maldives travel guide

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Unrivaled luxury, stunning white-sand beaches and a dazzling underwater world make Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime.

Best Time to Visit

Best places to visit, attractions, must-see attractions.

Old Friday Mosque

This is the oldest mosque in the country, dating from 1656. It’s a beautiful structure made from coral stone into which intricate decoration and Quranic…

Ari Atoll & Around

Dhigurah is a charming, clean and friendly local island with about 600 inhabitants and around ten guesthouses. It's a very long island, with an absolutely…

National Museum

Maldives' National Museum may be a ferociously ugly building gifted by China, but it nevertheless contains a well-labelled collection of historic…

Utheemu Ganduvaru

Northern Atolls

This small palace – now a museum – was the childhood home of Maldivian national hero Mohammed Thakurufaanu, who, alongside his brothers, overthrew…

North Male Atoll

Thulusdhoo has traditionally been an industrious island, known for manufacturing of bodu beru (big drums), for its salted-fish warehouse and for its Coca…

China-Maldives Friendship Bridge

This incredibly impressive piece of engineering connects Male to the airport island of Hulhule, but unlike most of the causeways connecting islands…

Himmafushi is famous for its main street selling some of the least expensive souvenirs in the country, such as carved rosewood manta rays, sharks and…

Fish Market

Although the squeamish may well object to the buckets of entrails or the very public gutting of fish going on all around, the Fish Market should not be…

Top picks from our travel experts

8 top things to do in the maldives beyond your villa.

The island of Huraa is well used to tourists visiting from nearby resorts, but it retains its small-island feel. It is now home to several guesthouses,…

Gili Lankanfushi

Astonishingly impressive Gili Lankanfushi is the original pioneer of barefoot luxury in Maldives, where the 'no shoes, no news' philosophy reigns supreme…

Huvafen Fushi

Huvafen Fushi set a new standard for stylish, sophisticated luxury when it opened in 2005 and has inspired countless imitators elsewhere in Maldives and…

Cheval Blanc Randheli

Want to know where the one per cent really holiday? It's at this ultra-top-end hotel run by the French LVMH group (that's short for Louis Vuitton Moët…

Artificial Beach

A sweet little crescent sand beach has been crafted from the breakwater tetrapods here where locals can swim and enjoy a day on the beach. There’s a whole…

Southern Atolls

In the south of Huvadhoo Atoll, only about 20km from the equator, the island of Vaadhoo has two hawittas (stone prayer mounds) and a mosque that dates…

Soneva Fushi

Rightly one of the most famous resorts in the country, ecofabulous Soneva Fushi is the place to get back to nature in style. The personal creation of…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Resorts in the Maldives take luxury to new heights, true – but when you venture beyond your villa you’ll find once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Things to Know

Honeymoon hot spot, popular family getaway and stunning island nation, plan your visit to the Maldives with this guide to etiquette, money and transport.

Transportation

From public buses to private seaplanes and luxury yachts, here’s how to get around in the Maldives.

Visa Requirements

Before you book your trip to the Maldives, it’s important to have all the correct documents. Here's what you need to know about visas.

Money and Costs

The Maldives is not a cheap place to visit, but there are ways to make your money stretch further. Here are our top budget tips.

Traveling with Kids

With gorgeous coasts and amazing underwater worlds, the Maldives is a natural playground for kids of all ages.

Best Road Trips

Heading to the Maldives? Our guide will help you pick your ideal island, whether you’re searching for affordable options or five-star resorts. 

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Maldives   Travel Guide

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Why Go To Maldives

You've seen photos of the Maldives before: picture-perfect private villas suspended over striking blue waters, alabaster white sand beaches and spectacular sunsets dipping into the horizon. The scenic beauty of the Maldives is something to behold, something you can't quite understand until you're there in person.

The island nation of the Maldives is popular with honeymooners looking for seclusion and adventurers looking to explore the depths of the sea on a scuba diving or snorkeling excursion. If you don't fall into either category, consider that the Maldives' appeal has broadened in recent years. Today, honeymooners and divers are joined by a more diverse mix of families, groups of friends, and even solo travelers seeking wellness retreats or "budget" vacations in guesthouses rather than resorts. Travelers seeking the ultimate in relaxation can unwind at one of the many superb resort spas and all visitors should certainly spend an afternoon exploring an inhabited island village to get a snapshot of typical island life. The resorts in this region are also spectacular, ranging from underwater hotels to overwater bungalows to incredibly beautiful resorts . However, getting to and staying in this tropical paradise requires patience (there are no direct flights from the United States) and plentiful cash. Located in the Indian Ocean, roughly 600 miles southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is about as isolated as you can get – and that's just one of its many allures.

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Maldives Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit the Maldives is from November to April, when there is little precipitation and warm temperatures, ranging between the high 70s and mid-80s. The island nation is warm and sunny year-round, but it does experience a dry season and a rainy season, and there are pros and cons to each. Though the period between November and April promises the best weather, 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 the same intensity of crowds like you might during the high season in another tropical destination with more public facilities. Check the number of villas and size of the island before you go, so you can get an idea of how tranquil the island will be.

May to October is considered the rainy season, with the southern atolls experiencing the most rain. During this time, islands see between 7 and 8 inches of precipitation monthly and often strong winds. However, showers tend to be short and punctuated by sunshine. Some days, it only rains overnight, while there can be many hours of sunshine through the day, if you're lucky. Some travelers find the better deals available during rainy season make it worth the gamble of visiting, although July and August are the riskiest months. However, the term "deal" is relative, since the Maldives is a pricey location year-round. This time of year is also popular with surfers because the area sees bigger waves and better swells for surfing during these months.

Note that the private resorts are permitted to celebrate non-Islamic holidays, including Christmas, Easter and Diwali, but you will not find them celebrated on inhabited islands.

Weather in Maldives

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Tap water is desalinated This treated water is fine for showering and brushing teeth. Some resort islands have their own desalination plants (as the sea is too deep for a national water pipeline between islands), but many resorts offer bottled water instead. Bottled water is sometimes free, but can also be pretty expensive at some resorts. Normally, the resorts with their own desalination plants provide water for free.

It's hot These islands are located near the equator, meaning the temperatures are warm year-round and the sun is strong. Make sure to apply a liberal amount of sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's UV rays.

Islamic tradition is important The Maldives is an Islamic nation, meaning it adheres to Islamic traditions and practices. However, because the resorts are on private islands, resort guests do not have to obey local cultural restrictions, meaning travelers can consume items normally banned, such as alcohol and pork, and are free to wear swimsuits. Beyond the resorts' borders, you'll find plenty of mosques and no alcohol. It's advised that women cover their shoulders, chest and knees unless they are at the airport or on a resort island (out of respect for the local culture rather than for their safety).

How to Save Money in Maldives

Adjust your expectations Visiting the Maldives on a budget is unlike 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 in comparison, even if you're staying in a guesthouse and taking local ferries.

Choose flights wisely Airfare from the United States is incredibly expensive. If you can pair a vacation here with one in Sri Lanka, the Middle East or Europe (where you can catch a direct flight), the cost will be less ludicrous. Or, consider signing up for a travel credit card and use airline and hotel loyalty points to book a vacation here.

Pick accommodations carefully Weigh the pros and cons of a "budget" hotel (known locally as "guesthouses") versus choosing a cheap resort. Guesthouses are normally in better condition than many of the cheapest (and oldest) resorts, since this form of tourism has only been permitted since 2010, and despite the term "guesthouse," they are often more like boutique hotels than budget lodgings. However, due to the fact that guesthouses are not on private islands, alcohol and skimpy swimwear are not permitted.

Culture & Customs

The Maldives has been an Islamic nation since the 12th century, but was previously Buddhist and Hindu. As an important trading post on the ancient Spice Route between East Asia and the Middle East, there are influences from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa and the Arab world in Maldivian culture. It includes crafts like lacquerware, pottery, matt weaving, Bandiyya Jehun dancing inspired by Indian pot dances, and a form of drumming and dancing known as Boduberu ("big drum"), which is reminiscent of African drumming.

With this rich heritage, you'll find religious traditions entrenched in the culture on inhabited islands, while by contrast, resort islands are their own kingdoms far removed from the local way of life. Mosques are on every inhabited island, and you'll see women dressed in  headscarves, normally with jeans and flip-flops. Should you wish to visit an inhabited island, you too should dress reasonably conservatively out of respect for the local culture, and to avoid too many stares. Some inhabited islands are more liberal than others, so it's best to inquire locally, but as a general rule, men shouldn't wear sleeveless tops or short shorts, while women should cover their shoulders, chest and knees on inhabited islands.

If you're swimming or sunbathing on an inhabited island that doesn't have a tourist beach, be aware that bikinis and skimpy swimwear are illegal and travelers have been detained by police for it in the past. The simplest workaround is to wear boardshorts and a rash shirt, which also helps prevent sunburn.

Travelers are permitted to go inside some mosques, but it's best to ask a local first, as some mosques are closed to non-Muslims. On the inhabited islands, you'll also notice the sound of the "call to prayer" and sometimes even 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. This is also the time of day when shops close, too. You can download a free prayer time smartphone app if you're spending a lot of time on an inhabited island so you don't get caught tripped up everything closing several times a day.

During Ramadan, don't eat or drink on the street on inhabited islands, because Maldivians fast during the day, and also be aware that most restaurants and cafes will not open until after sunset for anyone.

Public displays of affection, such as kissing or hand-holding, are illegal on inhabited islands. Again, you won't need to comply with any of this if you're staying on a resort island or liveaboard. Homosexuality is illegal in this island nation, but many resorts are gay-friendly, particularly the international brands and higher end resorts.

Alcohol and pork are also illegal on inhabited islands, although it is readily available on resort islands. If you're staying in the local island community and are craving a glass of wine, your guesthouse can normally arrange a day trip to a resort or a liveaboard so you can have a drink. You can also find alcoholic drinks at Hulhule Island Hotel, which is a quick, free shuttle ride from Velana International Airport.

