🏖️ Maldives

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Costs

Prices here are about 51% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.

Practical information

Entry

A free tourist stay of 30 days is generally given to visitors on arrival, but certain things are needed: a confirmed booking with a registered guesthouse, hotel or resort, a ticket onward or back, sufficient money to see you through the stay, and a passport with at least 6 months of validity (guides differ on this, so plan for 6). Everyone also has to complete IMUGA, an online traveller declaration that is official, before arrival and before departure. Copycats are numerous, so stick to the official immigration sites only.

Culture and rules - take note

As a fully Islamic country, the Maldives forbids bringing in anything contrary to Islam, including alcohol, pork and idols. Where alcohol can be had is limited to licensed boats and resort islands; local islands have none. Bikinis are fine on designated tourist beaches and resort islands. On local islands the village calls for modest dress, and swimming is for the marked 'bikini beach' area. Prayer has its day on Friday. In Ramadan, public eating or drinking is best avoided on local islands. The reef needs protection, so coral should be neither touched nor stood on, and shells, coral and sand should not be taken. Because boat and seaplane transfers run on set daylight schedules, spare time should be left. Ask your resort about the green tax, charged for each person and each night. Strong sun calls for reef-safe sunscreen.

Emergency

Police 119. Ambulance 102. Fire 118.

Good to know

Cards and cash machines

The currency is the rufiyaa. Visit Maldives says major credit cards are accepted, and Canadian advice says they work at resorts and hotels. Some cash machines take foreign bank cards, but they are found only in Malé and the more populated non-resort islands. US dollars can be exchanged at the airport, banks and hotels.

Local laws and customs

Religion, alcohol and dress

UK advice says it is illegal to publicly observe a religion other than Islam. Alcohol is sold only on resort islands and should not be taken out of the resort; possessing or drinking it elsewhere can mean arrest and deportation. Drug policy is zero tolerance, and even small amounts of cannabis can lead to arrest. Outside resorts, cover shoulders and upper legs; topless sunbathing is not allowed anywhere. UK advice says same-sex relations are illegal.

Taxis and scams

Card and ATM fraud

Fraud involving credit cards and ATMs is reported in the Maldives by Canadian travel advice, which recommends caution with debit and credit cards, close attention whenever someone else handles your card, and ATMs only in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business. It also notes that pickpocketing and purse snatching happen, especially on the beach, so keep belongings and travel documents secure.

Who can help

local government

Maldives Police Service - Tourist Police

Helps with: Police unit set up in 2009 to protect visitors. It helps tourists with disputes, fraud and safety concerns and patrols airports, resorts and guesthouses. Its page gives a 24/7 assistance line.

Who qualifies: Tourists and other international visitors in the Maldives.

Phone: +960 979 0070

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

ngo

Maldivian Red Crescent

Helps with: The national Red Crescent society. It responds to emergencies, supports recovery, and teaches first aid, with volunteers in local units across the islands.

Who qualifies: People in the Maldives who need its emergency response, first aid or community services.

Phone: +960 3341009

Email: info@redcrescent.org.mv

Address: Maldivian Red Crescent Building, 2nd Floor, Hithigasmagu, Hulhumale'

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Helps with: The Maldives' national disaster authority. Its site lists 115 as its emergency hotline and shares disaster preparedness information and help for people affected by incidents.

Who qualifies: Anyone in the Maldives affected by a disaster or incident.

Phone: 115

Address: Ameenee Magu, Male 20060, Maldives

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

un agency

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Maldives

Helps with: The UN migration agency, present in the Maldives since 2013. It supports migrants, displaced people, returnees and host communities.

Who qualifies: Migrants and other people on the move. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.

Phone: +960 7757 646

Address: H. Fehi Aabadh, 9th Floor, Abadhah Fehi Magu, Male, Republic of Maldives

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Male MaleThe Old Friday Mosque and a fish market sit in this compact capital, the arrival point, where speedboats serve nearby resorts.Photo: Shahee Ilyas, CC BY-SA 3.0 North and South Male Atolls (Kaafu) North and South Male Atolls (Kaafu)Good spots for surfing and snorkelling, short speedboat transfers and the largest number of resort beds are all found in this atoll around the capital.Photo: Matthias Rühlemann at de.wikipedia, Public domain Ari Atoll (Alif Alif and Alif Dhaalu) Ari Atoll (Alif Alif and Alif Dhaalu)West of Male lies a resort atoll that is popular, known for manta ray dives and for whale shark sightings throughout the year.Photo: Rappey, CC BY-SA 4.0 Maafushi (local island) Maafushi (local island)South Male Atoll holds this local island, which has day trips, guesthouses and a bikini beach for tourists and suits budget travellers.Photo: Nattu from Male', Maldives, CC BY 2.0 Baa Atoll Baa AtollIn the wet season, large numbers of manta rays gather at Hanifaru Bay, the feature for which this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is known.Photo: Ahmed Abdul Rahman, CC BY-SA 4.0 Raa Atoll Raa AtollNorth of Male, a resort atoll that is still growing offers overwater villas, house reefs and quiet islands, and is reached by seaplane.Photo: Loamaresort, CC BY-SA 4.0

City selection based on: Maldives Ministry of Tourism arrivals and bed capacity by atoll, Maldives Bureau of Statistics yearbook

Festivals and events

nature

Manta ray and whale shark season

around Jun-Nov 2026 · Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll)

South Ari has whale sharks through the whole year. Hanifaru Bay has the best months for big mantas.

nature

Manta ray and whale shark season

around Jun-Nov 2027 · Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll)

South Ari has whale sharks through the whole year. Hanifaru Bay has the best months for big mantas.

culture

Independence Day (26 July)

26 Jul 2027 · Male

Male is the site of parades and celebrations.