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Maldives

The Maldives are a country that seems to have been specially created for tourists. High prices for vacations and long flights do not scare anyone.

People come here to relax and get away from the world. Nature itself is the best way to do this – the hotels are located on secluded islands. There are no noisy parties here, but there is plenty of sun, relaxation and great diving. Some people might find it boring here. But that’s what it is, this leisurely and multifaceted Maldivian paradise.

The main thing about the country

  • The official name is the Republic of Maldives, the capital is Male.
  • The official language is Dhivehi.
  • The Maldives are located in the equatorial part of the Indian Ocean. They consist of 1,196 islands, some of which are uninhabited. They are a chain of 26 atolls. The largest island is Gan, 7.2 km long.
  • The climate is tropical monsoon, humid. The average annual temperature fluctuates between + 27 and + 32 °C. It is caused by the low altitude above sea level – on average 1.5 m, the highest point of the islands is 2.4 m.
  • The local population treats tourists kindly.
  • The Republic of Maldives is an Islamic state.
  • The business climate is favorable.
  • The main activity is serving tourists and fishing.

Customs

Passport control takes place at the airport in Male. When crossing the border, entrants must have a paid return ticket. The authorities also require proof of financial solvency – a paid tourist voucher or cash at the rate of 150 US dollars per day of stay.

Items worth more than $200 must be declared. One pack of cigarettes is permitted. Pork and any pork products, as well as alcoholic beverages, are prohibited and will be confiscated by customs officers.

Black corals, turtle shells and products made from them are not subject to export. We recommend that you do not throw away sales receipts when purchasing goods, they may be needed when going through customs on departure.

Holidays and non-working days

  • January 1;
  • January 20–24;
  • February 10;
  • April 10;
  • April 21;
  • May 10;
  • July 26–27;
  • October 4;
  • November 3–6;
  • November 11th.

Currency

The official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa, equal to 100 lari. ATMs are available in all major stores, and card payments are also possible.

Cash can be brought in US dollars and euros, and there is no need to exchange them for rufiyaa. Most hotels accept payments in US dollars.

The tax-free system does not work in the Maldives. 

Prices

Lunch at a mid-range restaurant will cost you around $70* on average. Hotel accommodation will cost you between $100 and $3,000 per night, depending on the class of the hotel and the season.

* all prices are valid for April 2022

Hotels

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Beaches

The Maldives are, first of all, beaches. Each island, each hotel has its own beaches. Clean, surrounded by tropical greenery or coconut palms, with a gentle entrance to the water.Water temperature+28 Jan+28 Feb+29 Mar+29 Apr+28 May+28 June+27 July+27 Aug+27 Sen+27 Oct+28 Nov+28 Dec

  • An artificial beach in North Male Atoll. Open to all visitors, both tourists and locals love to come here. The place is popular among young people – musical groups hold concerts here in the evenings.
  • Beaches of Veligandu Island, North Ari Atoll. Quite popular with holidaymakers. There is a lot of greenery and excellent lagoons, ideal for diving and snorkeling.
  • Maafushi Island Beach. Perfectly organized infrastructure, varied food, many water sports. Special feature – diving with sharks.
  • Wild beach on Vaadhoo Island. At night the sand begins to shimmer blue from the phytoplankton scattered along the shore.
  • Beaches of Hulhumale Island. Created artificially. Those who have time left before their flight or, on the contrary, have just arrived usually spend time here.
  • Beach of Ukulhas Island. Not crowded, well equipped. Suitable for families with children.

Resorts

It is difficult to say anything new about the Maldives resorts. The water is crystal clear everywhere, the beaches are beautiful. Almost every island has its own, home reef. To go snorkeling or diving, you don’t have to go anywhere – everything is nearby, just a few steps away.

Hotels offer different programs – from “only breakfast” to “all inclusive”. Some hotels are focused on organizing a vacation for newlyweds. A symbolic wedding ceremony can also be ordered here.

The level of service to guests is high. On some islands there is no Internet or television. It is believed that such isolation from the outside world gives the opportunity to fully enjoy the unity with nature.

