10 Things to Know Before Your Maldives Trip!

Maldives is a country that’s on every single person’s bucket list. Whether you’re trying to visit the famous glowing beaches or sit back and relax, Maldives is the perfect destination. This tropical paradise in South Asia is a dream come true for travellers. This destination is the go-to honeymoon spot, a haven for adventure travellers and families and a peaceful retreat for solo travellers. If you’re also looking to book your trip to the Maldives soon, here are 10 things to know before visiting the country.

01. Pre-Book Your Tickets

Maldives has been a popular destination for decades now, making it pricy to visit the country oftentimes. But if you’ve had this destination on your bucket list for a while now, there are ways to make it more budget-friendly. One of the major travel tips is to pre-book your flight in advance. You can explore some amazing fares to the Maldives through Batik Air, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. One of the best times to go to Maldives would be during the off-season, which falls between May and November.

02. Is a Visa Required for the Maldives?

A visa is one of the few things you would not have to worry about on a trip to the Maldives. Maldives is a country where an on-arrival tourist visa is issued to travellers from all corners of the world. Although there are certain measures you need to take to ensure the on-arrival tourist visa, you can book your flights without having to worry about this extra.

03. Flip-Flops 24/7

Just like any beachy tropical destination, make sure to pack flip-flops for your Maldives trip. This rule applies whether it’s rainy or sunny season. One of the biggest struggles people who forget to pack flip-flops is having to wear shoes in a beachy destination. Whether you’re going to Conrad, LUX* South Ari Atoll or the local island just 10 minutes away, packing a pair of flip-flops will be a game changer. If you forget, worry not as you can always buy a pair at a store for a fairly good price. If you’re booking your stay at a Maldives resort, you will most likely get a pair of flip-flops to wear during your trip for free.

04. Language

What language does Maldives speak? A lot of travellers might think that Maldives does not have its own language, but you could not be more wrong. Maldivians speak ‘Dhivehi’, but if you’re unfamiliar with the language you don’t have to worry. As the second language in the Maldives ins English, communication is fairly easy on the islands and resorts. One big traveller tip when visiting Maldives or any other country would be to learn the basics. How to greet people and how to say thank you!

05. Currency and Expenses

If you book your stay at a Maldives resort, you often do not have to worry so much about the currency and expenses. Oftentimes, as Maldives holidays are booked and pre-paid, you only need pocket money for emergencies. When you’re visiting the Maldives, one of the best things you can do is to bring US dollars as the currency form. As it is harder to tell whether every resort accepts pounds or euros, it’s better to not take that chance and bring US dollars. If you’re travelling to local islands, however, you would have to exchange the money for Maldivian Rufiya. You can easily do this at any money exchange, which can be located in the city area.

06. Best Way to Explore Maldives?

The best way to explore this dreamy destination is by foot and motorbike. As Maldivian islands are small and beachy, it is often times inconvenient to travel and explore by car. When you’re in the city area, you can also opt for public transportation. On most islands, you can also opt for renting bicycles. To travel between islands, you can explore speedboat transfers as well as domestic flights through Villa Air, Maldivian, Manta or seaplanes through TMA!

07. Local Customs & Dress Code

As the Maldives is a 100% Muslim country, there are some dress code rules to be wary of. If you’re visiting local islands, be mindful of covering up in local areas. Although more tourist-friendly islands have bikini beaches, this does not apply to all local islands. You can of course still wear sun dresses and shorts. Another important fact to know is that local islands do not serve alcoholic beverages. You can still enjoy amazing mocktails by the beach. These two rules, however, do not apply if you’re staying at Maldives resorts.

08. Protecting the Environment

One of the reasons why people love visiting the Maldives is because the islands look so untouched. As the island nation is vulnerable to climate change, sustainability is at the forefront when it comes to everything. So, when you’re visiting the Maldives be mindful of the environment. Some steps you can take include using reef-safe sunblock and making sure you do not leave trash at the beach.

09. What’s the Best Time to Visit Maldives?

Weather in the Maldives can be unpredictable. Although we all want sunny weather for beach days, it can get rainy at any time of the year. As the dry season is often between November and April, this time period is recommended for a Maldives trip. However, as it’s a tropical destination, you may still get lucky with good weather during the monsoon season as well!

