The Maldives is the smallest Asian country, which is a scattering of lost in the Indian Ocean. Despite the modest size of the Maldives, there is everything for it: pristine nature, with snow-white airy sand, blue lagoons, a rich underwater world, peace and quiet, and, most importantly, a well-developed infrastructure. And most importantly, the Russians do not need.
Geographical position of the country
Finding the Maldives on the world map, where large states are concentrated, is quite difficult. This small country is located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, south of the Hindustan Peninsula and southwest of the island of Ceylon. The closest neighbors are India, Sri Lanka and the Chagos archipelago. Of the total area of 90 thousand square meters. km of land in the Maldives is allocated only 298 square meters. km. The population is 402,070 people (according to 2014 data). The capital of the Republic of Maldives is a city and port in the ocean, located on the atoll of the same name. The country has a population of 344,023 with the largest concentration in the capital.
Climatic features
The Maldives is dominated by a humid climate with a predominance of monsoons. Due to the equatorial location, seasonal temperature fluctuations are almost imperceptible. Summer in the Maldives is slightly cooler than winter, as the rainy season comes. It lasts from May to almost November. In December-January, resorts greet tourists with bright sun and gentle surf. The air temperature during the day at this time reaches + 31 ° С, at night - up to + 26 ° С. The water in the sea warms up to +28°C. when the northeast monsoon season begins (November - February).
Nature of the Maldives
Flora in the Maldives is represented mainly by tropical vegetation. These are mangroves, and fruit trees, and exotic flowers, and, of course, coconut palms. The fauna of the Maldives is not particularly diverse. Insects include butterflies and rhinoceros beetles. Among the animals living in the Maldives, there are no dangerous or poisonous reptiles, and birds are mostly found on major islands. On the coast you can see herons, gulls and terns. The underwater world is much more interesting. The variety of corals and fish in the Maldives, including predators in the form of sharks, delights divers.
Political system
The head of state and head of the executive branch is the President, who heads the Cabinet of Ministers. The president is elected by parliament, but his candidacy is additionally approved by a national referendum and must receive at least 51% of the vote. Presidential powers are unlimited. The supreme legislative body is the unicameral parliament, which consists of 50 deputies, 8 of whom are appointed by the president. The judiciary is the Supreme Court. Although the country has a constitutional form of government, a small group of local privileged citizens also wield power.
State symbols
The flag of the Maldives was adopted on July 25, 1965. It is a red canvas, in the center of which is a green rectangle with a vertical crescent.
The national emblem includes a coconut tree, a crescent moon, two crossed national flags and an emblem with the name of the state in Arabic. The state religion is Islam. Dhivehi is considered the official language in the Maldives, but both Arabic and Arabic are widely used in resorts. English languages. The national currency in the Maldives is the rufiyaa (consisting of 100 laari). However, the advantage in the calculations is given to the US dollar.
The best places to stay
All atolls in the Maldives have excellent infrastructure, white sandy beaches and blue lagoons. It is difficult to say where it is better to relax in the Maldives, but according to the reviews of tourists, you can make a list of the most popular resorts, which include:
- - the atoll on which the main city of the Maldives is located. Local recreation is famous for its high service, plenty of entertainment and comfortable accommodation.
- - second by size tourist resort Maldives, where there are three different hotels nearby. Rest on the island immersed in exotic greenery will give a lot of pleasant memories.
- - a small island that attracts budget tourists to the Maldives. There is something for everyone here: snorkeling, discos, walks in souvenir shops and much more.
- – the best place in the Maldives for active rest. Diving, water skiing, sailing, as well as unique folklore shows and beach parties will give guests the resorts of this atoll.
- - a paradise in the Maldives, where tourists can enjoy pristine nature, white beaches, warm seas and a huge variety of tropical fruits.
- one of the most beautiful and mysterious places in the Maldives, which attracts tourists with its fantastic. If you want to impress your soulmate, come together to Vaadha.
What to see in the country?
There are few cultural and historical in the Maldives, and they are all mainly concentrated in Male. The following deserve special attention:
- - a real monument of architecture and the main religious shrine in the Maldives, built in the middle of the 17th century.
- , where you can hear the singing of exotic birds and enjoy the beauty of fragrant roses, Bengal ficuses and wild orchids.
- Tomb of Meduziarai, which contains the tomb of Abu al-Barakat Yusuk al-Barbari, who converted the islanders to Islam.
- - one of the oldest buildings in the Maldives, which houses the work of local artists.
- - an enclosed lagoon where you can swim surrounded by reef sharks, rays and other inhabitants of the deep sea.
- - a building decorated with unusual elements of white, azure and red.
Entertainment and recreation
The islands offer many ways to have a great time. The main entertainment in the Maldives are beach holidays, excursions and diving. Divers are interested not only in amazing fish and corals, but also in sunken ships. Tourists can always rent surfboards, water bikes and scooters. And seaplane rides will allow you to see breathtaking landscapes and panoramas of the islands. Increasingly, young and romantic couples come to the Maldives to play and continue Honeymoon in paradise resorts. Of particular interest are underwater wedding ceremonies accompanied by dive instructors.
Where should you stay?
Most of the hotels in the Maldives have a high star rating. Hotels are represented by various bungalows, chalets and villas. The cheapest accommodation is offered by the so-called hotels without "stars", where you can spend the night for $25 per night. In the "three-ruble note" a double room can be rented for $40 per day. And the price for a room in luxurious five-star resorts starts from $130 per day. "Water bungalows" are widespread - wooden houses right on the beaches. Yachts are considered an exotic option for living in the Maldives. All hotel complexes offer tourists a high level of service. Large hotels in the Maldives have luxurious spa centers, swimming pools, restaurants.
