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.

As we move through 2024, several resorts are gearing up to host an array of exciting events, promising unforgettable experiences for their guests. Here’s a glimpse into what’s in store:

World Turtle Day at Amilla Maldives

Amilla Maldives will celebrate World Turtle Day this May 23rd. The resort is celebrating with educational activities aimed at raising awareness about turtle conservation. Guests can participate in activities that support preservation efforts while enjoying the resort’s natural beauty.

Unforgettable Spring Festivities at Dusit Thani Maldives

From 29 March to 15 May 2024, Dusit Thani Maldives will host vibrant springtime festivities, featuring special events for Easter, Eid al-Fitr, and Thailand’s Songkran Water Festival. Guests can enjoy unique cultural experiences, live music, and festive activities, along with exclusive packages and promotions for a memorable stay.

Wellness Retreats Throughout the Year

Resorts that focus on wellness & health always offer wellness retreats throughout the year. In addition to getting advice from experts, guests can also get curated experiences from these retreats. Soneva Resorts, Amilla Maldives, as well as Patina Maldives, feature some amazing experiences for guests. In addition to these resorts, guests can also look into any resort that focuses on spa & wellness retreats.

Eid Celebrations

Just like any other celebrations in the Maldives, Maldives resorts bring travellers festive Eid celebrations. This vibrant festivity is marked with special offers and a variety of activities perfect for families to enjoy. This year, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, Sun Siyam Resorts, and Bandos Maldives offered colourful Eid celebrations.

Christmas & Easter Celebrations

Easter & Christmas celebrations are arguably some of the most widely celebrated festivity in Maldives resorts. During this time period, many resorts turn into wonderlands not only for kids but also for adults. As people book their getaway to enjoy the warm climate of the Maldives, this is also the high tourist season in the country. From December to January, almost every day brings something new. Whether it’s brunch, beach parties, pool parties or fun with Santa, you won’t get bored!

New Year’s Eve & New Year

Although many places would say this is the same celebration, in the Maldives New Year’s Eve and New Year’s celebrations are also different. New Year’s Eve is usually made up of festive gala dinners straight out of a dream. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, amazing meals and endless drinks! Some of the usual highlights also include fireworks and fire dancers.

New Year’s Day is followed by brunches and more activities to welcome the new year. During this period of time, the resorts host an abundance of parties and themed celebrations as well. Guests can also explore the Orthodox Christmas celebration in January, which is the last celebration of the festivities.