Up to 30 days for most nationalities in the world (by paying, it is possible to extend it to 90 days)
Citizens of Russia and India can stay up to 90 days (by paying, it is possible to extend it)

Your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months

Tourist visa in Maldives does not cost anything

There are two types of visas: a worker visa and a tourist visa.

Once you arrive at Maldives, you will receive your tourist visa at the airport.
But do note, that there are several requirements to get your tourist visa. You can check these requirements here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Maldives

Tourists receive their visa quite quickly after arriving in the country.

You can find the address of the nearest consulate or embassy and their contacts on this page: https://www.embassypages.com/maldives

Import allowed:

1. For those aged over 16 years: 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250 grams tobacco.
2. Irrespective of age: reasonable quantity of clothing, jewellery, toiletries, reading material and electronics, for personal use.
3. Other personal items: up to a value of MVR 6,000.-.

Import prohibited:
Religious materials offensive to Islam, idols (for worship), pornographic material, narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Children need to have a birth certificate.

Dogs cannot be imported to Maldives. Pets must have a health certificate and can enter the country as a part of passenger’s baggage.

There are no import and export restrictions regarding currency.

Maldivian rufiyaa = 100 laari

AUD

Banknotes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 100, 500 rufiyaa

Coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 laari

Where can I change my currency?
The only official places to exchange your currency is at the Velana airport bank counter or at other various branches of Maldives Bank. Some shops may also offer these services, but tourists should not rely on that. US dollar traveller checks are also cashed out at these bank branches, but other currencies are almost never cashed out.

Opening hours
Banks are open from 08:30 am to 14:00 pm, from Monday to Friday.

Commission
As banks are the only official place to exchange currency, tourists have no better rates than the ones provided by banks. For USD, the rates are 15:1. Some shops may offer better rates, like 10:1, but again, it may not always be a reliable way to exchange currency. Cashing traveller checks from US dollars to rufiyaa doesn’t have any commission.

On Male, ATMs are common, you can find one at the airport once you arrive. Most islands have at least on ATM, bigger ones may have more than one.

Commission
ATMs have a withdrawal fee, which depends on the bank. Moreover, there’s a withdrawal limit that ranges from 10000 to 25000 MVR.

What currency should I take with me?
US dollar is the best currency to have, apart from rufiyaa. Many resorts, hotels and services accept US dollars with no issues. For local shops, services, street or fish markets you need to have rufiyaa. If you never intend to leave your resort, having only US dollars is fine, but if you want to explore the rest of the country, bringing rufiyaa is a good idea. Do note though that if you pay with US dollars, you will receive your change in Maldivian rufiyaa.

Is it profitable to cash and change money at the airport?
Considering that there is a bank branch at the Velana airport, you won’t lose anything by cashing or changing your money there.

How to pay in hotels, shops, restaurants, taxis?
Almost every bigger hotel, shop and restaurant accept credit cards and US dollars. Cash is mostly needed for local shops and services, like taxis. Taxis also accept US dollars.

Other
2 and 5 rufiyaa notes are not very common. The same goes for coins of 1, 2 and 5 laari.
Tipping in Maldives is not very widespread, as there’s always a service tax added onto everything. You may leave a tip at restaurants or at hotels.

The Maldives, an island in the Indian Ocean southwest of India, has a tropical climate that is hot all year round and prone to monsoons.

The best time to visit the Maldives is from January to mid-April as it is the driest and sunniest season of the year.

Temperatures are stable, with highs around 30 ° C (86 ° F) and lows around 25 ° C (77 ° F) for most of the year.

The Maldives is an amazing choice for your holiday. This island chain located in the Indian Ocean, will provide you with a great climate and many different ways to relax. Years ago, Maldives was a relatively closed country, but now tourism is booming. Here you can find many luxurious resorts that will cater to all your needs. Sandy beaches, fresh water and marine life make Maldives one of the most calming places to be. There’s also plenty of activities that you can do, including water sports, diving, shopping or learning about Maldivian culture and history.