  • North Male. The main atoll in the archipelago. Standard entertainment – ​​diving, surfing, beach holidays.
  • Baa Atoll. The most expensive and prestigious resorts are located here.
  • Raa Island, also known as an atoll, offers accommodation in bungalows located on the shore in the forest and in floating villas.
  • Filalhohi, Kaafu Atoll. An ideal place for honeymooners and lovers. Wild beaches, white sand, coconut palms – everything is like in a fairy tale. The island is surrounded by a coral reef.
  • Baros Island. A luxury boutique resort, quite secluded. The level of service is high. There are restaurants and bars, the place is popular with young people.
  • Mirihi Island: Known for its restaurants serving delicacies and its isolation from the outside world.
  • Huvahendhoo Island. Suitable for family holidays. Restaurants offer national and European food, a special club is opened for children.
  • Gan Island. The southernmost point of the Maldives, located 540 km from Male. Has its own airport with international status.
  • Guraidhoo Island. Entertainment includes surfing, diving, swimming with dolphins. There are also uniquely beautiful beaches here.

Attractions

Almost all the attractions of the Maldives are of natural origin. Tourists are mainly offered excursions and long trips to reefs and lagoons.

  • Ari Atoll. Unites about 70 islands with a developed tourist infrastructure. The atoll is also known for the excavations carried out here by Thor Heyerdahl.
  • Underwater bay of Hanifaru Island. One of the favorite places for divers. In March-October, a huge number of mantas and whales swim here, attracted by the emerging plankton.
  • Madivaru Manta Point Reef. Part of the Ari Atoll. Here you can see giant manta rays flying above the water.
  • Banana Reef. Located in North Male Atoll, it has the shape of a banana. It is rightfully considered one of the most amazing places in the Maldives: visibility remains perfect even at a depth of 30 meters.
  • Ithaa Underwater Restaurant. Located on Rangali Island in the Alif Dhaal Atoll, it is 5 meters deep. It is known for its European cuisine with an Asian “flavor”. In 2004, it was not damaged by the tsunami. It can accommodate 14 guests, and we recommend booking in advance.
  • The wreck of the Maldive Victory. This site is most loved by divers as it is home to many fish and turtles. It is a nature reserve.
  • Lake Dhadimagi-Kilhi, Fuvahmulah Atoll. Freshwater, with very clean water.

When visiting Male, you can see the Muliage Palace built in the colonial style, the Islamic Center, the Great Friday Mosque, the National Museum of the Maldives, and the Sultan Park. In most cases, vacationers combine business with pleasure. Traditionally, they go to Male for shopping, and devote the remaining time to sightseeing. The second option is to use the free time before departure for this.

Entertainment

In the Maldives, tourists are offered not only a beach holiday. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts consider this place to be one of the most interesting. Coral reefs (there are more than 2,000 of them) have a total length of more than 700 km. Of particular interest are the corals themselves and the living creatures that inhabit them – the number of fauna species also exceeds 2,000. Among the most striking and well-known representatives are butterfly fish, wrasses, groupers, parrot fish, clown fish, moray eels, sea urchins, sharks.

The Maldives are also of interest to surfers. From March to November, there are steady winds, and at this time, surfing competitions are held here.

You can go fishing in the open ocean. For these purposes, you will need to rent a boat or yacht; every hotel offers such offers. Deep-sea spinning fishing is most popular among tourists.

Sea trips on yachts and boats with transparent bottoms are very popular. If you wish, you can book a submarine excursion.

More than 20 species of dolphins live near the atolls. They arrive in the morning and leave in the evening. Photo hunts are organized for tourists, usually in the morning and evening hours.

Another entertainment is a flight around the islands on a seaplane or helicopter. The cost of such an excursion is from 250 US dollars.

At night and in the evening the islands are quite quiet. It is noisy and relatively crowded only on the resort islands.

Kitchen

The national cuisine of the Maldives combines Arabic and Indian traditions. The main ingredients are rice, fish and coconut. The hotels offer both local and European cuisine. Be prepared for the fact that Maldivian cuisine is quite hot and spicy.

Almost all products on the islands are imported, except for fish and seafood. Meat and poultry are rarely on the menu of local residents.

The list of what is offered to tourists includes:

  • Garudiya: A fragrant fish soup made from freshly caught tuna, a staple dish for locals. Served with lime, rice, chilli and onion.
  • Bis Kemia. They resemble samsa, but the filling is made from tuna, cabbage, boiled egg and chili instead of meat.
  • Mas Huni. A traditional Maldivian breakfast. Shredded smoked tuna mixed with grated coconut, onion and chilli. Served with lime juice and bread.
  • Fish curry. Prepared from tuna, mackerel, horse mackerel. Served with rice, flatbreads or roshi rice cakes.
  • Masroshi. Minced smoked tuna and coconut, wrapped in unleavened flatbread. The special flavor is achieved by adding curry and spices. Reminiscent of shawarma, but with a fish filling.
  • Kuli Bokabibaa. Layered fish cake made from tuna, ground rice and coconut pulp.
  • Gulha: Walnut-sized balls of dough stuffed with tuna, onion, coconut and chilli.
  • Reef fish cutlets. With lots of spices, breaded in coconut flakes.
  • Maldivian lobsters. Prepared only from freshly caught crustaceans in different ways.
  • Rashi. National rice bread. It is represented by sheets of dough fried in oil.
  • Desserts. Sago pudding, Abuwi Boakibaa sweet pie, Gulab Jamun. Most desserts are based on coconut milk or cream, rose water, rice, condensed milk.
  • Cocktails. Served only in bars and restaurants at hotels. Prepared from elite alcoholic drinks.

