General information

The Maldives are an island state, consisting of over a thousand low-lying coral reef islands grouped into atolls straddling north and south of the equator. Due to this reason the Maldives are the world’s lowest country, the highest point on its territory reaching just 3 meters. The archipelago is part of a larger island group in the Indian Ocean, including the Laccadive and Nicobar Islands, which extends 2000 kilometers in the north-east direction. The atolls are surrounded by coral reefs with a ring structure, thus creating a natural protection against wind and waves. Only around 200 islands are inhabited, and approximately 100 have been turned into exotic resorts, offering the tourists an exclusive opportunity to have a complete rest. Male’ is the capital of the Maldives. The city has a population of 150 000 people and is located in the middle of the archipelago. The international airport is also there, and that’s the place where your journey in the fairy-tale world of the Maldives begins.

The Maldives archipelago consists of 26 atolls, uniting 1190 coral islands covering a territory of 90 000 square kilometers, which makes the Maldives one of the world's most parceled and scattered countries over a large area. It consists of coral reefs and sand stripes atop a submarine ridge 960 kilometers long that rises from the depths of the Indian Ocean.

Only 203 islands are inhabited, the largest one called Male’, where is situated the only city and the only port, the homonymous capital. Most of the islands are surrounded by coral reefs. Each atoll has approximately 5 to 10 inhabited islands; whereas the uninhabited islands of each atoll number approximately 20 to 60. The Maldives are also the lowest-lying country in the world, the highest point on its territory reaching just 2.3 meters. Some islands, however, have dunes which can reach 3 meters.

The temperatures of Maldives range between 24 and 33°C throughout the year. The air humidity is high, though the constant sea breezes reduce its effect. Two seasons dominate Maldives' weather: dry season in the winter and the rainy season in the summer.

The Maldives enjoys a climate that could easily be described as an eternal summer. The average air temperature throughout the year is around + 28°C, the water temperature being around + 27°C. The climate is partly influenced by dry and wet monsoons, but due to the close distance to the equator, seasonal changes have no such decisive effect as on the neighboring countries. The best time to visit the Maldives is the dry season between November and April, when the weather is hot and humid, sunny, with almost no rainfall.

The fishing industry is the second largest contributor of GDP after tourism. According to the national tradition and the words of the President, fishing is essential for the survival of the nation. The Maldives has an abundance of aquatic life and species of fish - tuna, barracuda, mahi-mahi (dolphin fish) and many others. Apart from its significance as an industry sector, fishing is also fun for both locals and tourists. It has been a major subsistence pattern of the people in Maldives for centuries.

Even today, half of the country's working population, concentrated in the private sector, is employed in it. Around 50% of the catch is for export - the main part goes to Sri Lanka and the rest to Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Germany. 90% of the fish export is either frozen canned or dried. Only 10% of it is fresh.

Fishing industry played a leading role in the economy until 1985, when tourism shifted it to second place. Fishing and tourism however, remain interconnected, both relying primarily on the coral reef for their survival. About 22 000 people are involved in the fishing industry, one way or another.

The Maldivian rufiyaa is the official currency of the Maldives. Although the Maldives have their own currency, US dollars are the most commonly accepted, followed by the EUR which has become increasingly popular lately, though its exchange rate is not currently attractive. The island hotels prefer paying in foreign currency. Most of the credit cards are accepted. You may previously find the nearest ATM to you!

The regulations in the Republic of Maldives are very strict. The import of alcoholic products, sausages and other pork products, offensive to Islam literature, firearms and weapons (including those used for underwater hunting), cutting objects, animals is prohibited by the law. The distribution of pornographic materials is also forbidden. You can buy shark jaws, palm leaf baskets, wooden products, sarongs, coconut oil. The export of black and red coral, turtle species, their shells and products, as well as pearl oyster shells is prohibited by the legislation of the Maldives.

Visa free regime. A free visa is issued at the airport upon arrival. The travelers should have an international passport, with at least 6 months of validity after the end of the journey.

Duty-free import allowance of max. 200 pieces of cigarettes and 125 ml of perfumery. The import of the following goods is prohibited in the country: liquor and any alcoholic products, narcotics and psychotropic substances, pornographic materials, sausages and other pork products, religious materials offensive to Islam, firearms and weapons (including those used for underwater hunting), cutting articles, animals. Reception of tourists - An immigration card must be filled in upon arrival (the ticking slip must be kept until the return flight). After you move alone to the passport control desk and the luggage belt, and after passing the exit, a representative of the welcoming agency will be waiting for you, and will direct you to the relevant counter. You need to show your voucher there, and you will receive an envelope, and after that you will be directed to your hotel counter to sign up for a transfer (hydroplane or small vessel).

All transfers from the airport to the hotel are organized by the hotels themselves. You have to check-out until 12:00. There is a luggage compartment at the hotel where you may leave your luggage for a while. All additional services (telephone, mini bar, restaurant, etc.) must be paid before the arrival of vehicle performing the transfer. Checking-in starts after 14:00. By then you can use the hotel's services and leave your luggage in the hotel's premises provided for this purpose. Information on all the hotel events can be found on the information boards in the hotel’s lobby.

Healthcare service

Every hotel has its own doctor. If an insurance event occurs, you need to contact the insurance company, by calling the phone listed on the insurance policy. You will be provided with a free of charge service (or a subsequent compensation of costs incurred) as per your insurance policy (see the General Terms and Conditions annexed to the policy), only after immediate notification of the insurance company and upon receiving instructions on how to coordinate your acts. We kindly ask you to carefully review the insurance policy and pay attention to the events which are not covered by the insurance.

Religion

The official religion of the country is Islam (mainly Sunni Muslims, and a smaller proportion of Shias). In 1153, King Kalaminja, officially accepted Islam religion, which remained the only religion in the country (the Maldives gives its citizenship only for Muslims).

Souvenirs – the gift shops in the Maldives offer you shark jaws, palm leaf baskets, wooden products, sarongs, coconut oil, etc. The export of black and red coral, turtle species, their shells and products, as well as pearl oyster shells is prohibited by the legislation of the Maldives.