Old Friday Mosque is the oldest mosque in Maldives, built in the year 1658. In 2008, for its importance, the mosque also became listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural List. Not only is this mosque an interesting piece of history, it’s also an architectural masterpiece. The exterior may not look that special at first glance, but when you look closer, you can notice the intricate carvings on the walls. Inside is where the mosque shines, featuring amazing Islamic art and finely crafted woodwork. Do note that if you’re not a muslim, you need a special permission to enter the mosque. Near the mosque you can also find a similarly aged minaret.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/DtHMg8vgHxfxHysz9
The mosque is located in the northern part of Male. It’s very easy to reach it by public transportation or on foot.

COMO Cocoa Island is one of the most beautiful place in the country. If you’re in Maldives on a holiday or a honeymoon, this island offers amazing resorts where you can relax and spend your time. Not only that, but the island also offers unique water villas, spa centres and restaurants with top-notch food. After all that, you can experience the soft sand of Cocoa’s island beaches or go snorkelling in the nearby waters. Because of all this, the island often feels like paradise.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Aysoy4jVJDaKMHE68
The island is located about 30 kilometers south of Male. To reach it, you can take a speedboat from Male International Airport. It costs from 4500 to 5500 MVR and takes about 40 minutes.

Artificial Beach, as the name suggests, is a man-made beach located in Male. Its location is a big plus itself, as it can be very easily and quickly accessed as long as you are in the capital city. Here you can find a very warm climate and amazing scenery, which makes this place very relaxing. If you want some activities, you can hop in the water for a swim or enjoy a good variety of water sports. Near the beach you can also find cafes, barbecues and restaurants, which serve exotic food and drinks. Carnivals, concerts and festivals are commonplace here.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ibWuzSxixchmEnhaA
Artificial Beach is located in the western part of Male. It’s very easy to reach it by public transportation or on foot.

Banana Reef is one of the oldest reefs in the Maldives. It’s named like this because of the reef’s curved shape, as it is similar to a banana. This reef is filled with many natural wonders like caves, cliffs, overhangs and most importantly corals. Here you can also encounter amazing marine life like sharks, barracudas and various fish. Banana reef is the perfect place for diving, both experts and beginners alike. The water is clear and warm, making it perfect for first time divers. There is also a diving institute, which will provide you equipment and other assistance.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/oq2bZPXQPtKoGxiS9
This reef is located around Male, the capital city. It doesn’t take a long time to reach it.

Emboodhu Finolhu Island is a resort island, which is quite similar to COMO Cocoa Island. You don’t even need to set a foot in here to see how special this island is, as its water villas are arranged to look like a flower bud, which is visible from a distance. Here you will find the Taj Exotica Resort, which has 5 star accommodation and other services, including a spa centre. Moreover, various restaurants, bars, tours and breathtaking nature will certainly add to your enjoyment.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/mgqYpMtwRtJf8XyD6
The island is located about 8 kilometers south of Male. It can be easily accessible by a speedboat or a plane. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to reach the island.

Majidhee Magu is the most famous and busiest street market in the country. Right in the centre of Male, you can get lost in this maze of shops, which have goods that range from simple garments to exotic food and jewerly. Fish is very popular here, with many people selling fish based meals. Visitors will also get a look into the culture of Maldivians, as they can buy various heirlooms and dresses that are native to these islands. Moreover, most of the things sold here are handcrafted and that makes them very unique and worth the money.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/kSB5KPoJ19cc7hdV8

The National Museum is a building gifted by China which stores many historic artefacts and works that are very important to Maldivian history. This museum is part of a larger complex, that also includes the Sultan Park. Inside you can find a huge variety of artefacts that range from clothes, costumes and armor of nobility to various works of art. These items date all the way from 11th to 17th centuries. One very interesting artefact is an engraved piece of wood that was made in commemoration of Maldives converting to Islam in 1153. The National Museum doesn’t cost a lot to enter and is open from 10:00 am to 16:00 pm.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/vBKBe1J1kUy3x1yL6
This musem is located in the centre of Male, making it very accessible.

