Maldives

At the airport in the capital of the Maldives - Male, tourists receive confirmation of a free tourist visa valid for 30 days. The document necessary to obtain a visa is a passport valid for at least one month from the date of arrival. Only a stay other than for tourist purposes requires additional permission from the Ministry of Interior or a special invitation.

All travelers are required to complete the entry form available at: https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/ethd

The Travel Agency is not responsible for failure to obtain a visa for the country where the tourist event is held, or for transit countries. Obtaining a visa is 100% the responsibility of the participants of the trip.


Transport

Speedboat Transfers: These operate 90 hours a day, usually last no longer than XNUMX minutes and are shared with other guests. If you are departing from the Maldives on an evening/night flight, you may experience longer waiting times at the airport for your international flight.

Seaplane Transfers: These operate during daylight hours only, so you must select an international flight that arrives in the Maldives no later than 15:30 and departs Male no earlier than 9:00. The seaplane transfer may include stops en route to your destination hotel. Seaplane transfers will not operate in bad weather, which may cause delays in reaching your hotel. If you are departing from the Maldives on an evening/night flight, there may be an extended waiting time at the airport for your international flight. The scheduled seaplane transfer time will be provided the evening before your departure from the Maldives. Please note that checked baggage is limited to 1 x 20kg per passenger and a maximum of 3kg of hand luggage per passenger (excluding infants). Additional baggage charges are approximately USD 5 per kg and are payable locally.

Domestic Flight and Boat Transfers: There are regular domestic flights from international airports to smaller islands, followed by a speedboat transfer to your hotel. If you are departing from the Maldives on an evening/night flight, you may experience longer waiting times at the airport before your international flight. Please note that the baggage limit is 1 x 20 kg per passenger (excluding infants). Additional baggage charges are approximately USD 2 per kg and are payable locally.

No vaccinations are strictly required. Before traveling to the Maldives, vaccinations against diphtheria and tetanus, typhoid fever and hepatitis A and B are recommended, but this decision is left to the individual traveler. If a tourist arrives in the Maldives from places directly at risk of yellow fever, they must show proof of having received the appropriate vaccination.

A holiday in the Maldives is largely about moving around the hotel grounds and the paradise beaches on the island. For this reason, tips are left mainly in hotels and restaurants. A maid should be given around USD 2 per day of service, and a porter should be given the same amount – from USD 2 per bag. In exclusive restaurants, a tip of 10% of the order value is usually added to the bill. It is worth rewarding the diving centre employees who were particularly helpful in organising the diving trip with a tip.

Eating out in the Maldives won't be cheap, but in most cases a hotel stay is all-inclusive, which provides meals all day long in the price of the room - so almost all costs are included in this amount. First of all, the highest prices are on private islands intended typically for the tourist sector, you can eat or buy basic food products much cheaper on local islands inhabited by locals. Prices in the Maldives are higher compared to really cheap Asia, but this is due to the fact that many products simply have to be imported here. Example prices: dinner in a local restaurant around 100 MVR, dinner in a mid-range restaurant around 450 MVR, cappuccino 45 MVR.

Maldivian cuisine is a blend of influences from great cultures – from Arabic, through African, to Indian. The basis of most dishes is rice, a commonly used dish is curry, and among fish, the most commonly eaten are various types of tuna, including bonito and yellowfin tuna. Tuna is served in various ways: in salads, with the main course, grilled or dried… Also, curry, popular in Asia, is prepared here with tuna and spices such as coriander, ginger, turmeric and chili. Moreover, thanks to the richness of the undersea world, seafood, especially octopus, is widely available in the Maldives. Exotic fruits also play an important role in the daily diet of the Maldivians, which tourists appreciate especially for their thick, freshly squeezed sweet mango juice. Additionally, pineapples, papayas and passion fruit reign supreme in the Maldivian cuisine. The traditional dish of Maldivian cuisine is a soup known as garudiya made from tuna. This fish broth is usually eaten with rice, roshi, which is a traditional, thin Maldivian bread, and breadfruit. Variations on garudiya soup are diverse, sometimes cooked with chili, onion or curry leaves. Coconut milk is often added to various dishes.

