The currency used throughout the Maldives is Maldivian rufiyaa however the Euro and the US dollar are also widely accepted. All major credit cards can be used at resorts, restaurants, and shops in Male and several other islands.
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Currency Exchange
Bring a credit card and US dollars traveler's cheques. Most hotel and travel expenses will be billed in dollars, so there's no point in incurring extra conversion costs. Some cash in small denomination US dollars is useful for tipping and to change into rufiyaa for use in local shops.
Taking cash & cards to the MaldivesHowever, US dollars are widely accepted. It may be useful to have some small denomination bills in the local currency or US dollars to use for tips to local guides if you are doing any excursions outside the hotel.
Leave a tip for room staff including the butler if there is one. Acceptable currencies for tips are US dollars, local currency and Euros. It is not usually necessary to tip bar staff or waiters as the tip is added to your bill.
The currency used throughout the Maldives is Maldivian rufiyaa however the Euro and the US dollar are also widely accepted. All major credit cards can be used at resorts, restaurants, and shops in Male and several other islands. Withdrawing money from ATMs is not usually possible.
Maldives transporting cash amounting to 10,000 (ten thousand) United States Dollars or more, or its equivalent in Rufiyaa or foreign currency, shall be required to report the said amount to the Maldives Customs Service under Section 24(a) of Law no.
Maldives Customs Services announced that, effective 17th January 2021, cash values of USD 10,000 or more, or its equivalent, in either Maldivian Rufiyaa or as foreign currency, must be declared to Customs at the point of entry.
The currency of the Maldives is called the Rufiyah, which is linked to the dollar at around 12.75 Rufiyah to the dollar. However, most resorts and many local islands will accept the USdollar (bring small denominations such as $1, $5 and $10) as payment.
While credit cards are easy to carry and more secure than cash, you should always have some local cash on you when traveling. It's just good sense. Besides the fact that some local shops and vendors won't accept credit cards, having some cash provides a safety net in case your bank shuts off your card for any reason.
Past travelers have spent, on average, MVR1,205 ($78) on meals for one day and MVR2,140 ($139) on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in the Maldives for a couple is MVR3,621 ($236). So, a trip to the Maldives for two people for one week costs on average MVR64,719 ($4,216).
1/ One is advised to drink bottled water anywhere in the Maldives as most tap water is desalinated sea water. 2/ Tap water is fine to brush your teeth with. See above. 3/ Cost of water varies from resort to resort but I would have thought that $1.50 is very cheap.
Shoes to pack for the MaldivesThere are numerous islands in the Maldives that are entirely 'shoe-free zones. So, you need to specifically check your itinerary before packing your footwear. However, if the sand is coral, you will require flip-flops.