Highlights
The Maldives has generous sunshine, glamorous sifted sand beaches, bounty-style turquoise lagoons and fantastic diving 365 days a year. And it is also a delightful atmosphere of complete relaxation, respectable laziness and detachment from everyday problems. Whatever economic disasters shake the planet, this Asian resort continues to live in its relaxed rhythm, independent of the mainland. The classical Islamic state with its traditional taboo on anything that contradicts religious canons has managed to adapt to the free customs of the tourist elite, while absolutely not compromising its own traditions. The Maldives is the very place where the roads of visitors and indigenous people (unless they are hotel employees) hardly intersect, and the bank account, no matter how solid, can be reset in a matter of days. It is in the Maldives that you can arrange the most romantic wedding, improve your diving qualifications, and, finally, just feel like the last person on the planet by renting a secluded bungalow with a private beach and stunning ocean views.
History of the Maldives
According to rough estimates, the history of the Maldives began more than 2000 years ago, when the atolls lost in the Indian Ocean were settled by immigrants from neighboring India and Sri Lanka. It was the first settlers who brought Buddhism to the islands, which in the XII century supplanted Islam, actively propagated by the Arabs who arrived here.
Starting in the middle of the 16th century, the Portuguese and Dutch began to claim the territory of the Maldives. But the local inhabitants were in no hurry to turn their country into a raw material appendage of an insatiable Europe, actively resisting the attacks of foreigners.
In 1887, England still managed to establish a protectorate over the Maldives. But in 1967, the islanders rebelled, demanding complete independence from Britain, which was granted to them a year later. The country was immediately declared a republic and a new president was elected.
Weather and climate
You can go to the Maldives at any time of the year: thanks to the subequatorial monsoon climate, it is always warm here. Even in the coldest months (January - February) the thermometer never drops below + 17 ° C, and the average air temperature often fluctuates between + 24 ... + 33 ° C. The main climatic differences depend on the two monsoon seasons. The winter northeastern monsoon, which blows from January to March, occurs at the peak of the season, brings dry weather and coincides with European winter. The southwest monsoon from May to December causes wet weather, but rain rarely lasts very long. The rainiest months in the Maldives are May and November, while the sunniest months are March, as well as before and after.
Geography
The Republic of Maldives is an Asian state in the equatorial Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is 700 km from here, and only 430 to India. By the way, the Maldives are considered the lowest state on the planet: almost all of the local land areas are only a meter or two above sea level, so in the distant future the fashionable resort risks repeating the fate of Atlantis.
For the most part, the Maldives are small, while the area of \u200b\u200bthe individual islands is tiny. Almost each of these pieces of land has its own coral "shield", so the main feature of local beaches is that they almost never storm, and the water near the coast retains amazing transparency.
The main resort area of \u200b\u200bthe country is formed by the northern atolls, which guarantee their guests the highest level of service and complete privacy. The South Atolls are a little behind in terms of tourism development, but it is easy to predict that they will also "catch up" in the foreseeable future, given that their lagoons are full of suitable diving spots.
But tour operators reached the distant southern atolls relatively recently, so while these islands continue to be inhabited by the Maldivians themselves. This, of course, does not mean that the ubiquitous backpacker did not step here - quite the opposite, given the fact that distant atolls are perhaps the only place in the country where a tourist thirsty for national flavor can freely contact the local inhabitants. In other parts of the resort, you will not be able to walk so freely through the village streets.
Flora and fauna
The natural world of the equatorial paradise is surprisingly poor. The main inhabitants of the land are hermit crabs, giant Achatina (snails), flying foxes (relatives of our bats) and gray herons. The vegetation in the Maldives is even worse. Basically, the tourist will have to admire the coconut palms and bananas, which are grown in huge quantities on the islands. True, one has only to leave the coast and plunge into the azure ocean waves, and completely different Maldives will appear before you - bizarre, full of life and the most incredible colors. The reefs surrounding the resort are home to over 1100 species of fish, 400 species of molluscs, 187 species of coral, 21 species of mammals (whales, dolphins) and 145 species of crabs.
Capital
The classic rule: "The capital is the face of the state" does not work in the Maldives. Male is a small but incredibly densely populated city on the south coast of the atoll of the same name. Its area is 5.8 km². It is in Male that ¼ of the total population of the republic lives.
It’s a paradox, but the capital of an elite world resort is not much different from the provincial cities of the same India. Close streets, high-rise buildings close to each other, a littered port and a permanent symbol of any Islamic country - a mosque. There are almost no significant attractions in the city, so tourists arriving in the Maldives do not stay in Male. Unless they go to the local market to gaze at the abundance of fish rows, or, in urgent need, walk to the hospital.
Locals and national traditions
As in any Islamic state, the Maldives has a strong religious tradition. The indigenous people do not drink alcohol and never sell it, or rather, they try to pretend that they are sick of it, and they also hide their women under shapeless robes. Of course, such a way of life is not imposed on visitors. Moreover, many Maldivians work as bartenders in hotels, masterly mixing cocktails and filling guests' glasses with drinks that they will never taste for themselves.
The bulk of the country's population is engaged in the tourism business, but those who have the stars shine a little less brightly have to earn their living by fishing, repairing boats and other not the most highly paid occupations.
Since not all islands have regular transport links with other parts of the land, most of the Maldivians live in extremely isolated situations. Ordinary islanders have a monotonous and measured life: in the morning going out to sea, in the afternoon lazy swaying in a hammock chair and idle contemplation of the surrounding reality, and with sunset fishing again.
Code of etiquette and rules of conduct at the resort
In the Maldives, there are a lot of restrictions, non-compliance with which entails serious problems. For example, on the most beautiful beaches on the planet, it is forbidden to sunbathe topless, let alone completely naked. Walking around cities and towns in ultra-short tops and shorts is also not recommended, as well as chipping off branches of local corals in memory of the trip. Fans of fishing near the coast and spearfishing are better off not spreading about their addiction at all: such types of fishing in the Maldives are equated with poaching. And for throwing garbage and drinking alcohol outside the hotel territory, substantial monetary fines are relied on.
Video: Maldives from above
Maldives beaches
Listing the beaches of the resort, which consists of almost 2000 islands, is a thankless task, so it's easier to name the most popular and well-groomed ones. On the North Male Atoll, these are Banyan Tree and Naladu. Do not suffer from a shortage of swimmers, Nothing and San, belonging to the Ari Atoll. You can swim in the company of Maldivian turtles on the beaches of Lhaviani Atoll, and the shores of Maafushi are better suited for observing dolphin behavior. The islands of Kunfadu and Hadahaa were occupied by the owners of fat wallets, while incorrigible romantics flock to the Vaadu coast, dreaming of meeting the dawn on a luminescent beach. Surfers and other wave catchers hang out at Kunuhura Island, where their unofficial headquarters are located - Pasta Point Resort.
Attractions and entertainment in the Maldives
Once you get to know the amazing beaches of the Maldives and discover all the delights of the all inclusive system, you will hardly want to go anywhere else. Well, if such a desire still appears, then take a ride to Sultan Park on the island of Male, where the National Museum is also located. In the capital, you can also gaze at the Presidential Palace, a rather modest building by modern standards, where all official receptions are held, and at the Great Friday Mosque, erected from coral blocks. If possible, book a table at the underwater restaurant Ithaa, one of the ten most unusual restaurants on the planet. The queue to this pretentious institution is endless, and for an exclusive entourage visitors are required to pay an inadequate amount, but if you believe the lucky ones who managed to appreciate the local service, it's worth it.