Souvenirs

Most of the shops are concentrated in Male. You can buy souvenirs in shops and markets, the most famous of which is the Singapore Bazaar. Bargaining is not accepted in shops and stalls, all goods have a price tag. You can knock the price down a little in the markets, but within 10-15%, no more.

Please note that you can buy goods imported from Asian countries at markets and bazaars. At the same time, sellers do not advertise the manufacturer. They also do not tell buyers that some goods are prohibited for export. Receipts are not given at markets.

What tourists buy:

  • Coral and pearl jewelry. Only certain manufacturers’ products are allowed to be exported, so it is better to buy them in stores.
  • Gold and silver products. Tourists note the large selection and quite affordable prices.
  • National embroidered tunic dresses, cotton shirts, Maldivian sarongs.
  • Kitchen utensils – cups and spoons made of coconut wood, stone mortars.
  • Cosmetics based on coconut oil – creams, soaps, hair care products.
  • Coconut oil. It is produced in two variations – for food and cosmetic purposes.
  • Spices. The markets offer a wide range of exotic mixtures.
  • Tea. Connoisseurs note the high quality of Maldivian tea, especially black and jasmine.
  • Shells. Be careful when buying, some species are prohibited for export.
  • Souvenirs made from shark teeth. Cost – from 5 US dollars. When passing through customs, you will need to present a receipt for the purchase.
  • Products made from reed and palm leaves – mats, baskets.
  • Diving and snorkeling equipment. It is offered here at very favorable prices.
  • Lacquered boxes with a pattern on a black background. Made in traditional Maldivian technique.
  • Fruits – coconut, papaya, mango, guava.

Transport

Public transport is represented by many taxis in Male. The cost of the trip is fixed, within 2.5 US dollars to the first stop at the passenger’s discretion.

Transportation to the islands is organized by hotels, usually boats and speedboats are used for this purpose. Remote islands can be reached by seaplanes, the flight is usually included in the tour price.

Safety

The crime rate in the country is quite low. We recommend that you follow generally accepted norms of behavior.

Tourists can move freely around the country, but visiting some uninhabited islands requires a special permit.

Medicine

When visiting the country, you must take out medical insurance. We recommend that you have the necessary medications with you.

Be careful. During the first days of your stay on the islands, due to prolonged exposure to high humidity and temperature, your blood pressure and heart rate may increase.

The epidemiological situation in the country is calm. Cases of malaria and other tropical diseases are extremely rare.

For drinking, you should use bottled water; local water is not suitable for this purpose.

Traditions

We recommend that you respect local laws and traditions. You should not drink alcohol or appear drunk in public places. Topless swimming is prohibited on all beaches, regardless of the seclusion of the island. Fishing near the shore and damaging corals are prohibited.

When traveling to Male, clothing should not be too revealing. Shorts, tops, short skirts will be inappropriate.

Internet

Mobile communications are developed, Internet coverage is provided via 3G. Mobile communications services are offered by two local operators – Dhiraagu and Ooredoo. You can buy a SIM card even without a passport. Dhiraagu has a better and more stable connection.

Wi-Fi is connected in more than 200 hotels. In fact, Internet coverage in hotels does not cover the entire territory everywhere, but only operates in the reception area, in bars and restaurants. In most cases, access to the service is paid.

There are internet cafes on residential islands, and the cost of an hour of internet is 3 US dollars. If the internet cafe is located at a hotel, the price can go up to 10 dollars per hour.

If you absolutely need the Internet while in the country, we recommend that you clarify all the details in advance with the hotel administration.

Useful facts

  • The voltage in the network is 220V. The hotels have English-type sockets, an adapter will be required.
  • The Maldives have a five-day working week. The days off are Friday and Saturday.
  • Shop opening hours: Saturday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Shops close for 15 minutes five times a day (for prayer time).
  • The journey to Male airport costs US$10 and takes 10 minutes.
  • There are no sharks in the Maldives that are dangerous to humans.