quickly change which option is actually cheapest.

Start browsing affordable stays in the 5 Best Budget Accommodations in the Marshall Islands.

When it comes to paying your way in the Marshall Islands, we not only recommend paying with cash, as it is often the only accepted form of payment, but also avoiding card fees. Vendors can charge an extra 3-4% on purchases made by foreign bank cards, which certainly adds up after a few purchases!

There are no currency exchange services in the Marshall Islands, so bring as much US cash as you feel comfortable carrying. When you start to get low on funds, withdraw enough from an ATM to see you through the next few days, bearing in mind the US$5-$6 withdrawal fee, as well as any fees or exchange rates applied by your own bank. Make sure you secure your cash, however, rather than carrying your entire holiday budget in one heroic wad.

Learn more about paying your way through the islands using What Is the Best Way to Pay in the Marshall Islands? and keep your cash safe by following our Marshall Islands Safety Tips.

Portions at local restaurants in the Marshall Islands can be huge compared with European, Australian or New Zealand standards, so one meal is often enough for two people. The US$15 combo at Riwut Corner, for instance, is an absolute beast and ideal for sharing.

When in doubt, order one dish first, then add another if you somehow conquer it.

The exceptions to the rule are the international-style restaurants such as Enra at Marshall Islands Resort and Tide Table at Hotel Robert Reimers, which tend to serve more familiar portion sizes.

See more places to eat in The 15 Best Restaurants in Majuro and get familiar with local dishes in Traditional Marshallese Food: Foods to Try in the Marshall Islands.

Another easy way to save money on food is to stay somewhere with kitchen facilities and cook some of your own meals. Majuro is the easiest place to self-cater, thanks to its supermarkets, convenience stores and apartments with kitchens.

Admittedly, imported groceries are not always cheap, but simple meals can still work out cheaper than eating at restaurants three times a day. Even preparing breakfast and the occasional dinner can make a noticeable difference to your holiday budget.

Self-catering becomes trickier on the outer atolls, where shops and supplies are limited. Ask your accommodation what cooking facilities are available and whether you should bring food from Majuro before travelling, unless you fancy discovering that dinner is three crackers and a spoonful of peanut butter.

Plan your shop with A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in the Marshall Islands and find more dining advice in The Food Guide to the Marshall Islands: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

If you are mainly travelling around Delap, Uliga and Djarrit, shared taxis can save you a significant amount compared with renting a car. A compact car rental (cheapest option) costs around US$65-$75 per day before fuel, while a shared taxi within the town area costs approximately US$3 per person per ride.

Even taking six short taxi journeys would cost a solo traveller around US$18 or a couple around US$36, still well below the daily rental rate. A prearranged return taxi to Laura costs around US$60, compared with approximately US$77-$88 for a rental car and fuel, although hiring a car gives you more freedom to stop along the way.

In other words, use taxis for everyday point-to-point journeys and save the rental car for a proper sightseeing day. See the full comparison in Which is Better, Renting a Car or Using a Taxi in the Marshall Islands?

Plus, learn how fares and shared rides work in Taxis in Majuro & the Marshall Islands: Taxi Fares, How to Use & More.

A rental car becomes worthwhile when you want to travel the full length of Majuro, particularly for a trip to Laura and stops along the way. Rather than hiring one for your entire stay, rent a car for one day, complete your island sightseeing in one grand road trip, then use taxis for the rest of your holiday.

Compare the options in The Cost of Renting a Car in the Marshall Islands: Full Car Rental Cost Breakdown.

When your accommodation offers free WiFi, using it is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get online in the Marshall Islands. It should be enough for checking messages, making bookings and downloading maps, although connection quality can vary considerably.

However, once you start paying for WiFi vouchers (Hotel Robert Reimers, we're looking at you), a local NTA SIM card quickly becomes better value. A SIM card or eSIM costs US$10, while the cheapest data package provides 5 GB for seven days for US$5, bringing the total to US$15. That is the same price as just one full-day WiFi voucher, except your data follows you beyond the hotel lobby.

In other words, stick with free hotel WiFi for light use. When WiFi is charged or you need maps and messages while exploring, buy a local SIM and the seven-day data plan.

Learn more in The Best SIM Card in the Marshall Islands for Travellers and How to Get Internet & WiFi in the Marshall Islands.

One of the easiest ways to save money in the Marshall Islands is to make the most of the many sights that cost little or nothing. Museums, historical sites, memorials, lagoon viewpoints, canoe-building workshops and several shore-snorkelling spots can all be enjoyed for free.

