Respect local customs and dress conservatively, especially when visiting a mosque.Women should cover their heads and shoulders and neither men nor women should wear shorts. Alcoholic drinks are available on the resort islands, but not elsewhere.
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A strictly Muslim country, the Maldives has a list of prohibited items that will not be allowed past customs. These include alcohol, any kind of drugs, pork, religious materials for distribution, and dogs.
The Maldives is a Muslim nation that prohibits bikini swimwear on public beaches. Look out for a signboard permitting swimwear on the beaches. Bikini beaches have designated areas where only tourists are allowed, so do not wander around public spaces. Nudity is not permitted on public beaches.
There are some other suggested precautions and preparations for traveling to the Maldives. They include: Do not wear/bring religious symbols (crosses, statues, etc.) or documents (e.g. Bible) into a Moslem country. If you plan to go jogging outside the Equator Village; best to check on proper attire suggestions.
Most visitors wear flip-flops or sandals during the day. Check with your particular resort for any additional rules, some of the more upscale resorts have stricter dress codes. It's also important to note that nudity is not allowed in the Maldives so topless sunbathing is prohibited.
The only time you are likely to need the local currency is if you are staying in a local guesthouse or if you are visiting Malé City and would like to purchase something from a local market or shop. However, US dollars are widely accepted.
Generally speaking, if you have had a memorable ride on a small boat with a friendly crew, a modest $5-10 tip is a great compliment. Some of the transfers in the Maldives are private or chartered and the price reflects this, so tipping here is not necessary.
Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Men and women rarely show affection in public. It has traditionally been considered respectful for men and women to maintain some from one another. Foreigners are expected to dress appropriately.
Public displays of affection, such as kissing or hand-holding, are illegal. Alcohol is illegal, too, though it is available and can be consumed on resort islands. Homosexuality is also illegal in this island nation.
The temperature doesn't drop very much at night so take your lightest weight clothes in natural, breathable fabrics such as silk, linen or cotton. Avoid synthetic fabrics as they are just too uncomfortable in the heat.
In the Maldives, it is appropriate for men to wear shorts (knee length) and t-shirts. Women in particular should take care to stay covered though, so always wear over-the-shoulder longer dresses, shirts and trousers. Never wear skimpy swimwear unless it is clearly marked that it is okay to do so.
Amongst the various things about Maldives that you should know, this one is most important. Water undergoes a different process in the Maldives to rid itself of all the harmful bacteria and germs. This process is known as reverse osmosis desalination.
The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April, outside of the monsoon season. We recommend staying during March and April (excluding the Easter holidays when pricing is more expensive) when you will enjoy hot, dry weather and quieter resorts.
You should plan to spend around MVR4,623 ($301) per day on your vacation in the Maldives, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, MVR1,205 ($78) on meals for one day and MVR2,140 ($139) on local transportation.
It's not uncommon to see gratuities of between 30% and 50% from these travelers. If you leave tips like that, then you can safely consider yourself in the overtipper category. Is there such a thing as being too generous? says Samantha Lambert, the director of human resources for a media company in New York.
Although you are free to enter or leave Maldives with cash amounting less than USD 30,000, it is better to carry as little as possible and use cards wherever possible. You might get robbed or pick-pocketed, so take precautions.
Prohibited ItemsIt is prohibited for tourists to bring firearms, alcoholic beverages, pork products, pornography and idols of worship into the Maldives. Additionally, strict penalties apply to those attempting to bring illegal drugs into the country.
Food quality really matters on Maldives' holidays, so make sure your all-inclusive meal plan offers a good selection of dining options. The Maldives, for many, are a once-in-a-lifetime destination, so if you really want to enjoy it all, and not be restricted by your budget, an all-inclusive option can be a fine choice.
Lightweight, loose cotton clothing is therefore advisable. Please be aware that there are different guidelines depending on whether you're staying at a resort (a hotel on a private island) or in a guesthouse (in a village in a locally inhabited island). The majority of visitors will spend most of the day in swimwear.