With close to 200 resort islands, tourism is the dominant industry that draws on a large portion of the workforce and has elevated the country from the United Nations' Least Developed Country designation to Middle Income Country status in just 40 years. The other major industry is fishing using traditional methods, and this island nation exports its dolphin-safe tuna to countries across the world.

The Maldivian currency is the rufiyaa (MVR) and it is pegged to the US dollar; $1 equals about 13 to 15 rufiyaa. However, the exchange rate can fluctuate, so be sure to check it before you travel. The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, though most Maldivians speak and understand English and sometimes a third language too, especially those working at resorts.

What to Eat

You'll be able to find all kinds of international cuisine in the Maldives. Norwegian salmon, Japanese wagyu and Australian lamb are transported from all corners of the world to suit the demands of international guests. If you're attempting to have an eco-conscious vacation , you might want to check out an eco-friendly resort that cuts some of the air miles out of your dinner by growing some of its own fruit and vegetables and working with local farmers and fishermen, such as resorts like Soneva Fushi and Amilla Fushi.

Resorts have a main restaurant and a handful of specialty restaurants, with Italian, Thai and Japanese being some of the most popular cuisines. Many resorts also offer theme nights, such as "Maldivian Night," "Seafood Night" and "BBQ Night." If you're staying a week or more, consider a resort with at least three or four restaurants so you don't end up eating the same meals twice. Some of the cheaper resorts only offer buffets, the standards of which are variable, so checking recent reviews is a safe bet. A few of the high-end resorts cater to special diets like ketogenic, Paleolithic, gluten-free and vegan – you'll see this promoted on the resort websites.

Cafes and restaurants on inhabited islands don't offer such a broad range of cuisine as resorts, but you will find plenty of tasty Maldivian, Sri Lankan and Indian fare, as well as international classics like spaghetti bolognese, burgers, pasta and pizza. Maldivian cuisine relies heavily on the region's available ingredients, which means seafood, coconut and chilis feature prominently in most dishes. Tuna, wahoo and mahi mahi are a few of the local types of fish you can expect to find on menus in the Maldives. Other popular dishes include hedika (a kind of Maldivian tapas featuring savory fillings like fish, spiced potatoes and vegetables), fish curries and barbecued fish.

Keep in mind, because the Maldives is an Islamic nation, the local population is not allowed to drink alcohol, so there are no bars on inhabited islands. However, you will be able to enjoy alcoholic beverages at all resorts and liveaboards, and at the airport hotel (Hulhule Island Hotel), but not anywhere at the airport.

Getting Around Maldives

The best way to get around the Maldives depends on what kind of island you're on, although most visitors will stick to their chosen resort island. The majority of islands in the Maldives range in size between 0.3 and 0.7 square miles, which means they don't take long to navigate. Many resorts offer bicycles or chauffeured golf buggies to make getting around in the humidity easier, while if you're in a local town, your guesthouse might offer you a bicycle. In the capital city of Malé and in Hulhumalé , walking, buses or taxis are the main transportation options.

Note that if you have mobility issues, you may find this country can be trickier to get around due to the speedboat/seaplane transfers, large areas of sand and (normally) unpaved paths at resorts and on many inhabited islands. There's no air bridge at the international airport, but if you inform your airline in advance, it can make arrangements for a lifting device. A few resorts, such as Baros, Kuramathi and Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, have been recommended by travelers with mobility issues. Amilla Fushi is the only resort in the Maldives that has been officially designated an IncluCare-certified resort (even the dive center teams are trained to assist travelers with disabilities). IncluCare is a U.K.-based tourism organization specializing in inclusive and accessible travel training, assessment and accreditation.

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 on arrival, 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 .

Palm trees, aquamarine water and sugar white sand greet travelers at every turn in this island nation.

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How to Plan the Perfect Maldives Vacation at the Best Hotels

Here's everything you need to know to plan the perfect Maldives vacation.

The world's lowest-lying nation rises barely three feet above sea level (at its highest point, a mere 10 feet) and fans over the Indian Ocean in wide, flat circles of blindingly white sand. The Maldives are nestled halfway between Indonesia and Africa and attract travelers seriously committed to communing with the sparkling turquoise tides.

Made up of 26 atolls spanning 1,190 different islands (of these, less than a third are inhabited), the Maldives are like one giant jigsaw puzzle of sandbars and lagoons. An impressive number of marine species have made their homes in the surrounding reefs and, as a result, a Maldives vacation is particularly popular among scuba divers.

The Maldives are where people come to experience island life at its most relaxed — and most beautiful. Whether you're criss-crossing coral reefs in a glass-bottomed boat or dozing off in your private overwater bungalow, the chances of returning home disappointed are slim to none. Here's everything you need to know to plan the perfect Maldives vacation.

How to Get Around on Your Maldives Vacation

Within each of the island chain's ring-shaped atolls — North Ari Atoll, South Ari Atoll, Laamu Atoll, and so on — is a group of different islands typically anchored by a small airport. The Kaafu Atoll is home to Velana International Airport, which is the main entry point for all travelers. This main airport, near the capital island of Malé, is where you'll likely start your Maldives vacation. From here, you'll need to arrange a separate flight or speedboat transfer to get to your individual hotel — and if you're resort hopping, you may need to take more than one seaplane or boat to get around the Maldives. Often the luxury hotels can help you organize a seaplane or boat transport to your final destination. You can also hire your own speedboat transfer through companies like Atoll Transfer or take a public ferry between islands.

When to Plan Your Maldives Vacation

December through April is the dry season and the most popular time to visit the Maldives. This can make hotels slightly more expensive, but it's also when you can enjoy a near-guaranteed streak of gorgeous, storm-free days. Moreover, dry season makes for better visibility (think: crystal-clear snorkeling and underwater diving). No matter what time of year, travelers can expect balmy temperatures in the mid-80s.

How to Visit Multiple Islands in the Maldives

The Maldives are full of dreamy, relatively untouched islands, and one of the joys of vacationing here is venturing beyond your hotel. A typical excursion might include fishing at sunset in a 60-foot dhoni (a traditional Maldivian wooden boat). Another favorite is island hopping, when resort guests are taken to a handful of nearby islands and properties to snorkel and explore on land (a packed or barbecue lunch is almost always included). Some hotels even offer intimate escapes for couples. Just imagine being taken out to a deserted beach in a dinghy, where you're left to enjoy the company of your significant other for the entire afternoon, equipped with only a fully stocked picnic basket and a mobile phone in case of emergencies.

Best Hotels in the Maldives

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands was perhaps the biggest news coming out of the Maldives in 2021. This icon-in-the-making hotel debuted in May 2021, and it's the inaugural Patina Hotels & Resorts property (a new brand by Capella Hotel Group). The 90 one- to three-bedroom beach and pool villas feature exquisite architectural elements. Guests will love spending time at the Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club, all of which are part of the Patina experience.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi launched a new private island at the beginning of 2021 that's available only for exclusive rental. Not only that, but the iconic luxury property debuted new villas and the country's first Aqua Wellness Center for travelers who want to maintain their healthy lifestyle while enjoying the natural beauty of the Maldives.

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives debuted in June 2021 in the North Malé Atoll. Located near Chickens Break, a must-visit surfing spot, it's the perfect hotel for travelers looking to take advantage of water sports on their Maldives vacation. The property also boasts a spa overlooking the beach and a Singaporean-style street food market.

Another great stay in the Maldives is Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa — a luxe experience by Marriott. In the Lhaviyani Atoll, this resort is all about beachfront cafes, lagoon-access overwater villas, and an embrace of midcentury Maldivian design.

Must-try Activities in the Maldives

Scuba diving in the Maldives is second to none — the nutrient-rich waters, fed by currents from the Indian Ocean, are like a Whole Foods for marine life. Brightly colored tropical fish, manta rays, reef sharks, whale sharks, eels, sea turtles, and more are attracted to the waters of the Maldives. Start at the South Ari Atoll, where you'll find popular dive sites like Broken Rock (split in half by a deep canyon) and Kudarah Thila.

In 2005, Ithaa became the world's first all-glass, undersea restaurant. Though the trend has spread, travelers can still enjoy a seafood feast at the intimate, 14-seat restaurant. Everything on the menu is sustainably caught. To eat here, however, you'll need to plan ahead: Reservations are required well in advance, and guests of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island , where the restaurant is located, get first dibs.

Dolphin watching in the Maldives is also fairly popular, though it of course requires patience. One of the best spots to see the gorgeous creatures is Muli Channel. Work with your hotel or a local dive center to snorkel these waters on a clear day, when you'll have the best chance of seeing a dolphin.

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Maldives Travel Guide

The Maldives offers visitors a true island paradise. This idyllic island nation, nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, beckons you with irresistible charm and natural beauty.

With soft, white sand beaches set against gentle turquoise waters and swaying palm trees, the Maldives is a sanctuary of tranquillity unlike anywhere else on Earth.

In this ultimate travel guide we cover everything you need to know about visiting the Maldives:

Climate & Weather

Getting to the maldives, visas & entry requirements, accommodation, attractions & activities, honeymoons and weddings in the maldives, local culture & etiquette, practical information for travellers, safety in the maldives, what about sharks, packing essentials for the maldives, travel insurance, environment & sustainability.

Set in the heart of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives consists of 26 atolls , made up of over 1,000 coral islands scattered across some 90,000 square kilometres. These atolls, formed from coral reefs, stretch from 600km south of India and Sri Lanka towards the equator, painting a picturesque panorama of blues and greens.

Despite the vast area, land accounts for just under 300 square kilometres. The Maldives is more than 99% water and one the most geographically dispersed countries in the world. Each island, often surrounded by a turquoise lagoon, is typically no more than 1.8 meters above sea level.

The geography of the Maldives gives rise to a unique visitor experience: one island, one resort. This means that each resort occupies an entire distinct island – you never have to share the beach with guests from other hotels!

The Maldives enjoys a tropical monsoon climate. This can be broadly divided into two seasons: the dry season (Iruvai) associated with the northeast monsoon and the wet season (Hulhangu) with the southwest monsoon.