It is certainly hard to find a place more comfortable than a tropical island with upscale hotels, great food and impeccable, friendly staff. But if you have come to the Maldives for at least a couple of weeks, then most likely you will want to see what is hidden behind the border of a cozy hotel. Traveling around the Maldives is not so easy, especially if you try to do it yourself, but there is the option to join an organized excursion. It can be as aimless boating in search of a suitable angle for a selfie against the backdrop of sunset, or visiting a Maldivian village and getting to know the life of the islanders. You can relieve the burden of worries (and extra money) by ordering an air trip on a seaplane, or by renting a real submarine with a crew to explore the ocean floor. Well, lovers of picturesque ruins should go to Ari Atoll, where the ruins of an ancient Buddhist temple are still preserved.
Travel around the area
Of course, which places you can visit and which trips to take is entirely determined by the location of the resort you are visiting. True, here you will find little variety, because one island is not much different from another. Perhaps, only a trip to Male will give new impressions. Most of the resorts located near the capital can organize a one-day excursion for their guests. And although all the sights of Male are collected in one place and can be viewed in just a couple of hours, it is worth staying here overnight to get a taste of the capital and find out how its inhabitants have fun after the sun goes down below the horizon and the heat subsides. This can be done by taking a day boat trip to the capital, having previously booked a hotel room, and returning the next day with a day trip. You can also take the boat or seaplane that hotels send to pick up tourists from the airport.
Boat trips
Another popular way to explore the Maldives is boat tours. These can be short sunset trips around the island where your hotel is located, or long journeys when you charter a boat or go on safari (passengers live on their boat in the open ocean). The travel conditions depend entirely on the size of your wallet. On most boats, passengers are not provided with private cabins, but with berths separated by curtains, and it is assumed that the daily routine will also be carried out by tourists themselves.
More comfort is offered by boats such as the Atoll Explorer, which have air-conditioned cabins and a swimming pool on the upper deck. Private yachts are intended for the very wealthy, famous and influential people, as well as for oligarchs who avoid resorting to resort rooms.
If these prices are a bit out of your budget, you can charter a speedboat with the team for the day at the resort. It will cost no more than $ 200. Ordering from the pier in Male will be cheaper due to competition. To further reduce the price, it is possible to charter a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, but then you will not be able to travel long distances.
If you want to get a taste of the sweet life and go on a luxury yacht, day cruises on yachts are offered in Kuredu on Lhaviani Atoll, and night trips can be booked privately. The yacht is also available at W Retreat & Spa in Ari Atoll.
Uninhabited islands
Paradoxically, uninhabited islands may be the busiest after Male. Often they are "adopted" by certain resorts, which build various utilities and cafes there and send their guests there on a day trip to have a picnic, snorkelling or just swimming. And since several groups of tourists come ashore at once, it would be somewhat incorrect to call these islands “uninhabited”.
There are tourists who want to visit the uninhabited islands of the Maldives on a smaller scale. Some resorts organize private dining on the sand for two or more guests and even provide overnight stays. Visitors are issued a flag that should be raised in case of danger.
If money is not an issue for you, you can rent an entire resort: many small islands can be a safe haven for wealthy people. For example, the boat-only part of Soneva Gili can be rented in its entirety.
Village islands
In the Maldives, excursions to nearby villages are very popular among tourists. Some resorts have a close relationship with the islands where the villages are located and regularly bring guests back and forth. If there is no such island near the resort, then, as a rule, a visit to the village is included in the program of a one-day excursion, which involves a visit to an uninhabited island.
The Maldivian villages that you will enter on this guided tour will not provide a complete picture of the life of the local people. There you will see crowds of tourists milling about and a market created with the special purpose of meeting their needs, not the needs of local residents. But schools, mosques and houses will be real, and the natural spontaneous development of these villages will allow your eye to rest from the strict correctness of resorts.
It takes a lot of effort to visit a "real village" in the Maldives, somewhere far from the beaten track. Firstly, it is expensive (you have to rent a separate boat because transport going to the inland atolls does not take foreigners on board). Second, there are many bureaucratic hurdles to overcome, such as obtaining permission to visit inland atolls from the administration of the ministry located in Male. And in order to get it, you need confirmation from the person living on the island you are going to visit. All this, of course, deprives acquaintance with the real life of the archipelago of spontaneity. If your determination is unshakable, a travel agent in Male will help you overcome bureaucratic hurdles.
Diving
The masters of scuba gear and action cameras in the Maldives will find perfectly warmed water (on average + 27 ° C), excellent visibility even at a depth of 40 m and an incredibly rich underwater world. The only danger is the currents that gain strength outside the reefs, so beginners are better off dabbling inside the atolls.
It is better to go in search of bottom riches from September to May: the sea during this period is calm, it does not have that abundance of plankton, which happens with the arrival of monsoons. Coral slides, sunken ships (wrecks), inter-island straits - all these are the traditional routes of heroes in wetsuits.
One or another type of diving can be done in almost all resorts, but the conditions vary significantly. On some islands scuba diving is not the most important sport on the list. This means that both diving spots and scuba diving courses will be quite limited, which is more suitable for beginners or regular scuba divers.
However, true Maldives scuba diving fans have something more to claim. The resorts most popular with scuba diving fraternities offer a wide range of courses such as VIT, CMAS, SSI, PADI, NAUI, ANDI and RAB where you can upgrade your skills. They also provide additional and safety equipment, such as underwater video cameras. The choice may also be influenced by the presence of nitrox and a decompression chamber, as well as the proximity of the resort to places suitable for diving.
Most of the local diving centers are located on the basis of hotels ("Sun Diving School" PADI Golden Palm 5, Ocean Dive Center, TGI Maldives, Euro Divers, etc.). Well, for the most restless there is the possibility of a dive safari, for which a group of divers with the same experience is recruited. The advantages of such a cruise are obvious: you can get acquainted with almost all atolls and look into uninhabited islands, it is much cheaper than diving with accommodation in a hotel, and, finally, a yacht trip is an almost guaranteed opportunity to meet local sharks, which are exactly what those who come to Maldives scuba divers.
Video: Diving in the Maldives
Rating of the best diving spots in the Maldives
Male Atoll
- Banana reef;
- Lyons Head;
- Manta Point;
- Old Shark Point;
- wreckage of the ship "Victoria";
- Poodle Place;
- Rainbow Reef;
- Hans Place.
South Male Atoll
- vadu cave;
- guraidhoo Strait.
- the sunken ship "Fesdu";
- Maaafushi-Tila;
- reef Fish head.
Northern atolls
The North Atolls are one of the main tourist destinations in the Maldives. Now the number of resorts has barely crossed the double-digit number, but this figure will steadily increase. It is planned to develop the virgin atolls, which will provide visitors with even more peace and privacy. Since there are much fewer cruising ships here than in the more populated atolls close to the capital, the air in the northern resorts is cleaner and the water is clearer than anywhere else in the archipelago.
New tour operators are forced to contend with hundreds of competitors, so they try to differentiate themselves by offering more brilliant deals and interesting entertainment. One of these ideas is embodied on an island called Haydeway. It is a relatively new resort that boasts the first marina in the Maldives. It is designed to attract as many customers as possible. People who are accustomed to vacationing on yachts, such as, for example, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, already regularly spend time in the North Atolls. They may be trying to avoid the busier islands near the capital. In high-class hotels, guests will find the appropriate service: this is the assistance of a butler and massage.
Guests who do not have their own yachts can be transported to hotels located on the northern islands by high-speed boats. The road will take just over two hours. Seaplane flights are much more likely, and more remote resorts sometimes organize their own commercial flights.
Beaches
In this part of the country, you will be able to see the same fantastic white-sand beaches lit by golden rays of the sun and washed by azure waves, as in other Maldivian atolls. But their privacy guarantees you even more purity and virginity than in the central regions of the archipelago.
