The Republic of Maldives is a tropical archipelago in the classic sense, located in the warm Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka. A far-sighted experiment in manageable tourism has seen some of the more scenic islands become the home to tasteful resorts for discerning travelers. Numbers of visitors are limited and zoning is enforced to ensure that overbuilding and crass commercialism cannot spoil the Maldives only resource – the paradise-evoking atmosphere of its pristine tropical islands. The Maldives is also famous for its pristine dive sites that are teeming with myriad species of colorful fish and coral.
Visas
A free 30-day visa can be obtained on arrival for those carrying valid travel documents.
Climate
Generally, the high season is also the dry season – from December to April. From May to November there is a chance of rain and skies can be cloudy, but the weather is always warm and pleasant.
Language
The national language is Divehi. English is widely spoken at all resorts. Resorts that cater to Italian, French, German and Japanese guests have staff that are fluent in those respective languages.
Currency
The national currency of the Maldives is the rufiya. Most prices at resorts are in US dollars, and most visitors pay their resort bills with credit cards.
Cuisine
As with most island societies in Asia, rice and fish are the foundation of the traditional meal. Culinary influence from the Indian Subcontinent can be found in the delicious fish curry.
Arriving & Leaving
Malé International Airport is the arrival point for visitors from outside the Maldives, and has connections to other islands. There is an international departure tax of US$10.
Accommodation
The Maldives are best known for its wonderful selection of up-market resorts that take advantage of the stunning scenery and cater to visitors who want to get away from the pressures of the modern world without sacrificing on comforts or conveniences.
The Island of Malé
The Maldives’ capital is small and quaint, though growing rapidly, and it is the best place to get a taste of the archipelago’s unique culture and low-key lifestyle. Malé is both the island and the city that covers it, and as you would expect, there are hotels and restaurants that cater to foreign visitors. Only a couple of kilometers wide, Malé boasts a small national museum as well as the Singapore Market, a traveler-oriented market offering handicrafts and souvenirs. Most visitors simply use Malé as a stopover on their way to resorts on one of the outer islands.
Resort Islands
The vast majority of visitors to the Maldives come to enjoy a relaxing stretch of sun and sand. Islands are palm-lined and fringed with squeaky-clean beaches of dazzling white sand. For many visitors this is the classic vision of a tropical paradise that they have waited a lifetime to experience: the chance to wear nothing but a billowy sarong and to laze the day away lounging in a hammock with a good book. Tranquility is assured, as there is no noise from cars or motorcycles, just the sound of waves gently lapping at the shore, and of the gentle breeze swaying the coconut palms. Some seventy islands in the Maldives Archipelago are home to resorts catering to foreign visitors, most of whom come on package tours. All resorts are located on picturesque beaches and many have access to the spectacular diving sites that the Maldives are renowned for.
Classes for beginning divers as well as dive equipment are available to guests at most resorts. The islands are actually coral atolls, and are ringed with coral reefs that attract vibrantly colored fish and other sea life. Enthusiasts of wreck diving have named the Maldive Victory, off Malé, as one of the most intriguing wreck dives in the world. Besides diving and snorkeling, other water sports include sailing and waterskiing, banana-boat riding and jetskiing. Visitors may ride a parasail high above the islands, and take in the spectacular view. Aficionados of deep-sea fishing will find the waters around the Maldives to be abundant with exotic species. In keeping with the Maldives visionary policies of environmental preservation, fish caught during deep-sea excursions must be released back into the sea – but not before recording the catch on film! Surfing is also possible at some resorts near Malé.
Some resorts also offer excursions to local villages so that visitors may sample the idyllic island lifestyle of the native inhabitants – fisherfolk who are attuned to the rhythms of the tides and winds. There are resorts that cater almost exclusively to certain nationalities – Italians, Germans, French and Japanese visitors will find resorts that are almost exclusively patronized by their own countrymen. Prices vary according to season, and depending on which nationality predominates, the high and low seasons may differ from resort to resort. It is a good idea to use the Internet as a tool to help decide which resort best fits your needs.