There is no concept of winter and summer in the Maldives.

• Dry Season: From December to April, the Maldives sees clear blue skies, calm seas, and plenty of sunshine. This period is considered the peak season for tourism.
• Wet Season: Occurring between May and November, this season brings in periodic rains and occasional thunderstorms. However, the showers are often short-lived and are interspersed with bright spells.

Whilst the Maldives is a year-round destination, the dry season is often preferred by sun-seekers aiming for perfect beach days. Those willing to encounter a few rain showers in exchange for fewer crowds and potentially better deals should consider the wet season.

No matter when you choose to visit, the Maldives offers consistently warm temperatures, ranging from 26°C (79°F) to 31°C (88°F), and inviting turquoise waters that maintain a steady 28°C (82°F) throughout the entire year, even 30m below the surface.

Travel to the Maldives is well established despite the remote location and spread-out nature.

International Arrivals

Malé International Airport (MLE) , also known as Velana International, is your gateway to the Maldives. Nearly every international flight, be it from Europe, Asia, or the Middle East, lands here. This airport is located on the island of Hulhulé which is adjacent to the capital city Malé.

Whilst there are several other airports dotted around the Maldives they’re typically used for domestic transfers within the Maldives. International traffic to the smaller airports is almost exclusively light jets; commercial airlines all land at Malé.

The biggest carriers serving the Maldives are Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar (via Doha), and Etihad (via Abu Dhabi).

Airlines such as British Airways (London Heathrow), Singapore Airlines (Singapore Changi), Discover (Frankfurt), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), and IndiGo (Mumbai) operate a limited number of direct flights to the Maldives. Further airlines operate direct flights on a seasonal basis.

How to get to your Resort

Once you land in the Maldives, you’ll need to take connecting transport to reach your resort or local island. There are three common ways for tourists to get around the Maldives.

• Seaplanes : A uniquely Maldivian experience! Seaplanes operate during daylight hours and offer breath-taking, low-level aerial views of the atolls and lagoons.
• Speedboats : Ideal for destinations closer to Malé, speedboats offer a swift and scenic transfer without the need to board a small plane.
• Domestic Flights : For distant atolls, there are domestic flights that can whisk you away to regional airports scattered across the country, usually followed by a short boat ride.

If you're not sure which would be best for you, we've got a great comparison to help you decide between seaplane or speedboat .

Additionally, public ferries and dhonis also operate throughout the Maldives and present a good option for the budget traveller or those wishing to explore local islands.

The Maldives is particularly open when it comes to welcoming tourists. All nationalities receive a 30-day free tourist visa upon arrival, provided you have a valid passport, a confirmed hotel reservation, and an onward or return ticket. While the process is typically hassle-free, it's always wise to check for any updated visa policies before travel.

The Maldives has no COVID restrictions or requirements for tourists.

The majority of tourists visiting the Maldives choose to stay at one of the 170+ island resorts , but they’re not the only option for travellers. Guesthouses and local hotels are gaining in popularity, and liveaboards offer a diver’s haven.

Resort Islands

The Maldives is renowned for its resort islands where each resort occupies a private island with a limited number of guests. This unique approach means that no matter which resort you go to you’ll enjoy a more exclusive and secluded experience than other destinations.

Resorts range from affordable and rustic through to opulent and luxurious with options to suit every taste and budget. The vast majority are family friendly these days with a handful of adult-only resorts.

Guesthouses & Hotels

Local islands have seen a surge in guesthouses over the past decade. They offer travellers an authentic Maldivian experience at a fraction of the price of luxury resorts. Moreover, staying on a local island lets you immerse in Maldivian culture and traditions.

While the Maldives is famed for its luxury, there are a number of budget-friendly hotels, particularly in Malé and the surrounding areas. These offer a more affordable way to experience the Maldives.

Note that staying at a guest house or hotel on a local island means fully embracing local culture and values – alcohol is prohibited outside of the resort islands and modest dress is expected.

Liveaboards

Liveaboards are like small floating hotels that roam around the Maldives, allowing travellers to immerse themselves in the ocean's beauty.

They offer an unparalleled opportunity for diving enthusiasts to explore multiple dive sites without returning to land. With comfortable accommodations, expert dive guides, and all the necessary amenities, liveaboards are an attractive option for those looking to embrace the underwater world.

The Maldives offers more than just clear waters and white sand beaches. It has activities for everyone, from adventure seekers to cultural enthusiasts or those wanting to relax. Whatever your interest, the Maldives has something to offer.

Water Sports

• Snorkelling: With its vibrant marine life and clear waters, the Maldives is a snorkeler's paradise. Swim alongside manta rays, turtles, and more tropical fish than you can count. Many resorts offer equipment and guided tours.
• Scuba Diving: Dive into the deep blue and explore the Maldives' hidden underwater world and diverse marine ecosystems. The Maldives boasts some of the world's best dive sites.
• Surfing: Primarily during the wet season, there are regions of the Maldives which offer impressive waves for both beginners and seasoned surfers.
• Fishing Trips: Participate in a sunset or night-time fishing trip, a traditional Maldivian activity. Some excursions even conclude with a BBQ grilling your very own catch of the day.
• Over Water Sports: A wide range of activities are available at resorts from jet-skiing to paddleboarding, sailing and canoeing, to name just a few.
• Island Hopping: Most resorts offer excursions to local islands, letting you interact with local communities, indulge in traditional cuisine, and experience Maldivian daily life.
• Sunset Cruises: Another popular option offered across the Maldives – enjoy a lap or two around your island with a cocktail whilst watching the sun paint the sky in reds and pinks.
• Wildlife Safaris: From dolphin safaris to swimming with turtles or manta rays, the Maldives is teaming with sea life, and some of the best spots are easily reached by a short boat ride.

Spa & Wellness Treatments

• Relaxing Spas: The Maldives is famous for its spas set in paradise. Elevate your relaxation with a spa session with views over the azure waters.
• Yoga Retreats: Several resorts offer yoga retreats, allowing you to rejuvenate your mind and body against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
• Serene Beaches: Maldivian beaches are like nothing you’ve seen before – quiet, peaceful, with very few people around. Unwind and enjoy what feels like your personal beach.

Unique Dining Experiences

• Underwater Restaurants: Dive into a dining experience like no other with Instagram-worthy venues offering gourmet meals surrounded by the marine world.
• Beach Dining: Enjoy a romantic or family dinner set up right on the beach just for you, under a canopy of stars.

Cultural Experiences

• Explore Malé: While many tourists bypass the capital, Malé offers a glimpse into the country's culture and history. Visit the Sultan Park, Malé Friday Mosque, and the bustling fish market.
• Bodu Beru Performances: Witness this traditional Maldivian dance and drumming performance, which is an integral part of local celebrations.

The Maldives is a popular spot for romantic celebrations due to its scenic beauty and excellent hospitality. With its tranquil azure waters, romantic sunsets, and pristine beaches, it’s no wonder the Maldives is a top choice for couples.

Many resorts cater specifically to honeymooners, offering personalised services, and exclusive experiences like candlelit dinners on the beach. Several resorts offer tailored honeymoon packages that may include complimentary gifts, romantic bed decorations, spa treatments, and special dining experiences.

It’s recommended to travel within 6 months of getting married, as many resorts restrict honeymoon packages and benefits to recently married couples.

Weddings and Vow Renewals

It's crucial to note that while the Maldives offers breathtaking settings for weddings, these ceremonies are symbolic and not legally binding. Many couples opt to complete the legal formalities in their home country and then have a ceremonial wedding in the Maldives.

Whether you dream of a barefoot beach wedding, an under-the-sea ceremony, or a luxurious villa celebration, resorts offer customizable themes to make your day as unique as your love story. For couples looking to recommit and celebrate their journey together, many resorts offer vow renewal ceremonies. These can be intimate affairs or grand celebrations, depending on your preference.

Most resorts have dedicated wedding coordinators to handle every detail, from floral arrangements to traditional Maldivian drummers.

Maldivian society is deeply rooted in its traditions, customs, and Islamic heritage. As travellers, understanding and respecting these traditions ensures a harmonious visit.

Culture & Heritage

The Maldives has a rich tapestry of history that dates back over 2,500 years. Its geographical location made it a significant crossroads for sea traders, which has influenced its culture, politics, and economy. Whilst Buddhism was likely practiced by early settlers, Islam has been the dominant religion of the Maldives for nearly 1,000 years and deeply interwoven into the nation's cultural, social, and daily fabric.

Traditional crafts like lacquer work, mat weaving, and boat building (Dhoni) play a pivotal role in the Maldivian cultural landscape. They offer a glimpse into the nation's rich history and craftsmanship.

Dhivehi is the official language, with its unique script called Thaana. English, however, is widely spoken in the tourism sector.

Etiquette and Do’s & Don’ts

The Maldives is an Islamic nation and it is advised that tourists are aware of social norms before visiting.

There is a marked difference between local islands inhabited by Maldivians which observe strict rules and resort islands which are able to operate looser rules for guests.

When visiting local islands, and ideally when transiting Malé:

• Dress Modestly: When visiting inhabited islands or Malé, modest dress is expected. This means clothing long enough to cover knees, tops that cover shoulders, and no exposed waist or back.
• Swimwear: is restricted to designated tourist beaches when outside resorts.
• Public Behaviour: Public displays of affection, like kissing or hugging, are frowned upon, especially on local islands. It's best to be discreet and respectful.
• Alcohol: Consumption of alcohol is only permitted on resort islands and at sea, so you won’t be able to purchase alcoholic drinks on Malé, local islands, or in Maldivian airspace.
• Religious Observances: The Maldives observes several Islamic holidays and festivals. During the month of Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours can be disrespectful on local islands.
• Gift Giving: If invited to a local's home, it's a kind gesture to bring a small gift. Gifts from your home country or sweet treats are often appreciated.

The Maldives faces serious challenges related to environmental preservation. Travelers should be conscious about coral protection and never touch marine life. Follow the principles of leaving nothing but footprints and taking nothing but memories.

