The Maldives is a paradise dream destination for many travelers. Still, planning your trip can be a bit tricky, especially if you plan to visit multiple islands. Below, we’ve listed 11 Maldives tips you’ll want to know before you head to the Maldives.
Content of this blog:
1. Rainy season
Maldives tip number 1: avoid the rainy season. The rainy season in the Maldives runs from May through November. During these months, there can be heavy rainfalls, but it can also be sunny and dry for hours. It is very humid during this period. Nevertheless, it can actually be attractive for travelers to travel to the Maldives during the rainy season, as accommodation prices are a lot lower.
2. Difference local islands and resort islands
There are some major differences between the local islands and the resort islands in the Maldives. For example, on the local islands you are not allowed to drink alcohol and you can only walk around in swimwear on bikini beach. Read all the differences between local islands and resort islands here.
3. Bikini beach
Thus, bikini beach is the only beach on the local islands where you are allowed to sunbathe in swimwear. Each local island has its own bikini beach. As soon as you walk away from the beach you need to put on clothes. This does not have to be fully covering clothes, shorts and a top will do.
4. No alcohol in the Maldives
Because the Maldives is an entirely Muslim country, not a drop of alcohol is served on the local islands. You may see beer or wine on some menus, but these are non-alcoholic drinks. On the resort islands, alcohol may be drunk. Because it is so scarce, the prices of alcohol in the Maldives are a bit higher.
5. Budget Maldives
You expect the Maldives to be a very expensive destination. After all, you always see fantastic pictures of the luxury bungalows at sea, but make no mistake. With our Maldives tips, you can relax in paradise in a way that your wallet enjoys too. When you stay on the local islands, the Maldives doesn’t have to be an expensive destination at all. We visited the Maldives on a budget, but did all the activities we wanted and spent an average of $80 per person per day. Read our article on budget in the Maldives for a detailed overview.
6. Handy trick for ‘free’ transportation
Transportation in the Maldives between islands can be quite pricey. That’s why we have a secret tip where you can use transportation “for free. You do this by joining a (snorkeling) tour to the local island you want to go to.
Example: in Maafushi, we booked a whale shark tour. This tour goes towards the island of Dhigurah because the whale sharks are located there. In the morning, we boarded the boat with our backpacks. We spent the whole morning and afternoon on tour around Dhigurah Island to spot whale sharks and at the end of the afternoon – when they started sailing back to Maafushi – we were dropped on Dhigurah with our gear. Ideal! We then did this again to Fulidhoo, with a nurse shark tour. So you only pay for the tour and you don’t have to pay anything extra for the drop off.
To be sure, though, always ask before booking if the tour agency is okay with dropping you off on the other island. At Shadow Palm on Maafushi, at least, they don’t think it’s a problem.
7. Budget resort islands
Resort islands are a lot more expensive than local islands. But of course you prefer to stay on such an idyllic resort island with the bungalows on the sea and the amazing clear water. Therefore, we have made a list of the 8 cheap resort islands in the Maldives especially for you.
8. Flight times (due to overnight stay at Malé)
While booking your flight to and from the Maldives, always pay close attention to your flight times. This is because if you arrive late in the evening, you often can no longer sail to an island with a local ferry. The same goes for a flight back early in the morning. It’s a big waste if you only have a few days in the Maldives and then also have to spend 2 nights in Malé.
9. Get a little cash from the ATM
On almost all islands you can pay a lot with your debit card, but for some purchases it is convenient to have some cash on hand. For example, you can only pay with cash at the local ferry and the same goes for some restaurants on the local islands. If you are staying in the Maldives for 1 week, the equivalent of $100 is enough.
10. American Dollars or Maldivian Rufiyaa?
The local currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). Yet you will see that 90% of the prices are indicated in U.S. Dollars. The U.S. Dollar is more stable than the Maldivian Rufiyaa. Therefore, locals prefer Dollars. Still, you can pay in Rufiyaa everywhere. Unfortunately, some businesses or restaurants charge a very unfavorable exchange rate, which means you will spend much more money converted if you want to pay in Rufiyaa. Therefore, if you pay with your debit card, it is always wise to choose to pay in U.S. Dollars.
11. WiFi is almost everywhere ~ no reason for an expensive SIM card
The last of our Maldives tips: a sim card is not necessary. Buying a sim card in the Maldives with mobile data is very expensive. You can purchase it at the airport, or install it through an e-sim. We would not recommend this, because you have reasonably good wifi in almost all places in the Maldives. It is also not at all crazy to ask for the wifi password at a restaurant. That way you save the cost of an expensive sim card.
Hopefully these Maldives tips will help you prepare for your trip to the Maldives. Read all of our Maldives blogs here for more inspiration. Do you have any questions as a result of this article? Then contact us using the form below, send us a message on Instagram or an email at [email protected].
