Without any doubt, Maldives became a popular destination for a dream vacation for people all around the world lately. We made a list with the top tips and tricks, so that you can have a great holiday without unpleasant surprises (or as few as possible).
1. From November To April Is The Best Time To Visit Maldives
When you are planning to visit the Maldives, you must have an understanding of the climate over there, so that you can have a memorable trip to the Maldives. Well, the best time to visit different Islands in Maldives.
Usually, vacationers love to visit Maldives from December to March. The average temperature in Maldives is 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit), which is pretty much perfect.
Obviously, you will get sky-high prices on everything from accommodation to activities in this period. For a budget Maldives trip plan, traveling between the peak season and off-season will be among the best Maldives travel tips, as the weather will be still pleasant and 20% reduced occupancy in resorts will bring you exciting discounts and great services.
Although rain is common during the off-season, it doesn’t rain all day. Hence, the period from April to September can be your best bet.
2. Check And Compare Prices For Water Activities
Among the common tips for traveling to Maldives on a budget is to check the distance from the coral reefs to the resort, to verify whether you can reach by swimming a little or have to book a ferry from the resort for snorkeling or diving.
Sea-kayaking, jet-skiing, parasailing, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, boating, and the whale, dolphin, or Manta watching trips are offered by resorts and private organizers.
Compare their prices before choosing. Manta-rays in North Male Atoll, dolphins and Whale Sharks in South Ari Atoll, and sea-turtles, rays, reef fishes, Reef Sharks, and Hammerhead Sharks in Rasdhoo Atoll should be on your list.
3. The Bioluminescent Beach Must Not Be Missed
Visiting the Baa Atoll should be among the top 10 travel tips to know before you go, as this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience: to see the planktons emitting luminescent toxins during the night under the sky, creating a starry look on the ocean bed. This is one of the most unique things to do in the Maldives.
There are many resorts offering bioluminescent tours, but you must verify their authenticity first. Make sure you check the timing of this phenomenon beforehand, when you are planning or figuring out how to travel to the Maldives, so you can pick the islands or resorts for your stay accordingly.
4. Keep USD For Transactions
Although Maldivian Rufiyaa is the national currency used in the Maldives, USD is widely accepted almost everywhere. Apart from the local islands, most of the shops have things labeled in USD.
Though credit cards are used widely, keeping cash is also important, as there is a need to purchase odds and ends. And it is also difficult to find an ATM in the vicinity of Maldivian islands, thus it is necessary to keep cash.
5. Choose Your Airplane Rides Wisely
One of the most important tips for first-time visitors is to choose regional or domestic flights from Middle East Asia, as these are cheaper options. Choosing a flight to Male, and then a speedboat to reach a specific island, will be affordable. You can also choose a round trip seaplane ride, which will be unforgettable, though expensive.
You can also choose the Maldivian domestic flight for the transfer. Flights can get delayed and there is also no scheduled time for seaplane transfer in the second part of the day.
So try to plan a flight that lands in the first half of the day to get transferred to the island before 4 PM, otherwise you have to spend the night at Male Airport and take the earliest transfer the following day.
6. Follow The Basic Unwritten Rules Of The Land
Planning your trip during the 1-month period of Ramadan is a no-no, as many hotel staff will be out for meeting families.
Also, the availability of food during the daytime will be a challenge. Many services and shops will be closed, especially during the time of prayer. Don’t expect to get pork and alcohol.
Also, one of the most major Maldives travel tips to follow is to ensure you are decently covered, especially knees, shoulders, abdomen, chest, and elbows while visiting the local islands. When you are planning a trip to the Maldives, the rules are for the time when one is taking a trip to the local islands (on the resort islands, the rules are not so strict, you can be more relaxed with the clothes).
7. Don’t Carry Alcohol In The Country
The Maldives is a country that is slightly Muslim dominated and the only place where someone can enjoy a drink without any worries, is at the private resorts.
One of the best Maldives travel tips we can give you is to not carry alcohol while entering the country. There is a risk of it being taken away… or the travelers might be fined by the custom.
8. Drone Photography? First Check If They’re Allowed
Who wouldn’t want to capture that incredible mix of white Maldivian beaches and blue waters from the skies? But if you’re planning on bringing a drone to the Maldives, there are some things you must consider.
Many resorts in Maldives have a “No Drone” policy to foster the protection of their guests’ privacy and violating these could land you in serious trouble. You should check if your resort allows you to bring a drone or not.
9. Keep Eyes Open For Tax And Hidden Costs
One of the key Maldives travel tips would be to look out for the extra cost for the imported food and drinks at the luxury resorts along with their 10% service cost and 8% service tax (rapidly increasing). There are also taxes on equipment rentals, spa sessions, and more.
You don’t have to pay additional tips, but you may offer it as a gesture of appreciation along with a 10% food tax. While traveling in a foreign country, just be careful of these few things!
10. Should You Tip Or Not?
Here is another point that you might want to note. Tipping is not a conventional practice in the Maldives. It is not an obligation to tip in this country. Even if we are talk about staying at the hotel or eating at the restaurant, you will see that giving tips for the service is not a common practice in the Maldives, like it is in many other countries.
Having said that, if you still feel that the service provided was commendable, then you can provide a tip, but you are not obliged to. So, giving a tip totally depends on you and no one else.