Understanding and respecting local customs and the environment not only enriches your travel experience but also fosters positive interactions with locals. Always keep an open mind and the Maldives will reward you with memories to cherish.

Whilst tips are not expected it’s a welcomed gesture where great service is delivered and can be an important income source for workers.

We generally recommend tipping a couple of dollars per guest for one-time services such as with drivers, boat crew and baggage handlers. For on-going services such as those provided by waiters and waitresses and housekeeping many guests opt to tip once towards the end of their stay. Tips in the region of $10-20 per week are about right.

In any case, tips are at your discretion, particularly within resorts where a service charge of 10% will be added.

Maldivian Cuisine

The culinary landscape of the Maldives is a reflection of its rich cultural tapestry and abundant marine life. Infused with flavours from its neighbouring countries and centuries of history, Maldivian cuisine offers a delectable voyage for the palate.

Staples of Maldivian Cuisine

• Fish: Tuna, in particular, is a mainstay in Maldivian dishes, be it in the form of curries, grilled preparations, or sun-dried.
• Coconut: Used in various forms – grated, milked, or as oil – coconut adds a distinctive flavour and richness to many dishes.
• Starches: Rice and roshi (a type of flatbread) often accompany main dishes. Tubers like taro and sweet potato also make frequent appearances.
• Chilies: Don’t underestimate the local palate! The Giltheyo Mirus (scotch bonnet) is one of the most popular varieties grown throughout the Maldives.

Maldivian dishes tend to make up a small but important part of the cuisine available at resorts, which often feature food from around the world through themed restaurants or nights.

For those looking to delve deeper into Maldivian gastronomy, consider taking a cooking class or joining a local family for a meal. Many resorts and local islands offer such immersive experiences, allowing travellers to not just taste but also craft these culinary delights.

Even when travelling to paradise it's always wise to be equipped with practical information to ensure a hassle-free journey. Here's what you need to know before setting foot on the Maldives' powder-soft shores.

The Maldives operates on Maldives Standard Time, which is 5 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+5). However, it's essential to note that some resorts set their own " island time " to optimise daylight for guests, usually an hour ahead or behind the official time.

The Maldives does not observe daylight saving time, ensuring consistent timings for sunset and sunrise throughout the year.

The official currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR); however, the US Dollar is the standard within the tourism sector. Resorts operate on a USD basis. Some resorts will also allow you to settle your bill with other reserve currencies such as EUR and CHF.

Electricity & Sockets

Maldives uses British style three-pin plugs (Type G) at 230V / 50Hz. Resorts are often able to supply adapters but it’s worth coming prepared if needed.

Dhivehi is the official language, but English is widely spoken, especially in the tourism sector. English is the primary language in most resorts, and many resorts also have staff that speak other languages as such as German, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, French, and many more.

Warm and temperate all year round. Seasons are dictated by the monsoons with dry season being December through to April and the wet season typically May to November.

Dry season is characterized by clear skies and glassy calm seas. It's the peak tourist season, so expect higher prices. Wet season sees more rain and occasional tropical storms. However, this is the best time for water sports enthusiasts and can be materially cheaper.

Connectivity

Most resorts offer Wi-Fi, and local SIM cards with data packages are available for purchase at the airport or in Malé. A digital sim is a great option for those with modern smartphones.

There is good mobile coverage across the Maldives, but be aware it is one of the most expensive places in the world to make or receive international calls.

Vaccinations

No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but it's advisable to be up-to-date with routine vaccinations in any case. COVID vaccination is not required.

The Maldives is no exception in levying taxes on goods and services. The current rate of tax (GST) for the tourism sector is 16%. Resorts must also add an additional 10% service charge for tourism services, as required by Maldivian law, for the benefit of employees.

Tip: Be aware that the majority of places list prices exclusive of GST, service charge and green tax . Always read the small print or ask for clarification to be sure of the true cost.

Some websites also follow this practice, appearing cheaper than competitors until the final checkout page.

The Maldives is generally regarded as a safe destination for tourists and is well regarded. This is particularly true of the resorts which each occupy their own exclusive island. Simple steps will ensure a smooth and relaxing holiday.

Political Environment

Whilst political demonstrations occasionally take place, they are typically isolated to the capital city of Malé. Travellers are advised to avoid large gatherings or demonstrations if visiting the capital and check their foreign office before travelling for up-to-date information.

Crime levels are very low in resorts and typically isolated to petty theft of unattended items. You should avoid leaving items unattended, remember to lock your room when away, make use of safes or safety deposit boxes, and be vigilant of your valuables if visiting local islands.

The warm waters around the Maldives are particularly inviting but the ocean must be respected at all times. Tides and currents can pose a risk to swimmers.

We recommend speaking to the dive centre at your resort for advice specific to your island. They’ll be able to inform you of local conditions and best practices as well as the times and locations to hit the water. Safety and snorkelling equipment will also be available.

Personal Health

The Maldivian sun can be intense – even when cloudy. Always apply a high SPF, reef-safe sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid direct sunlight during peak hours (from 10 am to 4 pm).

With the tropical climate, it's easy to get dehydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you're indulging in water activities.

Drinking Water

Fresh water is a scarce and valuable resource in the Maldives, and tap-water is generally non-potable. Always consume bottled water and drinks where possible, especially if visiting local islands. Boiled / treated water can be used if needed.

Marine Life

When in the water simply avoid touching any wildlife and maintain a safe distance. You could accidently injure yourself or stress the animal. Take care to stay away from stonefish and lionfish which both have venomous barbs. If you follow the simple rule of looking without touching you are extremely unlikely to have any problems.

Despite popular culture, sharks in the Maldives are not a threat to people. The huge whale shark is a filter feeder and smaller sharks such as reef sharks and nurse sharks are timid, preferring to swim away. Whilst wild animals can lash it out if they feel threatened or attacked you don’t need to be afraid of sharks in the Maldives.

Tip: Dress for your destination when travelling. Wearing light clothing and using a blanket on the plane will make your arrival in the Maldives much more comfortable.

Be aware that the baggage weight limit for seaplanes is typically lower than for international flights, especially if travelling business or first class. Try to pack light!

• Beach Attire: Swimwear, sarongs, and light beach cover-ups are a must for those idyllic beach days. Consider a rash vest to effectively protect yourself from the intense sun.
• Resort Wear: Typically, lightweight dresses, shorts, t-shirts, and sandals for lounging at the resort or dining out. Some resorts have more formal air-conditioned restaurants where smarter dress is expected.
• Modest Clothing : If you plan to visit local islands or Malé, ensure you pack modest attire such as long skirts, trousers, and tops that cover the shoulders.
• Footwear: Flip-flops for the beach, water shoes if you're exploring coral reefs, and a pair of comfortable sandals for the island. Some resorts also require trainers to use their gym.

Accessories

• Sunglasses: Naturally!
• Power Adapter: The Maldives uses the British-style three-pin plug (Type G), so you may want to bring a travel adapter
• Chargers: For all your important devices. Consider adding a portable charger for excursions and extended beach lounging.
• Waterproof Bags: Useful for boat trips or water sports to keep your valuables dry and safe.
• Waterproof Camera: To capture the underwater marvels during snorkelling or diving sessions.
• Snorkelling / Diving Gear: If you prefer using your own. Many resorts and dive shops, however, provide equipment for rent or as part of a package.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and minimize plastic waste. Health and Personal Care:
• Reef-Safe Biodegradable Suncream: Essential for protecting both your skin and the delicate marine ecosystems.
• Basic First Aid Kit: Include band-aids, antiseptics, pain relievers, and any personal medications. Most resorts have a medical centre or resident doctor in any case.
• Insect Repellent: While resorts generally maintain a bug-free environment, it's handy when visiting local islands. Small denomination USD bills are useful for tipping and visiting local islands.

Prohibited Items

The Maldives is an Islamic nation and certain items are strictly prohibited. Some of these may not be obvious to travellers unfamiliar with local customs including:

• Religious materials and idols: Anything contrary to Islam, including religious texts and symbols from other religions. In practice, tourists are generally able to travel with small personal effects such as a single cross on a necklace, but having a significant amount of material could be seen as trying to undermine Islam which carries serious penalties.
• Alcohol and pork: Both are prohibited for import and consumption on local islands, but are available to tourists on resort islands.
• Narcotics and illegal drugs: The Maldives has strict anti-drug laws. Possession of even personal quantities for medicinal purposes can lead to severe punishments in the Maldives. For legal prescription medication it is recommended to travel with your prescription or doctor’s letter. If in doubt check with the Maldivian authorities before travelling.
• Materials harmful to the environment: Single-use plastic is frowned up and increasingly prohibited at resorts. Any chemicals or materials harmful to the environment may also be restricted at import.
• Shells and sand: Taking shells or sand from the Maldives is strictly prohibited, including items sold to you by vendors. Such items will be confiscated at customs and may incur significant penalties.

When in doubt it’s best to leave items behind or check with the Maldivian authorities or embassy beforehand.

Drones are strictly prohibited at resorts without prior agreement from resort management on a case-by-case basis.

We strongly recommend taking travel insurance when visiting the Maldives. A good policy will cover disruptions beyond your control, any potential health issues, accidents, and emergency evacuations.

Given the island nation's geography and remote location, medical evacuations by air can be extremely expensive. The most serious incidents may even require transport to another country such as India.

For those interested in scuba diving – whilst many insurers cover recreational diving (to 30m in line with PADI) it’s worth confirming in advance and considering specialist diving travel insurance.

Some of the top resorts in the Maldives command significant price tags well above what standard travel insurance will cover. In these cases, we recommend high-value travel insurance.

The Maldives, with its fragile marine ecosystems and low-lying islands, is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and human interference. At the same time, the country is heavily dependent on tourism. It is critical that all visitors respect the environment and preserve it as best they can.

