Money
According to liuxers.com, the country’s monetary unit is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), in 1 rufiyaa 100 laari. Current exchange rate: 1 MVR = 3.73 RUB (1 USD = 15.44 MVR, 1 EUR = 16.24 MVR).
The currency in the Maldives is the rufiyaa, but US dollars and major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. Currency can be exchanged at a clear official rate at any of the banks, exchange offices or at the airport. Banks are open from 8:00 to 13:30 from Sunday to Thursday, weekends are Friday and Saturday.
There is no need to change the currency to rufiyaa. Moreover, on the territory of most hotels it is simply impossible to pay with them: only cash euros, dollars or credit cards are accepted for payment.
Tipping in Maldivian hotels and restaurants is often included in the bill. In other cases, you can leave a warning waiter up to 10% of the check amount, a maid – up to 75-90 MVR per week of effort, a porter – up to 25 MVR for luggage delivered without a trolley. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.
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How to avoid problems
In the Maldives, it is strictly forbidden to break and collect live and dead corals in the ocean and near the shore, damage shells and bring them to the surface, and fish near the islands. Spearfishing and fishing off the coast are strictly prohibited.
Diving at night is rarely organized due to strong currents and the unpredictability of marine life. Swimming in the open sea is also not worth it. Empty cans, bottles or other rubbish cannot be thrown on the islands. There are heavy penalties for violating these rules.
Nudism and even innocent topless in the country are prohibited by law.
There are no pharmacies on the resort islands, so you need to take all the necessary medicines with you. You can not visit the capital of Male and the islands where the locals live in beachwear (it is recommended to wear things that cover the body from shoulders to knees). It is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol in public places outside the resort area.
Useful phone numbers
The nearest Embassy of Russia is located in Sri Lanka: 62 Sir Ernest de Silva Mawatha, Colombo-7; tel. +94 11 257-35-55, 257-49-59.
Police: 119, fire department: 118, ambulance: 102.
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Beaches in the Maldives
In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees – wherever you look, pictures from advertising posters come to life everywhere. The coast is almost everywhere wide, spacious, equipped with amenities and umbrellas that save from the scorching sun. Most of the beaches belong to hotels, and the areas accountable to the modest “three rubles” are not much inferior in terms of grooming and comfort to the fashionable five-star zones.
On the Maldivian beaches it is strictly forbidden to sunbathe topless and drink alcohol.
The list of the most famous beaches of the archipelago includes Naladu and Banyan Tree on Male Atoll, San and Nika on Ari Atoll. Turtles nest on the banks of the Laviani, and dolphins splash around the coast of Maafushi. The affluent public relaxes on the islands of Hadahaa (Gaafu Alif Atoll), Kunfunadu (Baa Atoll) and Veligandu (Ari Atoll). There is an equipped beach even in the capital: of course, it is not as spectacular as the recreation areas in luxury resorts, but it is quite suitable for surfing and sunbathing. And the most vivid impressions will be given by night swimming on the “glowing” beach: underwater microorganisms and luminescent algae on the coast of Vaadu (South Male) shimmer in the dark with blue lights, creating the effect of a starry sky descending to earth.
Diving in the Maldives
The Maldives… how much this word has merged for the diver’s heart: comfortable water temperature (+27 °C at a depth of up to 40 m), excellent visibility up to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. The disadvantages of the direction include strong currents outside the reefs. The best season for scuba diving in the archipelago is from January to April, when the weather is sunny and the water is clear. Giraavaru Island Resort, on the North Atoll, has over 20 sites known to divers from all over the world.
For beginners, diving on reefs is ideal: on their inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (there are amazing ocean fish living in caves with ledges and terraces), but do not forget about strong currents and breaking waves. The underwater coral slides are very interesting – their tops are at a depth of 5 to 25 m, and the base is up to 40 m.
In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the Victoria cargo ship with the remains of goods brought to the islands or the Chaika steamer, which sank at the end of the 19th century – its hull is completely split in two. Some of the popular sites are: Embudu National Reserve with amazing variety of underwater life, Feliwaru and Halaveli wrecks (giant rays can be seen here), Maaya Reef, a cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with many inhabitants, a secluded dive site Rakido, Guraidhoo Marine Protected Area, Miyaru’s “shark” site.
Read more about local diving in the article by our permanent expert charming Veronica Bierman ” Diving without lyrics – 13. The soul of the Maldives “.
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Surfing
Boarding on the waves is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. the first surfers came here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular surf spots in the world: they are never crowded (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a feast for the eyes: high, stable, and ideally shaped. Lohifushi Island regularly hosts the prestigious O’Neill Deep Blue Open international tournament.
There are 7 popular surf spots in the Maldives, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with the exclusive right to “hire” waves by the Atoll Adventures club) and the so-called “Police Island”. The most wonderful surfing is from June to September, the height of local waves is from 1 to 2.5 m.
Surfing can also be practiced in the capital Male: there is a sandy bottom, and there is no risk of cutting yourself on corals at low tide. True, the landscapes are not as picturesque as in the atoll resorts.
Wedding in the Maldives
A wedding in the Maldives is already a classic, a legend, a standard: there is hardly a more beautiful place to unite two loving hearts. No boring photos from the registry office, no vulgar competitions and unfamiliar second cousins on the guest list: only the splash of the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean, the rustle of palm leaves overhead, soft sand under bare feet and flower garlands around the neck.
The combination of bonds of Hymen in the Maldives is purely symbolic: the atmosphere of a tropical fairy tale is more important than a stamp in the passport.
Wedding ceremonies are held in most hotels according to a script worked out to the smallest detail: the newlyweds are preening in the spa, driven on “doni” or horse-drawn carriages to an impromptu altar, showered with flower petals and rice, and touched by the speech of the manager. Continuation – a romantic picnic or a cruise on a yacht and the first wedding night in a secluded bungalow with the obligatory champagne for breakfast. More intricate options are underwater weddings (even in a white dress, even in a wetsuit) led by dive instructors and ceremonies aboard hydroplanes swaying on the waves. Newly made spouses are awarded certificates, a standard set of services costs from 12,500 MVR, a diving wedding – from 18,500 MVR.
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