Maldives Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Maldives

Former Name

None

Capital City

Male

Government Type

republic

Area Size

total: 300 sq km

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +5 hours

Climate

Generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through. Average temperature around 29 - 32 degrees Celsius. The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and a great deal of sunshine. The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest, December. The weather is determined largely by the monsoons.

Geography

1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean. Maldives holds the record for being the flattest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.3 m, though in areas where construction exists this has been increased to several metres. Over the last century, sea levels have risen about twenty centimetres. The ocean is likely to continue rising and this threatens the existence of Maldives.

Languages

Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Culture

A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African influences, with handbeating of drums and songs in a language that is not known to any but certainly represents that of East African countries. As one would expect there is a great South Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. However many of the South Asian customs especially with regard to women - for instance the Sub Continent’s tradition of secluding women from public view - are not tenets of life here. In fact women play a major role in society - not surprising considering the fact men spend the whole day out at sea fishing. Many of the traditions are strongly related to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas around us.

History

The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM - currently in his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands' political scene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government have pledged to embark upon democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.

Travel Information

The national airline is Island Aviation Services (Q2). Hulule International (MLE) (Malé) on Hulule Island is 2km from Malé (journey time by boat – 15 minutes). Boats travel from the airport to Malé. Boats from the various island resorts meet each arriving plane to take visitors to their accommodation. There is no scheduled transfer from Hulule Island to the other islands. Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways operate special transfer trips to most resorts. If an advance booking has been made, representatives of the resorts will receive tourists at the airport and will take care of all onward transport arrangements. Airport facilities are Left luggage, first aid, bank, duty-free shops, snack bar, post office and restaurant.

Accommodation

There are four hotels on Malé and one on Gan; there are also a large number of guest houses on Malé, although most visitors stay on resort islands. There are no guest houses or self-catering facilities on any of the resort islands.

Visa Requirements

Tourist visas for 30 days will be issued to all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA on arrival only and are free of charge to all visitors in possession of valid travel documents. Passport valid for six months required by all nationals referred to above. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the high commission/embassy for visa requirements. Foreign visitors who enter the Maldives must be in possession of return or onward tickets and a minimum of US$30 (£16) per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives. Tourist visas can be extended for a minimum of three months for a fee of MVR750 (£45). Visa is valid for 30 days. Can be extended by three months to one year. Visas are issued on arrival at the immigration desk at Maldives International Airport

Getting Around

Internal air services are operated by Island Aviation Services, linking Malé with Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan. There are also services to Hanimaadhoo in the north, although these islands will not be on most visitors’ itineraries. A number of companies operate twin-otter and float plane services around the Maldives. The transfer from the airport to the resort islands may be an optional extra on the tour. Visitors generally remain on their resort island for the duration of their stay, although island-hopping trips by ferries are widely available. Local charter boats are also easily available for hire. High-speed boats meet arrivals at the airport, supplied by the resort they are booked with, and boats are available for hire at the ferry counter near the jetty area. The speedboats connect the airport with Ari Atoll and some outlying islands. The indigenous inhabitants, however, live a parochial life and tend to visit only Malé, and even then irregularly.Travel on individual islands does not present any problem since few of them take longer than half an hour to cross on foot. In Malé, it is possible to take taxis.

Health & Safety

Immunisation against typhoid, Hepatitis A and polio is recommended. Visitors should take precautions against mosquito bites as cases of dengue fever and Chikungunya virus have been reported in the Maldives. Precautions should be taken to avoid sunburn and dehydration. There is a good private hospital on Malé and first aid facilities are available on all the resort islands. In the event of diving emergencies, a decompression chamber is available. Food and water in the resort hotels is generally risk-free. Medical insurance is advised. Crime levels are low but petty theft does occur. It is best not to leave goods unattended on the beaches or in hotel rooms. There is a measure of political instability and visitors are advised to avoid gatherings and demonstrations, particularly on Malé Island.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year's Day. 20 Jan - Islamic New Year. 31 Mar - Mawlid al-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 21 Apr - National Day. 22 Apr - The Day Maldives Embraced Islam (forwarded from 21 Apr). 26-27 Jul - Independence Day. 13 Sep - Ramadan begins. 13 Oct - Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan ends). 3 Nov - Victory Day. 11 Nov - Republic Day. 20 Dec - Hajj Day. 20 Dec - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Currency

Maldives Rufiyaa (MVR)

Electricity

230-240V AC

Working Hours

Government office hours from 7.30am - 2.30pm (Sunday to Thursday) Office hours from 9.00am - 5.00pm (Sunday to Thursday)

Emergency Numbers

102(Ambulance) 118(Fire) 119(Police)