Diving
The relatively recent development of tourism in the Maldives, which began in the 1990s, as well as the small number of boats and ships plying around the atolls, keep these areas pristine and thus create an excellent diving environment. Both kailu (straits, channels between reefs) and tila (seamount, reef bank, the top of which is not visible from the surface) offer many opportunities for snorkeling. Diving in the Raa and Baa Atolls, west of the southern group of islands, includes the Khorubadu Tila Protected Area, inhabited by oceanic fish, occasionally hosted by gray reef sharks and eagle rays. Among the other thilas in the area stand out the busiest Daravandu, as well as Beriyan Faro, Kottefaru Kuda and Vaadu, each of which promises a lot to true diving enthusiasts. The southwest monsoon, which blows from May to June, brings manta rays and whale sharks to the shores. The strong currents in these areas mean that they are more suited to experienced divers and few areas are suitable for beginners.
To the east of Raa and Baa, near Lhaviani Atoll, divers will encounter the remains of the fishing boats Skipjack II and Gaafaru, which have become part of underwater life over two decades on the ocean floor. Where they flood is easy to find: the bow of the Skipjack II rises above the surface of the water. In addition, there are two excellent kettlebell diving sites (a cluster of corals a few meters from the ocean surface): Narcola, south of Huravali, rich in ridges and faults, and Maa, southwest of Kanuhuraa, where underwater currents create a fantastic variety of marine flora and fauna. Another ocean protected area called Kuredu Express offers pleasant scuba diving, while Fushifaru Tila is 250 meters long with strong currents and is a great spot for advanced divers.
Southern atolls
Given the proximity to Male, some of the South Atolls remain relatively undeveloped in terms of resort, perhaps because the atolls here are not as close to each other as in the north of the Maldives. The slow pace of development has made the area popular for boat safaris that ply the archipelago in search of privacy and peace for their passengers.
If it were not for tourism, this zone would not have been active at all, especially on the islands, where they are engaged in fishing and agriculture. As in the North Atolls, the number of resorts here has barely exceeded double digits, along with those that developers are still working on. From Male to your resort, you can fly by seaplane in 35 or 45 minutes.
Beaches
The lack of heavy boating ensures crystal clear waters, and some even argue that the local beaches are some of the best in the Maldives. And although it is almost impossible to rank the countless coastlines while walking on the sands of Fileitio or Vilu Rif Resort, I really want to agree with them.
Diving
Immediately below South Male Atoll, in Vaavu, is the country's longest pristine reef ridge, 55 km long. It stretches from Hurahu Kandu to the southernmost point of the atoll. The main scuba diving activity in these areas is Kaila drift diving, which has many excellent spots including Wattara Kanda, a protected area and a reef. Thila (underwater coral reefs) are also popular, notably Fotteyo, which many include among the best diving spots in the Maldives. An amazing life of various underwater inhabitants proceeds here, and some corals are simply dazzling.
Water sports
All the usual water sports are available in the South Atolls, and among the centers that focus on this type of recreation are Alimatha Aquatic, Medhufushi and Vilu Reef.
Far southern atolls
Maldives' southern atolls, some of which are located on the other side of the equator, are rare islands where tourists freely mingle with the local population. The Equatorial Village is located on the island of Gan, which belongs to the southernmost atoll of Sina, where there are traces of the British presence. Previously, there were two Royal Air Force bases, which were dismantled in 1976, but the English lawns and reconstructed barracks still remind of them.
Another unique feature of this part of the country is that you can walk 17 km in a straight line without reaching the water. This became possible thanks to the dam, which was built by the British, connecting Gan with three islands - Feidu, Marada and the main atoll Hitadu - to the northeast of it. No special permission is required to visit these locally inhabited islands, which is why independent tourists who are curious to see the real life of the Maldivians love to come here. A relatively inexpensive (by Maldivian standards, of course) stay at the resort attracts a whole crowd of backpackers here.
Until recently, Gan was a rather sleepy island, but in the near future that should change. The fact is that the local airport has been brought in line with international standards, and now it can receive more tourists who want to visit resorts, the number of which is steadily increasing. Ghana's geographic isolation has caused differences in culture and language, as well as flora and fauna, so travelers can experience very different experiences from this island than from the rest of the Maldives. For many years Gan remained the only island in the group of far southern atolls on which a resort was built, but now it is beginning to experience competition from its neighbors.
Beaches
If you prefer immaculate beaches, then it is better to settle somewhere else in the archipelago. The beauty of Gan is that you can freely walk around its beaches, which are not overseen by strict resort management, and mingle with the locals. You can swim at Koattey Beach, which is at the northern tip of Hitadu.
Diving
With an almost complete lack of tourist infrastructure, ocean life is thriving in these areas. In this sense, Sinu Atoll is especially attractive, where divers will not find a crowd of like-minded people. This atoll has escaped the coral efflorescence that has engulfed most of the archipelago, which gives it a special appeal. Perhaps the most famous diving spot is the British Loyalty multi-ton tanker, torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II. Experienced divers are allowed to swim into the remains of the hull itself, where a dazzling variety of underwater life awaits them. Another point of attraction for the diving community is Shark Point, northeast of Hulumidu, named after the abundance of white and gray reef sharks.
Getting to know local life
Not to be missed is the rare chance to experience an authentic Maldivian village. Travel to the islands by motorcycle, bike, or on foot (there are tours to the equatorial village). There you will see mosques, schools and the remains of a British stay. At the far end of the dam is the most beautiful part of the atoll, the capital of Hitadu. In the center, there are many tea houses and a stadium where you can even watch competitions. And on the lake with fresh water Eidigali-Kili you can admire birds.
A wedding in the Maldives is no longer a fashionable trend, but rather a pretentious tradition that stubbornly does not give up positions, demonstrating the level of consistency of the spouses. You can order a ceremony in the best traditions of soap operas, which includes a visit to the spa, a romantic walk, a wedding ceremony and a wedding picnic, smoothly turning into a wedding night in a secluded bungalow, right at the hotel. For a spectacular theatrical performance and a wedding certificate, you will have to pay 2,833 rufiyaa (11,000 rubles). Fans of extreme and non-trivial experiences in the Maldives are offered an underwater version of the solemn event. The prices for a wedding at the bottom of the sea in the company of experienced dive instructors are already more serious - around 3993 rufiyaa (15,500 rubles).
The other side of the Maldivian paradise
The world's most fashionable resort has practically no natural sources of fresh water. Life-giving moisture is either collected here during the rainy season, or pumped from wells. The water extracted from the atoll depths contains a large amount of salts, therefore it is subjected to demineralization. However, it is still of little use for drinking, since it has a miserable shelf life, and therefore most tourists, and even indigenous people, prefer to buy bottled water.
Own power plants in the Maldives are a luxury item, which is why fuel generators are replacing them on several islands. And if on relatively inhabited atolls electricity is supplied around the clock, then where there are fewer people, the light is supplied only in the evenings and then for a couple of hours.
The problem of garbage in the island state was solved ingeniously and simply - a separate island was taken away for household waste. But since official landfills cannot accommodate the entire volume of accumulated waste, in some parts of the Maldives, this issue is approached with a great deal of creativity. For example, in some atolls, sewage water is used to feed green spaces and enrich the soil with fertilizer from fish giblets; in other parts of the resort, tourists are supplied with special bags for waste, which the guest must take with him after rest. However, with all efforts, it has not yet been possible to completely get rid of garbage, therefore, plastic thrown by passengers of yachts and boats from time to time is nailed to the shores of the Maldives.
Food and drink
In search of national Maldivian dishes, it is better to go to Male, since the hotel kitchens are mainly staffed by staff from Sri Lanka, who adapt food to their own culinary traditions. In the capital's eateries, the islanders work predominantly, so the food in them is the most authentic.
Oddly enough, but in a tropical paradise, culinary preferences are nowhere more modest. True, such simplicity is a forced measure: in the Maldives, little grows, except for bananas and coconuts. The products here are imported and, therefore, expensive, so local chefs always have 1000 and one way of cooking rice with fish in stock.