Cuisine and restaurants
Arab and Indian traditions formed the basis: the use of hot sauces, spices, the addition a large number fruits, almost complete rejection of vegetables and herbs. Most dishes include rice and fish, most often tuna, in various variations. Any treat is served with unleavened bread "roshi" and crispy flatbread "papadu". Fruits, except for bananas and coconuts, are imported in the Maldives. Meat is cooked here very rarely, mostly only chicken. Common drinks are coffee and tea. In general, food in the Maldives is not a cheap pleasure: dinner without alcohol in a metropolitan restaurant will cost from $20 to $50. In addition, it is customary to leave a tip (10% of the order value).
What to bring from the Maldives?
The shops major resorts specialize in . The stalls offer a wide selection of products made from corals and shells, clothes made of light cotton fabric with the country's logo, handicrafts and national decorations. Very often, tourists buy mats, mats made of cane and coconut copra, shark jaws and teeth, wooden vases and figurines. Here you can find quality diving equipment. It is worth noting that it is forbidden to export tortoise shell products, pearls, black and red corals, as well as reef fish from the Maldives. Shops on the islands are open from Thursday to Sunday.
Safety for tourists
Street crimes and robberies in the Maldives are extremely rare. However, after the country had political parties, rallies began to take place on the streets of large resorts, and this, in a sense, can pose a danger to tourists.
To improve security, all hotels are required by law to provide guests with a safe to store money and valuables. In case of loss of something, you must immediately inform the manager, who will record your appeal and contact the police. If you are planning a trip to the Maldives, be sure to check against yellow fever, diphtheria and tetanus. It is advisable to take out medical insurance, since treatment in the Maldives is paid.
Transport connection
There are several airports on the territory of the Maldives, which receive mainly domestic flights. Only one is international, located on the island of Hulule near Male. Air transportation is carried out by seaplanes and helicopters. Transfer to the Maldives airport is carried out by bus or taxi, which are available only in the capital. The main species here are motor and sailing boats, as well as national ships - dhoni. In the Maldives, you can rent a boat for about $140. Large Vedis boats go to remote atolls, air taxis of local airlines fly.
How to get to the Maldives?
The only way to get to the islands is by air. International flights from Moscow, Vienna and other cities are accepted by the airport in Hulule. Direct flights from Moscow are carried out by Aeroflot airline from Sheremetyevo. A one-way ticket costs about $275. The plane is on the way for about 9 hours. From St. Petersburg, only connecting flights are operated via Moscow, Istanbul and Dubai. From some Russian cities to the Maldives depart charter flights, during the off-season sales, you can get a good discount.
Way on Maldives won't be fast. This should be tuned in right away. Based geographical location, the distance to Moscow is 6.5 thousand km. There are no land routes to the island, and the water route is not in demand. The only way for tourists to get there is by air. International flights land at the airport in the capital Male Velan.
The duration of the flight depends on whether you have chosen a direct flight or with transfers. You can buy a tour to the Maldives and not worry about purchasing tickets on your own. Sometimes it's even better that way. However, if you like to travel on your own, remember that flights from Moscow are made every day. You can schedule a date convenient for you and fly out on a suitable day.
Direct flight or with transfers?
It is most convenient to use direct flights. They are provided by Aeroflot from Sheremetyevo Airport. You can fly to the Maldives without transfers only from Moscow. If the circumstances are successful, then the ticket price will be 35,000-40,000 rubles. It all depends on when you purchase the ticket. The journey will take approximately 9 hours. You will also need additional time to get to the airport, check in and then transfer to the hotel.
When planning a trip outside of Moscow, in any case, you will need to use a transfer. Often docking takes place in Qatar, the United United Arab Emirates. Travel time is greatly increased. It will be at least 12 hours.
If you want your vacation to not only leave a pleasant impression, but also save a little the family budget, use the following tips:
Start your flight search early. You can subscribe to the mailing list about price changes.
Consider unpopular dates where airfare may be cheaper.
If you decide to fly on your own, check the offers different airlines before buying tickets. Choose stopovers at your connections to save on tickets and explore one of the cities such as Dubai, Istanbul or Doha.
Plan your trip so that it is comfortable for you. Then the trip will be pleasant and unforgettable.
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To get to a “non-tourist island”, you need a special permit from the Ministry of Atoll Administration, which indicates the name of the island or group of islands (relevant for travelers on their own), to obtain which you must have a passport, indicate the purpose, time of visit, the name of the island or atoll and provide confirmation of the availability of accommodation. For group visits, such permits are issued through a travel agency. Landing on any island of tourists living elsewhere is allowed only with the consent of the administration of the island (hotel).
At the same time, being on such an island is allowed only until 6 pm.
It is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places (outside the resort area). It is recommended to drink bottled water and soft drinks. Although local water is cleaned quite thoroughly (often it is desalinated sea water), it quickly becomes unusable due to high temperatures.
Traditional Islamic norms of behavior are strong in the country, but without the slightest sign of fanaticism. For walks in settlements, it is recommended to wear long trousers or a skirt, as well as a light shirt (but not a T-shirt). At the same time, strict evening wear is not needed to visit most restaurants. When visiting mosques, clothing should cover the legs and arms. Shoes should be removed and feet washed in ritual pools. No photography allowed. The mosque guards usually insist on accompanying a tourist, expecting to take a fee, but in fact the mosque can be explored on your own. Swimming nude is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago with the exception of Kuramati Island. You can bargain in the markets and in private shops, but the size of the "discount" is usually small.
It is strongly recommended to use protective creams, and in the first days of rest, always wear hats and sunbathe for a limited amount of time - it is easy to “burn” here even in cloudy weather. In addition, even swimming is recommended in a T-shirt - solar radiation easily penetrates into the surface layer of water.
During diving and regular swimming, you should carefully monitor the environment - coral massifs have fairly sharp edges, and many of the marine life are poisonous.
Of particular danger are sea urchins some marine predators. There are few blood-sucking insects, but in the evening it is still worth using repellents. In the evening and at night, the air is practically still, so stuffiness is felt.
The change of time of day is typical for the equatorial regions - morning and evening last for almost 15 minutes, no more, and a bright day with a hot sun immediately sets in.
