Travel Information

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Prepaid SIM cards are available from two mobile service providers at the airport. The SIM cards can be used for local and international call and for data.

The Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is the local currency. All major credit cards are accepted in the country.

All nationalities receive a 30-day visa on arrival, provided that you have a valid passport, an onward to ticket to continue your journey and a reservation at a tourist facility or enough funds to cover your stay in the country.

A Tourism Goods and Service Tax (TGST) of 16% is levied on all goods and services at tourist establishments. A Green Tax of US$ 6.00 per person per day is payable for guests staying at integrated tourist resorts, resort hotels and other tourist establishments. Tourists who stay in local island guesthouses and hotels with more than 50 registered rooms are similarly subject to a Green Tax of US$ 6.00 per person per day. The Green Tax for tourists who stay in local island guesthouses and hotels with 50 or less rooms is US$ 3.00 per person per day.

Speedboat transfer is the norm to resorts close to the International Airport. The rest is covered by seaplane or domestic flight. If you are travelling to Male’ you can take a taxi from the airport. Several daily flights operate from Velana International Airport to the 12 domestic and international airports in the country. Scheduled ferries also operate from Male’ to many of the atolls.

Import of alcohol by individuals is not permitted. However, alcohol is available at all the resorts.

Year-round temperature hot tropical climate. The average high temperature is 31.5 degree Celsius and the average low temperature is 26.4 degree Celsius. The Southwest monsoon from May to October brings rain and the Northeast monsoon from November to April is generally sunny.

Cotton clothes suits well with the hot tropical climate of the Maldives. Tourist are expected to respect local culture and dress modestly when visiting or staying on inhabited islands. Sandals are ideal, as you may often want to slip them off and go barefoot.

The main public hospital Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and private hospitals ADK and Treetop are located in Male’. Each Atoll has at least one hospital and most resorts have their own clinics and in-house doctors.