African Travel Tips When Visiting The Maldives
The Maldives are a collection of 1,190 islands in the Indian Ocean, consisting of 26 atoll formations (a word of Maldivian origin). Only about 200 islands are inhabited and another 80 have been developed as exclusive resorts.
Maldives is a major diving destination due to its magnificent coral reefs and wealth of marine life with its atolls believed to have formed between 65 and 200 million years ago. All resorts are fully equipped for the active traveler, who can enjoy sailing or diving safaris, island hopping, whale and dolphin watching, sport fishing and photo flights.
However, the Maldives are also ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway, those looking to rejuvenate body and mind with spa treatments, or those planning to elevate doing nothing to an art. ‘Idyllic’ is the word that comes to mind when you consider the palm fringed white beaches, clear blue-green sea, brilliant tropical fish and flowers and picture perfect sunsets…
CAPITAL:
Male
CLIMATIZED:
Maldives has a hot and tropical climate throughout the year with monsoons. Nov-Mar is mild and pleasant with northeast monsoons. June-August is rainy with violent storms and southwest monsoons. Daytime showers are usually short-lived, with most heavy downpours occurring at night. Temperatures vary very little.
BADGE:
1 Rufiyaa = 100 Lari. Payments to hotels and resorts must be made in hard foreign currency: USD (traveler’s checks or bills) is the most popular. Credit cards are also accepted in some hotels: Amex, Master, Visa and Diners Club. There is little need for Rufiyaa except when shopping for souvenirs on the local islands.
ELECTRICITY:
230 volts, 50 Hz. Plugs are round 3-pin.
HEALTH:
A yellow fever certificate is an official requirement for travelers coming from infected areas. Visitors are advised to take pre-arrival precautions against hepatitis, polio and typhoid. Other health concerns include cholera and other food and waterborne diseases (bottled water is recommended and available at resorts); influenza (the risk extends throughout the year); sunburn (can be severe); and limited medical facilities and medicines.
IDIOM:
The national language is Dhivehi, but English is widely used as a trade language. Other languages are also spoken in tourist areas.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
New Year’s Day (January 1); Hajj Day (February 1); Eid al-Adha (February 2); Islamic New Year (February 22); National Day (April 21); Mouloud (May 2); Huravee Day (July 20); Independence Day (July 26); Martyr’s Day (September 16); Start of Ramadan (October 15); Victory Day (November 3); Republic Day (November 11); Kuda Eid (November 14);
SHOPPING:
seashells (must be purchased, not collected); lacquered wooden boxes; reed mats.
SOCIAL AGREEMENTS:
The religion is Sunni Muslim, so dress requirements in the city and other inhabited areas mean that the minimum dress is shorts and a t-shirt for men and skirts or longer shorts and a t-shirt for women. In the resorts the clothing is very casual, there is no need for cocktail dresses, jackets or suits; the bathing suit is fine for the day and the shorts and t-shirts or blouses for the night. Note that nudism is prohibited on all islands and there is no alcohol available in town (locals don’t drink, but there are bars on resort islands).
TIME DIFFERENCE:
GMT+5
TIPS:
Officially discouraged.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS:
Male:
The capital where most Maldivians live; a number of places to see listed below; tourists typically stay in the resorts on the island and visit Malé for shopping and sightseeing.
Island resorts:
The biggest attraction in the Maldives, there are more than 80 exclusive resorts; some of the most popular include Meeru, Kuredu and Kurumathi, which especially attracts serious divers; Nakatchafushi is one of the most photographed and has the largest lagoon in the country; resorts range from ultra-luxurious to simple; each resort has its own sports and leisure facilities and services; many have air conditioning and desalination plants to provide tap water; different islands tend to attract different nationalities.
Fishing villages:
One of the main attractions in the Maldives, usually visited as part of a tour; Night fishing trips are also a possibility.
National Museum:
Sultan’s Park in Malé is home to this museum which has an excellent collection of artifacts including Sultan thrones and palanquins; you can find some of Thor Heyerdahl’s archaeological discoveries.
Mosques:
More than 20 mosques are spread across Malé; The Hukuru (Friday) Mosque dates back to the 17th century and is famous for its intricate stone carvings; Grand Mosque ********.
Diving sites:
In Moroni, elaborate 2-story buildings with meticulously carved wooden arcades, balustrades and latticework and shutters; easy to get around.
uninhabited islands:
Most of the country’s islands are uninhabited and you can take an excursion to visit them, either as part of an island-hopping tour group or privately on a rented traditional or speedboat; In the tours, a barbecue is usually served on the beach; Options include spending a day and night alone on an uninhabited island; Kudahuvadhoo has a hawitta which is probably the ruins of a Buddhist temple and an old mosque.
Islamic Center:
In Malé, an imposing white building with a magnificent golden dome.
Mulee-age:
An old palace in Male.
Markets:
Fish, fruit and vegetable markets; mainly in Male; the Singapore Bazaar is a collection of craft shops and a selection of traditional and imported tourist knick-knacks; Baa Atoll is famous for its handicrafts, incl. lacquer work and finely woven cotton ‘felis’ (traditional sarongs).