The Republic of Maldives was a British colony and gained its independence in 1965, consisting of 1196 islands and is located on the Asian continent, more specifically in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of Sri Lanka and India.
The capital of the Maldives is the city of Malé, where the country’s international airport is located, which is the gateway for those who want to explore this paradise.
The Maldives have always been at the top of our travel wish list, however, we were only able to visit this paradise on our fifth trip to Asia due to a lack of information, as we thought the destination was financially unfeasible!
The Maldives Islands are on the list of places that everyone dreams of visiting at least once in their life. The perfect beaches and the bungalows on the sea form an unforgettable and romantic setting! It is not for nothing that the archipelago is the dream destination of many couples on their honeymoon.
Although the Maldives is known for being a luxury destination, there is no need to win the lottery to discover this paradise.
The Maldives is an archipelago of 1,196 islands spread across the Indian Ocean, 203 of which are inhabited. Its location is strategic: to South India , just a few hours by plane from the main destinations in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore …) and also from the Middle East, from where direct flights depart from Dubai and Doha, in Qatar.
Despite its reputation as a luxury destination, the Maldives is a country like any other. There are houses, schools, hospitals and even public boat transport between the islands – surprisingly cheap, by the way.
Tourism accounts for 28% of GDP, a significant fraction, which brings all the necessary infrastructure, but without losing authenticity and local customs.
Currency: The currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa, acronym MVR, however, they can be unconcerned, as the US dollar is accepted in all hotels and islands. To get an idea we don’t even need to change currency during our entire trip.
Language: the Maldivian, the official language of the Republic of Maldives, is spoken there, but in all hotels and companies that do the tours, the staff speaks fluent English. During our trip we received many questions from our followers about the possibility of going to the Maldives speaking only basic English. In our opinion, it is possible.
Prices: it will depend a lot on your proposal. Contrary to what the vast majority of people think, the Maldives has extremely high-end tourism and low-cost tourism that fits in the pocket of the vast majority of tourists.
One thing that causes Maldivian prices to rise considerably is taxes and fees. There is a 12% tax + 10% service charge. In addition, as it is an archipelago with very small islands, practically nothing is produced there, and everything that matters is the price of everything.
Time zone: + 8 hours in relation to Brazil. Religion: the main religion in the country is Islam.
Internet in Maldives: practically all hotels have high quality internet, however, if you are one of those who do not disconnect for a second at Malé airport, it is possible to purchase internet packages that vary according to the plan purchased. Plans range from 15 to 20 usd depending on the amount of data.
Vaccine: the only vaccine required to enter the country is the Yellow Fever Vaccine. There was one of the few countries in the world that we passed that the control really is very strict with the certificate.
Alcoholic beverages in the Maldives: It is strictly forbidden to enter alcoholic beverages in the Maldives. Being a country with a Muslim majority they are quite strict and going through immigration with a drink is almost impossible. Large hotels usually sell alcohol.
The best time to visit the Maldives is from November to April, a dry season with little rainfall and, consequently, high season. The period from May to October is the period of rain and low season. During this period the rates are lower, but the risk of catching rainy days is very high.
- Male Atoll (Kaafu Atoll, North Male Atoll and South Male Atolls)
Main atoll of the Maldives, this area comprises 107 islands, among them the capital Malé and the neighboring islands of Hulhule (home of the country’s main international airport), Vilingili and Hulhumalé Further south, public islands accessible within a few minutes by speedboat such as Maafushi, Gulhi and Thulusdhoo are famous for their tourist-friendly structure, with cheaper costs than those on private islands. The North Atoll concentrates a few resorts and other islands. uninhabited, functioning as farms and industrial areas.
- Ari Atoll
One of the biggest atolls in the Maldives, 30 minutes by seaplane from the capital Male or a few hours by boat. There are more than 20 resort islands in this atoll, including Halaveli, Maayyafushi, Twin Islands Resort and Dhoni Mighilli.
- Addu Atoll
It is the southernmost atoll in the Maldives, 540 km from the capital Male. It is where Addu City, the country’s second largest city, is located, comprising the islands of Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, Hithadhoo and Gan, with some of the most exclusive resorts in the Maldives. To get to this region, the most recommended is air transport. Gan International Airport receives flights from other islands in the Maldives and also internationally, from South Africa and seasonal services from Europe and Asia.
Maldives: Private islands or public islands?
There is no perfect choice when deciding where to stay in the Maldives. Both the private islands of the resorts and hotels, as well as the public islands where the local population lives, have pros and cons. It is up to you to evaluate well which meets your needs:
In private islands , undoubtedly luxury is the biggest differential. It is the ideal setting to take “magazine photos” with bungalows and the crystal clear sea in the background, as well as a very high standard service and cuisine. All of this comes at a cost, of course. From the airport transfer to tours and meals, expect to pay prices commensurate with exclusive services.
On the public islands , the low cost is one of the main attractions: you can stay in the Maldives by paying the price of Thailand! However, forget about bungalows and luxurious structures. They do not match the village style of these islands. Glamor is limited, but you will be immersed in the local culture.
Precisely for this reason, some customs must be respected. As it is a Muslim country, there are restrictions on clothing, alcohol and pork consumption, which are not experienced within the super resorts.