A regular on the Maldivian table is tuna: fried, boiled, dried, smoked, boiled to a soufflé (mas huni), canned ... They also love curry on the islands, which is much less spicy than in neighboring India. The Maldivians prepare fish broth (garudia) from the first courses. This tropical soup is cooked for several hours, seasoned with lime and chili and served with the same rice. Meat on the local tables is a rare guest, since pork is banned in an Islamic country, and there is simply nothing to feed the cattle on the atolls.
The average Maldivian can season his "daily rice" with coconut or lime juice, onions and chili. The islanders' bread is replaced by the unleavened roshi flatbread (a local variation on the theme of Armenian lavash), and the main drink here is green tea with milk (masala). Maldivians do not drink alcoholic drinks, but they get their portion of alcoholic euphoria at the expense of raa - fermented palm juice. As for the desserts, almost all of them are coconut-based. The most striking representative of sweet dishes is the Bondi stick - a pressed and somewhat sugary treat made from coconut flakes, wrapped like a Havana cigar.
Most of the all inclusive hotels have international cuisine. Of course, they also host weeks of local delicacies, but on other days there are French croissants and every Maldivian's nightmare - juicy pork steaks.
Money
The country's official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa ($ 0.06). The rufiyaa exchange rate is artificially supported against the dollar, and its rate against other currencies is based on this, so there is no point in looking for a place where you can make a more profitable exchange. In circulation, there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rufiyaa and coins in 1 and 2 rufiyaa. Foreign currency exchange is carried out at the airport or at any of the banks, just keep in mind that the latter are closed on Friday and Saturday. In all places where tourists go, American dollars and euros are accepted, they are also in circulation at all resorts. If you wish, you do not have to deal with cash at all, but ask to include all costs in the hotel bill and pay at the end of the stay with a credit card.
Fun fact: Maldives print their rufiyaa on the same paper as America's dollars.
Tip
Tipping, which is highly prevalent in nearby territories such as India, is not as strong in the Maldives. But low wages and tipping foreign visitors began to make a difference. In most resorts, a certain table is immediately assigned to the guest, so that the same waiter will serve him throughout the rest. If you have no desire to deal with small cash, then you can thank the service staff on the last day. Some tour operators charge $ 10 per week. There is no need to tip taxi drivers or cafes. If you want to thank a local for taking a photo with you, he may be offended.
Shopping
Shopping in a country where practically nothing is produced is like a kind of quest. Although for an unassuming tourist in the Maldives, of course, there is something authentic or skillfully imitating this very authenticity. It is worth noting that most of the knick-knacks with supposedly Maldivian flavor, which are sold in the shops of the capital, in fact, are not. All these are, as a rule, Sri Lankan variations on the theme of "a truly Maldivian souvenir."
For authentic creations of Maldivian artisans, it is better to go to the islands of Mahibadhoo, Maafushi, Huura, Rasdhoo, where for not the most modest sum, local craftsmen will gladly endow you with wooden boxes, miniature "doni", rugs made of palm fiber, colorful shells and funny coconut monkeys. Hunters "for something like that" will surely be persuaded to buy a Maldivian hookah gudo guda, which local grandmothers love to blow in for the coming sleep. If it didn't work out with a hookah, you won't be surprised with magnets and T-shirts, but you still want to bring a material reminder of your vacation, take a closer look at the ritual drums of Badu Beru.
By the way, talking about T-shirts and magnets - you don't have to go far for them: all of Male's souvenir shops are filled with this good. In them you can also get the notorious shark teeth, which have long become the main resort trophy.
Opening hours
Business life in the Maldives freezes on Friday, as well as five times a day for 15 minutes during prayer. Shops can start their work at 6.00, but most often open at 8.00 or 9.00. They usually close at 20.00, but some may work until 23.00. Government offices and banks open at 7.30 or 8.00 and work until 13.30 from Sunday to Thursday.
Difference in time
The time difference with Moscow in the Maldives is +1 hour in the summer (when in Moscow it is 11.00, in the Maldives it is already 12.00) and +2 hours in the winter.
- Birthdays are not celebrated in the Maldives. Moreover, they don't even try to remember this date.
- Only a Muslim who has lived in it for several years can obtain citizenship of the country.
- The Maldives is in the top 10 countries in terms of divorce rate (about 50%). At the same time, citizens are criminally liable for adultery. Walkers to the left are here publicly "treated" with a whip.
- The working week in the country starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday.
- Entering the Maldives with a dog is strictly prohibited: according to the Koran, this animal is considered unclean.
- The resort's motto is No news, no shoes! (No news, no shoes!)
- There is no tax free system in the Maldives.
- Male International Airport is located on an artificial island.
- In the Maldives, not only the celebration of Halloween, but also the mention of it aloud is officially prohibited.
- The largest fish in the world, the whale shark, is found in the Maldives. Its size ranges from 5.5 to 10 meters, and people can admire how this whopper cuts through the crystal clear waters of the Maldives.
Where to stay
The Maldives is not a place where you can go with a hundred dollars clenched in your fist, hang out all weekend and bring change. On the one hand, there are several hostels and guest houses in the country, but even in such places a tourist will be asked for a far from modest sum. You can, of course, try to negotiate with the locals and settle with them, but this is rather an extreme option for backpackers and seasoned adventurers. On the other hand, people do not come to tropical paradise to count every bill and cut themselves off in everything, so why not relax in a big way.
The classics of local housing are water bungalows (wooden houses on stilts, standing right in the sea). For the waves lapping right under your feet and the exclusive opportunity to snorkel at your own porch, you will have to pay an average of 5,153 to 20,6,611 rufiyaa (20,000-80000 rubles). An excellent chance to combine comfortable living conditions and acquaintance with the most picturesque Maldivian atolls - yachts, renting a cabin on which at the price is equal to an excellent hotel room.
There are relatively few budget three-ruble hotels in the Maldives, and even those are mostly occupied by divers. Booking.com's top recommendations are Gunbaru Inn, Rihiveli by Castaway and Sun Tan Beach. There is a wide range of prices here: you can find a room for 902 rufiyaa (about 3500 rubles), or you can find it for 3865 (15000 rubles).
Safety
In the Maldives, they are insanely afraid of yellow fever, so they scrupulously check for the vaccination against this disease in all travelers who arrived from South America and Africa. For some reason, all other causative agents of infections do not cause interest in local doctors, but, just in case, it is better to pre-vaccinate against rubella, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and B and typhoid fever. If you are not coming from an infected area, then vaccinations are optional.
You shouldn't leave without a strategic stock of essential medicines - normal pharmacies in the resort can be found only in Male, while on most other islands the choice of medicines is extremely scarce, and hospitalization in this country costs decent money. It is also better not to show up on Maldivian beaches without good sunscreen, repellent and a bottle of water. Due to the high concentration of solar radiation, you can get a sunburn at the equator not only by lying under a palm tree, but also sitting up to your throat in water.
Despite the fact that local beaches give the impression of calm and "lazy" places, do not rush to demonstrate your own prowess and swim behind the line of red flags that mark safe swimming areas. Of course, most of the hotels on the shore are guarded, but no one has canceled the underwater ocean currents, which cannot be dealt with.
Crime in the republic is minimized, so the Maldives can be safely called one of the safest resorts. In force majeure situations, when you cannot do without the help of law enforcement agencies, it is better to contact the hotel security, which itself will establish contact with the police station.
Communication
Cellular services in the resort are provided by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, whose SIM cards can be purchased at the airport or in specialized stores in Male. The call quality is quite good, unless you've gone too far out to sea. It is customary to top up the phone balance using special cards that are usually sold in hotels. A call to Russia from a Dhiraagu SIM card will cost around 4.9 rufiyaa / minute (about 19 rubles). For calls within the country, it is better to use local payphones, the services of which are also paid for by card (easy to find in hotels and street vendors). For wealthy tourists, there is such an exclusive option as landline calls from the hotel room. So, if you are the happy owner of a couple of oil wells, you can calmly solve business issues without leaving your bed.
