From Sri Lanka to the Maldives: how to get, where to stay

Traveling from Sri Lanka to the Maldives provides a wonderful opportunity to visit two beautiful countries in one vacation and return home with a whole kaleidoscope of impressions. Today, many travel agencies offer to purchase a ready-made tour, but some travelers prefer to organize such a trip on their own. Of course, this activity will require certain skills and knowledge, which we will be happy to share with you in this article.

Husen Siraaj

Flight from Sri Lanka to Maldives

Flights between the capital of Sri Lanka Colombo and Male are operated by several airlines, including SriLankan Airlines, Emirates, Etihad. The distance between the countries is about 900 kilometers; the duration of the voyage is about one and a half hours. The approximate minimum price of an air ticket for one person in both directions is about US $ 300. From time to time, airlines organize promotions and sales, during which tickets can be purchased at a more attractive price. To do this, you need to regularly monitor the pages of airlines or search engine sites.

You should consider purchasing your tickets well in advance, especially if you are planning your trip during the high tourist season or during the holidays. Of course, if you are lucky, then there is an opportunity to catch a great offer and shortly before the trip. But it is better not to put off such an important matter as organizing a flight until the last day.

You should also book your accommodation and transfer to the selected hotel in advance.

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Accommodation

Travelers who do not have much time and money can rent an inexpensive guesthouse in Male, and then take a day trip to one of the many beautiful resorts in the Maldives. This tour can be purchased from local travel agencies.

The standard cost of such excursions, as a rule, includes transfer, entrance and meals. However, some day trips allow resort guests to access communal swimming pools and changing rooms, a house reef, some water activities and additional entertainment, as well as beach towels, snorkeling equipment and other resort amenities.

Estimated prices for day trips from Male and Hulhumale:

• Adaaran Prestige Vadoo - $ 125 The trip includes all inclusive food and drinks, use of the pool, swimming and snorkeling.
• Club Med Kani - $ 165 The trip includes all inclusive food and drinks, use of the beach, swimming pool and some water activities.
• Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa - $ 140 all inclusive;
• Paradise Island Resort & Spa - $ 120. This trip does not include all inclusive meals, but provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy snorkeling in the turquoise lagoon and relax on the resort's white beach.

Adaaran Prestige Vadoo

When choosing this type of vacation, one should take into account that Male is a densely populated, bustling city that has little in common with those paradise islands that attract travelers with their clear waters and pearl beaches. In addition, there are not many attractions in the capital of the Maldives, so one day to explore them will be enough.

Another accommodation option for travelers who are not ready to spend large sums on famous resorts is accommodation on one of the inexpensive local islands, including Maafushi, Rasdu, Toddu, Guraidhoo, Huraa, Ukulhas, Thulusdhoo and many others. On these islands there are many good hotels and guest houses, staying in which you can enjoy the gentle ocean and appreciate the natural beauty of the Maldives for a reasonable fee.

In addition, many local islands can be reached on a budget by public ferry or speed boat, but the latter option will cost a little more.

Public ferries can be booked directly at the Vilingili Ferry Terminal in Male. The schedule and prices can be found on the official website of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company Plс.

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Public ferry is considered the cheapest, but not the most reliable type of transfer in the Maldives. Despite the fact that its cost starts from a few US dollars per person one way, it is not the best option for a tourist transfer. Ferries are infrequent and their timetables may change depending on weather conditions and holidays. Also, when planning a trip, you need to take into account that Friday in the Maldives is a day off and ferries do not run on this day.

Therefore, a high-speed boat will become a good alternative to the ferry, which, despite the higher cost of the trip, will significantly save travel time.

Zidhan Ibrahim

Among the popular and inexpensive resorts near Male, it is worth highlighting

Kurumba Maldives 5, located just 10 min just a speedboat ride from the airport. The shuttle service is available around the clock.

In addition to the convenient location and compliance with high standards of services, the resort is interesting because it is the first private resort in the Maldives and has been operating since 1972, while constantly improving. The resort has many awards, including Luxury Family Hotel, Best Unique Experience Spa, Indian Ocean's Leading Family Resort.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa 5, which is located a few kilometers from the airport, invites guests to settle in one of 176 beautiful villas. The resort has 7 restaurants and bars offering a variety of food options, a kids club, an award-winning spa, and a variety of activities and excursions.

Transfer options must be specified when booking. We remind you that at WIOTTO all taxes and transfers are already included in the price.

Bandos Maldives 4, which is 10 minutes drive from the airport and is one of the best locations for families. Guests are offered a wide range of accommodation options from standard rooms to luxurious water villas.

The resort has excellent infrastructure, including a well-equipped medical center, and a beautiful house reef filled with marine life.

Travelers with unlimited budget and time can choose any resort hotel they like from the many options offered by the Maldives, including those on the outer islands. If necessary, the resort staff will help arrange the best type of transfer for you, including a seaplane.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

Pros and cons of combined travel

It should be noted that not all travelers may like a difficult tour with a visit to the two countries. And that's why. Sri Lanka itself is a very beautiful country with many natural and cultural attractions. Therefore, when planning such a combined voyage, you should correctly calculate your strength and time.

Such a rich and intense vacation is suitable primarily for energetic travelers who can easily find a way out of possible emergency situations (for example, such as the cancellation of the ferry), as well as supporters of rational rest.

If you prefer a calm and measured lux class vacation and are not ready to burden yourself with organizational hassle, opt for a ready-made package tour that includes a visit to two countries, or consider the Maldives as a separate vacation destination.

Asad Photo Maldives