MALDIVES OVERVIEWThe Maldives is a by-word for luxury, romance and tropical bliss; a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, and a paradise for watersports enthusiasts and sun seekers alike. The past two decades have seen the islands develop into a popular long-haul destination.
Each island is surrounded by a reef enclosing a shallow lagoon. Hundreds of these islands together with other coral growth form an atoll, surrounding a lagoon. The country's 26 natural atolls offer nautical delights from night-fishing trips, windsurfing and scuba-diving. Many islands embrace enormous lagoons, where bright blue-green water laps gently on brilliant white sand beaches. KEY FACTSTime: GMT + 5.
Area: 298 sq km (115 sq miles).
Population: 396,300 (2009).
Population Density: 1,329 per sq km.
Capital
Malé. Population: 104,403 (2008). LANGUAGEThe national language is Dhivehi. English is widely used as a business language in government offices and the commercial sector. Other languages are widely used within tourist areas. RELIGIONThe indigenous population is entirely Sunni Muslim, and the group practice of other religions is illegal. ELECTRICITY230 volts AC, 50Hz. Round-pin plugs are used, although square-pin plugs are now becoming more common. SOCIAL CONVENTIONSThe majority of the indigenous population does not mix with the tourist visitors, with the exception of those involved with tourism in the resorts and Malé. Dress is informal, but locals who are Muslim will be offended by nudity or scanty clothing in public places, and the government rigidly enforces these standards. Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Malé or on any other inhabited island; they should be restricted to resort islands only. When entering a mosque, the legs and the body, but not the neck and the face, should be covered. Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. The indigenous population not involved in the tourist trade lives in isolated island communities maintaining almost total privacy. A large number of locals smoke, but smoking and eating during Ramadan is discouraged. PASSPORT & VISASPassports
Valid passport required by all nationals.
Visas
Tourist visas for 30 days will be issued on arrival only and are free of charge to all visitors in possession of valid travel documents. If port Health is satisfied that you have not been through any countries with serious contagion, you are in.
After luggage retrieval, do note that there is no Green Channel. All passengers’ luggage is screened, normally electronically. Keep the keys handy in case a manual inspection is called for. You may be asked whether you have any movies or CD’s. Answer all questions in a straightforward manner.
After Immigration and Customs proceed to arrivals. A representative of your host will normally receive you. After reception, a quick boat or seaplane will take you to your adventure in the maldives
Visa Note
(a) Foreign visitors who enter the Maldives must be in possession of return or onward tickets and a minimum of US$100 and US$50 per person per day or confirmed hotel reservation for the intended period of stay in the Maldives. (b) Tourist visas can be extended by 90 days (including the initial 30 days granted on arrival) by applying to the immigration department.
Types of Visa and Cost
Initial visa is free; extensions are available for a fee of USD 75/- per person for stay until 3 months.
Validity
30 days.
Applications to:
Visas are issued on arrival at the immigration desk at Maldives International Airport. CLIMATEThe Maldives have a hot tropical climate. There are two monsoons, the southwest from May to October and the northeast from November to April. Generally the southwest brings more wind and rain in June and July. The temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F). Required Clothing - Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Light waterproofs are advised during the rainy season. HEALTH CAREThere are two hospitals on Malé, the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and the ADK private hospital. First-aid facilities are available on all resort islands. A decompression chamber is accessible in Malé in case of diving emergencies. Medical treatment in the Maldives can be very expensive and comprehensive health insurance is recommended. FOOD AND DRINKMal?, the capital, has a few good restaurants that serve local and international food. On resort islands, there are between one and ten restaurants, usually depending on the resort's size. Note that all restaurants on resort islands are run by the resort - there is no access to private enterprise. Cuisine is international, with all food other than seafood imported. There are no bars, except in the resorts, where there is a good range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available, often at extremely high prices. Things to know: All bars are situated on resort island (no alcohol is available on Mal?, though it is available on the nearby Airport island). Locals do not drink at all. National specialities: - Seafood such as tuna, grouper, octopus, jobfish and swordfish is widely available.
- Kavaabu (deep-fried snacks made from rice, tuna, coconut, lentils and spices).
- Curries, such as chicken or beef, are widely available. Curry leaves are added to a lot of Maldivian dishes.
National drinks: - Sai (tea; a Maldivian favourite).
- Raa (toddy tapped from palm trees, sometimes left to ferment and thus slightly alcoholic - the closest any Maldivian gets to alcohol). Tipping: Service charges are invariably added onto all chargeable services in resorts. Extra tipping is not expected, though cash tips (US$1 per bag) for porters is appreciated.
NIGHTLIFEThere is little or no organised nightlife, although most resorts have informal discos around the bar areas, sometimes featuring live bands playing either traditional or Western music. Beach parties and barbecues are also popular. On some evenings, many resorts have cultural shows and some show films. Many different types of traditional national dancing and singing may be enjoyed across the islands. SHOPPINGLacquered wooden boxes are the most distinctive Maldivian handicrafts, and are most famously produced in Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll. The craft involves the process of shaping and hollowing out pieces of wood from endemic trees to form intricately crafted boxes, containers and ornamental objects. Beautiful reed mats are woven throughout the country, the most famous of which are those that are woven by the women of Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Ranging from placemats to full-size single mattress mats, they are hand-decorated with intricate abstract designs. In Mal?, most souvenir shops line the northern end of Chaandanee Magu, earlier known as the Singapore Bazaar for its many imports from Singapore. The local market offers stalls with a variety of local produce, mainly from the atolls, such as different kinds of local vegetables, fruits and yams, packets of sweetmeat, nuts and breadfruit chips, bottles of homemade sweets and pickles, and bunches of bananas hanging on coir ropes from ceiling beams. Note: There are strict prohibitions against the export of coral and turtle- or tortoiseshell. Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-2300, Fri 1330-2300. Shops officially shut for 15 minutes five times a day in deference to Muslim prayer times; however, this rule is not always strictly adhered to in the tourist areas away from the capital. |
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