Free Wi-Fi in the Maldives is a rare beast that lives exclusively in hotels. Those who are unlucky with the hotel can go to the Internet cafes of the capital, having lowered in them from 45 to 150 rufiyaas (175-582 rubles) per hour of online surfing, or connect the necessary service from one of the local mobile operators, thereby robbing himself of at least 290 rufiyaa (1125 rubles).
How to call the Maldives
To call from Russia to the Maldives, dial:
- from a landline phone: 8-10-960 (Maldives code) - desired city code - subscriber number;
- from a mobile phone: 8-10-960 - mobile operator code - subscriber's mobile phone number.
There are no area codes in the Maldives. All numbers are now seven-digit.
How to call abroad
To call Russia from the Maldives, dial:
- from a landline phone: 00 - 7 - desired city code - subscriber number in Russia (00 - international line prefix; 7 - Russian telephone code);
- from a mobile phone: +7 - subscriber's number. International operator - 190; help desk - 11.
Transport
Ground transportation in the Maldives is absent as such, since the vast majority of the local islands can be bypassed on foot. And only in Male, a tourist can afford the luxury of a ride for 27 rufiyaa (97 rubles) by taxi or 4.70 (18 rubles) by bus.
For those planning to travel from island to island, there are three main modes of transport:
- hydroplane;
- boat / boat;
- ferry.
The first option is ideal for travelers with an unlimited budget - the pleasure costs from 2,400 to 3,000 rufiyaas (9,316-11,645 rubles), but it gives a unique opportunity to look at the atoll chain from a bird's eye view. A trip on a speedboat or a national boat "doni", depending on the distance of the destination, will cost 470-860 rufiyaa (1824-3380 rubles). Well, a trip by ferry will be affordable even for a budget tourist, since the final amount of the ferry will be from 31 to 46 rufiyaas (approximately 120-179 rubles). The main airport of the Maldives is located next to the capital, on the small island of Hulhule. This is where all international flights arrive.
Insurance
We strongly recommend getting insurance, especially if you are going to spend time on the island; Delivery to the hospital in case of danger can cost a tidy sum. Buying insurance in no way will ruin you: a two-week trip will cost you about one euro per day. If you travel frequently, it is more profitable to buy an annual policy. The package may not include the risk associated with outdoor activities such as scuba diving. When choosing a policy, be sure to consider this.
Visa information
When entering the Maldives, a tourist visa is put into the passport for Russian citizens free of charge, for a period of 30 days. A foreign guest will be required to have a passport valid for at least six months, return tickets, a receipt confirming tourist services, and the presence of an amount of money at the rate of at least $ 30 for each day of stay.
customs control
There is no restriction on the import and export of foreign currency in the Maldives. In addition, you can bring to the resort duty-free cigarettes (no more than 200 pieces) and perfumery in an amount not exceeding 125 ml. But goods worth more than $ 200 (about 12,000 rubles) will have to be declared.
Save money and nerves by once and for all abandoning the attempt to smuggle alcohol to the Maldives (even bought in Duty free stores). Alcohol will still be taken away from you and disposed of. The same fate will befall pork delicacies and pornographic magazines. You should also be careful with local souvenirs: no one will be released from the equatorial paradise with pearl oysters, corals and turtle shell products (unless these are certified products). It is allowed to carry a certain amount of presents and tobacco. Carriage of weapons or drugs is considered the most serious offense. The punishment can be life imprisonment.
Airports
For those who travel a lot to the countries of the Indian subcontinent, the international airport in Male will seem like a breath of fresh air. Here, unlike other airports in the region, civilized tranquility reigns, passengers are not overwhelmed by crowds of barkers, porters and taxi drivers. The airport is located on a separate island called Hulhule, which is not far from the capital. As soon as you get to the terminal, you will immediately see two rows of counters that belong to different resorts and tour operators. Find the one you need and a representative will tell you about the transfer in all details. If your resort is nearby, a speed boat will suffice, if it is far away, then you may need to take a seaplane. In any case, you will receive precise instructions and leave the airport in a planned manner without hindrance. Upon returning to the reception at the hotel, they will also explain all the details in detail.
If you are a rare type of independent traveler, chances are you should go to Male. Ferries run round the clock between the capital and the island where the airport is located. They depart from the main pier in Thulhula and dock at Moles 9 and 10 in Male. Boats start every 15 minutes or when crowded, the trip costs 10 rufiyaa or $ 1. For about $ 10, you can rent a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, which is now powered by a motor.
For flight information, call Male International Airport at 333-8800.
In the Maldives, you have the opportunity to visit another, very unusual airport. The seaplanes that transport passengers from Male to resorts land on the water and only then taxi onto a small floating platform just a few meters long and about the same width. From here you will be taken by boat to the desired island. The miniature size of these "airports" is the subject of jokes for resort companies. On one of the floating platforms there is a sign that reads: “Welcome to Soneva Fushi International Airport”.
How to get there
Regular flights to the Maldives from Moscow are carried out by the following airlines:
- Aeroflot - direct flights from Sheremetyevo twice a week.
- Turkish Airlines - flights from Vnukovo with a transfer in Istanbul.
- Qatar Airlines - flights from Domodedovo with a connection in Doha.
- Emirates - with a transfer in Dubai.
You can go to the most expensive resort on the planet from St. Petersburg with Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, Russia and Emirates. All flights are connecting. Another option is charters that fly in the direction of the Maldives both from St. Petersburg and from other cities of Russia. Delivery to the hotel usually falls on the shoulders of tour operators, whose representatives meet their clients as soon as they leave the plane.
👁 6.3k (23 per week) ⏱️ 1 min.
The ocean washing the Maldives is called the Indian Ocean, and they themselves are grouped into an archipelago stretching from north to south, consisting of coral atolls - ring-shaped island structures. There are lagoons inside these rings. In total, this archipelago includes 1190 islands, which are grouped in 26 atolls. All atolls are divided into 19 administrative districts, and the capital of the state, the city of Male, became the 20th administrative unit.
The islands are located southwest of the Industan Peninsula, and the Indian Ocean is washed by the Maldives - warm, huge and majestic, the blue of its waters merging on the horizon with the sky, because of which the horizon line becomes almost indistinguishable. But among the huge number of islands in the archipelago, only about two hundred were inhabited. In an archipelago like the Maldives, the sea occupies 99.7% of the territory and only an insignificant remainder falls on land. In general, the Maldives rise above the water, being part of a large underwater mountain range. For thousands of years, corals have grown on the tops of the seamounts, reaching up towards the sun, gradually forming reefs. As a result, ring-shaped structures grew, parts of which later appeared above the surface of the water and formed islands of atolls. And in the middle of the atoll there was a depression - a lagoon, which communicated with the ocean through a series of natural channels-channels.
Indian Ocean temperature off Maldives
Those who are going to the Maldives should not worry about the temperature of the ocean water - it is always warm and suitable for swimming here. At any time of the year, it is no colder than 26 degrees., which cannot but delight divers and just beach goers. This is not surprising, because the archipelago is very close to the equator. The water in the ocean is always clear and blue, which further enhances the pleasure of contact with it. During the monsoon, many islands have strong currents, making sailing in the sea dangerous, but the rest of the time, communication between the atolls is easy.
Flora and fauna of the Maldives ocean
The many hundreds of species of fish found in the Indian Ocean can be divided into two categories: fish that live in calm lagoons and reefs, and those that prefer the freedom of the open ocean, but sometimes also approach the islands in search of food. Fans of scuba diving and snorkeling are attracted by a lot under water: exotic shapes and colors of coral, fish, molluscs, jellyfish, turtles, moray eels, sea urchins and stars, dolphins, rays and sharks. Cetaceans and sea turtles also prefer to migrate across the ocean - they are very popular with divers.