Environmental issues on the islands are of paramount importance. Often, tourists are given special garbage bags, and their garbage in these bags must be taken out of the islands. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to carefully monitor the implementation of environmental procedures and follow the instructions of the hotel administration, otherwise large fines and even deportation are possible. Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited, it is strictly forbidden to raise corals (both living and dead), shells and other marine life from the bottom of the sea. Large fines are levied for violations.
The country has one of the largest markets in the region selling shells, corals and various exotic marine animals, so you can always buy these souvenirs without violating local laws. The hotels freely organize all kinds of sea fishing, independent production of fish is also punishable.
Diving schools are usually supplied with all the necessary equipment. All activities related to scuba diving are supervised by highly qualified instructors (there are also Russian-speaking ones). Scuba diving equipment, PADI training course, single and group scuba diving, motorboat or helicopter rental are charged separately.
Delivery to the dive site is usually carried out by yachts or dive boats, with a transfer to shallow-draft dhoni boats for passage between reefs, so it often takes quite a long time.
Dives outside the reef zone should only be done with local instructors, as the nature of the ocean currents outside the shelf zone is quite unpredictable. Night dives in the Maldives are quite rare due to strong currents and the unpredictability of marine life. Swimming in the open sea is also not recommended.
Photo Maldives:
Photograph of the Maldives. bounty land
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Photograph of the Maldives. Turquoise Lagoon
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Photograph of the Maldives. sunset motifs
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Photograph of the Maldives. Doni is the national boat of the Maldives.
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Photograph of the Maldives. Paradise in the Maldives
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Photograph of the Maldives. Storm
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Photograph of the Maldives. Maldives
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Photograph of the Maldives. Royal Island
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Flight time from Moscow to Maldives
The Maldives is one of the most sought-after destinations for a truly heavenly holiday in an exotic corner of the world. Most often, for a holiday in the Maldives, modern citizens choose ready-made tours, the cost of which includes not only the cost of the road, but also other costs, including accommodation, meals and other needs of tourists. But it is quite possible to plan such a trip on your own, especially if its main goal is not rest. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to solve the question of how much to fly to the Maldives from Moscow and which airlines to use.
The Maldives are located 700 km from India. They consist of thousands of separate islands, among which only a part is inhabited and intended for tourist recreation.
Their capital is the city of Male, located on the artificial man-made island of Hulule. Male is the only city on the territory of all the islands. The distance from Moscow to the capital of the exotic region is more than 6,500 kilometers.
The only way to get to the islands is by plane. Direct flight is the most convenient option. But in addition to direct flights, there are also transit and charter flights that allow you to get to the Maldives for different periods of time spent on the road.
Direct flights from Moscow to the Maldives
To find out how long it takes to fly to the Maldives from Moscow by direct flight, you can use the online ticket search or contact the ticket office. The average travel time when choosing a direct flight is about 8 hours 45 minutes, but depends on the direction and strength of the air gusts, as well as on the time of day when the flight takes place.
To date, there is one direct flight from the capital of Russia to the capital of the Maldives. It is in Male that the only airport is located, consisting of two terminals that accept domestic and international flights. This airport has everything you need for a comfortable stay of passengers. There is a post office, a medical center, a pharmacy, banks and stand-alone ATMs, shops, cafes and restaurants. There is a separate lounge for passengers who choose to fly in business class.
Direct flights are currently operated by a single company - Aeroflot. Planes depart from Sheremetyevo Airport. The flight time from Moscow to the Maldives is approximately 8 hours 45 minutes. Departure takes place twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from terminal D. The average ticket price is about $500.
Important! The cost of an air ticket may vary depending on the method and place of its purchase, as well as the seasonality of flights to Male.
To the Maldives from Moscow with a transfer
If there are no tickets for a direct flight to Male, then you can use transit flights, which involve one or two transfers. In this case, the journey can take from about 11 to 36 hours - it all depends on the length of the waiting time for landing in the intermediate city. The most popular destinations are a flight to Male with a transfer in Dubai or Doha. Let us consider in more detail the flight time from Moscow to the Maldives in both cases.
Connecting flight in Dubai
Planes depart for Dubai from three airports at once - Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo:
- The flight from Sheremetyevo is operated by Aeroflot and Kenya Air, the journey duration is 5 hours 40 minutes.
- Planes depart from Domodedovo by Qantas Airways, the flight duration is 5 hours 15 minutes.
- Flights from Vnukovo are operated by Transaero, the flight time to Dubai reaches 4 hours 50 minutes.
The average waiting time for the second plane in the largest city of the UAE is 4 hours. After that, you can get to the Maldives by an aircraft from Emirates. The duration of the journey will be 4 hours 10 minutes.
Connecting flight in Doha
Another popular flight route is Moscow - Doha - Male. To get to Doha, you can use the services of Qantas Airways. Departure from the capital of Russia is carried out from Domodedovo. Travel time is 5 hours 20 minutes. To travel from Doha to Male, passengers need to wait an hour and a half. Further, it will take 4 hours and 40 meters to the Maldives. Thus, when choosing this flight, you will have a 12-hour flight, which, compared to other options, is quite good.
Charter flights to the Maldives
If you are not very concerned about the question of how many hours to fly from Moscow to Male to the Maldives, you can choose charter flights with landings in the UAE and Sri Lanka. Additional private flights also depart from Moscow for New Year's and May holidays. Antlant-Soyuz offers passengers to fly with their own additional aircraft from Vnukovo. You can find out such information directly at the airport information desks.
Attention! The cost of tickets depends on various factors and can significantly exceed the price of regular direct and transit flights.
When to fly to the Maldives?
The season in the Maldives lasts from about mid-December to the end of April. It was then that a dry and warm climate is observed here, ideal for beach holiday. But you can visit an exotic corner of the planet at any other time. In the so-called off-season months, the islands often experience heavy rains and strong gusts of wind. At this time, the cost of tickets for some flights may be somewhat lower, but is it worth saving by giving up the opportunity to truly enjoy good rest in great weather?