• There are several underwater restaurants in the Maldives. During dinner, you can admire the rich underwater world, creating a unique atmosphere. However, a meal here costs several hundred dollars per person.
• It is worth knowing that the islands are located on average only one and a half meters above sea level and are in danger of being completely flooded in the future. The highest point in the Maldives is 2,4 meters above sea level.
• Among adult Maldivians, only 1% are illiterate
• Due to the fact that the Maldives is a Muslim country, the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited outside of private islands.
• The Maldives are considered one of the safest tourist destinations in the world – hotel complexes are isolated on tourist islands where no locals live.
• The Maldives is the smallest country in Asia and at the same time the smallest Muslim country in the world.
• Maldivians write from right to left, similar to the Arabic alphabet, using the Taana alphabet.

The coral islands, enveloped in the blue of the Indian Ocean, delight with both luxurious conditions and unparalleled natural beauty. The Maldives are not just beautiful beaches, as the country offers a wealth of experiences for every traveler, from underwater adventures to water sports. This is a country where time seems to stand still, and the grayness of everyday life gives way to endless relaxation and adventure. When traveling to the Maldives, prepare for unforgettable moments and the discovery of a true paradise on earth.

Why is it worth going to the Maldives?

Are you dreaming of a paradise vacation that will leave unforgettable memories for a lifetime? The Maldives is not just a place on the map - it is a dream place on earth, where every day blooms with full colors and magic. When you go to the Maldives with Planet Escape, you will not only discover heavenly beaches and the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean, but you will also feel that you are living life to the fullest.

Sightseeing – what to see in the Maldives?

When you set off on a journey to the Maldives with Planet Escape, you can be sure that every detail of your trip will be taken care of with the utmost precision, so that you can focus solely on the moment and blissful relaxation. From luxurious resorts on private islands, through snorkeling among colorful underwater life, to romantic sunsets over the horizon - every day spent in the Maldives will be a unique experience that will remain in your memory forever.

Have you ever dreamed of blissful laziness on white sand, surrounded by turquoise lagoons? The Maldives is exactly such a place, where every moment is a break from everyday life and seems unreal, and every view is like from a postcard. By going to the Maldives with Planet Escape, you provide yourself with access to the most exclusive and unique experiences that will change your perception of luxury and relaxation. Discover the paradise corners of the Maldives with us and experience an unforgettable paradise on earth, where time stops for a moment so that you can fully enjoy every second.

Maldives – what is worth seeing?

Coral reef

One of the greatest treasures of the Maldives is the coral reef. This colorful, fabulous ecosystem is home to thousands of species of fish, mollusks, crustaceans and other marine life. While diving or snorkeling, you can discover this incredible diversity of marine life and admire the extraordinary coral formations that create colorful underwater gardens. The coral reefs in the Maldives are not only an attraction for tourists, but also an important part of the ecosystem that is worth protecting and preserving for future generations.

Male – the heart of the Maldives

The journey to the Maldives will begin in the capital, Male, which is not only the administrative center but also the cultural heart of the archipelago. It is the best place to buy souvenirs and discover the Maldives as the locals see it.

Paradise beaches in the Maldives

A holiday on the paradise beaches of the Maldives is a stay in a tropical paradise, where each island offers its own unique beauty. White sand beaches and turquoise waters create an idyllic landscape perfect for relaxation, sunbathing and swimming. The Maldives is known for its luxury resorts situated on private islands, where you can enjoy exclusive overwater bungalows with panoramic ocean views. The waters surrounding the islands are ideal for snorkeling and diving, and the warm climate, gentle sound of waves and amazing sunsets create an atmosphere full of peace and romance.

Holidays in the Maldives – practical information

What to expect from a Maldives vacation? This is the perfect place for nature lovers and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Each of the islands offers unique experiences, from luxurious resorts on private islands, through intimate beach villas, to charming overwater bungalows. Active holidaymakers will find plenty of opportunities for diving, snorkeling, sailing and fishing. Romantic walks along sandy beaches at sunset will create unforgettable memories for couples. Although luxury holidays in the Maldives are enjoying unflagging popularity among an increasing number of tourists, the privacy of guests is treated as the highest value. This country is still an oasis of peace and a haven for all those who want to escape civilization and relax on white beaches, in azure waters and under spreading, lush green palm trees.

