Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Maldives Traveler Guide

Maldives attracts millions of tourists every year. Maldives lie south-southwest of India and are considered part of Southern Asia. Tourists who plan to travel Maldives, must know that how to travel and enjoy Maldives beauty. Travel guide of Maldives includes many attractive things like where to go, when to go, how to travel around, what to do and all that jazz that will make your trip to Maldives an easy task. There are many attractions and places of interest in Maldives that are equally good as the beaches. Besides having fun traveling around the cities and atolls of Maldives you should not miss out on the food of Maldives especially the traditional and sea food.


Maldives Attractions - Main attractions in Maldives have been mentioned below:
  • Hukuru Miskiiy - Old Friday Mosque
  • National Museum
  • Fish Head
  • Wreck of the Maldive Victory
  • Banana Reef

Unique Things – Maldives is a perfect haven for water sport freaks, beach bums and nature lovers. It is among the must visit holiday destination on earth. Maldives is simply a paradise on earth and there are many unique things to do like -
  • Music and Dance
  • Environment Friendliness
  • Traditional Handicrafts
  • Activities to indulge in - water sports to outdoor games. Be it surfing on the sea waves, scuba diving along with the fishes, island hopping, fishing, water skiing, paragliding or simply watching the sun go down.

Maldives Food - Maldives foods are largely influenced by the cuisines of Sri Lanka and south Indian cuisines of Kerala. Some common Maldives Food comprises of the following:
  • mas huni — These are minced and smoked fish served with grated coconuts and onions. It is a common breakfast food;
  • masroshi — mas huni enfolded in roshi bread and baked;
  • bambukeylu hiti — is a breadfruit curry;
  • theluli mas — fried fish with chili and garlic;
  • hedhikaa, is yet another common dish of Maldives that can be widely found in any Maldivian restaurant;
  • bajiya — pie stuffed with fish, coconut and onions;
  • gulha — pastry balls stuffed with smoked fish;
  • kulhi borkibaa — peppery fish cake;
  • fihunu mas — cooked out fish basted with chili;
  • keemia — deep-fried fish rolls.

Drinks in Maldives - Being a Muslim region, alcohol is not allowed for the local people. On the other hand, practically all resorts, hotels and restaurants are licensed to serve it, but they might be costly.

Maldives Nightlife - Maldives nightlife offers excellent entertainment option to make the best of your times. Nightlife in the Maldives is most famous in the capital city of Male where you can find a many chic bars, pubs and lounges. Most of the hotels in Maldives have their own late opening bars and clubs where you can enjoy in the classy company of fun loving.

Maldives Travel Tips -
Maldives is a beautiful holiday destination that offers a range of attractions and entertainment options that make the best of your time. Maldives travel means that have fun on the beaches; indulge in the water sports, visit the many places of interest. Hope these travel tips Maldives help you have a gala and pleasant time on the islands of Maldives.

  • Importing alcohol, pork or pornography into the Maldives is strictly prohibited and all baggages are examined on arrival. Note that exportation of sand or seashells is also forbidden;
  • Culture - Maldivians are mostly Sunni Muslim, and the culture is a blend of South Indian, Sinhalese and Arab ethnicity;
  • Prohibition - Although alcohol, pork, dogs and public observance of non-Muslim religions are debarred on the populated islands, the resort islands is where all laws are relaxed;
  • Holidays - During weekend banks, government offices and many shops remain closed;
  • Flights - Malé International Airport is located on Hulhulé Island. The airport is served by wide range of charter flights to India, Dubai, Sri Lanka and chief airports in South-East Asia, as well as charters from Europe. Yet another airport in Maldives is the Gan Airport;
  • Boats - The taxi boats in Maldives take vacationers to and from the islands in the North and South Male atolls;
  • Language - The official language of Maldives is Dhivehi, although English is very widely spoken;
  • Eat - Besides the traditional food you will also find continental food widely here. Malé has some of the best restaurants that offer great food;
  • Drink - Being a Muslim country, except for hotels and restaurants entertaining foreign visitors and tourists, alcohol is banned for the local population.

Maldives Fast Facts –

Capital Malé 
Government Republic
Currency Rufiyaa (MVR), Rf
Population 396,334 (July 2009 est.)
Language Maldivian Dhivehi, English is spoken widely
Religion Sunni Muslim
Electricity 220V/50Hz
Calling Code +960
Time Zone UTC+5
Internet TLD .mv

Visa & Passport
The Maldives visa policy is that everybody gets a free 30-day visa on arrival, provided that they have a valid travel document, a ticket out and proof of sufficient funds. Visitors entering the Republic of Maldives should fulfill the following obligations for the entry into the country.
  • Possession of an official international travel document issued by the Government of a Sovereign State.
  • Possession of minimum of US$30.00 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the proposed period of stay in the Maldives.
  • Possession of a valid return air ticket to a destination where the passenger has permission to enter, along with basic visas for the next journey to the subsequent destination.

Maldives Transportation
Transportation in Maldives includes traveling around via boats, sea planes and yachts. The boats and yachts are generally arranged by resorts you are staying in. Traveling via boat the widely used taxi boats generally take tourists to and fro the islands located in the North and South Male atolls.