Solving the question of how to get to the Maldives should not cause any difficulties, because the islands are one of the first places in the ranking of popular tourist destinations, and in many major metropolitan areas there will definitely be charter and regular flights to this wonderful place.
Despite the fact that the state of the Maldives is located on coral atolls, and the Indian Ocean splashes around, shipping traffic is very limited here. Only a small part of cargo ships venture into a small strait between coral reefs and moor at the Maldives. Most tourists get to the Maldives using air transport.
Reach the Maldives by Air
Two airlines, Transaero and Aeroflot, make regular flights from Moscow to the Maldivian Hulule Airport. A direct flight by Transaero takes about nine hours, Aeroflot air transport flies a little longer, about ten and a half hours. The return flight from the Republic of Maldives to Moscow takes ten hours for both airlines.
Flights are operated on new modern Airbus A-330-200 liners. Only at the peak of the season, that is, from September to January, these airlines operate daily flights to the Maldives, and when the tourist demand for air travel to the archipelago declines, flights are operated on Saturday and Wednesday - twice a week.
Tickets, as a rule, are bought by tourists "round trip" and their cost is about 30 thousand rubles.
On holidays and in the months when the tourist season opens in the Maldives, airlines introduce additional (charter) flights into the schedule and you can get to the Maldives by plane from many large Russian cities.
A charter route to the archipelago from Kemerovo has been opened. Nordwind Airlines delivers passengers to the Maldives on a comfortable Boeing 757-200 once a week.
Flights to the Maldives with transfers are carried out by Tatarstan Air, Singapore Airlines, Siberia Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Qatar Air. The best of these companies in terms of "price-quality" are the offers of Qatar Air and Emirates Airlines. Qatar Air lands in Doha, Emirates Airlines - in Dubai, Singapore Airlines - in Singapore. An airport tax of $15 is included in the ticket price, which costs approximately 30,000 to 60,000 rubles, depending on the airline and season. Most expensive tickets Air travel is offered by Singapore Airlines.
Srilankan Airlines flies to the Maldives from Sri Lanka, the cost of round-trip tickets ranges from $180 to $250.
Moving in the Maldives
The government does not encourage independent movement of tourists around the archipelago; in order to freely change their place of residence in the archipelago, you need to obtain a special permit, which the authorities issue very reluctantly. Most tourists at the airport are met by representatives of hotels in which vacationers have booked a bungalow for the duration of their vacation. The main means of transport on the islands are dhoni, boats and motor boats, and some transportation is carried out by seaplanes. On large Vedis boats, tourists are delivered only to remote atolls.
If the cost of the transfer was not included in the price of the tour, then for half an hour of a seaplane flight to your destination you will need to pay up to $ 300, and for ten minutes of sailing on a dhoni, tourists pay $ 5, but they also get to the hotel much longer than by plane, so what kind of transport is more profitable to use - air or sea - is best decided on the spot.
Aviasales.today compares prices for flights to Maldives with 728 airlines from all over the world. We do not sell air tickets ourselves, but it is here that you will find the lowest possible fares and special offers. No fees or markups - Aviasales.today has the cheapest plane tickets to the Maldives. The official currency of the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).
Visa and flight
A pleasant nuance for everyone who plans to purchase tickets to the Maldives is that a visa is not required for citizens of Russia and the CIS. The 30-day stay is provided free of charge. In the passport you only put the date of entry and a stamp that inspires you to an unforgettable vacation - "Employment is prohibited."
Flights to the Maldives are offered by several air carriers, among them are Transaero and Aeroflot, operating flights on the route Moscow - Male. In addition, you can buy a plane ticket to the Maldives using the services of Srilankan Airlines. The company flies to Male with transfers in Colombo or Dubai. Aircraft from Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines and Singapore Airlines also land here.
Please note: the airfare will include an airport tax in the amount of 10-15 USD. This direction cannot be called affordable: perhaps only special promotions of airlines will allow you to buy cheap flights to the Maldives. Information about them is regularly published on the pages of our website.
The best time to buy air tickets and travel around the Maldives
The warm and humid climate creates ideal conditions for relaxation: the thermometer is almost constantly +30 °C during the day and up to +26 °C at night. The proximity of the equator makes seasonal changes dependent on the monsoons practically imperceptible. Most prefer to buy tickets to the Maldives in November-April. The best period for diving is from January to April when the sea is calm. The low season is from May to October, but even at this time it is quite difficult to find cheap flights to the Maldives.
Time and communication
The entire territory of the Maldives is in the same time zone - UTC / GMT +5 hours. There is no daylight saving time.
Most tourists prefer to buy a SIM card from the local operator Dhiraagu, which also provides access to the Web. You can call home using cards from pay phones, but the prices leave much to be desired. There are many Internet cafes in Male, but in the resorts, taking into account the requirements of those who come here on vacation, an uninterrupted Internet connection is provided from any hotel or bungalow.
Money and shopping
The national currency of the Maldives is the rufiyaa (MVR): one rufiyaa is equal to approximately two rubles. Currency exchange - as elsewhere - in banks, airports and special kiosks. Dollars and cards are accepted everywhere, and besides, checks are cashed.
As for souvenirs, nearby Sri Lanka sets the trends: masks and spices are very popular.
Some prefer "expensive" memories, such as jewelry. For them, it is better to go to the island of Kadholhudhoo of Raa Atoll.
Transport and accommodation
When buying plane tickets to the Maldives, it is recommended to decide in advance on the conditions of residence. Some are attracted by bungalows far from tourist centers, while others are attracted by hotels of world chains. Whatever you choose, rest assured that you will not be disappointed.
Given the size of the islands, a car is unlikely to be useful to you. Tourists travel long distances by seaplanes, helicopters and boats. If you still decide to rent a car, choose one of the local companies: Thrifty Rent a Car, Hertz Rent a Car, Royal Rent.
Maldives (Maldives)- a country located in the Indian Ocean, which almost everyone associates with the sweet word "paradise". Here is a quiet and clear sea, endless horizons and white beaches. Here you can relax sunbathing or wrap yourself in a chocolate spa treatment. Active recreation is presented in the widest variety: from swimming in the ocean to diving with sharks, from night fishing to walking in a submarine.
