The Maldives

About Maldives

The Maldives, a tropical paradise, is an archipelago of 1.192 coral islands in the Indian Ocean which is divided into 26 coral atolls (200 islands plus 80 touristic islands). It is located South-Southwest of India and is a part of South Asia.  Maldives is known for its perfect combination of tropical rainforests, white sandy beaches, and turquoise blue sea.

Where are the Maldives?

Maldives is a small, arid, ocean archipelago located at the southern tip of India, off the coast of Sri Lanka. It lies south of India and Sri Lanka, about 700 kilometers from the southern tip of the Asian continent. Maldives has been an important colony and former British colony of British India. This country has a large amount of natural beauty, attracting tourists and vacationers from all around the world.

Climate in Maldives

Maldives has a tropical wet and dry climate; the rainy season lasts from April to September, and the dry season is usually between November to February.

Temperature: 30°C all year round
Sea temperature: 22°C to 28°C

Tourism in Maldives

Tourism in Maldives has been the highlight of the government and its well managed tourist infrastructure has responded to the growing needs of visitors. The island chain has long been popular for its beautiful beaches but becoming a first-class destination and a tourist mecca has taken some time for the tiny island nation. Tourism in Maldives includes a diverse mix of water sports, scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing, windsurfing, yachting, diving, and snorkelling.

Languages in Maldives

Locals speak Dhivehi, English is widely spoken in areas frequented by tourists.

Culture in Maldives

A lively mix of South Indian, Sinhalese and Arab influences is present in the local culture, which is reflected in the island’s traditional music, cuisine and art.

Local Customs

The Maldives are an Islamic country. Travelers can’t bring in any alcohol. Modest clothes are recommended, especially outside the resorts.

Electrical point

240v 3-pin plugs are available at the villas

Visa

No visa is required for visiting the Maldives

Money/Currency in Maldives

The official currency of the Maldives is called the Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf), which is linked to the dollar by about 12.75 Rufiyah to the dollar. Most resorts and many local islands will accept the US dollar (bringing small denominations like $1, $5, and $10) as payment. Most major resorts also include Euros, pounds sterling, yen, and other major currencies.

Direct Flights to/from Maldives

From most international destinations, including India, Sri Lanka, Dubai, and major airports in Southeast Asia, there are frequent direct flights to Male, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe.

Tipping

• General – Tipping is something of a grey area in Maldives, where a 10% to 12.5% service tax is added to nearly everything.
• Hotels – It’s a good way to leave a tip to your room staff and your thakuru in smarter resorts (butler).
• Give any tips personally to the employees, not to the hotel cashier-US dollars, euros and local currency are the same.
• Restaurants – Tipping in restaurants is not usual at independent restaurants or on local islands.

Daily Costs

Low Budget: Less than $400 USD

• Budget resorts cost $150–350 USD per night.
• Guesthouses are cheaper at between $50-100 per night..
• Take public ferries for $5-10 USD to reach guesthouses cheaply.

Midrange Budget: $400–850 USD

• Resorts in the Midrange start at US$350 per night.
• Full or all-inclusive board options can save money.
• The cost of speedboats for resorts is about $200-300 USD.

Top end Luxury: More than $850 USD

• Luxury top-end resort rooms start at $750 USD.
• Generally, seaplane transfers cost anything from $400 USD return.
• Expect a meal in a top-end resort to cost a minimum $150 USD per person.