Asia · Southern AsiaOutline guideIsland country in South Asia
Photo: Shahee Ilyas, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Maldives (Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ Dhivehi Raajje) are a chain of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean with picture-perfect beaches, strikingly blue water, and luxury resorts. There are 200 inhabited islands and 165 islands with tourist resorts. Just under the surface of the beautiful blue ocean, there's a wealth of wildlife to see: over 2000 species of fish in all colours of the rainbow roam the clear waters around the islands.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Maldives.
Cards and cash
However by law, resorts price services in US dollars and require payment in hard currency (or credit card).
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory in the Maldives as a 10% service charge is added to everything, although it is not certain that the money is passed on to the staff.
Maldivian
Maldivian (Dhivehi), a close relative of Sinhala (spoken in Sri Lanka) but with borrowings from Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and many other languages, is the official and national language.
Both sell local prepaid SIM card or eSIM with the internet connection at competitive rates.
Mobile networks
Beware that tap water may not be drinkable at all resorts: enquire locally.
Health facilities are established in each inhabited island with island level primary health centres, followed by a higher level of health facilities and speciality care hospitals at the atoll level, and tertiary care…
Much of what is considered good manners in South Asia is applicable to the Maldives.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Malé (މާލެ), pronounced Maa-leh, is the capital of Maldives. The city occupies the entire islet of Malé at the southern rim of North Malé Atoll.
Addu (also Seenu) is the southernmost atoll in the Maldives. Hithadhoo, its capital, was the base of the short-lived United Suvadive Republic secessionist movement in 1959–1963.
Kuredu (Kurendhoo) is an island located in the Lhaviyani Atoll of the Maldives.
Mathiveri is a small island that belongs to North Ari atoll, Maldives. Only 900 people live there.
Rasdhoo is a smallish island with 850 citizens and a capital of Alif Alif Atoll (or North Ari Atoll), Maldives.
Thoddoo is an isolated inhabited island that administratively belongs to North Ari atoll, Maldives. It's quite large by Maldivian standards, it will take about an hour to circumvent it.
Ukulhas (Dhivehi: އުކުޅަސް) island is one of the inhabited islands of North Ari Atoll in the Maldives. The island has only been a travel destination since 2012; therefore, it has just a couple of inns and is somewhat hard to get to.
Lhaviyani (also known as Faadhippolhu Atoll) is an atoll in Maldives. It's the northernmost atoll which is open to tourism in the country.
Baa Atoll is an administrative division of the Maldives. It consists of three separate natural atolls, namely southern Maalhosmadulu Atoll (which is 42 km long and 32 km wide and consists of 9 inhabited islands), the Fasdūtherē Atoll (wedged in between the two Maalhosmadulu Atolls and separated from north Maalhosmasdulu Atoll by Hani Kandu or Moresby Channel) and the smaller natural Atoll known as Goifulhafehendhu Atoll (Horsburgh Atoll in the Admiralty charts).
Site of the capital Malé and the airport, home of most Maldivian resorts.
To the west of Kaafu, the second most popular group.
Vaavu Atoll is in the Maldives. It's one of the southern atolls which is open to tourism in the country.
The southernmost atoll, the second-largest in population and site of Gan International Airport.
Public transport and paid services in Maldives.
By boat
The taxi boats generally take tourists to and from the islands in the North and South Malé atolls.
By bus
There are a number of bus routes around the capital including those which connects with the airport. They are run by RTL.
By plane
No point in the Maldives is more than 90 minutes away by plane from Malé, and visitors to the more far-flung resorts use air taxi services.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Maldives.
Finding apps for Maldives…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Malé · International · MLE
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Malé
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° |
| Avg. low | 27° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 27° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 53 | 37 | 50 | 98 | 191 | 148 | 165 | 193 | 185 | 186 | 233 | 184 |
| Humidity | 79% | 79% | 77% | 78% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 81% | 80% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$65
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$170
Per person, per day
Luxury
$445
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $95 | $260 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $35 | $85 |
| Local transport | $10 | $15 | $40 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $60 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Maldives due to terrorism. Terrorist groups may attack with little or no warning. They may target: There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the Maldives. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Tourist locations Transportation hubs Markets and shopping malls Local government facilities Attacks may occur on remote islands. This can lengthen the response time of authorities.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Global travel impacts due to the situation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. This may impact connections to and from the Maldives. Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy to confirm what is covered monitor local and international media and sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts Hotline number Ministry of Tourism and Environment: +9609423131 Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Maldives.
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Travel tipsReal cost comparison between private Maldivian luxury resorts and local guesthouse islands covering seaplanes, food, overwater villas, and excursions.
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Nature & adventureDiscover the best time to visit the Maldives, comparing dry and wet monsoons, water visibility, Hanifaru Bay manta seasons, and resort pricing.
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InspirationThe complete Maldives honeymoon guide covering overwater villas, all-inclusive meal plans, romantic sandbank dining, spa rituals, and real costs.
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Nature & adventureScuba diving is an activity in which you swim underwater for extended periods using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, hence the acronym scuba.
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