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The Republic of Maldives is nothing more than a group of atolls - rings that span sea lagoons. The archipelago is located south of India, and the sea of \u200b\u200bthe Maldives is the majestic and vast Indian Ocean, which here merges with the sky, making the horizon almost invisible.
Paradise vacation
Which sea washes the Maldives? This question is one of the first to ask themselves the lucky owners of tours to luxury Maldivian resorts. The Indian Ocean is the third largest among the world's oceans, and it is its waters that have made beach holidays on the islands so amazing and memorable. The main visitors to the local resorts can be roughly divided into three groups:
- Newlyweds who decide to spend their honeymoon like a king. The sea of \u200b\u200bthe Maldives, the white sand of the beaches and the bright sun, complete with magnificent hotels and the opportunity to retire for two on the whole island, are weighty arguments in favor of choosing this particular tourist destination.
- Divers for whom the first and only place is the rich underwater world of the Indian Ocean in the Maldives region. Other aspects are of little concern to them, and diving at the local resorts is possible in any season.
- Fans of high-class rest and perfect service, for whom the price does not matter.
Ocean of dreams
The Indian Ocean in the Maldives can be called ideal. It has a beautiful color, the water is clean and transparent, the underwater world is striking in its variety, and the water temperature makes bathing pleasant and comfortable. The thermometer in its waters at the local resorts does not drop below +26 degrees throughout the year, from which both beachgoers and divers are delighted.
The question of what seas in the Maldives is usually puzzled by those who like to go out on yachts. On the archipelago there is an opportunity even to stay on a yacht, and its rent will not exceed the cost of a good room in the local hotel. This type of recreation allows you to see many new islands and get a real ocean of impressions.
The Indian Ocean is rich in a wide variety of fauna. Here you can find not only sea turtles and dolphins, but even blue whales and sperm whales. In the Maldives region, the ocean waters are inhabited by plankton, some of which can glow at night, making the waves especially picturesque. There are no dangerous animals on land on the islands, and whale sharks, which can swim to the shores at a sufficiently close distance, feed only on plankton and do not pose a threat to swimmers.
Geographical position.
The Maldives archipelago consists of 26 atolls, is located 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka and crosses the equator line. The total area is 90 thousand km2. Of the 1190 islands, only 200 are inhabited (population is about 270 thousand people), and 87 islands are tourist resorts.Flight to Maldives.
A non-stop flight from Moscow to Male takes approximately 8 hours. The Hulule International Airport is located on a separate island with the same name, at a distance of 1 km - 10 minutes by national boat "dhoni" - from the capital of the Maldives - Male. Such flights are carried out by Aeroflot, Transaero, and during the season (from October to May) - also by charter companies. There are convenient connecting flights on Emirates airlines (via Dubai, UAE) and Areoflot (via Colombo, Sri Lanka).State capital
Male is the smallest capital in the world (2.5 km long, 1 km wide). Its main attraction is the Great Friday Mosque, decorated with a golden dome. The Islamic Center is located on its territory. This largest mosque in the Maldives can accommodate more than 5,000 people at the same time. Nearby is the old "Great Friday" mosque with a unique minaret, graves of national heroes and members of ruling families. Other attractions of the capital include the Presidential Palace, the National Museum, located in Sultan's Park, and the burials of legendary Maldivian saints. It is also interesting to visit the colorful local markets - fruit, vegetable and handicraft - places where residents of many Maldives bring goods.In 1995, the population of Male was 65 thousand people.
State structure
Democratic republic. The head of state and government is the president (elected for 5 years). The legislative body is a unicameral parliament (54 deputies). Administratively, the Maldives is divided into 19 provinces (atolls) and the capital district of Male.Official language
- The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi (Indo-Iranian language group). English is widely spoken at the resorts.Population
As of 1995, 261,310 people lived in the Maldives. About 99% of the population is Maldivians (ethnogenesis is not completely clear), as well as Arabs and people from the African continent. The population can be divided into the following ethnic groups: Sinhalis, Dravids, Arabs and Africans. A distinctive feature of the Maldives is small stature and not aggressive nature. Archaeological evidence has shown that these islands were inhabited more than 3000 years ago and are associated with the civilization of the Indian Valley. Modern Maldivians are a mixed race, influenced by the inhabitants of Sri Lanka, India and the Arab countries.Religion
The majority of the population is Sunni Muslim.Time
It is ahead of Moscow by 1 hour in summer, in winter - by 2 hours.Money
Maldivian rufiyaa (rupee, MVR, Rf), equal to 100 lari. 1 US dollar equals approximately 12 rufiyaa, 1 euro equals 15 rufiyaa (as of September 2004). In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rufiyaa, as well as coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari. USD (Euros are often accepted) as well as major credit cards are universally accepted, so it is not necessary to exchange currency immediately upon arrival. Traveler's checks in the capital and most hotels can also be cashed without problems.Currency can be exchanged at a clear official rate at any of the banks, exchange offices or at the airport (reverse exchange can be done at the same points). On remote tourist islands, the exchange rate is usually less favorable, and besides, most often only rufiyaas are accepted. For calculations, you will need mainly small bills, since no one will give change from large ones.
Banks are usually open from 09.00 to 13.00 from Saturday to Thursday. The day off, as in all Islamic countries, is Friday.
Import and export of local currency is prohibited.
Approximate prices
Soft drinks - $ 1.5, beer - $ 2-3 per can, European cigarettes - $ 3-5, Italian or French wine - from $ 14 per bottle, alcoholic cocktails - from $ 6, whiskey - $ 70-100 per bottle, sandwiches - from $ 5, dinner or lunch (food only, no drinks) - from $ 15, windsurfing - $ 13 per hour, parachute - $ 50 circle (15-20 minutes), water skiing - $ 3 a minute, night fishing - $ 18, scuba gear - from $ 33 per dive, rental of a mask, snorkel, fins - $ 3 per day, massage - $ 30 per hour, 1 minute of conversation with Moscow - $ 8.Communication
Calling code: 960.The entire territory of the country is divided into a number of telephone zones. The cost of a call within one zone usually costs about Rs 0.25 per minute, between different zones - from Rs 0.55 to 3 per minute. The call can be made from any phone of the machine that works with the telephone cards of the local operator "Dhiraagu" (cost 30, 50, 100, 200 and 500 rufiyaa). Cards can be bought at the Dhiiraagu Teleshop in the capital or from card vendors on any of the major islands.
On a number of islands there are no public telephones, and communication is carried out from call centers (usually work from Sunday to Thursday from 7.30 to 20.00, on Fridays - from 14.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays - from 9.00 to 18.00), served by telephone operators. The cost of a call depends on the distance and is slightly higher than from a pay phone. From 24.00 to 06.00 the cost of a call is 20% cheaper.
The Maldives has GSM-900 mobile communications. Mobile phones of other standards do not work in the Maldives, but you can rent a mobile phone at the office of the local operator "Dhiraagu" in Male (phone 322 802, fax 322 800). More detailed advice can be obtained from the office of your mobile operator.
customs control
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency. All luggage goes through strict customs inspection. Duty-free import allowed up to 200 pcs. cigarettes and up to 125 ml. perfumery products, as well as personal consumption goods within reasonable limits (no more than one item per person).It is strictly forbidden to bring alcoholic beverages, salami, pork and pork products, pornographic publications and drugs, as well as shipwreck idols. The export of black coral and products from it (except for souvenirs made by officially certified manufacturers), products from the shell of a sea turtle, as well as objects and things found at the bottom of the sea is prohibited.
Health care
No special vaccinations are required, but vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended. If necessary, it is recommended to bring medicines with you, since there are practically no pharmacies on the islands, and medicines sold in hotels are extremely expensive. International medical insurance is highly recommended.The best of the best
Soneva Gili Resort is considered the largest seafront villa in the world.Transport
The Maldives is the only country in the world where there are practically no cars, and why are they needed if one of the largest islands, where the capital is located, is just over one square kilometer. The most popular means of transport are speedboats and speedboats, which provide connections between all the islands of the archipelago.Due to the peculiarities of the geography of the archipelago, most of the transportation is carried out by seaplanes, helicopters and boats. Public transport does not exist as such.
