Location: Southwest of Sri Lanka, straddling the equator. Latitudes 4 degrees 17 north and longitudes 73 degrees 50 east.
Geography: 1,190 coral islands forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Stretches 820 kilometres from north to south and 120 kilometres from east to west. 202 islands are inhabited, 107 are private resort islands.
Climate: Generally warm and humid with year-round sunshine. Average temperature is around 29 – 32 degrees Celsius, rarely colder than 25 degrees Celcius.
What to wear: Dress is generally casual. T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In Male’, the capital island, and other inhabited islands it is recommended that women respect local customs and wear modest clothing.
Religion: Islam (100% Sunni Muslim)
Language: Dhivehi is the local language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood in the capital city. In the resorts, a variety of languages are spoken by the staff including English, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese and many more.
Currency: The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa although US Dollars can also be used in the capital city. The exchange rate for the US Dollar is fixed at MRf.15.42. There are ATMs at the airport and in Male’. Resorts generally accept most currencies and credit cards. Commonly used credit cards are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro Card.
Education: The functional literacy rate is 98%. Educational standards are among the highest in the region and schools follow the British system of education.
Local Time: GMT + 5 hours (DST) /GMT + 4 hours (BST)
Business Hours: From Sundays to Thursdays 0800hrs to 1400hrs in the government sector and generally from 0800hrs to 1600hrs in the private sector. Additionally, most offices in the private sector are open for half days on Saturdays. The weekend falls on Fridays and Saturdays.
Communication: Up-to-date technology and international satellite links allow the Maldives to have sophisticated communications systems. IDD facilities are available on all resorts and card phones are available on all inhabited islands. Dhiraagu and Ooredoo; the telecommunications companies in the Maldives, also provide mobile phones for daily rental and WiFi/Dialup internet services. Local SIM cards can be purchased at the airport if required.
Banking: The majority of the banks in Male’ are found on the strip of the island facing the airport. These include HSBC, Bank of Ceylon, State Bank of India and Bank of Maldives.
AIRPORT: From the time you land at Malé airport, a connecting sea plane or speed boat and transfer to your resort island might take up to about an hour and a half. The Maldives is a nation of islands. Each resort is set on its own island and so is the airport. The airport is on Hulhule Island. Visitors to the Maldives are granted a 30-day visitor’s visa upon arrival. Items such as alcohol, drugs, pornography and idols of worship are strictly prohibited. There is a Tourism Ministry counter at the airport which is a good source of information for travellers. For your return journey, daytime flights from the Maldives airport are recommended. Evening flights can cause inconveniences since the airport transfers operate only by day requiring guests to leave their resorts many hours ahead of departure. Sea planes are grounded by 6.00 pm due to poor visibility at night and the risk of hitting coral reefs. If you have time on your hands, consider a half-day’s excursion in Malé and maybe even catch up on some duty free shopping at the airport.
Flora & Fauna: The Maldives is embellished and ornamented with one of the most diverse flora and fauna found in the entire world. Uniquely the marine flora and fauna originating in the Maldives is peerless. The Maldives boasts of one of the most disparate underwater sceneries on earth. Gardens of coral reefs resemble a work of art that has mesmerized scuba divers from around the world. The open sea and reefs are inhabited by over 2000 species of colourful fish of various proportions.
Malé City: The capital city of the Maldives and the seat of the executive, legislature and judicial branches of the government of the Maldives. Male’ is also the financial and commercial capital of the country. Accordingly, major government offices, banks and businesses are based on Male’.
Exotic Maldives and Her Islands have always been considered among the most romantic destinations on earth. So while you’re planning that perfect trip, here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the extraordinary islands of Maldives.
Maldives is some small scattered islands in the Indian Ocean, comprising about 2,000 or more single islands, across Equator, having an average temperature of 31 Degree Celsius. Indeed, Maldives do represent in Common Wealth and in United Nation. It’s a Democratic nation, holding a population width of about 310,000 people.
Maldives is five hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
If you’re looking for a few extra hours of sunshine then you should visit the Maldives between December and April, which is the dry season. This is the high season, however, and resorts can be fully booked and prices are higher than the rest of the year. The Christmas-New Year period is the busiest and most expensive part of the high season. Between May and November it’s still warm, but the skies can be cloudy, humidity is higher and rain is more likely. This is the low season, and there are fewer tourists and prices are lower. The transition months of November and April are said to be associated with increased water clarity and better visibility for divers.
Visa is free on arrival for all countries
Normally, no vaccinations are required by the Maldives authorities. However, visitors should check with their carrier when making reservations, as health regulations may change without notice.
