The Maldive Islands are a huge tourist
destination, popular with honeymoon couples, scuba diving fanatics
and other beach and sun loving people. Every effort has been made
to make each guest to these islands comfortable and safe. Do not
take the following tips as warnings, only advice, remember being
a knowledgeable traveler is a big step to a successful vacation.
| Visa Requirements
No prior visa arrangements are required. A tourist visa of
30 days will be given to visitors with valid travel documents,
on arrival. Visitors should be in possession of at least US$25
per day to stay in the Maldives. For those coming from yellow
fever infected regions, an international certificate of inoculation
is required. |
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| Customs
Strict laws prohibit the importation of pornographic material,
firearms, alcohol and illegal drugs into the country. Exports
of coral, shells and other object removed from the marine
environment is also prohibited. |
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| Tipping is
discouraged in the Maldives. Unofficially, if the service
is good - and it usually is - it's quite customary to tip
room staff and waiters in your resort. US$10 per week is a
suitable amount. A few resorts add a 10% service charge, in
which case there's no need to tip. Bargaining is limited to
tourist shops in and around Singapore Bazaar in Male? and
at island village souvenir shops where prices are not fixed. |
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| Climate
It’s generally warm and humid. The sun shines all year
round generally and the average temperature is around 29 -
32 degrees Celsius. |
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What to wear Nudism
is an offence in the Maldives and this includes bare breasts.
Dress is generally casual. T-shirts and cotton clothing
are most suitable. In Male', the capital island, it is recommended
that women wear modest clothing without baring too much
and when visiting inhabited islands, thighs and shoulders
must be covered by both men and women.
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Language Dhivehi is
the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English
is widely spoken by the Maldivians and every visitor can
make himself understood when getting around the capital
island. In the resorts, a variety of languages are spoken
by the staff including English, German, Italian, French
and Japanese.
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Currency The Maldivian
currency is Rufiyas and Laaris. A Rufiya is equal to 100
laarees (coins). The Rufiyaa comes in the following denominations
of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. The American Dollar is
the most common foreign currency. Payments in the resorts
can be made in most hard currencies in cash, traveller's
cheques or credit cards. The most commonly used credit cards
are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB
and Euro Card.
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Health Care facilities
are improving on a daily basis. The Indhira Gandhi Memorial
Hospital in Male' is the biggest hospital in the country
providing sophisticated medical care. ADK Hospital is the
biggest private health care facility, and follows high medical
standards. Experienced European doctors work at the AMDC
Clinic, and some resorts have an in-house doctor. Decompression
chambers are within reach of most resorts in case of a diving
emergency. The Maldives is tropical and generally a healthy
environment abounds. Most will be safe here but please get
advice from your doctor regarding vaccinations you may require
before arrival.
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Local time
GMT +5 hours
Business hours From Sunday
to Thursday 7:30 - 14:30 in the government sector, and generally
from 9:00 to 17:00 in the private sector. Weekend falls
on Friday and Saturday
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| Communication:
Up to date technology and international satellite links
allow Maldives to have a sophisticated communications system.
IDD facilities are available on all resorts, and card phone
facilities are available on all islands. Dhiraagu, the Maldives
telecommunications company, an affiliate of the British Cable
and Wireless Company, provides mobile telephones for rental
on a daily basis. Dhiraagu is also the Internet service provider. |
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| Food and Beverages
Restaurants, coffee shops and well stocked bars in all resorts
provide varied and delicious meals with wide choice of fresh
fruit juices, punches, cocktail, wines and spirits. All resorts
serve food and beverages to suite demanding palates, be it
favourite international dishes and or the fresh and exotic
delights of seafood. Many offer a-la-carte services that cover
eastern and western flavours. Maldivian short eats served
with tea or coffee are popular with most visitors as a snack
in between meals while grills and barbecues are much in demand
in most resorts. A few resorts have specialised restaurants
each for favoured cuisines as European, Indian and Chinese. |
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Electricity 220-40V,
50 Hz
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| When to Go
If you're looking for a few extra hours of sunshine then you
should visit the Maldives between December and April, which
is the dry season. This is the high season, however, and resorts
can be fully booked and prices are higher than the rest of
the year. The Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and
most expensive part of the high season. Between May and November
it's still warm, but the skies can be cloudy, humidity is
higher and rain is more likely. This is the low season, and
there are fewer tourists and prices are lower. The transition
months of November and April are said to be associated with
increased water clarity and better visibility for divers. |
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| Events and
Public Holidays Most holidays are based on the Islamic
lunar calendar and the dates vary from year to year. The most
important religious event is Ramadan (known locally as rorda
mas), the Islamic month of fasting. Other noteworthy events
are Kuda Id, the sighting of the new moon (celebrated at the
end of Ramadan), and the Prophet's Birthday, which commemorates
the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. Fixed holiday dates
include: National Day (the day Mohammed Thakurufaan and his
men overthrew the Portuguese on Malé in 1573, the first
day of the third month of the lunar calendar); Victory Day
(victory over Sri Lankan mercenaries who tried to overthrow
the Maldivian government on 3 November 1988); and Republic
Day (which commemorates the current republic, founded on 11
November 1968). |
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| Alcohol and
Drugs Maldivians, being Muslims, are prohibited by law
from consuming alcohol, hence there is a strict restriction
on the alcohol available in inhabited islands. Foreigners
who reside in Maldives can have a private supply arranged
by an authorised licensing procedure. All tourist resorts
and hotels, as well cruise ships and yachts have alcohol for
consumption for guests. The Maldives is amongst one of the
toughest countries in dealing with drugs. Lengthy jail sentences
are normal if found in possession or whilst using them, even
with a marijuana joint. Please do not try to import any form
of drug into Maldives. Also, please do not use drugs even
if offered whilst here, it is not worth the risk. |
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| Culture
A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers
who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas
in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different
cultures as people from different parts of the world came
here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for
instance resemble African influences, with hand beating of
drums and songs in a language that is not known to any but
certainly represents that of East African countries. As one
would expect there is a great South Asian influence in some
of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional
food of the Maldivians. However many of the South Asian customs
especially with regard to women - for instance the Sub Continent’s
tradition of secluding women from public view - are not tenets
of life here. In fact women play a major role in society -
not surprising considering the fact men spend the whole day
out at sea fishing. Many of the traditions are strongly related
to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas
around us. |
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