Essential Travel Tips for Maldives: 10 Important DO's & DON'Ts

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These essential travel tips for Maldives vacations will come in handy as you plan your trip.

You’ll discover the best time to visit the Maldives, how to get there, and things to see and do.

But perhaps most importantly, you’ll discover 11 important Do’s & Don’ts in Maldives.

You’ll find the details below.

Travel Tips for Maldives - overwater bungalows

CONTENTS – In this article, you will learn the essential travel tips for Maldives, including:

Maldives Travel Tips for Planning Your Trip
Important Maldives Travel Tips
Mistakes to Avoid When Planning to Visit Maldives
Final Thoughts on Maldives Travel Tips
Next Steps

Essential Travel Tips Before Planning Your Maldives Vacation

The Maldives provides more than a thousand volcanic and coral islands in the Indian Ocean.

It’s also known for its beautiful beaches, luxurious overwater bungalows, and clear emerald waters.

Due to its remarkable features, tourists and guests can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, and enjoy one of the most amazing sunsets.

If these experiences are what you are looking forward to you won’t be disappointed in the Maldives!

Important Maldives Travel Tips

All of its features and potential relaxing activities make Maldives one of the most stunning island getaways in the world.

So, if you’re planning to go to the Maldives, it’s best to remember that there are certain things you must consider first.

So, read on and see these travel tips for Maldives you must know.

1. DO Plan According To The Weather

During your planning stage, it’s essential to remember that the peak season of Maldives is from November through April.

That’s because of the prime weather that offers endless soft sunshine.

Obviously, if you travel during peak season, you’ll get skyrocketed prices on everything.

To get the most out of your budget, the best bet is to travel between shoulder seasons where it’s less expensive.

Shoulder season is the season between the peak season and off-season.

Doing so will still get you pleasant weather plus lesser prices. You’ll find deals on everything from accommodations to activities since the peak season is about to end.

This is one of the most valuable travel tips for Maldives, since it can save you a lot of money!

2. DO Choose Your Airplane Rides Wisely

Selecting your airplane rides will also help you answer the question, “how much does vacation cost“?

For first-timers who want to save money on their Maldives trip, choosing cheaper flights from Middle East Asia is a good plan.

For example, you can book a flight to Malé Island and then rent a speedboat to take you to certain islands.

Another strategy is to sign up for ongoing flight alerts for the best bargains on airfare from home.

The following airlines (and their partner airlines) fly to the Maldives:

Air India
All Nippon Airways (ANA)
Austrian Airlines
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Thai Airways
Turkish Air
United

Depending on where you’re flying from, flying to the Maldives is a long haul.

From Boston to Maldives, for instance, flight time is over 23 hours with a stopover, and about 17 hours direct.

So, make sure you pick an airline and seats that will make you comfortable.

3. DO Book Your Hotel Accommodation and Flights Online

It’s a good practice to check the availability of flights online before you decide to go on any vacation to get affordable costs.

This is also true regarding hotels and resorts, especially if you want to go to the Maldives during peak season.

Which island is best and where to stay are some of the common questions you should consider when booking online.

Believe it or not, there are more than a thousand islands in the Maldives!

Of the 200 that are inhabited, Malé Island is one of the most popular with tourists.

That’s in part because it’s where you’ll find the international airport. It’s where you’ll discover Maldivian culture, city life, and of course, beautiful white-sand beaches.

Malé is also a convenient hub for island hopping trips, with ferries and boat ports.

You’ll want to research staying on one of the various islands of the Maldives, but here are a few you might consider:

Baros – with one of the most beautiful lagoons, this island is perfect for snorkeling or diving
Biyadhoo Island – if you’re looking for a tranquil, romantic getaway
Kuredu Island – for an opportunity to dine under water
Thodoo Island – to experience vibrant markets, meet the locals, and try authentic food
Utheemu Island – also known as Haa Alif Atoll, for historic experiences around birthplace of the country’s hero, Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu
Vaadhoo Island – to see the bioluminescent waters at night!
Veligandu Island – for delicious seafood and fishing village tours, plus a spa

Which island(s) you visit depends on your interests and the type of experience you want to have in the Maldives.

You may have the opportunity to take day trips from your hotel to minimize the expense, coordination, and cost.

4. DO Choose Affordable Accommodation and Transportation

When it comes to planning for your trip to the Maldives, it’s best to know all of your options for you to make the proper decision.

The average cost of a Maldives getaway can very greatly.

To give you an idea of the cost:

An economy trip for one might be about $2,500 US, including airfare
All-inclusive, luxury couples vacation plus business class airfare and seaplane transfers, tallies up to more than $13,000 US

You can choose to book at less expensive hotels on the local islands.