The Airport looks like an Aircraft Carrier from top. But actually, it’s an island long and thin. This Airport could be considered as the safest Airport in the whole world. The reason behind this is that, there is only one run way. Therefore there is no possibility in landing 2 to 3 planes at once. One at a time is the Airport’s hidden policy.
The Capital of the Maldives is “Male’” pronounced “Maa-ley”. Male’ would also be counted as one of the smallest capitals in the world in terms of its physical size.. Different from any other island in the country, Male’ is a city of high-rise buildings and paved roads. While the government offices are located in one area, the main streets are lined with shops and offices. In the old bazaar area, which still houses the country’s hub of wholesale and retail trade, the lanes are so narrow that a single vehicle would find it difficult to navigate through, especially with its throngs of busy people.
In Maldives we have our own currency called “Maldivian Ruffiya” (MRf). One United States Dollar is equivalent to 15.42 MRf (Maldives Monetary Authority buying rate, subject to change) and this value doesn’t vary much.
All the hotels in Maldives have an excellent transportation system so visitors can easily reach other islands, no matter where they stay. Most hotels are located on their own Private Island or small islands where only a few resorts exist along the waterfront areas, all offer a high standard of service and unless you need to be in a particular spot, it really doesn’t matter where you stay.
Most visitors enjoy the lagoons as the natives do, swimming and snorkeling in the warn, turquoise waters, or canoeing, sailing, wind surfing, parasailing, deep sea fishing, jet skiing and water skiing. The Maldive islands are world renowned for their scuba diving and snorkeling. Or you can go on a shark feeding expedition, where you’re in the water with hungry reef sharks that are being hand-fed by a guide. You can charter a yacht, perhaps with a captain and chef, to sail among the islands.
Tipping is not very common in Maldives. It is prohibited at the airport and discouraged at hotels and restaurants, as most have already added a 10% service charge to the bill. But you can tip at your own discretion
Nobody is allowed to bring in liquor to Maldives, unless he or she has a special import license for liquor, beer and related products. If somebody has bought liquor and beer and related items on his/her way to Maldives from a duty free center, then products should be bonded in custom on their arrival to Maldives. And the goods will be released on their departure. Further nobody is allowed to bring in liquor, beer or related products to the Capital City/Island. Thus the Capital City Hotel’s will not offer liquor, beer and related products.
Voltage in Maldives is 110 or 220 volts, depending on your location. An adapter is recommended for using appliances you bring with you. Most major hotels provide hair dryers and other amenities
Yes, Maldives is probably one of the safest places in the world and the only danger to be concerned about is a coconut falling on your head…do not stand under these trees if the wind is blowing harder than a gentle breeze. Even then though, the resorts trim their palm trees regularly and this shouldn’t be a problem worth worrying about.
The water is drinkable, and all hotels also offer bottled water.
If you desire, you can bring cigarettes (up to two cartons) and film (up to ten rolls). And don’t forget an extra bottle of your favorite suntan lotion, hats, sunglasses, water socks (reef walkers) and any common insect repellent.
Yes, there will be no problems in communicating with people in many hotels, restaurants and on the public transport.
Most of the local and souvenir shops in Male’ accept all major credit cards but none of these shops can get you cash from your card. There are two or three merchants who get can get you limited cash and this is only possible during weekdays as these merchants will be issuing you a cash check which you will have to en-cash it from the bank.
The ATM’s are located at a few places on the capital island only mainly.
Maldives and Her Islands have long been referred to as a tropical paradise. But their unspoiled islands are not for everyone. If you’re looking for a familiar, commercial environment like your own hometown, you won’t find it in the Maldives. These extraordinary islands are for people seeking the unique, novel or adventurous honeymoon experience who want to visit a destination whose culture is different from their own.
Maldives is simply the ultimate in romance. Couples can immerse themselves in the incredible beauty of the islands and the casual, relaxed pace. With its mesmerizing sunsets and sweet aroma of flowers, Maldives radiates romance. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast brought to your overeater bungalow by canoe. Find a secluded islet for a private picnic. Arrange a traditional Maldivian wedding ceremony or renewal of vows. Spend a romantic evening dinner for two at your hotel. Or simply take a leisurely stroll along a secluded white sand beach and enjoy the most spectacular place on earth.
Maldives has excellent medical and dental services, pharmacies, a large government hospital and many private clinics in the capital city of Male’, all of the resorts are also equipped with outstanding medical facilities and clinics.
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