Maldives: How to get there
Maldives: Hotels & Places to Stay
Housing Features
If you decide to spend your holidays in the Maldives, then you will not have any problems finding accommodation for this time. There are options for temporary residence here, in fact, on every island. However, the most popular destinations are the islands: Hulhumale ( hulhumale), Maafushi ( Maafushi), Thoddoo ( Thoddoo), Guraido ( Guraidho) and Rasdu ( Rasdhoo). In addition, there is a lot of temporary housing in the capital of the Maldives - the city of Male ( Male). For the most part, in this country are common guest houses and resort hotels, however, you can also stay in a regular hotel, B&B or even rent an apartment.
Housing in the Maldives is of three classes - "Deluxe" (five stars), "Superior" (four stars), "Standard" (three stars). The most expensive and luxurious hotels are classified as "Luxe".
If you are interested in finding the most budget option, then it will be useful for you to know that the cost of daily rental housing in the Maldives starts from 17 USD.
Hotels
The vast majority of ordinary hotels are located in the capital of the country - Male and on the island of Hulhumale. On other islands, at best, you will find one or two such options. In addition, there are very few standard (non-resort) five-star hotels in the Maldives - almost all have either three or four stars. The only five-star (standard) hotel is the Airport Beach Hotel. Of the most popular hotels with three or four stars, one can single out: The Vinorva Maldives and Le Vieux Nice Inn.
The situation is different with resort hotels. They are located on different islands, sometimes one hotel can occupy an entire island. The vast majority of resort hotels have five stars. Among them: Bandos Maldives, Kurumba Maldives, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Mirihi Island Resort. They are represented by both single resort hotels and branches of such hotel chains as AAA Hotels & Resorts, Aitken Spence Hotels, Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Angsana Hotels & Resorts, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts , COMO, Constance Hotels, Four Season, Universal Resorts Maldives, Villa Hotels Maldives.
The cost of a daily stay in a standard five-star hotel in the Maldives starts from 100 USD. In five-star resort hotels the price rises to 125 USD. The price per day in 3-4 star hotels starts from 35 USD, but in resort hotels - 80 USD.
Mini-hotels (guest houses, "B&B", farm houses)
Guest houses are not only the most common type of mini-hotels in the Maldives, but also one of the most popular type of temporary accommodation among tourists. Among the most popular guest houses are Bibee Maldives, Arena Beach Hotel, Mala Maldives Dhangethi. One of the factors that attract tourists to guest houses is the daily cost. Prices per day in Maldivian guest house start from 25 USD.
There are quite a few B&B hotels in the Maldives, and you won’t be able to find more than one such option on one island. Among the most popular options: Coco Villa, Iru Maldives. Prices for "B&B" hotels start from 65 USD.
There are no farmhouses in the Maldives due to their small size and dense population. local islands. However, lovers of such a secluded vacation near the wild may well choose to relax on the most remote island of the Maldives with a small number of tourists.
Hostels
In the Maldives, this type of temporary housing is not common as hostels, so in search of budget options, you will need to stay on renting a shared room in an apartment or stay in a guest house.
Camping
Due to the small territory of the islands of the Republic of Maldives, there are no tent camps here. Fans of recreation near the wild will have to limit themselves to housing options in a bungalow.
Apartments
Renting an apartment is far from the most popular type of temporary housing search in the Maldives, but such options can be found if you book in advance. Renting a separate room in an apartment will cost you 25-70 USD. Whole apartments are more expensive - 50-200 USD. The most expensive apartments often have their own private beach.
exotic accommodation
Very common in the Maldives, but, at the same time, exotic for tourists, is such a type of housing as “water bungalows”. They are wooden bungalows on stilts located near the shore. Dhevanafushi Maldives Luxury Resort Managed By AccorHotels is an example of a water bungalow hotel.
Probably the most unusual hotel in the Maldives and, concurrently, one of the most amazing hotels in the world, can be called "Maldives Rangali Island". In this hotel, in addition to the usual rooms on the ocean, there are also underwater rooms and an underwater restaurant. These rooms are somewhat similar to "capsule hotels", however, with the difference that the ceiling and walls of the room are completely transparent, and behind them is the thickness of the ocean water, with fish swimming in it.
In addition, tourists quite often stop on yachts. This type of housing will allow you to combine housing, transport, entertainment and leisure in the Maldives. Examples of good boots are: "Kaani Princess" and Sunkissed. Prices for boats that do not move between the islands start at 150 USD per day. If you want to live on a yacht and move from island to island on it, then you will have to pay from 800 USD per day.
A separate type of boats can be called housing in a submarine. The hotel offers such exotic "Marine submarine service in Maldives". In addition, the daily cost of such a holiday is much lower than that of conventional hotels. The daily price starts from 85 USD.
Maldives: Local cuisine and food
Kitchen features
The cuisine of the Maldives combines Indian and Arabic culinary traditions. The main ingredients can be different kinds fish (in particular, the inhabitants of the Maldives often use tuna meat), rice and coconut (in the form of coconut milk or coconut oil). The most popular fruits are limes, oranges and bananas. Palm sap is widely used in the preparation of Maldivian cuisine.
Dishes
The vast majority of Maldivian dishes are various variations of cooking tuna meat, which is served with rice as a side dish. As a rule, various spices, sauces, vegetables and, sometimes, fruits are also added.
Of the first courses, the most common in the Maldives is "garudia" ( garudia). It is a fish soup with large pieces of boiled tuna. Also, boiled rice and various spices are added to the soup.
In Maldivian cuisine, there are many fish dishes, which are served with boiled rice as a side dish. Fihunumas is such a dish. (phihinumas). Tuna baked in spicy sauce. In addition, “teluli mae” is very popular. (teluli mae)- tuna, which is fried in oil, adding garlic and pepper to it as a seasoning.