The Fish Market is certainly the place to be for fish and seafood lovers. Here, tourists can see first-hand for themselves how fish are caught and gutted. This market is a big part of Male industry and many people work here, so there’s always plenty of various fish available to buy. From groupers to octopus, you can always find seafood for every taste.
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Fq71riG64WCmsEX79
The market is located in the northern part of Male.

Travel insurance is not compulsory in Maldives, but it’s a good idea to have one. Insurance is issued for each tourist and eliminates the need to pay for medical expenses for emergency medical care. Many insurance also cover things like theft and loss of baggage. Some things that are not covered by insurance in Maldives include extreme sports and other high-risk activities, alcohol abuse, natural disasters and things like epidemics. There are several types of insurances like single-trip insurance, annual multi-trip insurance and backpacker insurance. Insurance costs are varied, depending on your country and budget.

To visit Maldives, there are no mandatory vaccination requirements, but there are diseases for the avoidance of which vaccinations are desirable:
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus (once every 10 years), influenza vaccination – seasonal, it is recommended to be carried out annually, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, rabies and yellow fever.

You should not drink tap water or things like unpasteurized milk. Stick to bottled water, water that’s been disinfected, carbonated drinks, coffee, tea and pasteurized milk. Food and drinks from street vendors also have high risk and should be avoided. In regards to exotic food, stay away from monkeys, bats or other similar wild animals. Stick to eating food that is cooked and is served hot and vegetables and fruits should all be either washed with clean water or peeled. Most restaurants serve quality food and drinks, but be wary when eating in budget restaurants.

Insects are common in Maldives, especially outside major cities and resorts. Insect bites, specifically by mosquitoes, may cause diseases like Chikungunya, Dengue or Zika. To avoid insect bites, you should try to cover yourself as much as possible and use insect repellent. In hotels or other places of accommodation, you should always make sure there is enough ventilation. DEET is a useful repellent against ticks and mosquitoes. If you do get bitten, try to avoid scratching the bites and you should apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. If you do a lot of outdoor activites, you should regularly check your body for ticks. Try to avoid any stray or wild animals you may encounter. If you get bit by any animal, you should instantly wash your wound and go to the doctor. If you wake in a room with a bat, also seek medical care immediately.

1. Call the assistance company, which is a partner of your insurance company. Contacts can be found in the insurance policy.
2. Provide all the necessary information regarding the insured event and the symptoms with which the illness proceeds.
3. The representative of the assistance company will find a suitable medical institution where you should go. If the clinic is far from your place of stay, ask what type of transport you can use and whether the trip will be paid for by the insurance company later. For payment, keep all documents proving your transportation costs to the medical facility. These documents must reflect the cost and route (if possible).
4. Upon arrival at the medical facility, do not pay for any services other than those agreed with the assistance company. Do not leave any important documents at registration.
5. Keep all documents that prove the costs of purchased drugs.
6. Do not contact medical institutions (individual doctors) before receiving approval from the assistance company. You will have to pay for such requests yourself and there is a high risk that these costs will not be reimbursed by the insurance company in the future.

Healthcare in Maldives is adequate. In Male, it’s easy to get into a hospital, but on other islands it might be more problematic. Moreover, some hospitals may struggle with supplies. As a tourist, you are most likely to receive good healthcare services.

• Tree Top Hospital
  Lot 10608, Dhumburi Magu, Hulhumale, 23000, Republic of Maldives
  Phone: +9603351610
• ADK Hospital
  Sosun Magu, Male, 20040, Maldives
  Phone: +9603313553

1. Contact the local police as soon as possible, where you will be given a temporary ID. Ask to certify two copies: show one at the embassy, ​​and the second will be useful at home when you restore your passport.
2. Call the embassy, ​​clarify what documents will be required to restore your identity card, and the time of reception.
   Usually this:
   – two photos;
   – an identity document (civil passport, its certified copy, driver’s license, hunting ticket or any document with your name, photo and seal);
   – if any, electronic copies of the international passport and the general civil passport;
3. Go to the embassy. If everything is in order with the documents, a certificate of the right to return to your homeland will be issued to you on the same day within a few hours, and you will present it at the airport at passport control on your way home. Keep in mind that this certificate is valid for 14 days, so if you came for a long vacation and lost your passport on the very first day, it is worth doing the restoration no earlier than 2 weeks before departure.