By following the principles of leaving only footprints and taking only memories you’ll help to preserve this unique and beautiful environment. Here are a few practical steps you can take:

• Reef-Safe Suncream: Chemicals in many sunscreens can be harmful to corals. Always opt for biodegradable, reef-safe options.
• Coral Care: Corals are living organisms which take decades to grow, so take great care not to touch them, stand on them or accidently kick them with fins.
• Conserve Water: Fresh water is a valuable resource in the Maldives so please avoid waste.
• Green Practices : Consider choosing resorts that implement sustainable practices like water conservation, waste management, and energy-efficient systems.
• Conservation Initiatives: Some resorts have marine biology programs, coral planting, or turtle conservation initiatives. You can support and participate in these efforts.
• Reduce Waste: Almost everything used at resorts has to be shipped in, and the waste has to be shipped out. Simple acts like avoiding disposable items and avoiding food waste can make a big difference.
• Minimise Plastic: Whilst plastic is hard to avoid entirely, we can each strive to do our best to minimise plastic usage, particularly rejecting single-use plastics.

Sustainable travel in the Maldives isn't just about enjoying the archipelago's wonders; it's about ensuring that these wonders endure. Embracing these guidelines will ensure that your journey leaves a positive imprint on the islands and ensures they remain a paradise for years to come.

The Maldives Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 17, 2023

The Maldives is one of the most sought-after luxury destinations in the world, conjuring images of lavish resorts and jet-set honeymooners lounging in beachfront villas and swimming in sapphire waters. While the Maldives is home to all of those things and is known as a luxe destination for splashing out, it’s also possible to visit here without entirely breaking the bank.

Located in the Indian Ocean, this remote country of 1,192 islands and 26 coral atolls is bursting with world-class diving and snorkeling. There are a plethora of opportunities to explore outside the hotel resort bubble and take in the beautiful remoteness of this tropical paradise. Thanks to a greatly improved boat transfer system and the opening up of independent guesthouses, the Maldives is evolving into a (slightly more) budget-friendly vacation spot.

This travel guide to the Maldives can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this gorgeous tropical getaway!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on the Maldives

Top 5 Things to See and Do in the Maldives

1. Explore Malé

The Maldivian capital, while small, has plenty of things to see and do. Seet the country’s 17th century mosque (Hukuru Miskiiy) and get a historical overview of the country at the National Museum. Be sure to grab a coffee and watch the world go by in one of the charmingly chaotic cafes too.

2. Go diving

The Maldives is one of the best diving destinations in the world. See hammerheads in Rasdhoo Madivaru (aka Hammerhead Point) or free dive with whale sharks. There are also lots of mantas and sea turtles here too. Single-tank dives start at 775 MVR.

3. Relax on the beach

Outside the private resorts, Omadoo (on the South Ari Atoll) and Ukulhas Island (on the Alif Alif Atoll) are two of the best beaches in the country. Manadhoo is another great place too. Just make sure you’re on a designated ‘Bikini Beach’ (a beach specifically for westerners).

4. Enjoy the food

The seafood here is beyond delicious and incredibly fresh. Most of the restaurants in Malé offer outdoor dining areas. Some of the more popular places to go include The Seagull Café, Symphony, Royal Garden Café, and Irudhashu Hotaa (for quick meals).

5. Do some watersports

Banana boats (inflatable boats pulled behind a speedboat), parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, snorkeling, and kayaking can all be found here. Prices range from 380 MVR for snorkeling to 2,000 MVR per person for tandem parasailing.

Other Things to See and Do in the Maldives

1. treat yourself to a spa day.

Even when you’re on a modest budget, it’s wonderful to indulge in an extra dose of R&R. Expect to pay at least 1,000 MVR for a 30-minute massage. Some of the larger hotels offer discounts for early-morning/late evening bookings so inquire with your hotel, Airbnb host, or guesthouse to find out about deals.

2. Go fishing

Seafood is an integral part of Maldivian cuisine. Most hotels and guesthouses rent poles, bait, and provide a guide for around 775 MVR. Skipjack and yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, bigeye scad, and mackerel scad are all commonly found here. If you’re an experienced angler, some of the best game fishing in the world can be done here. Expect to pay at least 3,000 MVR for a half-day shared charter.

3. Snorkel in the Baa Atoll

The Baa Atoll is a 1,200-square-kilometer (463-square-mile) UNESCO Biosphere Reserve brimming with manta rays and whale sharks. On a clear day, you can see them swarming below the surface. It’s only a five-minute boat ride from Dharavandhoo Island but visiting the area is strictly regulated and there is an 80 person capacity so as not to disrupt the precious ecosystem. Admission is around 550 MVR, which gives you 45 minutes in the water and a certified snorkel guide. Profits go towards the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund.

4. Tour the National Art Gallery

Established in 1999, there’s no permanent gallery here so be sure to check the website in advance as the space is left empty if there is no visiting exhibition on display. The temporary exhibitions at the gallery, which range from traditional paintings and local textiles to international modern artists, are well worth a visit.

5. Dive the Maldive Victory

In 1981, this 100-meter-long (328-foot) cargo ship hit a reef and sank. It’s now an incredible dive site for experienced divers. Resting between 15-31 meters (50-100 feet) below the surface, there are strong currents here that keep the tropical fish flowing through the shipwreck — but they also make it a challenging dive site. There are all kinds of coral, fish, and sponges here. It’s accessible all year around.

6. Visit the Malé Fish Market

Come here and catch a glimpse of Maldivians living out their daily routine in the commercial center of Malé. Select a fish (if you can muster your way through a purchase as most fishermen don’t speak English) and have it cooked at your guesthouse for dinner.

7. Wash up on a sandbank

These tiny mounds of sand in the middle of the Indian Ocean are the closest you can get to feeling like you’re on your own private island. Private trips can be arranged to any one of the hundred different banks dotted around the islands (many of which are attached to/affiliated with resorts). Tours usually last 2-3 hours and cost 900 MVR.

8. Skip Maafushi

Maafushi, once a sleepy little island, is now the victim of uncontrolled development. There are hotels going up left and right, boats making frequent trips to Malé to pick up tour groups, and an increasingly-crowded and overbuilt beach. The few restaurants on the island cater mostly to tourists and outside the area cleaned up for visitors, it’s one trash-covered dump. Skip it!

9. Do all the watersports

Diving and snorkeling to see the life under the water is what the Maldives are famous for but there’s plenty more to do. Most resorts have kayaks, paddleboards, and paddle boats that you can borrow for free. Others offer surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing packages for both beginners and experienced surfers (May-October is the best time for this). Then you’ve got things like banana boating, tubing, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, and flyboarding which are all also often available.

10. Stay on a local island

Most people stay in the high-end resorts when they go to the Maldives but there’s so much more to the islands than this. Local islands give you the chance to get to know the Maldives as a country rather than just seeing a resort and a ton of biodiverse marine life. The local islands are where you can find guesthouse accommodation which is cheaper, and there is more variety in terms of tour operators, restaurants, and other things to do. Fulidhoo, Ukulhas, Rasdhoo, and Thinadhoo and some of the most popular choices. Generally speaking, the further away from the capital you get the more laid-back and quiet the islands are.

Maldives Travel Costs

Accommodation – Private rooms at guesthouses are going to be your cheapest option in the Maldives, with prices starting around 625 MVR per night.

Resorts start at 6,000 MVR per night (not including the private speed boats or seaplane transfers you need to arrive there). They can cost upwards of 30,000 MVR a night, making this an ideal place to use any hotel points you have saved up.

Airbnb is available around the islands with private rooms starting at 700 MVR, though 1,200 MVR is more common. For an entire home/apartment, prices start at 1,500 MVR but can go as high as 6,000 MVR or more! Entire homes/apartments are far less common so be sure to book in advance if you prefer one.

Wild camping isn’t possible as all land around the islands is owned. Your only real camping option is to ask to pitch a tent in someone’s back yard, however, this isn’t a reliable solution so skip camping here.

Food – Traditional cuisine in the Maldives is based on fish, coconuts, and rice. Tubers like taro and sweet potatoes are also common staples. Aside from all kinds of fish and seafood soups and stews, be sure to try favorites such as gulha (fried fish filled dough balls), kuli (spicy fish cakes), and dessert treats like bondi bai (Maldivian rice pudding).

Most traditional meals cost less than 70 MVR at casual local restaurants though most resorts and hotels include meals since restaurants here are rare.

For a three-course meal of traditional food at a budget-friendly hotel, expect to pay around 300 MVR with a drink.

Alcohol is generally prohibited but can be found at the more luxurious resorts. Expect to pay a premium for it: beer costs upwards of 125 MVR while cocktails are double that. A latte or cappuccino costs 35 MVR while a bottle of water is 5 MVR.

If you’re looking to cook your own food, make sure you stock up at the STO trade center in Malé. Shopping here can save you a little extra money, especially if you are staying somewhere with a kitchen. Prices here are often more competitive than street vendors and there is a great assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other daily essentials.

For a week’s worth of staples like rice, produce, and seafood, expect to pay around 700 MVR.

Backpacking the Maldives Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking the Maldives, my suggested budget is 1,100 MVR per day. This assumes you’re staying in a budget guesthouse, cooking all of your meals, not drinking alcohol, taking public ferries to get around (but mostly sticking to one island), and doing free and cheap activities like snorkeling and relaxing at the beach.

On a mid-range budget of 4,300 MVR, you can stay in a budget hotel or private Airbnb, eat out for most of your meals, take some guided tours, go diving, do some water sports, visit a couple of islands, and take the occasional private water taxi to get around.

On a “luxury” budget of 9,500 MVR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, drink alcohol, eat out for all your meals, island-hop, and do more activities and guided excursions such as fishing charters and parasailing. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in MVR.

