You must be very excited to fly and stay in the Maldives luxury resorts and enjoy your vacation. Perhaps have already packed your luggage and are ready to go. Or daydreaming with yourself, realizing your desires on the magical tropical havens, dreaming the perpetual horizon cutting the sight of the turquoise sea and azure skies while basking on the scorching rays of the sun lying on the silvery sands of the luxury islands. Yes! This picture in your mind exhilarates your thrilled soul.
Your excitement is truly understandable. But let us get to know the Maldives with the following useful information that we can take advantage of before we go to those gleaming sands of the archipelago – the Maldives.
Some information that will help you appreciate the Maldive Islands better and might even make you a better traveler, understanding more about your destination.
21 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to the Maldives
Understanding the practices, beliefs, and rules to follow in the desired destination makes you a tourist ahead of the others. Here are a few of the answers that you may benefit from before you fly to the wonderful islands of the Maldives.
1. How many islands does the Maldives have?
The archipelago of the Maldives has 1192 beautiful islands scattered on the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Among these islands, only two hundred (200) are inhabited and occupied.
2. Do I need a Visa to enter the Maldives?
No. There is no need for you to have a Visa to enter the Maldives. The Maldivian government will give the tourists a VISA upon arrival with a validity of 30 days.
3. Can I carry my favorite bottle of alcoholic beverage?
You cannot. Importing alcoholic beverages into the country is prohibited. But you can enjoy these beverages in the resort where it is allowed. The Maldives all-inclusive resorts include alcoholic beverages, wines, and more in their luxurious services.
4. When is the peak season in the Maldives?
There is a ramp of tourists in the Maldives around December to March so expect a little competition in booking a reservation. These months are tagged as the dry season in the Maldives, when you can get most of the sunshine from these tropical islands. To secure your booking with the best hotels in Maldives, you may reserve a spot in the resort of your choice in advance with the best travel agency.
5. What is the best thing to do during the wet season in the Maldives?
During the wet season, the best excursion for you to experience is surfing. The wet season in the Maldives does not necessarily mean long-term precipitation, but the waves are more suitable for surfing. The wet season in the Maldives stretches from April to November, but you still get a decent amount of sunshine during these months.
6. What is “Island time?”
The time on several of the resorts is referred to as Maldives Island Time. In the Maldives, there is a relatively loose time zone system. Islands that are far from Malé, the country’s capital, extend the real-time by one hour or perhaps even two. It means that you will actually leave for your flight to return home an hour or two earlier than usual. This is especially useful if you are going early in the morning.
As your reference, UTC +5 is consistent with The Maldives Time associated with the official time zone. There is no corresponding daylight-saving time with The Maldives Time.
7. How diverse is marine life in the Maldives?
The Maldives has an overwhelming diversity of marine life. This archipelago is a house of 1000 species of fish, 40 shark species that are relatively friendly to humans, dolphins, manta rays, long-living turtles, and whale sharks. With this diversity, the Maldives is a world-class destination for diving and snorkeling with remarkable coral reefs. Their government also helps protect these zones with working organizations dedicated to preserving this gift of nature.
8. Can I keep seashells as souvenirs?
You can’t. As charming are the seashells that you will find on the pristine shore of the islands, and you might think of keeping them as a remembrance, bringing or exporting these items is strictly prohibited.
Implementing and following this rule helps in keeping the natural state of these creatures and conserving them in their natural home.
9. How is the Internet in the Maldive Islands? Has reliable internet connectivity
You might think that the Maldive islands are isolated, secluded, and disconnected, but the Maldives actually has very reliable internet connectivity.
Most of the resorts and hotels offer access to Wi-Fi, while at the same time, you can purchase data plans that you can enjoy on your trip around the islands. Sim cards are also available at the airport.
10. What currency is used in the Maldives?
The Maldivian rufiyaa is the official currency, although since the country is primarily a tourist destination, foreign currency is widely accepted. The most popular forms of payment are US Dollars, British Pounds, and Euros.
11. Can I speak English in Maldives?
Yes, of course. The Maldivian locals and the staff and personnel in the Maldives island resorts can converse fluently with English.
12. How is the weather in Maldives?
As a tropical nation, the Maldives can be expected to have mild weather all year round with low humidity and a little rain, making it ideal for beach vacations. Their coldest season is around 24°C, and temperatures will range from 29 to 31 degrees Celsius. Even during the wet season, there are still days with clear skies and bright sunshine.
13. How many airports are in the Maldives?
In the Maldives, there are 18 airports, 5 of which are international. The Maldives now has 14 operational airports open for business.
14. What is Green Tax?
Tourists who stay in tourist hotels, tourist resorts, and tourist’s vessels are subject to the Green Tax. This tax is charged at a fixed rate of six dollars (USD) each day of occupancy.
As the country of Maldives promotes environmental awareness by practicing environmentally friendly methods in almost all activities, green taxation is a fee to cover taxes on energy, transportation, pollution, and other resources.
15. On what voltage do they operate in the Maldives?
The voltage and power outlet that the Maldives operate is 230 volts. If your gadgets or devices work on this voltage, it poses no concern for you to carry them with you on your trip; otherwise, you must bring an adapter with you.
16. Is COVID testing required?
A reference is made to the Health Protection Agency’s (HPA), which was published in the Government of Maldives Gazette on March 4, 2022, effective on the 5th day of the same month, states that:
- If a person has received all recommended doses of a Covid-19 vaccine that has been approved by the Maldives Food & Drug Authority or by the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL) and at least 14 (fourteen) days have passed since, they are NO LONGER required to present a PCR negative test result upon arrival.
- When leaving their respective inhabited islands, visitors who spent their vacation in tourist facilities on those islands are NO LONGER needed to undergo a PCR test.
17. What are the things I should not carry on my trip to the Maldives?
You should not carry contraband items into the Maldives like alcohol, idols, weapons, ammunition, firearms, and explosives. You are allowed to bring a bible with you intended for personal use only.
18. What is the capital city of Maldives?
Male, often spelled Male’ or Malé, is an island and atoll in the Indian Ocean that serves as the nation’s capital. This royal island was once called as Mahal in their history. The island of Malé is only about 400 miles (645 km) southwest of Sri Lanka, located in the Male Atoll.
19. Are there other names for Maldives?
The Maldives, or in full name, Republic of Maldives, is also called the Maldive Islands. For a very long time now, this country has been tagged to be the prime destination for romantic getaways as they are known to have pristine beaches and offer top-notch luxury and the privacy the island resort evokes.
20. What Maldivian words should I remember?
The Maldivians, in general, can converse in English pretty well. But here are some Dhivehi words that might come in handy along your trip:
| Hello – | Assalaamu alaikum |
| Please – | Adhes kohfa |
| Yes – | Aan |
| No – | Noon |
| Excuse me – | Ma-aaf kurey |
| Thank you – | Shukuriyaa |
| You’re welcome – | Maruhabaa |
| I’m sorry – | Ma-aafu kurey |
21. What are the emergency numbers in the Maldives?
Take note of the following contact numbers so just in case, and you can save a life:
Fire: 118
Emergency: 119
Ambulance: 102
Police Hotline: 332 2111
Family and Child Protection: 979 0163
ADK Hospital: dial 331-3553
Tree Top Hospital: dial #1610
Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital: dial 333-5335.
We are not wishing to have untoward incidents during your trip around the archipelago of the Maldives but carrying with you these numbers will be on your side along your journey.