You can visit Alele Museum, watch traditional canoe building at WAM Canoe House or arrange a free tour of the Tobolar Copra Processing Authority. Even Laura Beach, one of the few places with an entrance fee, costs only US$2 per adult and US$1 per child.

Mix these inexpensive stops with just one or two paid tours and your activity budget will stretch much further. Start planning with the 15 Best Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Marshall Islands.

You do not need to sit down at a hotel restaurant every time hunger strikes. Some of the best-value meals in the Marshall Islands come from food trucks, petrol stations, barbecue stalls, bakeries and small takeaway counters, where you can pick up filling barbecue plates from around US$5 and a 10-pack of freshly baked donuts for US$4! (Also considered a quintessential Marshallese food experience, by the way).

Look beyond the obvious dining rooms and follow the lunchtime crowd, especially around Delap, Uliga and Djarrit. These local spots are not only easier on the wallet, but they often serve some of the most memorable food of the trip.

Find our favourite bargains in The Top Cheap Eats in Majuro & the Marshall Islands.

Rather than buying bottled water every day, bring a reusable water purification bottle, such as one fitted with a LifeStraw filter, and refill it whenever suitable water is available. This not only saves money but also avoids building a small plastic-bottle monument in your hotel room.

In Majuro, drinking-water refill stations can be found at Payless, Do It Best and EZ Price Mart. Refills can cost as little as US$0.25 per 1 qt (946 ml) or US$1.25 per 5 gal (18.9 l), making them considerably cheaper than repeatedly buying individual bottles.

For more advice on drinking water and what to pack, see Is the Water Safe to Drink in the Marshall Islands?

The more people you travel with, the more savings you are likely to make! Whether it is splitting the cost of an apartment, car rental, private sightseeing tour or boat charter, travelling as a group can make some of the Marshall Islands’ pricier experiences far more affordable.

This is especially useful for lagoon trips and fishing charters, which are often priced per boat rather than per person. Gather enough friends or relatives and that intimidating charter price suddenly looks much friendlier (although choosing who gets the best seat may require diplomacy).

Learn more about costs to share in The Cost of Renting a Car in the Marshall Islands: Full Car Rental Cost Breakdown and A Guide to Boat Transfers & Charters in the Marshall Islands.

We can’t get enough of this money-saving tip: extend your trip to Arno Atoll and you’ll experience life beyond Majuro without paying hundreds of dollars for a domestic flight or private boat charter.

Trust us on this one: Arno offers the quieter beaches, lagoon snorkelling and laid-back village atmosphere many travellers imagine when planning a trip to the outer atolls. As Majuro’s closest neighbouring atoll, it is also one of the easiest and cheapest to reach.

Local taxi boats take around 1 hr 30 mins and cost approximately US$20 per person each way. Add simple accommodation and plenty of free ways to spend your time, and a few days on Arno can be surprisingly kind to your budget.

Don’t just take our word for it; start planning with our guide, Majuro to Arno Atoll by Boat: Fares, Schedules & Tips.

Plastic shopping bags have been phased out in the Marshall Islands, so supermarkets and shops usually charge a few cents for a brown paper bag instead. It is not exactly going to bankrupt you, but we are here to save every last cent, right?!

Pack one or two foldable reusable bags for groceries, takeaway food and those unexpected supermarket hauls. They take up almost no room in your luggage, prevent repeated bag charges and are much sturdier when carrying heavy bottles or tins.

See what else to bring in What to Pack for the Marshall Islands: The Marshall Islands Packing List and plan your grocery stops with A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in the Marshall Islands.

Before we conclude this list of money-saving tips, we can’t forget to mention how you can save money on your trip to the Marshall Islands by saving on your flight to the Marshall Islands!

Flight options are limited, but fares can still vary depending on the airline, route and connection. Compare the total journey cost, including baggage fees and any overnight stopovers, following the advice in Getting Here: How to Get to the Marshall Islands and Which Airlines Fly Directly to the Marshall Islands?

As an extra tip for those parking at the airport before departing for the Marshall Islands, compare third-party park-and-ride companies rather than simply paying at the official airport car park. They are usually significantly cheaper!

If you’ve made it all the way to this point on this list of tips to save money in the Marshall Islands, then you probably don’t need this tip, but we’ll tell you anyway… Doing your research before you travel ensures that you stay in the best-value accommodation, choose the most cost-effective transport and make your dollars stretch further thanks to the money-saving advice here at Marshall Islands Pocket Guide!

Head to The Backpacking & Budget Travel Guide to the Marshall Islands for more ways to shave the costs.