Asia · Destination guide
Maldives
Capital: Malé
🛂Visa requirements
💳Money & payments
Cards: USD cash and cards accepted at all resorts. Local currency (MVR) only needed for local guesthouses and Malé shops.
ATMs: Limited outside Malé. Resorts operate largely cashless or on USD room charges.
Tipping
10% service charge usually included at resorts. Tipping dive instructors ($5–10/day), housekeeping ($5/day), and boat drivers ($5 on trips) is appreciated.
💬Language
Dhivehi
Widely spoken at resorts. Limited in outer islands.
Useful phrases
- ·Shukuriyya — Thank you
- ·Haadha Varah Bodah Shukuriyya — Thank you very much
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
Learn some Dhivehi before you go
Widely spoken at resorts. Limited in outer islands. — even basic phrases open doors and locals appreciate the effort.
Start with these
- 1.Shukuriyya — Thank you
- 2.As-salamu alaykum — Islamic greeting used throughout the Maldives
Not a native English speaker?
English is the international travel language — building confidence before your trip makes every interaction easier.
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🔌Electricity & plugs
Resorts typically have multiple socket types including universal sockets. UK visitors: no adapter needed.
🤝Local customs & etiquette
- 1.The Maldives is a 100% Muslim nation. The uninhabited resort islands operate under different rules, but inhabited local islands require modest dress (shoulders and knees covered for both men and women).
- 2.Alcohol is only legal on resort islands and the airport. It cannot be brought onto local islands.
- 3.Pork products are not available on local islands.
- 4.Respect Friday prayer times on local islands — many shops close midday Friday.
- 5.Environmental respect: no coral touching, no fish feeding, no sunscreen that harms coral. The reef ecosystem is fragile.
📶SIM cards & connectivity
Local SIM: Dhiraagu and Ooredoo are the operators. SIMs at Malé airport. Most resorts have WiFi — quality varies by remoteness.
WiFi: Good at resorts. Remote atolls have limited connectivity — prepare offline entertainment for transfers.
🛡️Safety
Very safe on resort islands. Ocean safety: currents can be strong — follow resort guidance on safe swimming areas.
💉Health
No vaccinations required. Tap water on most islands is desalinated seawater — use bottled or resort water. Sunscreen: use reef-safe. Medical facilities: basic on most atolls; serious conditions require medevac to Malé or Sri Lanka.
🚨Emergency numbers
police
119
fire
118
ambulance
102
coast guard
191
🚗Driving
Explore Maldives