Maldives: Travelling

Entry Requirements

Passport and Visa Service: Maldives Immigration
High Commission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Maldives visa and passport fnformation

For Further Information: List of overseas missions - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Check IATA Travel Website for visa requirements and health advices.

Organising Your Trip

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Male Velana International Airport (MLE)	4km/2.5miles	USD 4	USD 1	Not available	approx. 15 min

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Train reservation services: There is no railway system in the Maldives

Major airlines

Name	Type	Domestic Flights	International Flights
Maldivian	National	Yes	Yes
Emirates	Major	No	Yes
Turkish Airlines	Major	No	Yes
Villa Air	Local	Yes	No

You Can Consult The EU Air Safety List. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Visiting

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: Historical sites include the Victory Monument in Malè, which was made to commemorate the victory of the 1988 terrorist attack by Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers; the Hulhumale Mosqu; the Tsunami Monument in Malé, and the Mulee-Aage Palace, also in the capital.
Another interesting place is the Utheemu Ganduvaru palace on the island of Utheemu. It was the birthplace and home of Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu, one of the most important heroes in Maldivian history.
Cultural: The main cultural highlights include the National Centre for the Arts and the National Museum, both in Malè.
Nature: Aside from its stunning beaches, the most prominent natural attractions of the Maldives are the Addu Nature Park - which is home to the second largest wetlands area in the country - and the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve - which hosts a high diversity of reef species, including 1,200 reef-associated marine species, 250 species of stony and soft corals and populations of marine turtles, manta rays, whale sharks and seabirds.
Religious: The main religious sites in the Maldives are the Hukuru mosque(the oldest mosque in the country), the Grand Friday Mosque (the main one in Malè), the Aasaari mosque on the island of Nilandhoo, and the Kalhu Vakaru mosque (the only structure in the Maldives to have been dismantled and re-built in another island, from Malé to Furanafushi).
Thermal: The Maldives have no natural hot springs; however, SPA centres are available in many luxury hotels throughout the islands.
Beach: The Maldives is blessed with some of the best beaches in the world. Some of the most beautiful include Mudhdhoo Beach (which has the Unesco protection status, as part of the surrounding Baa Atoll’s biosphere reserve); Digurah island; Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru; Bikini Beach in Maafushi; and Fulhadhoo island.
Winter Sports: Due to its climate, no winter sports can be performed in the Maldives.
Outdoor Activities: The Maldives is home to plenty of water sports. It is a particularly renowned destination for surfing, as well as for diving and snorkelling.
Fishing tours are also available.

Top Highlights in the Main Cities
Utheemu Ganduvaru
Muleeaage (Presidential palace)
Hukuru Miskiiy
Kuruhinna tharaagandu (ancient Buddhist monastery)
Isdhoo Old Mosque

Top Highlights of the Country
Fulhadhoo Island
Addu Nature Park
Baa Atol Biosphere Reserve
Dhigurah Island
Maafushi Island
Rashdoo Island

Living Conditions

Health and Safety

Health Precautions: No specific vaccination is required. For further information, consult the dedicated page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions: Fit to Travel - Maldives
UK Gov Foreign Travel Advice - Maldives
Maldives Ministry of Tourism
For Further Information on Safety Conditions: Safety and Security advice - UK Government

Emergency Numbers

119	Police
102	Ambulance
118	Fire

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference: It is %T:%M %A In Male (GMT+5)
Summer Time Period: The Maldives enjoy hot weather throughout the year; however, the nation enjoys the best weather between November and April with full days of sunshine. The South West monsoon season usually begins between April and May and lasts until October or November.

Map of the Time Zone

Time zone

Type of Climate: Maldives is characterized by a warm and humid tropical monsoon climate. Variations in temperatures are limited throughout the year, with an annual mean temperature of 28°C. The archipelago has two distinct seasons: the southwest monsoon (wet season) normally extends from mid-May to November, and the northeast monsoon (dry season) extends from January to March. The month of December and April are considered the monsoon transitional periods.
Hotel reservation websites: Maldives Meteorological Service
AccuWeather

Average Annual Temperatures and Rainfall

Climate

Eating

Food Specialties: The traditional Maldivian cuisine is also known as Dhivehi cuisine, which has strong influences from neighbouring countries, such as India and Sri Lanka. The three main items are coconuts, fish and starches.
The main dishes include:
- Garudhiya: a fish broth served with rice, lime, chilli, and onions
- Mas huni: shredded smoked fish with grated coconuts and onions. It is the most common breakfast food in the country
- Fihunu mas: barbecued fish basted with chilli
- Hedhikaa: is the local word for snacks. Some examples are bajiya (pastry stuffed with fish, coconuts, and onion); gulha (pastry balls stuffed with smoked fish); keemia (deep-fried fish rolls); kulhi boakiba (a spicy fish cake); masroshi (a mas huni wrapped in roshi baked bread; and thelui mas (fried fish cooked with chilli and garlic)
- Mas riha: curry cooked with diced fresh tuna. In general, vegetable curries in the Maldives include bashi (eggplant), tora (Luffa aegyptiaca), barabō (pumpkin), chichanda (Trichosanthes cucumerina) and muranga (Moringa oleifera), as well as green unripe bananas and certain leaves as main ingredients.
Drinks: The most common drinks include tea (called "sai") and fruit juices, as well as coconut water.
Ruku Raa is a traditional toddy procured from near the oldest flowers of the palm tree.
Albeit prohibited to Muslims, alcoholic drinks are available in most tourist resorts.
Dietary Restrictions: Maldivians do not drink alcohol as it is prohibited by Islamic rules, the same as for pork meat.
Most Maldivians eat with their right hand.

Paying

Domestic Currency: Maldives Rufiyaa
ISO Code: MVR
To Obtain Domestic Currency: The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), which is divided into 100 laari and is available in 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 notes. The currency is non-convertible, hence cannot be purchased beforehand. Only major foreign currency will be exchanged for local currency MVR.
Banks in Malé provide ATM services, while in other islands it can be hard to withdraw money.
Possible Means of Payment: All major credit and debit cards are accepted in resorts, hotels and many shops and restaurants in tourist places.
The U.S. dollar is accepted as legal tender throughout the country.

Speaking

Official Language: Dhivehi
Other Languages Spoken: English
Business Language: English

Useful Resources

To Find a Job: Maldives Jobs
Seaworld Maldives
Aeonian Maldives

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