All you need to know about Maldives
Salam, Maruhabaa! (Hello, Welcome!)
Maldives, a tropical paradise where the azure ocean, white sandy beaches and diverse marine life will take your breath away. it's the perfect destination for all tropical lovers, all you have to do is pick a date and pack your bags as we assist you every step of your holiday to ensure a smooth memorable journey.
Maldives is a little nation of 1190 tiny islands. Among those, 200 islands are where locals reside and 176 resort islands are expected by the end of 2022. Most of them are well known international brands catering for all the clients.
Maldives is located southwest of India and Srilanka, covered by 99% ocean and spread across 26 atolls:this unique destination will captivate all your tropical dreams.
The Climate
Maldives “the sunny side of life” averages between 26 to 30 ºC year round. Bouncing between the dry and wet season, traveling to your dream destination is memorable throughout the year.
Dry season spans from November till April, while wet season is from May to October. Maldives lying close to the equator makes the destination heavenly for all sun lovers. Discover the Maldives, known as "the sunny side of life
In this paradise, you'll only need summer clothes, as even at night and on rainy days, the temperature doesn't drop below 26ºC. With intense sunlight, we recommend bringing sunscreen and a rash guard to protect yourself.
Don't forget to bring sunglasses, as the white sand of the Maldives, along with the sun's glare, creates a similar effect as snow. Get ready to live a unique experience in this heavenly corner!
Language
Maldives' national language is Dhivehi, an Indo-Aryan language and it' s derived from the Sinhalese language of Sri Lanka. Over the centuries, Dhivehi has evolved with influences from Persian, Urdu, Arabic, Dravidian, French, Portuguese and English.
English is so widely spoken in the Maldives due to strong British influence on the Maldives education system and it's the official language used in schools.
Here are some Dhivehi words that could be useful in your Maldives trip
- How are you ? - Kihineh?
- Good - Rangalhu or Baraabaru
- Thank you - Shukuriya
- Welcome - Maruhabaa
- Beautiful - Reethi
- Delicious - Meeru
Culture
Maldives culture is influenced by the cultures of the Indians, Africans, Arabs and Sri Lankans.
Despite the influence from other cultures, the Maldivian culture has arisen as its own unique identity.
The traditional music bodu beru (Big drum) is a beat you must dance on your Maldives trip and when it comes to food coconut & tuna plays a major role in maldivian dishes. Mas huni, Maldivian vegetable curry and short eats are among our must try list.
Islam is the predominant religion in Maldives, to pay respect to local culture we request to dress modestly when visiting local islands.
Currency
National currency of Maldives is Rufiyaa, however US dollars are widely accepted in maldives. Resort Islands accepts US dollars, Euro, Sterling pounds in cash and also Credit/Debit cards. When exchanging foreign currencies at resorts, keep in mind every resort has their own exchange rate.
There are currency exchange counters, ATMs at the airport, Male’ city and some of the local Islands. Also, most of the places have card machines(POS). Note that the commission for credit card transactions ranges from 3.5% to 5%.
However If you are going to local islands or the capital city Male’ it’s better to have some Rufiyaa in hand for convenience.
The bank exchange rate is $1 =15.42 Rufiyaa
Electricity
Maldives uses 230V supply voltage and 50Hz, it's the same as in the UK. Most of the resort islands have Universal adapters, however you may want to take one if you are staying on a Safari boat or a Local Island.
Electricity
Maldives uses 230V supply voltage and 50Hz, it's the same as in the UK. Most of the resort islands have Universal adapters, however you may want to take one if you are staying on a Safari boat or a Local Island.
