Maldives
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Maldives is a dazzling archipelago of thousand plus islands in the Indian Ocean, that is so beautiful that it feels as if a wizard has sprinkled magical white dust on a picture-perfect painting and made it come alive. Maldives is known for its bright white sandy beaches (remnants of the wizard’s magic dust perhaps), glimmering blue water that submerges pretty corals, and bright sunny skies.
The Republic of Maldives is the smallest country of Asia but one of the most popular tourist destinations. There are about 200 islands that are habitable and one thing is for sure, wherever your eyes go the beauty follows. So let’s jump ahead and look at the famous destinations and best things to do while in Maldives!
Maldives at a Glance
Time: GMT + 5
Capital:: Malé
No. of Islands:: 1,190 grouped into 26 natural atolls
Inhabited Islands: : 200
Resorts: : Over 132
Population(2018): 5.16 lakhs
Major Industries: Petroleum Industry, Construction, Tourism
Currency: Rufiyaa
Electricity Voltage: 230V (type D and G sockets)
Weather & Climate
Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and a great deal of sunshine. Due to the warm tropical climate, there are only minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year.
The weather is determined largely by the monsoons- the Southwest monsoon from May to November and the Northeast monsoon from December to April, which are the driest months. April is generally the hottest month while December is the coolest. As Maldives lies in the equatorial belt severe storms are rare occurrence.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April as these are dry months with hardly any rain and very low humidity. The climate is warm and tropical, the temperature goes up to maximum of 29°C to 31°C and falls rarely below 24°C.
What to pack?
In Maldives it is warm throughout the year so wearing clothing of light cotton and linen materials is ideal. Remember to pack lots of t-shirts, beachwear, cotton shirts, shorts or other clothing items that are comfortable.
Most of the habitable islands have streets that are of compact sand or are paved like in Malé (the capital of Maldives), so wearing sandals are preferable. Also don’t forget to carry other essential items like hats/caps, sunglasses, swimwear and especially sunscreen. It may also be better to carry reef-safe sunscreens as there thousands of coral reefs colonies in Maldives. If you are planning to travel to many islands, then carrying a mosquito repellent is also advisable.
Items that are prohibited for import
The import of firearms, drugs, pornographic materials and idols of worship are strictly prohibited. The import of dogs, pigs and pork products by tourists is also prohibited. Alcohol imported through a special license is available in all the resorts. Similarly pork products are available at most of the resorts as well. If passengers bring in any prohibited products, they are confiscated upon arrival. For the complete list of restricted & prohibited items please refer the guidelines by Maldives Customs Service.
Immigration/Visa
Tourists are issued a maximum of 30-day tourist visa on arrival. A valid travel document is necessary and the validity of the passport must be at least 6 months before the expiry date. Visa extensions are granted by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Malé.
Visa / Entry Permit is subject to change and depends on the Government policy. Our team will provide you with the exact details on your query about this important & crucial aspect of your travel.
Health requirement
For all visitors arriving from infected countries an international certificate of immunization against yellow fever and cholera is required.
Maldives’ Cultural Do’s and Don’ts
For greeting
Assalaam Alaikum - This time-honored Maldivian greeting is used to greet a guest or even a friend; it denotes the Islamic culture of the people and comes with a fervent for peace. For centuries Maldives’ shores have been a haven of peace and tranquility for travelers.