Maldives Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

The Maldives is a challenging place to save money so non-resort travel is fairly new to the country. There are only a few things you can do to lower your budget here:

• Bring plenty of cash – Though the Maldives has its own currency (MVR), US dollars are widely accepted — and you often get a better price if you pay in USD. This varies from one restaurant or shop to another, so carry both and pay with whatever gives you the best rate. There are only ATMs in Malé.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is not safe to drink so make sure you have a reusable bottle with you. To stay safe, bring a water filter like LifeStraw to ensure your water is clean and free from bacteria. It saves you money and saves the environment too!
• Island hop by ferry – The Maldives’ islands are served by a series of ferries from Malé. They run on opposite days (to Maafushi on Monday, back to Malé on Tuesday) and rarely on Friday (the Muslim sabbath). You can jump from Malé to an atoll’s capital island then to smaller, nearby islands in the chain. Ferries cost between 55-150 MVR depending on the distance. Plan ahead and research the ferries beforehand so you can avoid paying for a private speedboat.
• Consider all-inclusive packages – The taxes and import fees on food and drink means that you really don’t have many restaurants to choose from. Some hotels offer great rates which include food, drinks, and even premium amenities such as watersports, free yoga classes, or spa treatments.
• Use a travel agent for resort stays – This might seem counterintuitive for a budget traveler but agents who specialize in Maldives travel often have access to better deals than you can find on the internet. Their prices generally include speedboat or seaplane transfer costs and you may even find that you get upgrades on arrival.
• Book in advance – While most budget travelers figure out their plans on arrival, booking in advance has several benefits. For starters, Airbnbs, guesthouses, and hotels can get booked up in peak seasons so your options may be limited. If you have booked in advance, your hotel or friendly villa/guesthouse owner can help facilitate transfers and arrange activities.

Where To Stay in the Maldives

Hostels are virtually non-existent in the Maldives so people on a budget mostly stay in guesthouses and small hotels. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started and save money:

• Dream Inn (Thulusdhoo)
• Sands Exotic Hotel (Thulusdhoo)
• Hanifaru Transit Inn (Dharavandhoo)

How to Get Around the Maldives

Boat – The unreliable but reasonably-priced public ferry is a no-brainer for independent travelers, with ferries starting at 55 MVR depending on the route. If you’re looking to visit an island farther away from Malé, you need to do some island hopping via the ferry system. This might require you to stay overnight on an island along the way as the ferries do not run daily or regularly. Most ferries also do not run on the weekends.

Many of the islands further afield can only be accessed by private boat or plane. Check the ferry schedule well in advance and plan accordingly (I didn’t and it threw off my whole itinerary).

The island ferry schedule can be found here .

Private speedboats cost around 385-1,500 MVR per person depending on the distance from Malé.

When to Go to the Maldives

The Maldives is a year-round destination with temperatures hovering between 23-31°C (74-89°F). The high season runs from December to April, when airfare and hotel prices increase dramatically (especially around Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and Easter). Book in advance if you want to visit during this period.

Don’t be too nervous about booking during the monsoon period, which runs from May to October. You can enjoy fewer crowds, better rates, and plenty of sunny days in between the few-and-far rainy spells.

Diving is spectacular throughout the year. For other watersports, such as surfing, the best breaks are from mid-February to November.

How to Stay Safe in the Maldives

The Maldives is an incredibly safe destination for tourists. Keep an eye on your belongings in public areas in Malé, which is more prone to petty crime (although at a very low level). On the other islands, especially the resort-focused islands, it’s highly, highly unlikely anything is going to happen to you or your stuff. That said, it’s always a good idea to avoid leaving any valuables on the beach while you swim.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though the standard precautions apply (always keep an eye on your drink when out, never walk home alone at night, etc.)

With the exception of the 2004 tsunami, large-scale natural disasters are rare. However, climate change has led to an uptick in increased rainfall, storm surges, and minor coastal floods. Make sure you have travel insurance when you visit.

Respect the Muslim customs by adhering to dress codes, especially in the capital, where resort wear isn’t common. Do not drink alcohol outside your resort as fines are possible.

While scams here are rare, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here if you’re worried about getting ripped off.

If you experience an emergency, dial 119 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Maldives Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Maldives Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling the Maldives and continue planning your trip:

My In-Depth Guide to Experiencing the Maldives on a Budget

How to Spend a Week in the Maldives for Less Than a Night in a Resort

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The Ultimate Maldives Travel Guide – Jetset Christina (Updated 2024)

Planning a trip to the Maldives or a Maldives honeymoon ? Here’s your ultimate Maldives travel guide for the best hotels in the Maldives, best places to see in the Maldives, things to do in the Maldives and all your Maldives travel questions, answered!

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THE MALDIVES .

Doesn’t just seeing its dreamy name give you the travel bug? I think the Maldives may be the buzziest destination around the world right now. And it’s not hard to see why. It’s a country that’s 99% water and only 1% land, made up of 1200 islands (only 200 of which are inhabited), and many thriving coral reefs. The ocean is a brighter turquoise blue than anywhere in the world, and the overwater resorts take luxury to a whole new level. While 10 or 20 years ago, only the elitest of the elite would have even heard about the Maldives, let alone gotten the chance to visit and see it in person, today we see pictures of this paradise flooding our Instagram feeds every single day, and every single photo makes you wonder – could this place really be on earth?

Well, I’m here to confirm that The Maldives DOES exist, it is EVEN more beautiful and breathtaking in person, and yes. It is in fact heaven on earth.

Planning a trip to the Maldives can be a little overwhelming at first. There are more than 200 resorts to choose from (!!!), and they all cater to a different traveler, with a different budget. Each resort has different things to offer (some are better for divers, some are better for surfers, some have better food, some have better overwater bungalows, etc, etc) and since very few of us have actually  been  to the Maldives, it’s hard to know where to start when it comes to planning. My main goal with traveling there this time was to make sure I could give you guys the best  recommendations and info you need to plan your trip to this heavenly country.

I had a lot of questions about this mysterious, otherworldly paradise going into my first trip to the Maldives, and a lot of questions came up from you guys while I was there, so I thought it would be fun to structure this Ultimate Travel Guide to the Maldives as a Maldives FAQ! Let me know in the comments or shoot me a DM on instagram  any other questions you may have and I’ll be sure to answer them!

THE ULTIMATE MALDIVES TRAVEL GUIDE

Table of Contents

What are the best resorts in the Maldives?

$$$$$ hotels:, six senses laamu.

Barefoot, eco-luxury. A stunning and wild paradise on earth.

At Six Senses Laamu , you can do it all, and nothing at the same time. It’s the perfect place to strike the healthy vacation balance between the two. Your bike to breakfast and morning paddle board or surf session can balance out that insane breakfast buffet.  You can try a new yoga class while taking in views from the pavilion that are sunset-lounge-worthy, or dive into your new novel before diving into the sparkling turquoise sea. Your afternoon snorkels and manta ray dives are balanced with sunset champagne & canapes. You can enjoy the privacy of your overwater bungalow or walk over to get a pizza made in paradise and 2 for 1 margaritas at Sip Sip.  You can even get dropped off at a completely private sandbank for the day, complete with a set up umbrella, beach chairs, and cooler. A vacation at Six Senses is truly a choose-your-own adventure, and at the end of each fun-or-relaxation-filled day, you’ll melt into your mattress blissful, content, and maybe just a little bit sunburned.

But, aside from being a such a fabulous world-class luxury five star resort, Six Senses is so much more. They are leaders and trailblazers in sustainability practices, and are setting the standard for eco-luxury for the entire hospitality industry worldwide, striving to be a completely sustainable resort. The resort’s mission and values focus on protecting paradise environment and benefitting the communities and ecosystems around them. Their sustainability manager, Megan, is wonderful and leads popular tours of the “back house” of the resort, where you can see everything from their desalination tanks that provide drinkable water derived from the sea for the entire island, to how the island creates its own energy to run the resort. She’ll tell you how all soaps, shampoos, etc, used at the resort meet the highest standards of biodegradability, and are all all-natural and non-toxic.  They are striving to be completely plastic-free by 2022, and use no plastic bags, straws, or even plastic toothbrushes, on their island, instead, they’ll find a sustainable way to do everything, such as creating bamboo straws and toothbrushes, and only using glass bottles throughout the resort (did you know that glass comes from sand, and thus can be recycled into sand infinity times?). They even their own gardens, filled with vegetables and herbs used in their restaurants, and have a food waste composter that uses the food waste from the resort to help fertilize said garden.

Every single thing the resort is doing is having as minimal of an impact as possible . It makes you start to wonder about all the other resorts you’ve ever stayed in, and it’s hard not to think about how many resorts aren’t  thinking about their impact on the environment, and the incredible waste and toxicity they create.  I know that I noticed right away that a beach hotel I stayed at wasn’t offering reef-safe sunscreen in their store, a seemingly easy switch that every hotel on a reef should make!

You can feel good about vacationing at the  Six Senses Laamu –  their love for their island and our world is contagious and something you will take with you long after you’ve gone home.

For more on the Six Senses Laamu, check out my Six Senses Maldives Hotel Review here.

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

Paradise, perfected. Ultimate Maldives resort, transcends luxury.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Jetset Christina (@jetsetchristina)

On our most recent trip to The Maldives, we spent our first few days at the One&Only Reethi Rah resort. I had been eyeing this resort for years, and after the fantastic experiences I had at the One&Only Mandarina and Palmilla resorts , I knew I had to check this place out for you guys. This island is SO beautiful. We traveled with my parents and our baby boy, which was so much fun. It blew ALL of us away.  Luxury begins with the way that you arrive at the resort – by luxury yacht direct from Male. It’s so much easier and more luxurious to be able to board a yacht rather than having to hop on another flight from Male when you’re exhausted from all of the travel and ready to get to the resort! Once you are on the property, there are golf carts that can take you to and from your villa, the beach, or to any of the delicious restaurants (there are eight on the resort!!), etc. Our villa had a (HUGE) private plunge pool, comfortable lounge areas for basking in the sun, and all of the five-star amenities you can imagine, from a mini skincare fridge (yes, you heard that right) on the vanity, to a wine cellar fridge in the room, it was to die for. The One&Only also has a great house reef  – we saw SO many sharks here (all friendly!) and even had a family of nurse sharks in the water right outside our room!

