The Maldives are a true paradise on earth. White beaches, transparent water and unspoilt nature are the calling card of this archipelago located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Visiting them is everyone's dream, but do you know what to expect? Here is all the useful information on climate, what to see in the Maldives and how to get there.
Travelling informed: useful info
Inhabitants: 392,709
Capital: Malé
Languages: Maldivian (official), English
Local currency: Maldivian rufiyaa (€1.00=17 local currency)
Time zone: UTC/GMT +5 (4 hours ahead of Italy, 3 when daylight saving time applies in Italy)
Climate: tropical monsoon, Min 26°C/Max 31°C
Vaccinations: not required
Entry requirements: passport with residual validity of at least 6 months, return air ticket, entry visa.
Distance from Italy: 7,494 km (8-14 hours flight time)
Where and how to get there
The Maldives are located south-west of India, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The islands that form this archipelago extend 754 km in length and 188 km in width, and are divided into 26 natural atolls and 202 inhabited islands.
Toget there from Italy, there are no direct flights to Malé. All routes make at least one stopover, usually in Moscow or Hamad. In the case of Moscow it will then take another 9 hours to get to Malé, while in the case of Hamad it will "only" take 5 hours.
Compare flights from Rome or Milan - from €528.97
When to go? Info on climate and best time
Month | Average temperatures (min/max) | Precipitation (days/mm) |
|---|---|---|
January | 25 / 30° | 5 days / 90 mm |
February | 25 / 31° | 5 days / 70 mm |
March | 26 / 31° | 8 days / 80 mm |
April | 26 / 32° | 10 days / 130 mm |
May | 26 / 31° | 16 days / 210 mm |
June | 26 / 30° | 14 days / 185 mm |
July | 25 / 30° | 13 days / 160 mm |
August | 25 / 30° | 14 days / 185 mm |
September | 25 / 30° | 15 days / 215 mm |
October | 25 / 30° | 16 days / 230 mm |
November | 25 / 30° | 13 days / 190 mm |
December | 25 / 30° | 13 days / 200 mm |
Climate: the Maldives have a monsoon-tropical climate, characterised by high temperatures all year round and little temperature variation.
Best period: coincides with the dry season from December to April. During this season, rainfall is less frequent and lasts only a short time (particularly between February and March). Average temperatures range from 26° (min) to 31 °C (max).
Period to avoid: it is best to avoid the rainy season (May-December) and especially the months of May and November, when cyclones are frequent.
Tips: for an optimal visit, remember to bring light clothing, without forgetting something slightly more opaque to protect you from the wind and possible 'coolness' in the evenings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, trekking shoes for exploring the hinterland and snorkelling equipment are also indispensable. Also remember that in the Maldives the majority population follows the precepts of Islam, so no full sunbathing.
SEE ALSO: When to go to the Maldives: climate, best time and months to avoid
Which island to go to?
The Maldives consists of 26 atolls, which include inhabited and uninhabited islands. Each island is a true paradise on earth, with the whitest sands and a fabulous sea, but if you want a few more pointers, here are a few tips on which island and atoll in the Maldives to visit.
Baa Atoll: This atoll is perfect for marine animal lovers. Declared a World Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 2011, it is populated by manta rays, whale sharks and much more.
Malé Island: this is the city and the main island of the archipelago. With its 100,000 inhabitants, the city completely occupies the entire surface area of the island and is equipped with everything you need: not only hotels, shops and restaurants, but also a huge beach and a lot of relaxation. In addition, Malé is very close to the island of Hulhule, where flights from abroad land.
Noonu Atoll: not for everyone, but if you have money to spend, it is the ideal place. This atoll, comprising 13 islands, is in fact home to the Cheval Blanc resort, linking three artificial and one natural island, owned by the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy group. An overnight stay here starts at 4,000 per night, but don't worry, you might even consider dropping in just to visit.
Shavivani Atoll: Among the most pristine areas of the Maldives is this beautiful atoll, still little frequented by ubiquitous tourism. Suffice it to say that the only way to reach it is by seaplane.
