With more water than land, the Maldives is a true island nation. Perched on 26 coral atolls, the Maldives alone has a combined land mass of 115 square miles spread over 35,000 square miles in the Indian Ocean!
To say that the Maldives live near the sea is an understatement. The highest point in the country is at an elevation of less than eight feet. Rising sea levels are causing the Maldives to lose precious land every year, meaning the country may one day cease to exist.
Massive resorts solve the land problem by building their own islands with stunning views. Maldives is not really a suitable destination to move around or explore a variety of landscapes. People visit the Maldives for beauty, relaxation, and extraordinary snorkeling and diving.
The Maldives are a world-class vacation destination and one of the top honeymoon destinations in Asia.
Facts about the Maldives
- Official name: Republic of the Maldives
- Location: 430 miles southwest of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean
- Time: UTC + 5 (10 hours before Eastern Standard Time)
- Country calling code: +960
- Capital city: male (pronounced ‘mah-lay’; population 103,693 per 2006 census)
- Primary religion: Islam
Visa and customs regulations
The Maldives has extremely relaxed visa regulations – everyone receives 30 days free upon arrival. There is no need to apply in advance, pay a fee, or fill out a long visa application.
The Maldivian Constitution has a very specific, and sometimes criticized, wording that strictly conforms to Islamic law. Visitors are prohibited from bringing alcohol, pork products, or pornography. The ‘pornography’ is very poorly defined and ironically it could even belong to photos of bathing suits. Your bag, and reading materials, are subject to search upon arrival. Technically, books on other religions like Christianity are also banned.
While the no-alcohol policy is strictly enforced in Male, the resorts serve free drinks and the parties are delayed.
Are the Maldives expensive?
The short answer: yes. Compared to neighboring India and Sri Lanka, the Maldives are expensive, especially if you want to enjoy cocktails on the beach; Alcohol is very marked for tourists. With so little land mass, many necessities are imported rather than produced locally.
Once committed to a tourist island, you are at the mercy of the hotel for food, clean water, and necessities. Check food and beverage prices, or choose an all-inclusive deal, before selecting a resort. A small bottle of drinking water can cost up to $ 5 at some resorts.
Staying in the Maldives
While the Maldives might be called expensive compared to other top destinations in Asia, you get what you pay for. With thousands of beaches, you never have to worry about sharing your piece of sand with the crowds.
Budget and budget hotels abound in Male, but with perfect blue water signs, you won’t want to stay there for long. Resort deals and packages can sometimes be found for between $ 150 and $ 300 per night.
Many visitors end up staying in the Kaafu part of the Maldives , which has a good selection of budget and mid-range resorts. Kaafu is conveniently accessible from the airport via one-hour speedboats; You will likely be met at the airport by a representative from your resort.
Arriving in the Maldives
Since arriving by boat is almost impossible, most tourists pass through Malé International Airport (airport code: MLE) on the island of Hulhule. You will find direct flights to the Maldives from Europe, Singapore, Dubai, India, Sri Lanka and many places in Southeast Asia.
When to visit the Maldives
While the tropical climate keeps temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit year-round, the lack of natural obstructions allows a pleasant sea breeze to cool visitors.
The southwest monsoon brings rain between April and October; The rain is strongest between the months of June and August.