10. Food Culture

Maldives might be a small nation, but there is an amazing food culture to explore. If your stay is booked at a resort or an island, one thing you must explore is the local food culture. Not only is it relatively healthy, but local food in the Maldives is hard to find anywhere else in the world. One thing to note is that if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, inform your resort beforehand so they can cater to your needs.

Traveling through airports can often feel like a series of endless lines, from check-ins to security checks and boarding. But with more travelers flying than ever before, airports are starting to make big changes. New technology is helping to speed up check-ins and make the journey smoother for everyone. This shift is already underway, with airports embracing innovations to reduce wait times and improve the overall experience. Let’s take a closer look at how technology is changing the way we travel.

Speeding Up the Check-in Process

As more people travel, especially during busy seasons, airports are turning to automation and digital tools to improve the check-in process. Automated kiosks are becoming common at U.S. airports, allowing passengers to check in, select their seats, print boarding passes, and even tag their luggage without talking to anyone. Some airlines like Alaska Airlines are even skipping kiosks altogether, moving to mobile apps for a faster, more streamlined experience.

However, not everyone loves the idea of fully automated check-ins. While many appreciate the convenience, some still prefer interacting with a human. A study by Travelport found that 75% of passengers would rather speak with a human agent. But even so, airports like Oakland International and Liverpool Airport continue to move forward with innovations like biometric kiosks and self-boarding systems. These changes are helping to speed up the process, even as the number of travelers increases.

Facial Recognition Is Changing Security

One of the most exciting developments is biometric verification, especially facial recognition. In the U.S., as per New York Times, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has introduced biometric screening at over 30 airports, including major ones like Los Angeles International. With this system, security checks that once took 25 seconds are now done in just 10 seconds. That’s a big difference when you are trying to breeze through security.

International airports are also jumping on board. For example, Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand now uses biometric verification for both domestic and international flights. Instead of boarding passes or passports, travelers simply use their biometric data to verify their identity. It speeds up the process and adds a layer of security by reducing the chance of human error or fraud.

Moreover, other airports, like Liverpool, are experimenting with biometric boarding passes. These replace paper tickets with facial recognition technology, making the travel experience even smoother, especially during peak travel times. Similarly, Airports are adopting smart technologies at an increasing rate to make the check-in process faster and easier. For example, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi has introduced biometric sensors that let passengers check in with facial or iris recognition, completely bypassing traditional boarding passes.

How AI and RFID Are Improving Efficiency

In Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport has an AI-powered app that helps travelers predict how busy check-in counters will be. This feature lets passengers plan their arrival times better, so they avoid delays.

Likewise, RFID baggage tracking is another game-changer. This system allows passengers to track their luggage in real-time, making lost bags a thing of the past. According to Airport Industry News, more than half of passengers are excited about using electronic bag tags, which will make the check-in process even easier. And as per Future Travel Experience, findings from IATA’s 2022 Global Passenger Survey (GSP) show that 80% of passengers would be more likely to check a bag if they could track it throughout their journey. In addition, 50% of respondents expressed interest in using electronic bag tags, further highlighting the demand for more self-sufficient and efficient baggage processes.

The Rise of Self-Baggage Drop

Self-baggage drop systems are becoming increasingly popular at airports around the world. Airlines like AirAsia and Finnair have already adopted these systems, along with airports in cities like Las Vegas and Goa. With these systems, passengers can print their boarding passes and baggage tags at a self-check-in kiosk, then drop their bags at a machine that weighs, scans, and automatically sends the luggage into the system. This is helping to reduce wait times and make check-ins more independent for travelers.

What’s Next for Airport Check-ins?

The future of air travel is looking more efficient, thanks to the many technological advancements being implemented at airports. From biometric screening and automated kiosks to RFID baggage tracking and AI-powered apps, the airport experience is getting faster and more seamless. There are challenges to work through, such as the cost of new technologies and making sure everyone, even the less tech-savvy, can use them. But the benefits of these changes are clear, and they’re already making air travel smoother, faster, and more secure.

Looking ahead, we can expect even more innovations that will continue to transform the way we travel. As technology evolves, these improvements will help make the airport experience quicker, safer, and much more enjoyable for all of us.

Feature Image via Changi Airport