Also, smoked fish is common in the Maldives. For example, "mae huni" ( maehuni) - smoked tuna. During cooking, coconut milk, lime, onion and chili are added to it. It is often eaten as a snack before the main meal.
In Maldivian cuisine, various minced fish cutlets are very common. "Gula" ( gula) - minced tuna cutlets, which are given additional tenderness and softness by coconut milk. "Kuli boakibaa" ( kuliboakibaa) are flat patties made from a mixture of rice and minced tuna. Eaten as a separate dish, without rice garnish.
There are in the kitchen of the Maldives and pastries with fish filling. "Badzhia" ( budgie) - triangular pies. The filling is tuna, pepper, onion and ginger. Sometimes the filling is dipped in lemon sauce.
Curry, which came to the Maldives from Hindu cuisine, acquired its characteristic features here. "Maldive Curry" is made from pumpkin, eggplant, unripe bananas and, of course, tuna. Sometimes other vegetables are added to it, to taste.
There are very few dishes in which tuna is not a key ingredient in Maldivian cuisine. An example is biryani ( biryani) - a dish of minced chicken and Maldivian curry. Tuna is present here only as an ingredient for curry. It is considered a festive dish and, in this regard, is not so common in restaurants.
Dessert
Maldivian cuisine is rich enough for desserts. They are typically prepared using coconut milk, palm sap, rice, and a variety of fruits. Typical for Maldivian desserts is high sweetness and softness of the dough (if it is pastries).
"Bondy" ( bondi) - coconut sticks with a very delicate and sweet taste. It is considered the prototype of the Bounty bar, well known to Europeans.
"Fony boakibaa" ( foniboakibaa) is a sweet rice pudding soaked in rose water (an aqueous solution of rose essential oils) and coconut milk.
"Diyaa hakuru" ( diyahakuru) is a very common Maldivian dessert. It is made from a mixture of banana and white rice diluted with palm juice.
There are also sweet dessert pastries in the Maldives. For example, "foley" ( foli). This is a dessert without any frills - the usual sweet bun made from flour and sugar. As a rule, rice flour is used. "Nui foli" ( nuifoli) - fried pancakes, which are also made from rice flour. They wrap coconut milk, honey, or a paste from both of them, diluted in water.
And, finally, exotic donkeo kayuri balls ( donkeokauri), consisting of deep-fried bananas.
Beverages
Soft drinks are very common in the Maldives. For the most part, they are made from local fruits, coconut milk, various herbs, tea leaves.
The most common drink in the Maldives is green tea. In local cafes and restaurants, it is customary to add a lot of sugar and milk to it. Sometimes it is drunk chilled. Such cold tea can also be ordered in restaurants.
Of course, various fruit juices are common here. Among them: lime, banana, orange and palm. Palm juice is called "raz" here ( raz) and it is probably the most common juice in this country.
The drink “kiru sarbat” ( kirusarbat) is sweet coconut milk.
Alcoholic drinks
If you stay in large Maldivian hotels, then quite often the cost of alcohol is included in the price of accommodation, which is an indisputable plus. However, in fact, you will not find unusual local drinks here. Most of the drinks are foreign-made. The exception is perhaps local cocktails, which are quite tasty, but could not earn worldwide fame, or "suji" ( sudgi) is a delicious local low-alcohol drink made from fermented palm milk. If you have visited the Maldives and at the same time love exotic alcohol, you simply must try this drink.
From foreign-made alcohol, you can easily find Chilean, Italian and Spanish wines, champagne from France, Scotch whiskey and English gin. In addition, beer, brandy and various liqueurs are quite popular. The average cost of a one and a half liter can of imported beer is 4-5 USD. Real French champagne, as a rule, costs much more money - 150-200 USD per bottle.
Restaurants, cafes, shops
There are many cafes, restaurants and fast food cafes (fast food) in the Maldives. You can find a restaurant with the lowest prices and a more limited menu, as well as expensive gourmet restaurants, which usually offer either local dishes or masterpieces of cuisines of other nations. Especially, there are many restaurants of Japanese, Hindu and Arabic cuisines. Among the most famous gourmet restaurants located in the Maldives, it should be noted Japanese restaurant origami fans, Fresh in the Garden , Ithaa Undersea Restaurant .
The cost of a snack in a budget cafe or restaurant will average 4-5 USD, but can vary from. In middle-class restaurants, the average cost of a classic three-course dinner will be 10-15 USD per person. In gourmet restaurants for one person you will have to spend at least 25 USD. Fast food cafes like McDonalds are quite expensive here. A standard set in such an institution will cost you 7 - 10 USD.
You can cook your own meals by buying all the necessary products from local stores. It should be said that most of the products are imported and, in this regard, quite expensive. However, on each island you can find several shops, and even several supermarkets in Male itself, which will make it easier for you to find the right ingredients for your dishes.
So, a liter of milk will cost you an average of 1.7 USD. Locally produced cheese (kilogram) - 7-8 USD. A loaf of bread costs about 1.5 USD. A kilogram of white rice - 1.6 USD. The same is worth twelve chicken eggs. The cheapest meat, namely chicken, will cost you about 6-7 USD. More expensive types of meat (veal, goat, etc.) will cost 10 USD. Of fruits, bananas are quite expensive (per kilogram - 4 USD). Slightly cheaper apples (3 USD) and oranges (2 USD). From vegetables, tomatoes are expensive (3.2 USD). Potatoes - 1.4 USD, onions - 1.2 USD. Water is very cheap here - you can buy a one and a half liter bottle for 0.4 USD.
Activities & Leisure in Maldives
The main visiting card of the Maldives are the world-famous beaches with white sands and incredibly clear ocean. You can find both single beaches and beaches belonging to a particular hotel. The best beaches are: Veligandu island beach ( Veligandu Island), Bikini Beach ( Bikini Beach), Hulhumale Beach ( Hulhumale Beach), Bodu Mora beach ( Bodu Mora).
