Last Updated on 07/12/2024
Please note: this Asia travel blog uses affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase or a booking I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see my ethical publishing statement and my full affiliate disclosure
Thinking about visiting this paradise destination? Here is everything you need to know before you go on your Maldives vacation. This Maldives travel blog includes Maldives island guide with all the islands I have visited with island reviews and suggestions. Here is all the information you need to know about travel in the Maldives, from a former resident. I have personal experience of multiple trips to both Maldives resort islands and local islands in the Maldives.
Here is everything you need to know about your Maldives holiday whether it’s a luxury resort or a budget Maldives trip to experience local islands in the Maldives.
How many islands are there in the Maldives?
There are 1192 islands of which approximately 200 are inhabited. It is the smallest country in Asia! The islands are grouped into 26 atolls.
Local Island or Resort?Where is the Maldives?
The Maldives is in the Indian Ocean and a short flight from both Southern India and Sri Lanka.
How to get to the Maldives?
The main airport that you can fly into is Velana International Airport near the capital city and island of Male (pronounced Maa-ley). Visiting the Maldives from India or Sri Lanka is cheap way to find budget flights to the Maldives. Flying from other countries in Asia like Thailand or Malaysia is also a budget option to visit the Maldives.
Do you need a visa for the Maldives?
The Maldives offer a one month free visa on arrival to almost every nationality. Check with your government website to make sure.
What’s the weather like in the Maldives?
The Maldives is a tropical country in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It therefore has hot, humid weather and experiences monsoon seasons.
What temperature is it in the Maldives?
It is usually around 30 degrees Celsius in the Maldives and it rarely changes much over the year.
When is the best time of year to visit the Maldives?
It depends which islands and atolls you are planning to visit on your Maldives holiday. For most atolls the rainy season is between May to October. However, this definitely doesn’t mean that it will rain every day and the weather is extremely unpredictable. Rainy season also brings ocean adventures and is the best time to see manta rays in Hanifaru bay.
Maldives 101: What is a resort island?
A resort island refers to an island which is owned by a hotel. Resort Islands in the Maldives range from luxury travel destinations to cheaper, affordable resorts like Kihaa and Bandos Maldives. Resort islands can serve alcohol, guests can wear any clothing and the whole island is the resort and staff usually live on the same island in staff accommodation.
Kihaa ResortWhat is a local island in the Maldives?
A local island is where Maldivians live and work and local islands are different to resort islands.
What is the difference between local islands and resort islands?
You cannot legally drink alcohol on a local island and you will not be able to buy alcohol on local islands in the Maldives. There are no bars or places to drink on local islands. Another main difference is that you are expected to respect the local customs and culture when visiting local islands in the Maldives, whereas resort islands are merely a holiday destination and guests are rarely expected to adhere to local customs and laws.
Maldives 101 : Can I stay on a local island?
Yes! I strongly recommend experiencing and staying on a local island in the Maldives. I love visiting local islands and I think it is a great way to experience the real Maldives. Read all about local islands on this post.
Visit Thulusdhoo: One of my favourite local islands only 30 minutes from Male airportIf I stay at a resort can I visit a local island?
Yes. Many Maldives resorts will offer local island tours where you are given a tour around a nearby local island.
What religion is the Maldives?
Many people are surprised that the Maldives’ only religion is Islam. Maldivians must be muslim by law.
Is the Maldives only a honeymoon destination?
Absolutely not. During the 1.5 years I spent living and working in the Maldives, I travelled with friends, family and lovers. If you are a diver or would like to learn to scuba dive with PADI or SSI, or you just love being in the water then the Maldives is a perfect holiday destination for you because of all the things you can do in the Maldives.
Staying in Gulhi with my family and beach walks with my MumCan I travel solo in the Maldives?
I am a huge fan of solo travel around Asia, particularly travelling as a solo female. However, the Maldives has certain challenges when travelling solo, mainly the cost of rooms and there are limited ways to meet other travellers. That said, I have been and enjoyed my solo travel
Backpacker Maldives: Can I backpack in the Maldives?