Hydroaviation does not serve all atolls. There are 2 air carriers operating in the country - Maldivian Air Taxi and Hummingbird Island Airways. The prices are quite high, it is somewhat cheaper to order a plane through the hotel administration or a travel agency. In addition, the companies offer sightseeing flights and picnic day trips to uninhabited islands for US $ 250 (estimated). You can take up to 20 kg with you free of charge. luggage plus 5 kg. hand luggage.
Renting a speedboat or boat costs $ 100-400 per day, plus fuel, or around 20-250Rf, depending on the type of boat, per trip. Distances between the islands are relatively short, so trips are short. On average, you can get to the neighboring islands on "doni" for 20 US dollars, and to the most remote islands - for 70 US dollars. You can bargain with private carriers. There is no timetable, ships leave as they fill up with passengers.
Car taxis (and roads!) Exist only in the capital, Male, on the atolls of Gan and Addu. Any trip, regardless of distance, is paid at the rate of 15Rf plus 5Rf for luggage during the day and 20Rf after 24.00. If the car stops even for a minute, the trip is considered complete and must be paid for. If you need to go further, then this is already a new trip. There are several taxi companies (work around the clock), all cars are equipped with air conditioning. Taxis can be stopped on the street or called by phone (in this case, the trip will cost 10Rf).
Maldives cuisine
Local cuisine is built on the traditions of Indian and, in part, Arab culinary traditions. Rice, seafood and various spices and seasonings are widely used. Smoked, dried and boiled fish are used in most traditional dishes. The basis of the cuisine is boiled tuna with rice, seasoned with various sauces (primarily coconut curry) and pepper, as well as "hikimas" - dried and smoked fish. Also good are the pies with fish, coconut and onion "badgia", fish pie "kuli borkiba", traditional fish soup and rice "garudia", tuna cutlets with coconut "gulu", baked fish with chili paste "fihunu mas", rolls of fried fish "kimia", fish paste "rihaukuru", fried fish with pepper and garlic "teluli may", etc.Meat, mainly chicken, is eaten only on holidays or as part of special dishes. Basically, rice is used in all its variations - boiled in coconut milk, with various vegetables, peppers, all the same fish or sea arthropods, as well as bananas, papaya, mango, pumpkin, sweet potatoes or breadfruit.
The main dessert is coconut in all forms, as well as sweet rice and fruit dishes. Coconut milk, various puddings, vegetable and fruit salads and pastries are widely used. The main drink is tea, consumed with a lot of milk and sugar. Black tea is poorly distributed, but it is ubiquitous; the locals are simply not used to drinking it. Coffee is becoming more and more popular, mainly in Arabic, but like all imported products, it is quite expensive here. In hot weather juices are very good, local sweet milk "kiru sarbat", sweet palm juice "raz", drink "suji" and low-alcohol drink "haa" from fermented palm milk.
Embassy of the Maldives in Russia:
The interests of the state are represented by the Embassy of Sri Lanka:Moscow, st. Schepkina, 24
Tel: 288-16-20, 288-14-63, 288-16-51.
Days of acceptance of documents:
Monday - Friday from 9.00 to 17.00
The Russian Embassy:
Embassy of the Russian Federation, 62 Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo-7, Sri-Lanka Tel .: (8-10-941) 57-4959, 57-3555 (8-10-941) 57-4957, 68- 6864 (trade representation)Holidays and weekends
According to the Muslim lunar calendar, religious holidays fall on different dates.January 1 - New Year.
early January - Eid al-Fitr (end of the fast of Ramadan or "Rorda Mas").
March - Eid al-Kebir (Day of Sacrifices).
early April - Islamic New Year.
June 4-5 - National holiday of the Maldives.
June 15 - Mulud (Milad an Nabi, the Prophet's birthday).
July 6-7 - National holiday dedicated to the expulsion of the Portuguese occupation in 1573
July 26-27 - Independence Day, the holiday of the adoption of the declaration of independence of the Maldives in 1965
November 11-12 - Republic Day.
September 1 - Khuravi Day.
October 28 - Martyrs Day.
November 3 - Victory Day.
November 9 - Victims' Day.
November 11-12 - Day of the adoption of the third constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
December 25-26 - Christmas.
Friday in the Maldives is a day off.
Phone
Information telephone network - 110.International telephone operator - 190.
Communication operator between atolls - 188.
Weather Service - 317-171.
Male airport information desk - 332-211.
Maldives Tourism Development Bureau - 323-228.
Customs Office - 322-001, 310-045.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Police - 119.
National Security Service - 313-281.
Fire department - 118.
Ambulance - 102.
Hotels
There is no "star" hotel classification in the Maldives. The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Maldives proposed the following hotel classification: Deluxe, Superior, Standard, which approximately corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3-star hotels. In the Maldives, a special classification has been introduced due to the specificity of local hotels: hotels are located on small islands, with limited infrastructure due to the size of the island; accommodation is offered in bungalows or cottages no higher than 2 floors. When choosing a hotel, it is recommended to carefully read the specific list of services provided by this or that hotel.There are no animation programs in the Maldives resorts (with the exception of hotels of Italian chains, but, unfortunately, these hotels often work mainly for the Italian market) and not all hotels offer an evening program.
Many hotels offer credit services upon presentation of a hotel card. The loan limit is usually $ 700, after which it is necessary to pay off the debt, after which the loan is renewed again.
Mains voltage
- 220-240 V, 50 Hz., Standard European sockets, but due to the fact that electricity is generated by hotel generators, power surges are frequent.Tip
The tip is usually 10% of the bill. It is customary to leave a small amount to the personally serving employee (US $ 10 per week to the hotel employee or 5% to the waiter). Some resorts add payment for services to the bill (usually 10%), in which case there is no need to tip. In case of renting a boat or motorboat, the amount should be negotiated in advance.The shops
Shop opening hours vary. They range between 07.00 and 08.00 and 21.00-23.00. During the siesta period, some shops are open from 13.00 - 15.00 and from 18.00 to 20.00Diving
The water temperature at the diving sites throughout the year is +27 - + 30 ° С.A significant part of the dives are conducted in strong currents at the vertical walls of the reefs, going to depths of 30-50 m and more. Sometimes diving is carried out in the channels of the atoll, also in conditions of strong currents. Strong currents are a characteristic feature of the waters of the Maldives. Currents can be directed horizontally along the reef walls and vertically up or down.
Visibility in Maldivian waters is highly dependent on the season and dive site. Even during the winter monsoon - the season of maximum visibility, when diving in the channels of the atoll, visibility can vary from 30 to 5 m. The direction of the current plays a significant role in this case.
Souvenirs
The Maldives, unlike the Emirates or Turkey, is not a big "shopping center". The most traditional souvenirs and purchases are postcards, posters, shorts, T-shirts with local symbols, shark jaws, handicrafts, light summer clothes, coconut oil, shells, etc. ... In small shops in the capital and in resorts, you can buy any little things - photographic film, simple electronics, Indian spices, fruits, light clothes.According to tourists, souvenirs in the Maldives are quite expensive. Alcohol. The Maldives is a Muslim country, which creates certain problems for fans of strong drinks. It is forbidden to bring alcohol with you here (even if you bought it at the airport upon arrival). You can drink only in specially designated places - in bars and restaurants of hotels where visitors from Sri Lanka and India serve (citizens of the Maldives are prohibited from selling alcohol). But alcohol is expensive there and is not sold to take away.
Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited, it is strictly forbidden to lift corals (both living and dead), shells and other marine life from the bottom of the sea. Large fines are charged for violation. 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 breaking local laws. All types of sea fishing are freely organized in the hotels, while independent fishing is also punishable.