What to see: beaches and places of interest
Male Fish Market
Terrace of the Traders Hotel
Bioluminescence in the waters of Vadhoo
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Hukuru Miski Mosque: located in the heart of Malé, this mosque is the oldest of all the islands. Famous for its golden dome, it is clearly visible from anywhere on the island.
National Museum: in Malé you will also find a museum that traces the history of the archipelago, from fossils to more 'modern' finds.
Fish market: in Malé, this is one type of 'attraction' not to be missed. Here you will find quintals of fish arranged in unique ways to be bought by the locals.
Traders Hotel: this is one of the most picturesque places in Malé and the Maldives. From its terrace you can see the whole of the city.
Ari Atoll: The Ari Atoll is famous for being the ideal place for underwater sports. Here you will find fine beaches and transparent water, to say the least.
Alifushi Beach: also called Dream Beach, this beach is famous for the clarity of its water.
Vadhoo Island: located in the Hubadhu Atoll, this island is famous for the bioluminescence of its waters. Here, phytoplankton and in particular dinoflagellates, small algae that are part of it, are able to emit their own light. This happens thanks to the presence of 'channels' that, when filled with protons, use the movement of the water to send electrical impulses and create light - find out more about the island of Vadhoo.
What to know for a trip to the Maldives
How much does a holiday cost
As far as flights are concerned, the average price is €1,100.00 A/R per person. Check out the offers.
Generally speaking, a 7-night stay in a low season is around €800.00, but you can easily exceed €1,000 in busy periods. Compare offers on Booking.
Finally, the daily budget for meals and excursions should be considered, which is around €80.00 per person.
In total, for a 7-day holiday you spend around €2,500.00 per person.
Getting around
Within the capital Malé you can move around on foot, or for longer journeys by taxi, the fixed rate of which is €1.50.
To reach the neighbouring atolls it is possible to travel by seaplane, the fastest and most comfortable means of transport, the prices of which are high, but in return the view of the islands is breathtaking (from €500.00). The two companies that provide this service are Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airway, or with local flights, considering that some islands host small airports, the two main flight companies are Maldivian and Flyme (costs start from €370.00 and increase as the distance to the atolls increases).
Another alternative, certainly cheaper and suitable for reaching the atolls about 2 hours from Malè, are the ferries, whose ticket costs about €40.00, or the dhoni, very characteristic local boats, with tickets starting at €35.00.
Where to stay
The Maldives are famous for spectacular resorts, from the most affordable (about €400.00 per night) to the most luxurious (a night can cost €3,000 and on some particular islands even much more).
Themost affordable accommodation options are the Guest Houses, i.e. private homes of Maldivians that can sometimes be spartan, but in many cases are well organised. In fact, Guest Houses often offer packages that include, in addition to accommodation, meals and excursions throughout your stay (from €128.00 per night). In these cases, it is recommended to be very respectful of the customs of the locals, especially from a religious point of view.
Where to eat
The cuisine is mainly based on fish dishes, especially tuna, and rice, enriched with spices, above all curry, and coconuts.
The typical drink that accompanies meals is raa, a kind of sweet palm wine.
In the atolls you will often eat in the restaurants of the resorts or holiday villages, where you can also find international cuisine, but to try the local specialities it is best to frequent the restaurants in the capital, the teashops, also stopping at the cafés known as hotaa.
How to pay
The official currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa (Maldivian Rufia), €1.00= 16.85 rufiyaa.
However, the most widely used currency is the US dollar, especially in resorts and hotels, where you can also pay with a credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express). In addition, in recent years, some tourist facilities are also starting to accept the euro.
It is advisable to arrive in the country with USdollars and to change a certain amount of them into rufiya at the airport, especially if you plan to visit the fishermen's islands (the international airport is on Hulhule Island).
Required documents
Travellers intending to enter the country must be in possession of an electronic passport with a residual validity of six months. This includes the passport booklet with a microprocessor and a tourist visa valid for thirty days, which is issued directly on arrival at the airport.
If you are travelling independently (without a tour operator), to obtain the visa you must present a confirmed reservation at the hotel where you will be staying.
Not compulsory, but highly recommended, is the conclusion of ahealth insurance before departure, considering that the only hospitals operating in these countries are located in the capital Malè, so the waiting time in case of emergency could be very long.