The Maldives, a small country made up exclusively of small, coral islands, is a dream destination for a luxury vacation! Out of over a thousand islands, only about 200 are inhabited, the only city in the country – Male – is home to a quarter of all Maldivians, and the number of resorts exceeds a hundred.

Relaxation at the SPA

A luxurious holiday in the Maldives is a great opportunity to take care of both your body and your soul. A relaxing hot stone massage, a chocolate bath, a sauna session, professional facial care, or maybe original Ayurvedic treatments inspired by ancient Indian medicine? Although you can find an exclusive spa in almost every Maldivian hotel, we especially recommend the one in the five-star Constance Halaveli, where treatments are performed using luxurious Valmont cosmetics, or Hard Rock Maldives, with a unique set of therapies and treatments.

Water sports

The Maldives is a place that seems to be made for practicing all the water sports you could ever dream of, from the simple but incredibly enjoyable soaking in the water and swimming in the incredibly blue, clean lagoons, through kayaking, catamaran or boat trips combined with snorkeling and diving, standing paddlesailing, parasailing, boat trips in search of dolphins and manta rays, to private trips on luxury yachts and fishing on the open ocean.

Diving and snorkeling in the Maldives

You can also spend your exclusive holiday in the Maldives improving your diving skills – the local coral reef delights with the wealth of underwater life. The Maldives offer excellent conditions for people who want to learn to dive or improve their skills. Many resorts and diving centres provide professional training conducted by experienced instructors who will introduce beginners to the world of scuba diving or snorkelling. Thanks to these trainings, you can safely and comfortably explore the secrets of the underwater world of the Maldives.

Sailing and Surfing in the Maldives

Sailing and surfing enthusiasts will also find something for themselves in the Maldives. Sandy beaches of the maldives, the azure waters of the ocean and the constant winds create excellent conditions for practicing these sports. On some islands, sailing courses are organized, which allow you to acquire the skills of steering a yacht or catamaran. On the other hand, the waves in the Maldives are ideal for beginners and advanced surfers who want to experience the excitement of riding a board.

Island hopping

To diversify your luxury vacation in the Maldives and get to know them a little better, it is worth going on an island hopping trip – a boat trip during which you will move from one beach to another, from lagoon to lagoon, from one paradise island to another. Beaches, lagoons, diving spots, an incredible wealth of fish life, a wonderful coral reef – all this will make you have a great time!

How to describe hotels in the Maldives in a few words? Luxurious and exceptionally beautiful! Charming, atmospheric water houses from which you can jump straight into the ocean, beach villas with private pools, multi-room residences served by a butler – exclusive hotels in the Maldives offer countless possibilities.

If you want to relax away from civilization, on small, private islands, we recommend the luxurious Outrigger Konotta hotel on the Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, perfect for both couples and families with children, located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Maldives Amosphere Kanifushi or the exclusive Grand Park Kodhipparu, offering a multitude of attractions on water and land for young and old. Fans of diving and other water sports will definitely like the five-star LUX South Ari Atoll, Furaveri Island Resort or Constance Moofushi, located on the Ari Atoll, one of the best diving sites in the world, while collectors of unusual experiences will enjoy a stay at the Conrad Rangali - one of the few luxury hotels in the Maldives with an underwater restaurant. On our website you can see hotels that we particularly recommend to our clients. You can read more about luxury hotels in the Maldives in our article.

For a Maldives vacation, there are several unique regions to consider that offer a variety of attractions and experiences. South Malé Atoll is the perfect place for luxury lovers, home to the most exclusive resorts, offering private overwater villas and excellent diving conditions. Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts rich coral ecosystems and exceptional snorkeling spots, including the Hanifaru Bay Nature Reserve, where you can see manta rays and whale sharks. Laccadive Atoll, known for its unspoiled nature and quiet, isolated beaches, is the perfect place for a peaceful getaway. Ari Atoll offers great diving and snorkeling with many beautiful coral reefs and elegant hotels. Raa Atoll, less touristy, offers an intimate atmosphere and beautiful beaches that are perfect for relaxing and discovering the local fauna. Each of these regions offers something unique, guaranteeing an unforgettable Maldivian experience.