Maldives Travel Guide

 

Why Visit the Maldives

The Maldives is a place you've probably seen pictures of before: picture-perfect private homes soaring over vivid blue waters, powder-soft white sand beaches, and breathtaking sunsets falling beyond the horizon. The Maldives' breathtaking scenery is wonderful to behold; you can't really appreciate it unless you visit.

Couples on honeymoon seeking privacy and thrill-seekers planning scuba diving and snorkeling excursions both like visiting the island nation of the Maldives. Visitors looking for a little R&R can unwind at one of the island spas, and everyone should spend at least one day touring Malé, the capital of the Maldives. The hotels in this area are equally amazing travel adventure ranging from overwater bungalows to underwater hotels to breathtaking resorts. There are no direct flights from the United States, so getting there and staying there involves perseverance as well as a lot of money. The Maldives are about as remote as you can get; that's only one of its many appeals. They are situated between the Arabian and Laccadive oceans, around 500 miles southwest of Sri Lanka.

Best Resorts in the Maldives :

( Adaaran Prestige Water Villas All )

Overview Catch some rays on Adaaran Prestige Water Villas - Premium All Inclusive's private beach or spend the day relaxing at the full-service spa. Then enjoy a meal at one of the resort's 4 restaurants.

Location : Meedhupparu

Hotel Class :  5.0 Stars

Property type : All-inclusive resort

Cost : $484

Guest Reviews

A hotel's guest rating is calculated using data provided under license by Tripadvisor. A total of 480 have reviewed the Adaaran Prestige Water Villas All Inclusive, giving it a rating of 5, on a scale of 1-5.

Maldives Travel Tips

Best Months to Visit :

The best time to visit the Maldives is from November to April. The island nation is warm and sunny year-round, but consists of a dry season and a wet, rainy season. There are pros and cons to visiting in each season. Travelers will experience the best weather in the Maldives between November and April, thanks to little precipitation and warm temperatures. Unfortunately, this is also the busiest time of year and, as such, the room rates at resorts are expensive. However, since each resort inhabits its own island, you won't have to contend with throngs of crowds like you might during the high season in another destination. 

May to October is considered the rainy season, with the islands seeing between 5 and 10 inches of precipitation monthly and often strong winds. Visitors will likely find better deals travel adventure for this time of year (though, the term "deal" is relative, since the Maldives is a pricey location year-round). This time of year is popular with surfers, though, because the area sees bigger waves and better swells for surfing during these months.

How to Save Money in Maldives :

Adjust your expectations

Visiting the Maldives on a budget is unlike If travel interests you, have a look here. visiting other travel destinations like Mexico or Asia on a budget, where you may be able to get by spending less than $50 to $100 a day. There are some ways to save but overall a trip here is pretty pricey.

Pick your flights carefully. The cost of flying out of the US is prohibitive. The price will be less outrageous if you combine a trip here with one to the Middle East or Europe (where you can take a direct flight). Alternatively, think about obtaining a travel credit card and using airline and hotel loyalty points to make your travel arrangements.

Choose your accommodations wisely. Here, there are no "budget" hotels; even the budget resorts are posh and prominently display exorbitant prices. Avoid the upscale resort in favor of the more reasonably priced guest cottages, inns, and vacation rentals on nearby islands if you're hoping to save money. Although it's likely that they won't have alcohol available, some tariffs at these hotel alternatives even include meals.

Culture & Customs :

The Maldives has been an Islamic nation since the 12th century. With this rich heritage, you'll find religious traditions entrenched in the culture. Mosques dot the capital of male, and you’ll see some men and women travel adventure dressed in very conservative attire. Should you wish to visit a mosque, you too should dress accordingly; however, be aware that some mosques are closed to non-Muslims. You'll also notice people praying in public at certain times throughout the day. Be respectful by lowering your voice and not walking in front of those who are praying. Most of these visible cultural and religious traditions have been extracted from the resorts. However, particularly during Ramadan, expect to witness some Islamic customs, such as local restaurants closing for the daytime when the population will be fasting. 

Public displays of affection, such as kissing or hand-holding, are illegal. Alcohol is illegal, too, though it is available and can be consumed on resort islands. Homosexuality is also illegal in this island nation. Men and women should be dressed conservatively when traveling to and from the airport, and throughout Male' and Hulhumale'. 

With dozens of resort islands, the Maldives relies on tourism as its dominant industry that draws on a large portion of the workforce. The other major industry is fishing, and this island nation exports its sea catches to countries across the world. The Maldivian currency is the rufiyaa and $1 equals about 15 rufiyaas. However, the exchange rate can fluctuate so be sure to check it before you travel.

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi though many Maldivians speak and understand English, especially those working at high-end resorts.

What to Eat :

Cuisine in the Maldives relies heavily on the region's available ingredients, which means seafood, coconut and starches feature prominently in many dishes. Tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi are a few of the fish you can expect travel adventure to find on menus in the Maldives. Other popular dishes in the Maldives include samosas (pastries stuffed with savory filling like spiced potatoes and vegetables), curries and spicy fried fish.

Keep I mind, because the Maldives is an Islamic nation, the population does not drink alcohol. However, you will be able to enjoy alcoholic beverages at most resorts.

If you're staying at a high-end resort, you will likely have more variety in terms of food, with dining options ranging from Italian and Spanish to Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. Several hotels offer buffet lunches and dinners. At some properties, you can opt for an all-inclusive rate that covers meals of travel adventure and drinks. Regardless of whether you choose all-inclusive or a la carte, dining in the Maldives is very expensive. And if you're looking for a truly unique experience, consider booking a table at an underwater restaurant. Some options include: the  Iltha undersea restaurent in the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort, Undersea restaurent at Hurawalhi Maldives and Subsix at Niyama Private Islands Maldives.

Getting Around Maldives :

The best way to get around the Maldives is to walk. The capital city of male is about 2.2 square miles, and whichever resort you pick will be walkable as well. Island-hopping at your own leisure really isn't the best option since the ferry network is not very extensive. That said, if you are traveling by yacht, you'll be able to navigate these waters. Once you arrive at Velana International Airport (MLE) on the island of Hulhule', you’ll most likely be escorted by a representative from your resort to the island where you are staying. You will have to take a ferry, a seaplane, a speedboat or some combination of the three to reach your final destination. This final jaunt is sometimes included in the cost of your hotel stay.

Entry & Exit Requirements :

The Maldives requires that international visitors have a passport that's valid for six months from the expected departure date, in addition to proof of sufficient funds and an onward travel plan. You will automatically be granted a 30-day visa, which can be extended to 90 days if requested. Vaccinations for hepatitis A and typhoid are recommended prior to arrival. For more information, check out the U.S. State Department's website.