Before visiting Maldives, you should get some information on currency, climate, travel and some rules of this famous island.
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VISA TO MALDIVES
Everybody gets a free 30-day visa on arrival, provided that they have a valid travel document, a ticket out and proof of sufficient funds, defined as either a confirmed reservation in any resort.
GETTING THERE
Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Scoot, and Tiger Airways will fly from Vietnam to Male, Maldives with transit in Singapore. AirAsia will also will fly from Vietnam to Male, Maldives with transit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
CURRENCY
The Maldivian Rufiyaa is the currency of the Maldives. The best currency to take to the Maldives is either the Euro or the American Dollar. Some islands allow you to pay by card. The Maldivian Rufiyaa is required to pay the ferry fees, taxi fares and eating at the local restaurants.
TRANSPORTATION IN THE MALDIVES
Getting around in the Maldives takes three forms: boats, sea planes (air taxis) and private yachts. The boats are the Maldivian equivalent of a car, while planes and private yachts are mainly reserved for tourists.
Taxi fare is fixed on any route in Male and Hulhumale: 25 Rufiyaa
Public Ferry fare: Male to Hulhumale – 15 Rufiyaa (vice versa), Male to Airport – 10 Rufiyaa (vice versa), Male to Maafushi – 50 Rufiyaa (vice versa)
CLOTHING
The Maldives is a 100% Muslim country and care needs to be taken in relation to the dress code on local islands. Whilst it is acceptable for men to wear t-shirts and shorts or swim shorts; females should avoid causing offence by maintaining a more conservative approach to clothes by wearing t-shirts, loose shorts or sarongs, and avoid wearing bikinis and swimwear unless on an uninhabited island, picnic island, sandbank, dive boat or resort island. Whilst the law restricts the wearing of bikinis on local islands, many guesthouses now provide dedicated tourist beaches or private gardens and sunbathing terraces.
ACCOMODATION
You can choose variety of accommodation in Maldives. The most common island people will stay at Maafushi, Male & Hulhumale. There is no backpacker’s hostel available. The cheapest room you can get is about 100USD. But you need to remember to add the taxes when calculating the room price. All services directly related to guests will incur 10% service charge and 12% T-GST (Tourism Goods and Service Tax). The 10% service charge is applied to the total value and 12% T-GST applied to the total value + service charge.
CUISINE
When you are at Maafushi, do not forget to have a candle light buffet dinner, which will cost you only 10USD. Some of the common cuisines in the Maldives are:
‘Mas huni’ (tuna and coconut mix) – ‘Mas huni’ is a blend of tuna, coconut and chilli, which is loved by all Maldivians. It is more like a salad and requires very little time to prepare. This dish is eaten for breakfast with ‘roshi’ or chapatti and black tea.
‘Kulhimas’ (chili tuna) – ‘Kulhi’ in Dhivehi, means hot or spicy and ‘mas’ means fish. Every single Maldivian enjoys this dish. It is easy to prepare and simply delicious. This dish can be eaten for breakfast with ‘roshi’ or chapatti, or for dinner with ‘roshi’ or rice.
AbangFadli | Wanderlust Tips