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When to visit?
Maldives has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 30 C, so it can be visited all-year-round. There are 2 seasons in Maldives.
- Dry seasons run from January to March
- Wet season runs from May to October
There may be heavy rain showers any time of the year but they tend to be short, so you don’t have to worry about them.
Maldivian culture & Language
The Maldivian people are up there with the most generous you will ever meet. Connect with the local people and explore what life in the Maldives is really like. It’s also really important to note that the Maldives is a Muslim country. Travelers must be respectful of the Maldivian people and their culture.
The official language of Maldives is Dhivehi. English is widely spoken so you won’t have any problems with communication.
Currency
Maldives uses Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR). Bring USD and then change it to MVR via Bank of Maldives in Male Airport arrival hall or via the Currency Exchange counter in Hulhumale. Establishments accept both MVR and USD, but generally if you pay in dollars you will still receive rufiyaa in change. Keep the receipt of the exchange because you’ll need it to convert your remaining money back to a foreign currency. You can only do this after checking in to your return flight, in currency exchange at the departure hall.
How to get around?
All tourists will arrive in Male International Airport. Since 99% of Maldives is covered by sea, you can use either water transport (public ferry or speedboat) or air transport (domestic flight or sea plane). Most tourists use water transport because it’s cheaper.
Cities like Male and Addu, where street transport is popular, have an efficient taxi service. It is very simple to get a taxi in Male which will give you a comfortable and air-conditioned ride from the Airport to your destination. Since the city is small, shared taxi is a common thing, so don't be surprised if a cab which already has passengers stops by to pick you up. You can easily ask your guesthouse or hotel to order a taxi for you.
- Maldivian 'Dhoni',One of the oldest known sea vessels of Maldives, the traditional and handcrafted 'Dhoni' will make your island-hopping experience way more exciting. Its use has been significant in the islands of Maldives. From the airport ferry jetty, go along the waterfront to the eastern end of Boduthakurufaanu Magu, and you will find many Dhonis waiting in the harbour.
- Speedboat transportation can be book independently or ask your resort to do it. The fares are quite expensive depending upon the resort and the distance to be covered. Each island resort has its own speedboats. It comes with an additional cost but at least it will save you time and worry.
- Seaplanes are the best option when you're in a hurry, as they can drop you to the most wide resorts from Male or vice versa in 90 minutes at maximum. Not just that, they offer breathtaking birds eye's view of the reefs and islands. You will also get boundless views of those untouched, uninhabited islands. However, these seaplanes don't operate at night. It’s a unique and once in a lifetime experience, that is a must if your budget allow.
- Public ferries have limited schedules so research about it before your trip. Island hopping can be difficult without proper planning.
These were the different means of transportation I experienced when I was in Maldives. We have to know which suits our budget and that we can reach our destination smoothly. After all, It's the journey that matters more than the destination.
Maldives is truly an amazing country – it is the “Sunny Side of life”, as the locals like to call their own country. There are quite a lot of things that I’ve learned about the Maldives during my stay, especially with the locals. Knowing that we don’t have to cost thousands of dollars to visit the Maldives; in fact, it can be really reasonable. If you want to experience the real, authentic Maldives, consider traveling the local islands.
