EXPLORE GREAT DESTINATIONS
Maldives ( Maldives )
Unrivalled luxury, stunning white-sand beaches and an amazing underwater world make Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime.
Unbelievable beaches
Maldives is home to perhaps the best beaches in the world; they’re on almost every one of the country’s nearly 1200 islands and are so consistently perfect that it’s hard not to become blasé about them. While some beaches may boast softer granules than others, the basic fact remains: you won't find consistently whiter-than-white powder sand and luminous cyan-blue water like this anywhere else on earth. This fact alone is enough to bring well over a million people a year to this tiny, remote indian ocean paradise.
The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April, outside of the monsoon season. We recommend staying during March and April (excluding the Easter holidays when pricing is more expensive) when you will enjoy hot, dry weather and quieter resorts.
Resorts for everyone
Every resort in maldives is its own private island, and with over 100 to choose from the only problem is selecting where you want to stay. At the top end, the world’s most exclusive hotel brands compete with each other to attain ever-greater heights of luxury, from personal butlers and private lap pools to in-room massages and pillow menus. It’s not surprising that honeymooners and those seeking a glamorous tropical getaway have long had the country at the very top of their wish lists. But there’s also plenty of choice beyond the five- and six-star resorts.
Best luxury resorts in Maldives are Kagi Maldives Spa Island , Diamonds Athuruga Maldives Resort & Spa , Movenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives , South Palm Resort Maldives , Alimatha Nakai Resorts , Rahaa Resort , Patina Maldives, Fari Islands .
Maldives travel tips
Best months to visit
May to october is considered the rainy season, with the islands seeing between 5 and 10 inches of precipitation monthly and often strong winds. Visitors will likely find better deals for this time of year (though, the term "deal" is relative, since the maldives is a pricey location year-round). This time of year is popular with surfers, though, because the area sees bigger waves and better swells for surfing during these months.
Culture & Customs
A beautiful slice of paradise in the indian ocean, the maldives is a fascinating destination. Steeped in rich culture and tradition, the maldives culture is heavily shaped by indian, sri lankan, malaysia, arab, persian, indonesian and even african influences. Maldivians are incredibly warm, welcoming and friendly people who will go above and beyond to make your holiday truly unforgettable.
Religion
Islam is the major religion in the maldives. This is most evident through the many beautiful mosques located on the main island of malé as well as the lack of alcohol and pork available on the mainland. But not to worry, resorts have a special license to serve alcohol, so you can still enjoy cocktails and beachside beverages in tropical paradise.
Dress
With a predominately muslim faith, maldivians are quite conservative and wear traditional dress. Males wear a sarong and white cotton shirt, while females wear a traditional libaa which is a long dress with gold and silver thread. Guests must also be fully clothed while swimming at the beaches on the mainland unless swimming at a designated bikini beach. However, this rule does not apply at the resort islands and guests are free to soak up the sunshine in whatever swimming attire they please.
Music & dance
Music and dance are an integral part of maldives culture and are heavily influenced by their surrounding nations. One of the most well-known maldives performances is the “bodu beru”. The dance is performed by large groups of 15 to 20 men and features a range of drummers, dancers and singers. Many of the resorts organise regular cultural performances to entertain their guests, so be sure to check one out on your next maldives holiday.
What to eat:
The magnificent archipelago of the maldives is not only home to a myriad of magical tropical islands fringed by white sandy beaches, swaying tropical palms and surrounded by gin-clear waters teeming with marine life – it also offers some of the most delicious cuisine in the region. Traditional maldivian cuisine, also known as dhivehi cuisine, provides a wonderful variety of tastes and flavors, ranging from crunchy snacks and street foods accompanied by wood-fired chapati bread to complex and deliciously spicy curries.
The cuisine of the maldives is a rich assemblage of traditional flavors with strong influences from its neighboring countries, such as india and sri lanka. In the past, maldivians depended on essential ingredients such as fish, coconuts, breadfruit, millet and tubers, and over time, with the influence of foreigners from ancient trade and travel, maldivian cuisine developed a distinctive blend with its own unique flavors, symbolizing a unique culinary identity.
Today, traditional maldivian cuisine is based on three main ingredients and their derivatives, namely coconut, fish, and starches containing grains and vegetables. The delicious food boasts a distinct tang made up of mild spiciness, delicate sweetness, and an overall exotic taste, and is prepared using ancient cooking traditions that have been passed down through the generations.
Getting around maldives:
The best way to get around the maldives is to walk. The capital city of malé is about 2.2 square miles, and whichever resort you pick will be walk able as well. Island-hopping at your own leisure really isn't the best option since the ferry network is not very extensive. That said, if you are travelling by yacht, you'll be able to navigate these waters. Once you arrive at velana international airport (mle) on the island of hulhule', you’ll most likely be escorted by a representative from your resort to the island where you are staying. You will have to take a ferry, a seaplane, a speedboat or some combination of the three to reach your final destination.
Entry & exit requirements:
The maldives requires that international visitors have a passport that's valid for six months from the expected departure date, in addition to proof of sufficient funds and an onward travel plan. You will automatically be granted a 30-day visa, which can be extended to 90 days if requested. Vaccinations for hepatitis a and typhoid are recommended prior to arrival.