Or, stay at luxurious five-star resorts on a private island.

Some hotels will offer airport transfers, excursions, and ferry services that will make your transportation requirements more convenient.

So, factor the experience and the cost (or savings) into your decision when you’re choosing a place to stay in the Maldives.

5. DO Follow Basic Unsaid Rules

If you travel to the Maldives during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, it’s crucial to know that most staff will be with their families.

In addition, food during the daytime is relatively scarce.

Many shops will be closed, especially during prayer time.

Furthermore, don’t expect to see any pork or alcohol.

During this holy month, you must ensure that you’re decently covered, especially your shoulders, chest, knees, abdomen, and elbows, while you visit the local islands.

However, if you’re staying in a resort on a private island, you can dress the way you want to.

In 2023, Ramadan begins in late March. But the dates of Ramadan vary from year to year, so be sure to look it up before you book your trip.

This is one of the travel tips for Maldives you won’t want to overlook, since it can have a big effect on your experience.

Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting the Maldives

Knowing the mistakes to avoid in the Maldives will also help you plan your vacation efficiently.

Here are some common mistakes you don’t want to make.

1. DON’T Visit Only One Island

Most resorts in the Maldives have their own private island.

Typically, they have a one island, one resort situation.

However, this doesn’t mean that you don’t have any chance to explore.

The Maldives has 1,192 uninhabited islands and 200 habited islands.

To get the most out of your vacation, tour multiple islands.

Or, you can plan a split-stay and spend time on two islands, anyway. This option is one of the travel tips for Maldives that many people don’t even consider.

But it’s a cost- and time-effective compromise.

2. DON’T Assume The Trip Can’t Be Budget-Friendly

Most people think of the Maldives as an expensive and ultra-lavish travel destination.

However, it’s possible to visit the Maldives even on a budget.

You can stay at an affordable hotel or local guest house to lessen expenses.

As for the activities, it’s best to know that life on the island doesn’t have to be diving off the deck of a luxurious overwater bungalow or chartering yachts.

You can enjoy putting your toes in the sugar soft sand equally as well.

3. DON’T Overlook Liveaboards

The Maldives offers liveaboards.

These are houseboats, localized cruise ships, and the likes.

Going this route provides you with the experience of sea safaris around the clear waters and stunning coral reefs.

Liveaboards usually come with a variety of accommodations and facilities.

Depending on your booking, this may include dive and surf instructors, chefs, waiters, and other staff.

Furthermore, you can rent out an entire houseboat, yacht, or small cruising vessel and personalize their staff requirements.

4. DON’T Forget Your Sun Protection

The Maldives is significantly exposed to the sun since it’s situated on the equator.

Thus, you will need to have sun protective clothing and/or waterproof sunscreen loaded with SPF.

Be sure to pack a wide-brimmed hat, protective cover-up, sunglasses, and other items that will keep you from getting too much sun.

In addition, you will also need to remember to reapply your sunscreen from time to time.

Sufficiently protecting your skin from the sun may be one of the most important travel tips for Maldives.

5. DON’T Think Maldives Is Just for Honeymooners

The Maldives is one of the top honeymoon destinations.

This is primarily because of its beautiful sunsets and dreamy overwater bungalows.

However, Maldives isn’t just for honeymoons.

It’s perfect for any special occasion, like a big birthday or anniversary.

This fantastic travel destination is also best for a vacation with friends or family.

In fact, many resorts cater specifically to families.

Furthermore, the Maldives is where you can leave your worries at home and relax while witnessing incredible scenery.

This shouldn’t be reserved solely for couples on their honeymoon.

6. DON’T Avoid the Local Culture

The Maldives is rich in culture.

It’s a unique melting pot of Indonesian, Malaysian, Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern, and South African influences.

Moreover, this blend of wonderful cultures can only be experienced in the Maldives.

You can immerse yourself in the culture by going to music and dance festivals or tasting the local cuisines.

In addition, you can also opt to schedule a day trip to the nearest resort to learn their traditional ways of living.

Final Thoughts on Travel Tips for Maldives

The Maldives is one of the world’s most beautiful and romantic getaways.

Besides its scenic features, it offers a range of attractions and activities you might want to try.

It’s easy to understand why most people put this place on their bucket list.

Now that you know the important travel tips for Maldives to ensure you get the most out of your vacation, what’s stopping you?

World-class luxury, powder-soft sand, and arguably the most beautiful natural scenes in the world await.

Next Steps

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