Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for the Maldives depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for the MaldivesEmergency Numbers
- General
- 119 (police)
- Ambulance
- 102
Currency
- Name
- Maldivian Rufiyaa
- Code
- MVR
- Symbol
- ރ
USD widely accepted at resorts and tourist facilities (almost exclusively at resorts). ATMs in Malé. Resorts operate as fully self-contained economies — meals, dives, and activities are billed to your room. Budget carefully as extras are very expensive. Local guesthouses on inhabited islands are significantly cheaper.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type D, Type G, Type J, Type K, Type L
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
MVT (UTC+5) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–April is the dry northeast monsoon — best visibility for diving (manta rays at Baa Atoll, hammerheads at Fuvahmulah, whale sharks at South Ari Atoll year-round), snorkelling house reefs, and bioluminescent beach viewing (Vaadhoo Island — plankton bioluminescence at night). May–October is the southwest monsoon — rougher seas, lower rates, still diveable but visibility reduced.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resorts | $5–10 USD per day per staff member | Most resorts add a service charge; additional tips for exceptional service are appreciated |
| Dive guides | $10–15 USD per dive | — |
Dress Code
- Swimwear and resort casual at resort islands
- Modest dress on inhabited (local) islands — cover arms, legs, and shoulders
- Women: bikini only at resort beaches; modest clothing in all inhabited areas
Social Etiquette
- The Maldives consists of 1,190 islands across 26 natural atolls — only ~200 are inhabited; 150+ are resort islands
- The bioluminescent beach on Vaadhoo Island (Sea of Stars) — plankton that glow blue when disturbed at night — is one of the most magical natural phenomena in the world
- The Maldives is the flattest country on earth (average elevation 1.5m) — and the most threatened by sea level rise; it may be uninhabitable by 2100
- Resorts are private islands with their own laws; alcohol is not served on inhabited islands
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Maldives is a Sunni Muslim state — alcohol is completely prohibited on inhabited islands (available only at resort islands and on the boat to them)
- LGBTQ+ activity is illegal and can result in flogging and imprisonment
- Pork is prohibited throughout the Maldives
- Importing alcohol, pork products, or pornography is illegal
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Dhivehi — the Maldivian language) | Assalaamu alaikum / Kihineh? | ah-SAH-lah-moo ah-LAY-koom / kee-HEE-neh — 'peace be upon you / how are you?' |
| Thank you (Dhivehi) | Shukuriyyaa | shoo-koo-REE-yah |
| Welcome (Dhivehi) | Marhabaa | mar-hah-BAH |
| Beautiful (Dhivehi) | Furihama | foo-REE-hah-mah |
| Sea of Stars (local name) | The bioluminescent beach on Vaadhoo Island | No Dhivehi name — locals call it what it is: tiny organisms that glow in the dark when touched |
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