Maldives

Maldives offers two distinct travel styles. Resort islands are self-contained escapes with private beaches, house reefs, watersports and restaurants, while inhabited islands such as Malé, Maafushi and Dhigurah offer guesthouses, local cafés and a closer look at everyday life. Before booking, check the entire route from Velana International Airport: nearby resorts usually use speedboats, while distant atolls may require a seaplane or domestic flight followed by a boat transfer. Confirm whether your accommodation includes transfers and note the final boat or seaplane departure time, especially if your international flight arrives late.\n\nOn local islands, dress modestly away from the beach and follow signs marking designated tourist bikini beaches. Alcohol is available at licensed resorts and tourist vessels, but not on inhabited islands; importing alcohol is prohibited. A confirmed booking for registered tourist accommodation is required for the whole stay. Use Hello’s trip-planning tools to keep flights, transfers, check-in times and boat contacts in one itinerary, and activate Hello eSIM before landing so you can reach your accommodation without relying on airport Wi-Fi.

Travel in Maldives is shaped by the ocean, so transfers are part of the experience. Speedboats are practical for nearby islands and resorts, while seaplanes connect many farther properties during daylight hours. Domestic flights serve several atolls, often followed by a local boat. Public ferries, commonly called dhonis, are the budget option between many inhabited islands, but schedules can be limited and may change with weather or Friday services.\n\nAsk your guesthouse or resort to arrange transfers in advance, particularly for a same-day international connection. Keep a buffer for sea conditions, and pack valuables in a waterproof day bag. For public ferries, carry small amounts of Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR); tickets are commonly paid in cash, and ATMs can be scarce outside Malé. Taxis are useful in Malé, but the capital is compact enough to explore on foot between ferry terminals, markets and cafés. Hello eSIM helps with live pickup updates and navigation, while a shared Hello itinerary lets everyone see the correct jetty, departure time and accommodation details.

Maldivian food is wonderfully focused on fish, coconut, chilli and rice. Start with mas riha, a fragrant tuna curry, or try garudhiya, a clear tuna broth served with rice, lime, chilli and onion. Grilled reef fish, tuna preparations and roshi flatbread are everyday favourites, while hedhikaa—small savoury or sweet snacks—are ideal with afternoon tea. On local islands, look for cafés serving short eats such as fish-filled pastries and spicy fritters.\n\nResort dining ranges from Maldivian tasting menus to international restaurants, but prices can vary sharply. Check whether service charges, taxes, breakfast and drinks are included before ordering, and track costs in MVR with Hello’s budget feature so meal spending remains visible alongside excursions. If travelling with friends, use expense splitting for shared speedboat transfers, group dinners and snorkelling trips.\n\nMaldives is a Muslim country, and alcohol is not sold on inhabited islands or in Malé; it is served at licensed resorts and tourist vessels. Do not bring alcohol through customs. Tap water policies differ, so follow your accommodation’s guidance and carry a reusable bottle where refill stations are available.

The local currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR). Major cards are widely accepted at resorts, while smaller cafés, ferries and local shops may prefer cash. US dollars are commonly accepted in resort areas, but keep small MVR notes for buses, snacks, tips and public transport. ATMs are more limited outside Malé, so withdraw enough before travelling to a remote island. Record purchases in MVR with Hello’s budget tracker, and split shared costs as you go rather than reconstructing them at the end of the trip.\n\nBuy and activate Hello eSIM before departure to stay connected without roaming charges after arrival. It is useful for contacting boat crews, checking weather updates and sharing your location when exploring independently.\n\nThe lagoon is the country’s great attraction, so protect it: use reef-safe habits, never stand on coral, avoid touching marine life and take rubbish back with you. Follow guides’ instructions around currents, manta rays and whale sharks. Use a rash vest, reef-friendly sunscreen and a dry bag, and check whether your excursion operator follows responsible wildlife-viewing practices.