Fans of outdoor activities in the Maldives can have plenty of fun, as there is plenty of entertainment here, both in the hotels themselves and in their surroundings. Diving is the most popular form of recreation. You can find both individual centers and real diving schools, where you will be shown and taught everything you need so that you get the maximum pleasure from scuba diving. You can also rent fins, a suit, a mask and a snorkel at your own hotel. Eat special kind tours dedicated to diving, which is called a diving safari. The tour includes a one-day cruise to the best Maldivian dive sites, relaxation on the beach, a barbecue picnic on a sparsely populated island and a visit to the village island to get to know the locals. The price of such entertainment is from 250 USD per person. A special curiosity for tourists is diving with sharks and hunting for stingrays. The best diving center providing photo-hunting for marine life is Serene Ocean. Such a dive will cost you from 65 USD per person.
Also, you can book a boat tour or ride water skis or motorcycles. Surfing is also widespread, you can also find windsurfing, kitesurfing or standing up with a paddle. Surfers are advised to fly to the Maldives from the beginning of spring to the end of summer, as you can catch excellent waves. A common recreational option is also fishing, both day and night (duration 2-3 hours). The cost of fishing is from 40-50 USD per person. But for those who like to watch fish, in addition to diving, a sea excursion can be interesting, during which you can see dolphins or whales. Submarine tours or trips to uninhabited islands can be interesting.
The Maldives is also associated with solitude and absolute relaxation. Here you can do yoga at dawn or visit an endless number of spa treatments and any type of massage. In addition, a nice bonus is the fact that almost every hotel has a mini-spa.
The Maldives has never been famous for its architectural monuments, however, lovers of the Muslim tradition in architecture will love this country. The main architectural landmark of the Maldives is usually considered the "Great Mosque" ( GrandMoscow), which is the main center of Islam in the country. The huge golden domes of the mosque shine so golden under the sun that it can be seen, in fact, from anywhere in Male. If you come closer to the temple, then on its walls you will see Arabic inscriptions carved from wood, adding exoticism and mystery to the building.
Of the sacral architecture, the "Great Friday Mosque" ( Hukuru Miskiiy) in Male, which is considered the oldest building in the Maldives. In addition, it is called the most beautiful mosque in the country. The walls of the building are made of coral slabs, which will be new for tourists from Europe. Inside the building, the walls are decorated with carved Arabic inscriptions that tell about the history of Islam, including their adoption by the inhabitants of the Maldives of this religion. Near the mosque is the largest cemetery in the country, where, among other things, many Maldivian sultans are buried.
Another local attraction is the "House of the Sultan" ( Mulee Aage) - the building in which the government of the Maldives previously met, and now it has become a hotel for the most important visitors of the President of the Republic of Maldives. The building is located directly opposite the "Great Friday Mosque". The building is also made in the Muslim tradition, however, its distinguishing feature is the abundance of bright colors and several columns at the entrance. You will not be able to get into the territory of the building, but even from the side it will allow you to appreciate all the exclusivity of the Maldivian architecture.
And finally, one cannot but say about the "Presidential Palace" ( Theemuge) is a beautiful building with a garden, wrought iron gates, high columns and exquisite carvings on the walls of both the palace itself and the fence around it. Previously belonged to the Maldivian Sultan, but after the overthrow of the monarchy, it became the property of the President of the country. Located on the territory of the shopping district in the capital of the country.
Well, if you have already visited the Maldives, then you simply have to take a walk along the largest street of the capital - Male Higun ( Male Higun), also often referred to as either Marine Drive or Bodu Takurufaanu Higun. In fact, walking along this street from end to end, you will pass the entire island. It is on this street that you can see a panorama with a large number of architectural sights of the country. The local fish market is also considered a special place, where tourists can not only buy the freshest fish in the country, but also watch everyday life most of the local population. The market has been open since dawn and here you can see your own theater of three acts. Sutra here they sell small sea fish, a little later, fishermen come with octopuses, shrimps, but in the middle of the day the main highlight of the market appears - tuna. Trade is getting tighter and fish is expensive.
Coming to the Maldives, remember that this is a Muslim country and it has characteristics. Avoid dressing openly and avoid drinking alcohol on the streets. Night life it is a rarity on the islands, there are actually no bars or dance clubs. The main entertainment can be either live music on large beaches, which is a kind of party, or a long dinner watching the moon path on the ocean. However, it is worth noting that the laws of Islam do not really function in resort hotels. Here you can find concerts or drink alcohol, however, for the most part, only until midnight.
Transportation in Maldives
Transport features
The territory of the Maldives is extremely small, and the capital occupies a little more than 5 square kilometers, which determines the features of transport. public and railway transport no, there is no intercity bus service or taxi in the generally accepted form either. The main modes of transport are seaplanes and speed boats. On land, both locals and tourists travel on scooters or bicycles.
Airplane
There are seven main airports in the Maldives located on different atolls. Four of them are international: Male International Airport, Gan International Airport, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Villa International Airport. The other three are regional: Kadhdhoo Airport, Kaadedhdhoo Airport, Dharavandhoo Airport.
The main air carriers in the Maldives are airlines: Flyme, Maldivian, Mega Maldives Airlines.
On average, a flight between the islands does not take more than an hour and a half. So, from Male airport you can get to Kadhdhoo in 50 minutes at a ticket price of 200 USD. Flight Gene Island - Kaadedhdhoo will last 35 minutes, and the ticket will cost from 100 USD.
Train
There is no railway in the Maldives.
Bus
There is no intercity bus interchange in the Maldives.
Automobile
Renting a car in the Maldives is not a viable solution, since there is actually nowhere to move around on it. For the same reason, there are no car rental companies. If you wish, you can rent a car from local residents or ask the administrator of your hotel. Keep in mind that gasoline will cost you 0.70 USD per liter.
However, you can rent a speedboat or yacht to navigate the Indian Ocean. But, it doesn't come cheap. Renting a boat or yacht - an average of 150 USD per day. The largest companies for rent are: "Maldives Dive Holidays" and "Yacht Maldives".
