Travel guide to Maldives

Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa

Malé (62,973)

298 square kilometres

Dhivehi

Islam

263,189 (1997)

Republic

The Maldives are situated 500 kilometres south-west of the southern part of India. The country consists of 1190 lowland coral islands of which only 200 are inhabited. Most islands are covered by tropical vegetation and palm trees. All islands are surrounded by colourful coral reefs.

The most ideal time to visit the Maldives in relation to the weather is from December to April, when it's very sunny and mostly dry. However, there is no actual peak season and it can be packed with tourists.
You can also visit the islands between May and November; it is still hot but a bit more cloudy and humidity is higher.

Lonely Planet Maldives
Dive Maldives, A Guide to the Maldives Archipelago

In the Maldives they use the following weights and measure:
weight: kilo
Distance: metric system

There are no particular rules of photography. You have to be careful, however, if you want to photograph people or places of religious interest.

At the tourist resorts tap-water is usually drinkable. In other areas all water used for ice cubes, drinking and brushing your teeth should be boiled before used.

In the Maldives they use the following power source:
220-40V, 50 Hz

The majority of the population is Muslim, for which reason you should dress so that all of your body is covered. This applies in particular to places of religious interest.

Shops are open from 8.30 am to 11 pm (Saturday - Thursday) and from 1.30 pm to 11 pm (Fridays).
Office hours are from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm (Sunday-Thursday), closed Fridays and Saturdays.
Banks are open from 8 am to 1.30 pm (Sunday-Thursday)

Rice and fish are the main ingredients in most meals in the Maldives. On certain occasions animal flesh will accompany these ingredients. There are a few local restaurants in Malé, otherwise it is international cuisine that dominates. Everything is imported except for the seafood. With regard to beverages there are many variations both with and without alcohol. Only a few local drinks are available - most are imported.

At some tourist resorts the conditions for disabled people are reasonable. It is possible to get around in a wheelchair and often the staff are ready to help. It is wise, however, to check which of the resorts have the best facilities before you go.

New Years Day, 1 January
Independence Day, 26 July
Independence Day celebrations, 27 July
Victory Day, 3 November
Republic Day, 11 November
Republic Day Celebrations, 12 November

Almost all tourists have to stay at the tourist resorts. There is a wide choice of overnight accommodation, but most usually stay in a hut or a bungalow on the beach. Outside the tourist resorts there are only a few hotels and guesthouses.
Book your Hotel in Maldives here

There are no camping sites in the Maldives.

There are three hotels in Malé and one on Gan. Otherwise people stay at hotels at the tourist resorts. Here you'll find everything from very luxurious hotels to moderate comfortable hotels.

There are about 23 guesthouses on Malé, but there are no self-catering guesthouses or similar accommodation at the resorts. It is prohibited to rent a private room on the islands.

There are no hostels on the islands.

The more than 70 tourist resorts vary from extreme luxury to common standard. Most overnight accommodation is either in huts or Hotel rooms. A few islands have more than one tourist resort, but usually a resort covers a whole island.

When you visit the Maldives you often stay at a tourist resort. However, there are also domestic Flights to a few other islands, just as it is possible to sail between some of the islands.

Flights leave from Malé to three other islands. It is also possible to rent a helicopter or a hydroplane and fly to some of the islands in the area.

There are no buses on the islands.

There is no railway in the Maldives.

There are a few taxis in Malé. It is easiest to order one at your Hotel.

At present there are no car rental companies in the Maldives.

Quite a few boats sail between the islands, of which the most common boat is a dhoni, a vessel powered by a diesel engine. Many tourist resorts also offer a speedboat as a means of transportation. It is faster than a dhoni, but also somewhat more expensive.

The islands are so small that it usually doesn't take more than an hour to walk from one end to the other, so in reality your legs will be the most ideal means of transportation on the respective islands.

You should be aware that it is not permitted to visit all islands when you go to the Maldives. Quite a few islands require a special permit, which you can apply for when you're in the country, but you are very likely to get a rejection. The government likes tourists to stay at the tourist resorts.

 • Kaafu Atol (Malé Atol)
 • Smaller Atols

 • Male