Maldives is generally a safe country, but theft and other accidents can happen.
The sun is very active at most months, so you should definitely use sunscreen and drink enough water.
Wash your hands often.
Always be aware of what’s happening on public transport.
Respect the local customs and Islam. For example, do not practice other religions unless it’s in private.
Nude sunbathing is illegal in Maldives.
Swim only in designated swimming areas and be careful when swimming.
During Ramadan, you have to act carefully not to offend anyone by eating, drinking or smoking in public.
Coconuts may also pose a danger, as they can fall on your head and severely injure you.
It is advisable not to visit non-resort islands.

There are two mobile operators in Maldives.

We suggest you to select “Dhiraagu”, because this is the largest and the most widespread operator in Australia. With “Telstra” SIM you will have enough data for all of your needs.

Check if you need an adapter before starting a trip

Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world

Maldives is an island country, composed of more than 1000 islands. Transportation mostly consists of air and water travel, but buses and taxis can also be useful. There are many different options for travelling around Maldives, with differing costs, comfortability and speed.
Road traffic is on the left side.

Bus network is small, only covering cities like Male and Addu City. Tickets are quite cheap and buses are not very crowded, but it depends on the season. Routes are quite limited though, mostly running between the Velana airport and various terminals.

Taxi services mostly concentrate around cities like Male and Addu City. They are cheap and usually have a fixed fee of 20 MVR (30 at night), no matter how big the distance is. You may also be charged 10 MVR for your luggage. Shared taxis are common, since islands are quite small. Taxis can be requested by a phone call or just by hailing one on the street.

Most islands in Maldives are quite small, so there’s not much point in renting a car. Moreover, many islands are car-free that means you can’t even drive a car there. Because of these reasons, no local car rental firms are present in the country. Plus, transporting a car between all the islands would be a hassle.

Biking is a good method of getting around various islands. Many resorts and guesthouses provide tourists with a bike, plus there are bike rentals on larger islands, such as Addu Atoll. Biking for long periods of time may be exhausting because of heat and caution is advised. Guided bike tours are offered on certain islands. If you want to bring your bicycle with you all throughout the country, you can pack a folding bike in your luggage.

Boats provide transportation between Maldivian islands, which is crucial for anyone staying in the country. There are several different types of water transportation, including ferries, water taxis, speedboats, yachts and Maldivian ‘Dhoni’, which is a traditional sea vessel. Because there are many different types of boats, this type of travelling is affordable for any budget. Ferries, for example, are cheaper and operate like buses, only stopping at certain stops on the islands. Speedboats are faster and can take you straight from the airport to your resort or hotel, but they are more expensive. Yachts are very expensive and are mostly privately run.

Domestic flights between 12 airports in Maldives are operated by two companies: Maldivian (https://maldivian.aero/) and FlyMe (https://www.flyme.mv/). Certain guesthouses get access to discounted flights, so it may be useful to check before flying. Planes usually get filled fast, so you need to reserve your tickets as early as possible. Another option of transportation between islands is the seaplane, which is an alternative to boat travel. Trans Maldivian Airways (https://www.transmaldivian.com/) and Maldivian offer seaplane services. As they don’t need to land on an airway, they are very flexible and can take you almost anywhere. They are fast, but tend to be expensive. It’s well worth the price though, because these planes offer a very unique view of the surrounding scenery.

There’s only one international airport in Maldives.

Ferries

This is the only public transportation between the airport and Male city.

