How to prepare for your trip to the Maldives: step by step instructions

Traveling to tropical islands in the Indian Ocean is certainly not a weekend in a nearby town. Holidays in the Maldives have to be planned. You will need to start somewhere in your preparation for a paradise vacation. Finding the right hotel, choosing a season, a list of must-haves in your luggage, flights and many more things to consider when going to the Maldives. You will find the answers to all the questions that you will have during the preparation for the trip in this article.

Maldives trip preparation plan

1. The choice of the season in the Maldives.
2. Flight to Maldives. Explore all possible flight options, best airline offers and purchase tickets.
3. Choose and book a hotel.
4. Transfer in the Maldives.
5. Preparation of documents.
6. Collect rational baggage.
7. What you cannot take to the Maldives.
8. List of entertainment in the Maldives.

Next, let us talk about everything in order.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

1. The choice of the season in the Maldives

In the Maldives, the weather remains stable throughout the year. It is always warm here. The air and water temperature can fluctuate between 25-30 ° C.

The high season in the Maldives is December, January, February, March and April. The rest of the time it often rains. This is due to the influence of monsoon winds. It does not mean at all that your vacation, for example, in June or August will be completely spoiled by bad weather. However, the likelihood of frequent and heavy rainfall during this period is very high. On average, during this period there are about 12-14 rainy days per month. Although, it is worth noting that it rains mostly at night and is usually short-lived. After them, the sun comes out quickly.

To determine the choice of the month, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the weather in the Maldives in more detail by month

1. Maldives in January
2. Maldives in February
3. Maldives in March
4. Maldives in April
5. Maldives in May
6. Maldives in June
7. Maldives in July
8. Maldives in August
9. Maldives in September
10. Maldives in October
11. Maldives in November
12. Maldives in December

Asad Photo Maldives

2. Flight to Maldives

Air travel is almost the only way to get to the Maldives. By water, this is possible only on a cruise ship and only from India, or on a private yacht. The journey will take as much as a week. Therefore, if you want to visit the Maldives, the plane will be the most optimal transport.

The Maldives has one major international airport, and it is located near the capital of the country, Male, on the island of Hulule. During the high season, flights from more than 40 destinations are accepted here.

In addition to regular flights, charter flights are also carried out. Therefore, if there is no direct flight from your state, you can consider combined options. An intermediate flight will allow you to set aside time for at least another city in another country. Travelers who are planning their own vacation in the Maldives love to take advantage of these opportunities. The most popular in this case are flights from Sri Lanka to the Maldives.

Which airlines fly to the Maldives and other useful information on how to get to the islands, see here.

Depositphotos

3. Choose and book a hotel in the Maldives

How to choose a hotel in the Maldives? After all, there are a great many of them. We talked about this in detail in the article at the link in the previous sentence. Conventionally, rest can be divided into two types

1. Private island resorts offer the most comfortable all inclusive holiday and a heavenly holiday concept.
2. On the local islands, you can stay in guesthouses, which will be a more budget option.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

4. Transfer in the Maldives

Buying a plane ticket to Male is half the battle. Now you need to get from the airport to the selected island, because there are more than a thousand of them in the Maldives.

The distance from the capital and the airport affects the type of transfer to the hotel. Maldives run

• speed boats,
• public ferries,
• seaplanes.

The last option is the most comfortable. To avoid a long or expensive trip to the hotel, consider the excellent holiday options near Male.

All about the transfer in the Maldives.

Kuredu Resort & Spa

5. Preparation of documents for vacation in the Maldives

This issue should be taken even more seriously than all the previous ones. To keep everything running smoothly, always check the relevance of the requirements and required documents. There is a visa-free regime in the Maldives. That is, a tourist visa is issued free of charge upon arrival for up to 30 days. For other formalities, you must have with you

• International passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the Maldives).
• Confirmation of the return flight reservation.
• Tourist voucher (document confirming hotel reservation).
• Negative PCR test for COVID-19.
• Medical insurance policy and completed health declaration.
• Cash at the rate of $ 50- $ 100 for one day of stay in the country per person, bank card.

Depositphotos

6. Packing a suitcase

To travel to tropical latitudes, you need to take care of the availability of the necessary things in your luggage. We suggest revising the list of what will definitely come in handy in the Maldives.

Clothing. Lightweight clothing made from natural fabrics will be more comfortable. The Maldives is a Muslim state. Therefore, no matter where you will be spending most of your time, bring some wardrobe items that cover your shoulders and knees. This is more true for women. Bikinis are allowed only in private resorts and specially designated beaches on local islands (the so-called bikini beaches). Lightweight trousers, T-shirts, or long-sleeved shirts provide better protection from the sun.

Shoes. Should be comfortable. On the islands, even to visit restaurants, you hardly need heels. Slides and solid-soled sandals will do just fine. There are even No shoes concept hotels in the Maldives. To avoid cuts on the coral in the water, stock up on a special pair of swimming shoes.

Hats and sunglasses. Better in duplicate in case of loss. But these two accessories are a must for tropical islands.

Means of sun protection. The sun in the Maldives, especially at noon, is quite active. You may not even have time to notice how the skin turns red. Therefore, be sure to pack high-protection sunscreens in your suitcase. Repellents will also not roll around idle, since in the evening it is better to reliably protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Appliances and electronics. Anything you can take with you on vacation without approval, except for a drone. The hotel may have its own rules for using the quadcopter. They must be clarified. If you have an underwater camera, it will definitely come in handy in the Maldives! Be sure to also bring your power adapter, chargers and spare batteries if you need them.

First aid kit. In it, you can collect drugs that will help with poisoning, cuts, bruises, colds and headaches. Take what most often comes in handy for you. Don't forget an antihistamine in case of an allergic reaction and motion sickness medication. Each resort has a first-aid post and medical assistance is available. But running to the pharmacy for something elementary on the resort island will not work.

Toiletries. Most hotels provide guests with shampoos and other cleaning products. It is better to take a manicure set, toothbrushes and toothpastes, a shaving kit and other personal hygiene items with you.

For children. When you are planning a trip to the Maldives with children, we advise you to stock up on baby food for the entire period of your vacation. Here it is prohibitively expensive, and the stores may not have exactly what you need. The same goes for diapers.

Snorkeling equipment. If you have your own mask and snorkel, be sure to pack. Some hotels offer their guests free swimming equipment rental for the entire stay. If there is no such service, a mask and a snorkel will cost about 15-30 dollars for 1 day of rent. But snorkeling in the Maldives is definitely worth it.

Depositphotos

7. What not to take to the Maldives

There is a list of things that, according to Maldivian law, are prohibited from bringing to the islands. The first item is not in vain that alcohol is listed. Some tourists still desperately hope to get to the Maldives with their alcoholic drinks. For which, most often, they are forced to pay a rather large fine. A complete list of things prohibited from being imported into the Maldives can be found here.

8. List of entertainment in the Maldives

For 5-7 days of vacation, you can do a lot. Especially in the Maldives, where there is always something to do. For instance

• Learn to scuba dive in special courses for beginners.
• Snorkel at the house reef or go sailing.
• Sea trips in a wide range of yacht cruises, boat trips, submarine diving or sailing on traditional doni, fishing, water sports in a huge variety.
• If your island will be located near Male, we advise you to set aside a day for a walk around the capital.

All this, of course, requires additional expenses. Therefore, it is better to draw up a plan of the desired activities for yourself in advance and calculate the budget. Find out more about Maldives pricing to make your list more accurate.

The main thing that you should have with you on any vacation is a good book and a positive attitude towards a well-deserved vacation. Everything will work out!

Hurawalhi Island Resort