A huge highlight of the resort was the food – we all loved the food SO much, and we all thought the breakfast buffet out of this world. They even have a kids’ buffet that is on kid-level, so your littles can grab their own food with ease. This speaks to just how family friendly the One&Only Maldives is – the kids club is UNREAL, and families are definitely abundant here.

But if you want to work off all of that amazing food (and beach club cocktails), have no fear because there are tennis courts, an amazing gym, pickle ball courts, and more.  And if relaxing is more your vibe, One&Only Reethi Rah has an award-winning spa, which you absolutely cannot miss. I went every day of our vacation and I have no regrets. It was my favorite spa ever. Even if you don’t do a treatment, you can explore the sauna & steam – which is amazing, and a highlight of our entire trip! The spa was named the Global Winner of Best Luxury Spa and made Condé Nast Traveler’s top 20 list!

All in all, One&Only Maldives is paradise, perfected . It’s a HUGE island compared to most in the Maldives, which means you will never get bored. It sits on six kilometers of some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the Maldives, and they have 12 pristine beaches and two pools (other than your private villa pool) for you to enjoy. If you’re feeling like relaxing, sip on a glass of rosé at the beach club, or head to the award-winning spa, and if you’re feeling adventurous, choose from the many, many activities they have on the island. Challenge your partner to pickle ball and ping pong, go jet-skiing, do some arts and crafts at their beachside pottery studio, or go diving or snorkeling along some incredible coral reefs which are home to over 2,000 species of fish. Whatever your ‘paradise’ is, trust me, O&O is it. 

Check rates for your dates here

St. Regis Maldives

Ultra-luxurious, opulent, seven-star luxury and service..

There are two categories of villas: sunset-facing and island-facing. While the sunset-facing villas are a higher category of room, and make for some dreamy sunset views, there is no problem with the island-facing villas. The overwater villas here are a design-lover’s dream, and are designed to resemble manta rays, each giving you an incredible amount of privacy, which I love. If you’ve ever stayed at a St. Regis anywhere in the world, you know about their signature butler service, which usually includes complimentary coffee, pressing of your clothes, and a butler available to you whenever you need it, for whatever you need. 

This dreamy private island resort is set on more than 22-acres, and has 77 beautiful villas scattered through the island – each with their own private pool and private entrance for an unparalleled degree of seclusion and privacy. The premium two- and three-bedroom villas – including the famed John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater villa in the Maldives – are perfect for families and groups looking for a perfect escape.

It is worth noting that because the St. Regis is a seaplane away from the main Male airport, all guests have to pay $695 for the round-trip seaplane transfer. However, if you think of arriving to the St. Regis via a seaplane as its own excursion (sea plane rides in the Maldives are one of the best experiences you can have!!) It’s easier to justify the cost somewhat.

For more on the St. Regis – check my St. Regis Maldives vs. Six Senses post here .

Is the St. Regis Maldives popular with families?

Yes, the St. Regis is very popular with families and there is a kids club. I think honeymooners will still enjoy it and find quiet, but families will absolutely adore this resort. 

Anantara Kihavah Villas

For the trip of a lifetime, the Anantara Kihavah is a great choice. It’s located in the Baa atoll, famous for its THRIVING marine life. It is only accessible by sea plane and the whole island is full of the whitest, powdery sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters that you traveled to the Maldives for! The remote location of Anantara Kihavah means endless horizon views and stunning starry night skies – best experienced atop the resort’s Sky Bar, where you can find the Maldives’ largest telescope!

The vibe at Anantara is low-key, barefoot luxury. 

Check rates for your dates here.

Fairmont Maldives – Sirru Fen Fushi

I love that at the Fairmont Maldives, each of the 120 villas features a gorgeous private pool.  It’s located in the Shaviyani Atoll in North Maldives, and the island has a gorgeous nine kilometer-long house reef directly accessible from the beach. While the overwater bungalows exude modern classic luxury, the unique ultra-private safari-tented jungle villas offer a romantic castaway vibe. Guests of the resort have plenty of activities to choose from, such as glamping BBQs in the jungle or watching movies at the jungle cinema.

            View this post on Instagram                         A post shared by Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi (@fairmont.maldives)

$$$$ hotels:

Gili lankanfushi.

Gili Lankanfushi is such a magical place, you guys. The overwater bungalows here give off a rustic chic, understated luxury vibe, and feel somewhere between a luxurious pirate ship and a floating treehouse. They’re gorgeous . You’ll want to spend all day laying out on your hammock over the water, and all night sleeping under the stunnnning stars (your butler – called your “Friday” can set it up for you!). Some of the villas – called the “cruisers” give you an even more unique experience as they are only accessible by boat (you can boat yourself during the day or there is always one on call for you!). And, if you want the best of the best, or have a big family, you can look into the biggest overwater bungalow in the Maldives , called “The Private Reserve”, which is complete with four bedrooms, its own infinity pool, its own private ISLAND, and a slide into the ocean.

Gili Lankanfushi was started by the same owners as Six Senses, so many of the sustainability principles, philosophies, vibe and decor remain similar between both properties. What’s nice about Gili Lankanfushi is that it’s only a boat ride away from the airport, so you won’t need another domestic flight or a seaplane to get to it, making it a popular vacation choice for Americans and Maldives honeymooners who want to make the most of one week in the Maldives. It is definitely nice to be able to get straight there from the airport! I highly recommend this spot if you’re looking to avoid an extra flight!!! (and the extra cost that comes with it!)

Conrad Maldives

Famous for having the first underwater restaurant to ever exist in the world, Ithaa Restaurant, and its 2 award-winning spas,  this gorgeous Maldives property is consistently one of the most popular.

The super-spacious overwater bungalows stretch up to 500m into the Indian Ocean, and feature floor-to-ceiling windows and beautiful sea views. It takes a 30-minute scenic seaplane transfer from Male International Airport to get to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island , which is about the same as Kandolhu.

$$$ Luxury budget hotels in the Maldives

No matter what resort you stay in in the Maldives, the beaches and water is all the same, and you’re going to have a fabulous experience. I asked some local experts on what resorts were good at a lower budget and were the best value hotels in the Maldives, and they gave me these two hotels, where you can still have the overwater bungalow experience, but at a rate much more affordable than the more expensive resorts.

Summer Island

I was told that Summer Island has one of the very best beaches in the Maldives! It’s a great option for a luxurious but still budget resort in the Maldives. The resort features an infinity pool, an overwater spa and fitness center, watersports, volleyball, a dive center and gorgeous views all around the island. Definitely go for a water villa and ask for a sunset view 🙂 It’s only 20km from the airport and the boat shuttle is included in the rate, which is a big win!

Oblu at Helengeli

I was told that Halengeli has outstanding food and a beautiful setting, but is a bit further away, which makes it a bit more expensive for the 50 minute speedboat from the airport. But, it’s still a fabulous value hotel in the Maldives. It has a beautiful spa, an outdoor pool with gorgeous views, and a paradise bar.

Should I stay in more than one resort in the Maldives?

It depends on how long you have in the islands. If you have a week to 9 days, probably not. While there are tons of stunning hotels and resorts, making it tempting to want to split your time among two or three, the Maldivian islands are veryyyyy spread out from one another. Many resorts are only accessible via seaplane or domestic flights, and you don’t want to spend your relaxing vacation in paradise packing, unpacking, and dealing with airports and flying. On top of that, many of the resorts are similar to one another, so it’s better to get the FULL experience of one, than two half experiences at two.

However, if you have more than 9 days or two weeks or more, it can definitely be fun to explore two different resorts! Just make sure you pick two very different resorts rather than 2 that might be too similar. 

What’s the food like in the Maldives?

Do i have to eat at the resort do the resorts include food in the maldives.

The food is SO GOOD IN THE MALDIVES!!!! Of course it depends on the resort you choose, but if you choose a luxury resort, you can rest assured you’re going to get some great food during your trip. Whenever possible in the Maldives, you’re getting incredible local cuisine (read: coconut, tuna and other underwater delicacies), and when it’s not possible to grow or fish something locally, the best of the best is imported to the resorts, such as European charcuterie, german sausages, French cheeses and Swiss chocolate.

Since you’ll be on a private island, the only option is to eat at the resort. As far as what’s included in your rate, it depends on the resort, but many offer you the option to go “half board” (meaning breakfast and dinner is included) or “full board” (meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner is included). In my experience in the Maldives, I have never felt the need for full board, as we would fill up on the amazing breakfast buffets, and be full until dinner time.

How long should I spend in the Maldives?

In my opinion, you want minimum of 5 nights at a resort, anything less than that you won’t get the full Maldives experience! After all, part of the experience of these resorts is taking your shoes off, putting your wallet and phone away, and enjoying the private island life to the fullest. You want to give yourself time to experience all that your island has to offer. Around 7 nights would be ideal, in my opinion, or more time if you’re going to more than one resort.

Will I get bored in the Maldives?

No!!! I think this is one of the biggest misconceptions about the Maldives. People worry about getting “island fever” and not having enough to do for a week on an island. If you’re staying at one of the resorts I recommended, trust me, you are going to have ENDLESS activities to do and keep you busy (if you want to!). From snorkeling and diving, to paddleboarding and sailing and all the watersports, to biking, tennis,  movie nights, cooking classes, wine tastings, and sunset dolphin cruises. I was having so much fun doing everything on the islands that I didn’t even have a chance to touch my book that I bought for the trip!!!

Is The Maldives only for honeymooners and couples?

What about families are there resorts that cater to solo travelers in the maldives.