Speedboat

You can book a speedboat that will transfer you to your requested resort or other destination.

Seaplane

You can book a seaplane that will takeyou to your requested resort or other destination.

https://mtcc.mv/ is a great website for checking out timetables of various transportation in Maldives.

Children will definitely be safe in Maldives, as crime rate here is considerably low. Moreover, many kids activities have supervisors that will make sure nothing bad happens to your child.

October to April is the best time to travel with your children. The weather is at its best and you can comfortably enjoy the trip with your kids.

Many resorts and hotels have accommodations for children, but not all of them. Honeymon resorts, for example, do not allow children at all, while water villas only allow childrens that older than 10 or 12 years old. Family friendly restaurants, transportation and activities are also common. Many restaurants have dishes that are specifically for kids and many resorts have clubs for children.

Food can easily be bought in many stores and markets, but mostly in Male. Necessary items for children can also be purchased in Male, but not on the resorts. Be sure to take a necessary amount of children products with you so you won’t run out, just in case.

1. Water based activities like snorkelling, diving, kayaking, swimming and etc. are all safe for children. Many resorts have specific pools of water where children can safely engage in those activities.
2. Excursions to other islands can also be interesting to children.
3. Many resorts, as mentioned, have kid clubs, where children can do a wide range of activities, all while being supervised.
4. Some resorts may also have playgrounds, where your child can do a huge variety of activities.
5. Various activities like treasure hunts, food-making, puzzle solving are also common in family friendly resorts.

Kids clubs are an amazing place to leave your children, as they will be taken care of. There are also separate babysitter services that are high quality services, but can be costly.

Soneva Fushi is an amazing family-friendly resort located in the Baa Atoll. There’s plenty of activities for children and kids clubs accept children that are older than 4 years sold.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives is another amazing resort, where you can take your children with you. It has an underwater restaurant and an award-winning kids club, which is the only one in Maldives that caters to children younger than 3 years.
Bandos Maldives is a great resort that will cater to your every need. Babysitting services here are well priced and provice excellent service, plus there’s a huge kids clubs with big playgrounds and a glass-bottom boat, which is a thrilling experience for every child.
Six Senses Laamu is an ecologically friendly resort, where you can rent a water villa. Babysitting services here are one of the cheapest in the country and there’s an amazing kids club called the Den. Plus, children up to 5 get to eat for free, while children aged 6 to 11 have a 50% discount on their food.

• Beach gear and high factor sunscreen. Sunglasses are also very useful.
• It is advisable to bring some high quality baby food or diapers, in case you won’t be able to reach Male to buy them.
• Lightweight clothing, preferably natural fabrics.
• During warm months, an umbrella or a hat is advised.
• During rainy months, definitely take clothes that won’t get wet easily and have an umbrella.
• Necessary medicines: drugs for headaches, drugs for poisoning and indigestion, cardiovascular and choleretic drugs, eye drops, iodine, brilliant green and dressings.

Maldives is a country with loyal attitude towards animals, with one exception – dogs are not allowed in the country.

Smaller pets in a suitable carrier should be accepted almost anywhere, while larger animals may not fit inside buses or other smaller public transport. Also remember to carry the pet’s ID card and health certificate.

It is better to discuss this issue directly with the driver.

Not all hotels and resorts have accommodations for pets. It all depends on your pet and the hotel itself. Some resorts may allow you to bring your pet, but might not have any services that would cater to your pet. In that case, you would need to take care of your pet’s needs yourself.

If all of the above rules are followed, there will be no problems traveling with animals in Maldives.

More information can be found on this website https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/maldives.cfm

More information can be found on this website https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/maldives.cfm

As mentioned in the transportation section, traffic in Maldives mostly consists of seaplanes and various boats. Tourists won’t be driving cars in Maldives and will certainly use other types of transportation. Besides that, the quality of roads in Maldives is excellent, even many dirt roads in smaller islands are well-maintained. Streets in Male are narrow and often packed with people.

There are no highways and no road tolls in Maldives.