There are no hostels and therefore you cannot find budget accommodation like in India and Sri Lanka and South East Asia. Even on local islands in the Maldives the cost of accommodation is from $30-$50 per night. There are still affordable Maldives hotels on local islands but note it will not be backpacker rates like some other countries in Asia.
Can I travel solo and stay in luxury resorts?
Yes, you definitely can if you can afford the expensive resorts in the Maldives. Generally speaking, the cheapest resort is around $300 US dollars per night so travelling with someone and sharing the cost of a luxury resort makes it more affordable.
Can I travel solo in the Maldives and stay in a guesthouse on a local island?
Yes. Guesthouses start from around $40 per night so staying on local islands is a much more affordable option for solo travel than staying in a luxury Maldives resort. If you are a diver or join other trips such as dolphin watching or snorkelling trips, then you are likely to find other like-minded travellers as well.
What is the cheapest time to go to the Maldives?
For staying in luxury resorts the cheapest time will be rainy season so between the months of May- October. The most expensive season is over Christmas and New Year and many resorts experience full occupancy.
How many days do you need in the Maldives?
I think this depends on what activities you are planning to do on your Maldives vacation. For honeymooners staying at expensive resorts, many stay for around 4-5 days to experience a luxury resort. For me personally, I could easily spend a month island hopping around different islands.
Big fans of our dive boatHow to travel around the Maldives?
Boats and airplanes. If you are staying at a resort then the resort will usually arrange a speedboat transfer or a seaplane or a domestic flight for you at an additional cost. If you are staying on local islands then you can take a speedboat transfer from the airport or from Male. Ferries are the cheapest way to travel around the Maldives as domestic flights can still be expensive (around $200 return).
What are the cheapest resorts in the Maldives?
The cheapest resorts will be resorts that are near to Male and near to the airport because you will not have to pay for expensive seaplane transfers or domestic flights. Kihaa Resort is one of the best budget resorts although it is not near Male, it is in Baa atoll.
What are the cheapest local islands in the Maldives?
Many local islands offer budget accommodation and cheap diving and affordable excursions. Here I have written about the local islands of Gulhi, Maafushi, Dhiffushi, Thoddoo , Fuvahmulah and Thulusdhoo.
How to plan a Maldives trip on a low budget?
The best budget Maldives trip will be to local islands. I’ve written blog posts about all the different local Maldivian islands I have visited here for you to choose which island to visit and what activities you can do on each island. On this blog post I have suggested a perfect Maldives itinerary.
What to bring to the Maldives?
I have written a separate blog post about what items to bring to the Maldives and an important packing guide for your Maldives trip.
Maldives 101: What to wear in the Maldives?
This depends if you are intending to visit local islands. In resort islands anything goes and you are welcome to wear whatever you like, including bikinis. Most local islands that welcome tourists now have bikini beaches so you can wear a bikini and swimsuit on these beaches on local islands but should cover up when walking around the rest of the island. Click to this Maldives blog post for information about what to pack for the Maldives.
Can unmarried couples visit the Maldives?
Yes definitely. Both resorts and local island guesthouses welcome unmarried couples and this is no problem at all. Guesthouses can refuse to accept an unmarried couple where one of the party is Maldivian and I have heard of this happening to friends. However, I have never personally experienced this and all guesthouses and hotels that I recommend I was able to stay at in a mixed nationality couple.
Is it safe to visit the Maldives?
I have always felt safe travelling in the Maldives and staying on different islands.
How much does it cost to go to the Maldives?
This definitely depends on how much you are willing to spend! Resorts start from $300 per night and can rise to $40,000 per night for private islands. Guesthouses on local islands usually range from $40-100 per night.
Pin Me for Later
Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase or book a room I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
what kind of food are available to the Maldives and what is the best transport to move from one place to another place.
Hello there! It depends on a resort or local island. In a resort you can eat pretty much anything as most food is imported. On local islands you have a lot of fresh fruit, coconuts and my favourite is kottu roshi, a vegetable dish with chopped up chapatis and some curry! On local islands you will not find any pork as per Islamic customs. For transport you can take boats, seaplanes or domestic flights.