2 weeks is enough time to get along with the locals and create new friends. Become a Maldivian, learn the language, try out everything that the island offers and make your stay worthwhile.
What shall I wear in the Maldives? Carry light clothes, and you can wear T-shirts and short-sleeved cotton shirts, and occasionally vest tops, which on some islands are seen as inappropriate for the evening. Ladies can prefer wearing everything from smart shorts and T-shirts to long floaty dresses, skirts or trousers.
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.
During the dry season (December to April), you can expect low rainfall, low humidity and lots of sunshine. The wet season – known as the “South West Monsoon” – runs from May to November, and this is considered the worst time to visit the Maldives.
At restaurants in Maldives, wear loose and modest clothing, avoiding swimsuits as your attire. On local islands and public beaches, your swimsuits will need to be covered so that guests are showing very little skin from shoulder to knees.
The cheapest time to visit the Maldives is during the low season, which is May to November. The low season sees hotel rates drop substantially, with free transfers, free nights and room upgrades thrown in regularly.
Unless you are into specific activities that require time such as diving & deep-sea fishing, Maldives is perfect for a short stay instead of a long one. Anything more than 1 week will be too much for our opinion. 4 to 5 days is usually sufficient if staying in one hotel and perhaps 7 days if 2 hotels.
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.
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.
To pay while you're in the Maldives, you'll either need to buy Maldivian rufiyaa banknotes before or during your trip, use your credit card, or use a low-cost multi-currency debit card like Revolut's or Wise's travel cards.
Taking cash & cards to the MaldivesThe 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.