It is a criminal offense to collect corals and, moreover, to export them from the country. Better to buy a T-shirt that says "No news, no shoes - Maldives". The slogan is true. Shoes there are an unnecessary excess, and there is no news at all. No newspapers, no television. Perhaps two radio stations broadcasting in an incomprehensible language, Dhivehi.
Despite the fact that the Maldives as an Islamic state is relatively liberal, visitors to the country must carefully observe the laws. Don't try to get in touch with local women! No drugs! For a walk in Male, it is recommended to dress in accordance with Muslim ideas of morality: long trousers or a skirt, a shirt or a blouse. At the same time, formal evening wear is not required 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 guards of the mosque usually insist on accompanying the tourist, hoping to take a fee, but in fact, you can inspect the mosque on your own.
Nude swimming is prohibited on all islands in the archipelago, with the exception of Kuramati Island. Violation of the country's laws can lead to imprisonment.
To get to the "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), for 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 a place to stay. For group visits, such permits are issued through the travel agency. Disembarkation on any island of tourists living in another place is allowed only with the consent of the administration of the island (hotel). At the same time, it is allowed to be on such an island only until 6 pm.
It is recommended to drink BOTTLED water and soft drinks. Local water, although it is purified quite thoroughly (often it is desalinated sea water), but due to the high temperature it quickly becomes unusable.
You can bargain in markets and private shops, but 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, it is even recommended to swim in a T-shirt - solar radiation easily penetrates the surface layer of water.
During diving and normal swimming, you should carefully monitor the environment - coral massifs have rather sharp edges, and many of the marine life are poisonous. Some marine predators are especially dangerous. 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 motionless, so stuffiness is felt. The change of time of day is typical for the equatorial regions - morning and evening last almost 15 minutes, no more, and immediately a bright day comes with a hot sun.
Environmental issues on the islands are of paramount importance. Often, tourists are given special garbage bags, and their garbage in these bags must be removed from 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.
Scuba diving schools are usually supplied with all the necessary equipment. All lessons related to diving are supervised by highly qualified instructors (there are also Russian-speaking ones). Scuba diving equipment, PADI training, solo 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 transfer to shallow-draft "doni" boats for passage between the reefs, so it often takes quite a long time. Off-reef dives should only be carried out with local instructors, as the nature of the ocean currents off the shelf is quite unpredictable. Night diving in the Maldives is rarely organized due to strong currents and unpredictable marine life. Swimming in the open sea is also not recommended.
The metric system is used, but often distances are indicated in nautical miles (1.61 km) and length in yards (0.92 m).
Traffic is practically not regulated, markings and road signs or not, or they have long been destroyed, traffic lights are also absent. The speed is low, but drivers never give way to pedestrians, so you should be extremely careful on the few Maldivian roads.
WITHOUT A VISA!
Tours and tours
about the country
In the Indian Ocean southwest of Ceylon, almost at the equator, there is a coral archipelago - Maldives... It consists of twenty-six coral atolls, most of which are uninhabited. They have never been part of the mainland. It's just that myriads of tiny polyps built their limestone houses on top of each other - as a result, islands were formed.The Maldives are most popular with newlyweds - this combination of privacy, comfort, luxury and primacy does not exist at the same time, perhaps anywhere else in the world. This is one of the few places where a miracle is possible: complete detachment from the present, immersion in a space woven of blue skies, snow-colored sand and emerald water of extraordinary transparency.
Nature and geography
The island state of the Maldives is located in South Asia, southwest of Sri Lanka, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives archipelago has about 2000 islands forming 26 atolls and only 202 of them are inhabited. The closest neighbors - India and Sri Lanka are located at a distance of 600 and 700 km north and south of the archipelago.
The capital of the Maldives - Male - is located on the island of Male. Time is 2 hours ahead of Moscow time, and from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October - by 1 hour.
Maldives climate
The Maldives has a warm tropical climate with an even temperature throughout the year (air temperature 25-30 C, water temperature 24-27 C). The optimal travel season is from October to May.
Average monthly air temperature in the capital:
Attractions Maldives
are widely known for their resorts, each of which is a unique world surrounded by the purest golden sands. This is a place "at the end of the world", where there is no noise of cities and European civilization, where only exotic nature and endless expanses of the ocean.Numerous underwater coral caves stretch across the Maldives archipelago, lush tropical vegetation creates the pristine and unique beauty of the islands.
The Maldives is a discovery for diving enthusiasts. Numerous coral caves are interesting places for underwater exploration. Coral reefs protect coastal waters from predatory fish, so diving enthusiasts need not fear for their lives.
Attractions in the Maldives include the National Museum, Sultan Park, Singapore Bazaar, Islamic Center and 20 picturesque mosques in the capital.
Maldives cuisine and its features
Local cuisine usually includes rice, fish curry made with coconut milk, and limes, chili and small onions. Roshi - a local bread - usually eaten with mas huni - a fish cocktail flavored with coconut, onions, chili and lime.
Of the local snacks, fihunu mas - fish baked with chili paste, keemia - fried fish rolls, kulhi borkihaa - the most delicate fish pie are very popular. Among the sweets, bondi - white coconut sticks - are very tasty.
Population, language, religion
The population of the Maldives is mainly composed of Maldivians and Indians.
The state language - Dhivehi, belongs to the Indo-Iranian group. English is widely spoken in the capital Male and in the resorts.
The population professes Sunni Islam.
Customs regulations, visa, currency, embassies
Tourist visa for 30 days is affixed free of charge upon arrival at the airport.Holders of Israeli passports are not allowed into the country... When departing from Hulhule Airport, there will be an airport tax of USD 10 per person.
Stay mode... There are no restrictions on movement. To visit one of the islands where the indigenous people live, you must obtain a special permit.
On Maldives there is no Russian embassy. You can contact the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Colombo. Tel. (94-1) 57-35-55, 57-49-59 (around the clock).
Currency... The official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa. One rufiyaa contains 100 lari. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rufiyaa and coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari.
Customs regulations... When passing through customs at the airport of Male, you must present all things for inspection, including carry-on luggage. The import of alcoholic beverages, drugs, any pornographic materials, recorded video tapes, weapons for spearfishing is prohibited.
Upon departure from Male, by presenting the relevant receipt, you can get back alcoholic beverages selected at the customs at the entrance.
Travel tips
Holidays and non-working days... January 1 - New Year, January 8-10 - Eid al Fitr (End of fasting Ramadan), March 15-18 - Eid al Kebir (Day of Sacrifice), April 6 - Islamic New Year, June 4-5 - National holiday, June 15 - Mulud (Birthday of the Prophet), July 26-27 - Independence Day, November 11-12 - Republic Day, September 1 - Khuravi Day, October 28 - Martyrs Day, November 3 - Victory Day.Souvenirs... Shark jaws, handicrafts, light summer clothes, coconut oil, shells, etc. are brought from the Maldives as souvenirs.
Transport... Any Maldives can be crossed in 1.5 - 2 hours. In the Maldives, water transport is predominant: the local taxi is a wooden dhoni boat with a flat roof.
Bicycles and motorcycles are the most popular types of land transportation. Taxis work to get around Male. The price of one trip in any direction is 10 rufiyaa. Car rental is available in Male and other large islands.
clothing... Any light clothing of your choice is acceptable. Even in deluxe hotels, most restaurants do not require evening wear. Normal beachwear is recommended for the beach. It should be remembered that nudism and topless are prohibited in the Maldives (with the exception of Kuramati Island, where topless is allowed). When visiting the fishing villages and the capital of Male, tourists should, respecting Muslim traditions, wear modest clothing.
Rules of behavior... Despite the fact that Islam practiced in the Maldives is milder than in most Arab countries, the following should not be forgotten:
- underwater hunting and unauthorized fishing are prohibited
- it is forbidden to get corals, shells, starfish, etc. from the sea.
- swimming nude is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago.