When I started dreaming of traveling to the Maldives, I was convinced that it was the most romantic place on earth – the perfect place for a honeymoon. While it definitely is that, what I realized when I got there was that the Maldives actually caters to all types of travelers – from couples, to families with young or older children, to groups of friends (the Six Senses had awesome 2-bedroom villas connected by a pool that are perfect  for two couples, and Gili Lankanfushi has 2 bedroom overwater villas that would be so fun for a family), to full-blown 30th birthday parties (the yacht we cruised for a few days on, Searex, recently had a US-based group on it to celebrate one of the friends’ 30th birthdays), to royals with their entourages (Yes, the prince of Morocco was actually staying at the Six Senses when we were there), to solo travelers looking to get away from it all and do a digital detox in the Maldives. It wasn’t all that surprising to learn that certain properties, like Gili Lankanfushi , see quite a few solo travelers, because I can totally see the appeal to a hard-working person looking to go off the map for a week, but not so off the map that they don’t have a little bit of resort society and people around. It wouldn’t have felt weird at all to be at one of their restaurants or beaches alone, but rather relaxing. The Maldives seemed to me like the perfect place to turn your phone on airplane mode, and embrace full relaxation, whether that be by yourself, with friends, family, or with loved ones.

Is flying across the world to the Maldives worth the flight?

YES. Definitely!!! But, if you’re flying from the United States or Europe, you should allot yourself enough time for your vacation. I think anywhere from 6-9 days is the perfect time to spend in the Maldives. You’re going to be exhausted after a 20-30 hour flight, and you’re not going to want to spend your whole vacation jet-lagged.

What time of year is best to visit the Maldives?

The Maldives is famous for being “80/80/80” year-round, meaning it’s 80 degrees, 80% humidity, and 80 degree ocean water the whole year. The driest season runs from November-May, but this is also peak season for tourists, meaning not only are the resorts usually at 100% capacity, but the prices are twice as high than the rest of the year. And, since The Maldives is super popular during the high season, make sure you are booking well in advance if you’re traveling then. I think a lot of people are scared away from the Maldives’ “wet” season, but, after experiencing 10 straight days of sunshine, and two partly cloudy days with the occasional rain squall blowing through, and talking to lots of people working at the resorts about the different seasons, it seems like no matter what time of year you visit the Maldives, you could get incredible weather, or rain, it’s kind of random! They see plenty of rainy days during the dry season, and plenty of gorgeous days during the “wet” season! My advice is book your trip when it works for you, and hope for the best! Also, rain in the Maldives is NOT the worst thing in the world. The resorts have plenty of things to do if it rains, from wine tastings and cooking classes, to games and movies, and lotssss of good food. The sun is so intense in these islands you may be wishing for a rainstorm for an excuse to hang inside after a few days outside here! 🙂

What does a honeymoon to the Maldives cost?

You can expect to spend anywhere from $10,000 – $30,000 on just your room rate alone for a one week stay in the maldives..

This means a room rate of around ~ $1000-$3000 per night plus taxes, depending on caliber of resort, the level of room you choose (is a beach villa or an overwater bungalow more your style?) and the season you’re traveling in (the dry season is the high season in the Maldives, and it runs from November-March) You’ll find much less expensive rates in the off season (like half off!!)

You can then expect to spend about 250 per person per day in the Maldives, whether you are on a full-board meal plan or if you are paying a la carte. Most resorts in the Maldives offer a half-board or full-board meal option. At a resort like Six Senses , full board includes breakfast, lunch and dinner and costs $222 per adult and $111 per child, and the half board meal plan includes just breakfast and dinner, and is $148 per adult, $74 per child.

For more information of costs of a honeymoon in the Maldives , read this post : The Actual Cost of Honeymooning in the Maldives

What do you tip a butler in the Maldives?

It’s recommended to tip at least $15 per day for your butler in the Maldives. It’s up to you! We tipped our butler at each hotel around $25 a day – all paid to them in USD cash at the end of the stay. We then gave an extra tip of about $15-20 a day to the front desk at check out for housekeeping and other services.

What should I pack for the Maldives?

I have a whole post on What to Pack for the Maldives , so check that one out too, but I’ll summarize it here!

Sunscreen . Lotsssss of sunscreen.

The sun is very intense in the Maldives (The islands straddle the equator), and you’ll feel it as soon as you arrive. Make sure to avoid that first-day-of-vacay lobster burn, and stock up on some sunscreens before you leave.  And please make it reef-safe sunscreen ! Most of our sunscreens we use are toxic to the reefs we swim over after we put it on.  Help practice sustainability on your travels and buy some reef-safe sunscreen for your trip. 

An Underwater Camera or Gopro!

If you’ve been thinking of a perfect excuse to invest in a GoPro , this trip is it. There are so many beautiful tropical fish everywhere you look in the Maldives! And some awesome turtles, sharks, and manta rays too! I highly recommend bringing a GoPro ( I use this one ) with you for your trip so you can capture the incredible marine life!

I love my camera so much, and can’t imagine traveling without it – here are all the details on all the camera equipment I use on my trips!  

Do you need a power converter for the Maldives?

If you’re from the UK, then nope! But if you’re from the US, you will. While some of the resorts may have US plugs available in the rooms, I always make sure to buy a power converter and adapter before a trip to be safe ( I like this  one  by Travel Smart by Conair because it also works for all my hair tools, and is a power converter and adapter in one… plus it comes with plugs for use all over the world, so you won’t have to buy a new one for your next vacay!)

Leave (most of) your shoes at home!

Ask your resort ahead of time to be sure, but many of the resorts have a “barefoot luxury” vibe, and encourage you to ditch your shoes the second you arrive. It’s an awesome feeling not to wear shoes for a whole week, and to be eating dinners with your toes in the sand rather than squished into uncomfy heels! I brought one pair of tennis shoes for the resort gyms, but found out that some resorts actually have shoes you can borrow for that reason! You really only need one pair of shoes for the airplane.

Some resorts you will want shoes for dining, etc. so it depends where you are! But either way, you don’t need too many shoes.

Lots of swimwear & cute cover ups !

You’re going to be in the water every day of your trip – so pack your bikinis and swimwear accordingly! Also, keep in mind you’ll probably be keeping pretty active in the ocean – from surfing to snorkeling to jumping off your villa, so you’re going to want to not only pack some chic swimwear to lounge on your overwater bungalow in, but make sure you pack some sporty, supportive bikinis you can actually swim in, too! ( Like this one )

And these are some of my other favorites I wore in the Maldives:  *affiliate links, click on each photo to shop*

Do not underestimate the Maldivian sun. Having a couple chic sun hats with you to protect your face (and neck) is so important! Not to mention they look chic in all those vacation photos you’re about to take. Click on the photos below to shop the hats that I brought on my vacation!

*affiliate links, click to shop

Cute cover ups and beach dresses!

Click the photo to shop

Can you bring wine to the Maldives?

Ugh. No. and it sucks. I was actually flying to the Maldives from the Amalfi Coast, and was SO excited to pack at least 5 bottles of delicious Italian wine in my suitcase, but I’m so glad I googled bringing wine in the Maldives before I bought them! The Maldives is a muslim country, and as such, alcohol is not allowed in the country. If you try to sneak it in your suitcase they will find it, and you can get fined, or worse, thrown in jail. Sooooo not worth it. The good news is an exception to this rule has been made for the private islands that the resorts live on! (yay!) which is why they’re allowed to sell you alcohol and you’re allowed to drink your sunny days away with poolside pina coladas and champagne sunset cruises. Alcohol at the nice resorts in the Maldives  is  more expensive than bringing your own, but I was actually shocked that the booze was less expensive than resorts I had been to in French Polynesia and Bora Bora and bottles of wines at restaurants in the Maldives were less than in restaurants in Bali , so that was a big win!

Most of the nice resorts feature in-house sommeliers, as well, and I was very impressed by the somms at Six Senses and Gili Lankanfushi , who both picked out outstanding bottles of wine to pair with every dish! I was very impressed, and being a Napa Valley girl, that’s hard to do!

Should we honeymoon in Bora Bora or the Maldives?

Oh man , I have gotten this question a lot! Since both paradises are known for their overwater bungalows, beautiful resorts, and sparkling blue waters, it’s hard not to compare the two. But, when it comes to honeymooning in Bora Bora versus a honeymoon in the Maldives , it completely depends on the couple! I found both places to be absolutely unreal vacation destinations. The water is so beautiful in both, and both boast some seriously incredible aquatic life. While I absolutely loved both, I personally found Bora Bora to be a little more “resortey” and the Maldives to be a little more private, evoking a feeling like you are in a paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean (I also found this at Cambodia’s ultra-private Song Saa Private Island !) I think Bora Bora’s much-easier flight path from the states make it a great and easier option for couples who may not be able to take as much time off for their wedding and honeymoon, but the Maldives’ mystery and allure make it that much cooler for the couple that want to go where none of their friends have gone before.

Do you need a travel agent for the Maldives?

No! You definitely don’t need a travel agent for a trip to the Maldives ! I always book myself, and it’s super easy. I like going through this site to find the best deals . If you book direct with the resort, be sure to tell them that Jetset Christina sent you! Also I always appreciate if you book through the links in my site as I receive a small commission that helps me keep running the blog!! 

PS – have more questions on the Maldives, or any other destination? Join the JETSETTERS secret facebook group to get & give travel recs to our Jetset Christina community and connect with other #JSCJetsetters!

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*Please note that this post contains affiliate links to some hotels! If you choose to book one of the hotels I recommended, I would so appreciate you using these links to do so! An affiliate link basically just means that at no cost to you at all, I get a small kickback from the booking site for bringing them your business! I never recommend any hotels that I don’t 100% LOVE & think you will, too! If you have any questions at all, please see my  advertiser & affiliate policy page here .

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WRITTEN BY: Christina

Christina is a leading luxury lifestyle and travel blogger with over 2 million readers. Follow her on instagram @jetsetchristina.

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Eric Wilson

THANK YOU!!! Planning my entire honeymoon based on your blog and instagram!!! Can’t wait.

The Maldives is an amazing destination for people who love the beach life.

I have been there once, and wish to be back.

Your guide was impressive and photos are mind-blowing.

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Samkeliso Nkwanyane

I have been to Maldives once and I am intending to go back in the future. This Maldives guide will come in very handy. Thank you!

Akansha Negi

Great and Amazing Maldives travel guide. I really thanks for giving us better information. It is a lovely destinations, fun-filled place for everyone whether it is a couple or a family.

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