Public transport
Public transport is presented in the form of buses. There is a bus interchange only in the capital - Male. Buses run only on 4 routes, but this allows you to cover the entire city. Bus schedule: from 6.30 am to 9.45 pm. The bus interchange is operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company. The fare is 1.3 USD.
Taxi
Taxi in its classic form is present only in the capital - Male, on the island of Gan, as well as on the most touristic atoll - Addu. The average fare is 1.60 USD per landing, and each subsequent kilometer also costs 1.60 USD. Taxi drivers are unlikely to wait for you, as there is an unspoken rule. Even if you stopped at the store to buy water, you will have to pay for the previous trip first, and then order a taxi again. Also keep in mind that for luggage you need to pay 0.3 USD extra, and after midnight you will have to pay 2 USD per kilometer. You can catch a taxi on the street, or you can order by phone. The most popular taxi service is Scootaxi.
Also, there is an air taxi, which provides transportation services between the atolls. An air taxi is a seaplane. You can book an excursion or charter flight on the Trans Maldivian Airways website. The cost of the flight is from 110 USD.
Water transport
Doni (dhoni) is a budget option for moving between the islands and is a public boat. They run irregularly and as they fill up with passengers. Most popular with locals. The cost of a single trip is an average of 2 USD.
A water taxi also involves a transfer between the atolls, only this time on a speedboat. You can order a ticket on the Atoll Transfer website. The average ticket price is from 30 USD.
Bicycle, scooter
But the scooter and bicycle are the most common means of transportation, both for tourists and for local residents. Most hotels have an "All inclusive" food system and offer bike or scooter rentals for free. Therefore, there are no special companies providing such services, but you can rent a bicycle or scooter at travel agencies or from local residents. A bicycle will cost on average from 15 USD per day, but a scooter will cost more - from 20-30 USD per day.
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The Maldives is one of the most expensive resorts in the world, which is affordable mainly for citizens with above average incomes - show business stars, successful composers, directors, writers, politicians, oligarchs, high-tech developers, etc. The cleanest coast has a turquoise hue, turning into emerald green and azure blue, with coral reefs and white sand. Part of the land fragments are surrounded by lagoons.
Basic Information
GeographyThe Republic of Maldives (the capital of Male with a population of 135 thousand inhabitants and an area of 6 m2) - Island state, belonging to South Asia and representing a shelf continuation of the Hindustan Peninsula in the Indian Ocean. Stretched for 750 km from north to south. The distance from Moscow to Male is almost 7 thousand km.
Weather
Thanks to the monsoonal subequatorial climate, a stable ambient temperature is maintained all year round - the t of the atmosphere during the day is on average + 30-31 ° C, at night + 25-26 ° C; t water 27-29°C. The maximum amplitude is +17°C (January-February) - 32°C (April-May). The dry low-wind season lasts from November to March, the rainy and windy season lasts from May to September. During the year, 2000 mm of precipitation falls, mainly in summer.
Reference data
- Currency: rufiyaa ($1 ~ 15 rufiyaa).
- Official language: Maldivian.
- Airport: Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.
- Visa: up to 30 nights stay is not required.
- Driving: car rental is not provided due to irrationality, but you can rent a bicycle.
- Useful phones:
Police 119
- Ambulance 102
- Fire Station 118
- Airport +(960 332) 22-11
- Synoptic Bureau +(960 331) 71-71
- Embassy of the Russian Federation in Colombo +(10-941) 57-4959
- Tourism Department +(960 332) 32-28
- National Security Service +(960 331) 32-81
Actual information
- This is an archipelago consisting of 1900 tiny islands with their own functional specifics (island-hotel, island-village, island-dump, island-airport, island-forest, etc.).
- With a slight exaggeration, the islands can be called an earthly paradise. However, in the capital, which is one of the ten most densely populated cities in the world, it is not customary for foreign tourists to stop: they go to rest on remote, environmentally friendly atolls.
- The atolls communicate with each other by air taxis (seaplanes, $500-2500/1 hour), speed boats ($300/1 hour), ferries ($0.7/1 hour). From the pier on electric vehicles, tourists are transported to bungalows and villas.
- There is absolutely no industrial production here, and only coconuts and bananas are cultivated from crops, the cost of which is perhaps the lowest on the planet.
- Local specialties are sweet coconut bundi ($2.4/kg) and tuna dishes (less than $2/kg).
- Traffic in the Maldives is chaotic and drivers mostly don't follow the rules.
Health
Visiting the family doctor before traveling abroad (especially in southern country) is highly desirable. Just in case, you should take the so-called. a traveler's first aid kit: there are few pharmacies here, but medicines are not cheap to take home. Local authorities do not require vaccination certificates from tourists from Russia, but you should protect yourself and get vaccinated against typhoid, hepatitis, diphtheria, measles, rubella, mumps, poliomyelitis, tetanus. Vaccinations are advisory and prophylactic in nature, i.e. are optional.How to get there
Aeroflot flights Sheremetyevo - Male, April-August inclusive on Wednesdays and Saturdays (the rest of the period on specific dates), 9 hours of non-stop flight, from $326. With a transfer, they fly from Sheremetyevo (Aeroflot) or Domodedovo (Emirates) to Dubai, then by connecting flights (Emirates) to Male. The second acceptable route from Sheremetyevo (Aeroflot) to the airport. Indira Gandhi to Delhi, then on a connecting flight (Air India) to Male. In both options, the road will take no more than 15 hours in total.How to avoid problems
- This is an Islamic country with its own rules of conduct and a mostly illiterate population; guidebooks do not advise paying attention to Maldivian women.
- The Maldives is a zone of a healthy lifestyle, so there is a dry law that applies, among other things, to the import of alcohol; if desired, the law can be unofficially circumvented by paying exorbitant prices for alcohol. The import of pork, tobacco, perfumery products is formally allowed, but actually not welcomed. It is not allowed to enter the territory of the state with pets.
- The export of corals and products made from turtle shells is strictly prohibited.
- Fishing from the shore is not allowed.
