Located in the middle of the Indian Ocean near the equator is the archipelago nation of the Maldives. Composed of over 1,100 islands, the Maldives is a popular tourist destination for its scuba diving, tropical beaches, and luxury resorts, and has become a popular honeymoon destination. Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: Dhivehi is the official language, although with the large dependency on tourism, most people also speak English, especially at the resorts

• Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Maldives Time (UTC+5)

• Visas: Tourists from all nationalities can visit the Maldives for 30 days via a free visa-on-arrival, as long as they 1. have a passport with at least 6 months of eligibility remaining, 2. Have pre-paid accommodation, 3. Have proof of onward/return travel, and 4. Have sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Maldives

• Driving side: Left

• Tipping: Not expected, although a small tip of around 5%-10% is appreciated

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Scuba diving/snorkeling: The Maldives has some of the best coral reefs in the world, making scuba diving and snorkeling very popular. Many resorts have scuba diving facilities on-site, making a beach entry possible, while many scuba diving and snorkeling operators provide tours from the main city of Malé or via a liveaboard

• Malé Fish Market: This is easily the largest fish market in the country, and tourists can walk through the market and purchase fish to cook, including tuna, octopus, and grouper

• Parasailing: Several resort in the Maldives offer parasailing excursions

• Surfing: The Maldives is known as one of the best surfing destinations in the world, and is best surfed from April to October. Several resorts provide boards for surfing

Travel Tips:

• Visiting the Maldives doesn’t have to be an expensive trip. While most people think of overwater bungalows and yachts, there are many affordable accommodations and activities on the islands

• If you do plan on staying at a higher end resort, keep in mind the pricey transportation costs from the airport to the resort island. Many of the Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG properties are located on separate islands from the airport, and the costs for the seaplanes or speedboats cost at least several hundred US dollars per person

• While the Maldives has several underwater restaurants, keep in mind the prices start at several hundred US dollars, and most don’t allow visitors unless you have a lunch or dinner reservation

• While the Maldivian rufiyaa is the national currency, you typically only need to exchange your currency if you are spending significant time at local shops and non-resorts. US dollars are accepted at nearly every resort, although you will need to have some of that money in cash