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Head on a holiday to the Maldives and the first place you will likely visit is Malé. the capital. This bustling city is crowded with motorbikes and tourists, and although it's often just a stop off for tourists on their way to other islands, it's a must-see for those on package holidays to Maldives. Originally the island where dynasties came to rule and royal palaces were erected, today this tiny island comprises quirky cafes, local fish markets and street vendors serving up a slice of the Maldives you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
Outside of Malé, there are plenty of other islands to explore – 1,192 to be exact. One of the prettiest is Utheemu. Placed at the head of the Haa Alif Atoll, this little island is the number one place to visit if you’re looking to get back to nature. Not only are there flawless beaches and azure coastlines that come as part and parcel of the Maldives, but here you’ll find a huge helping of history, too. Head, for instance, to Utheemu Ganduvaru in the north and find the former childhood home – and small palace – of Muhammad Thakurufaanu, a national hero who liberated the country from Portuguese rule.
Activities
With more deep sea lagoons than you can imagine, you're unlikely to find yourself floundering for things to do on a Maldives package holiday. For the very best dive spots, head to Ellaidhoo. This dainty island boasts rainbow-coloured reefs, imposing overhangs (ideal for Instagram pics) and resplendent caves.
If you would prefer to stay dry on your Maldives holiday, you'll find some of the finest scenery in the world right on your doorstep. Kurumathi, a small island just a few miles off the North East Ari Atoll, has a plethora of nature walks to enjoy. Perhaps the most beautiful of them all is the Hydroponics Garden Walk. This gorgeous reserve is bursting with so much flora and fauna that around 70 per cent of the island's cruciferous vegetables come from these gardens alone.
MALDIVES HOLIDAY OFFERS
The primary language spoken in the Maldives is Dhivehi, a mix of English, Hindi and Arabic that most closely resembles languages spoken in countries such as Sri Lanka. Despite Dhivehi being the language most commonly used when conversing, English is recognised as the Maldives second language and is taught in schools. Also, English is widely spoken by the locals, particularly those in the tourist industry. The larger and more prestigious resorts employ translators, who can be fluent in a variety of languages. As a result, it is not uncommon to find those who speak Spanish, Italian, Russian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Hindi and English, in the areas where there are major tourist resorts.
The currency used in the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa (pronounced roo-fee-yah), with Rf1 divided into 100 laaris. The Rufiyaa comes in banknote denominations of Rf500, Rf100, Rf50, Rf20, Rf10 and Rf5. In terms of coins, the rufiyaa comes in denominations of Rf2 and Rf1. The American dollar is also commonly used. Many resorts accept credit cards and travellers' cheques in pounds sterling and American dollars. If you want to change currency into rufiyaas for small purchases or use in restaurants, this can be done easily at any bank and in the majority of tourist resorts. Some hotels and large shops offer this service, too. Although there are a lot of ATMs on the island, very few accept foreign cards, so remember to prepare cash or travellers' cheques in advance. Debit cards fall into this bracket as well, with very few resorts choosing to accept them.
Tourists do not need a visa to visit the Maldives, as all visitors are granted a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. However, anyone who has travelled through a central African or South American nation before arriving in the Maldives will need to present a certificate showing that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever. Also, passports should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the Maldives. British nationals can accept their tourist visa, as long as they have a valid onward or returning ticket and enough funds to cover their stay.
The Maldives make up some of the lowest lying land in the world. As a result, temperatures are tropical all year round, even hitting the twenties and thirties during the wet season.
Before visiting the Maldives, take the Hulhangu Monsoon season into account. Lasting from May to November, fierce storms and torrential rains punctuate the periods of sun.
