Important Information
Government
Maldives is a republic, governed by a democratically elected government for a five-year term. Unicameral parliament is also elected every five years, while courts enjoy full autonomy from the executive and legislature.
RELIGION
Constitution dictates that every Maldivian should be a Muslim. However, Maldivians are welcoming of visitors of all religions. Public practice of a religion other than Islam is prohibited.
LANGUAGE
Dhivehi is the native language. However, English is widely taught and used.
CURRENCY
Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is a non- convertible currency only available in the Maldives. US dollars are acceptable legal currency, pegged at USD 1.00 = MVR 15.42. All major credit cards and currency notes such as Euro and Sterling Pounds are also accepted.
TIME
Five hours ahead of GMT. (GMT+S)
VISA
Tourists of all nationalities are granted 30-day visit visa on arrival. People visiting for other reasons, especially as journalists and photographers, should apply for respective visas in advance: www.immigration.gov.mv
MINIMUM PASSPORT VALIDITY
If entering Maldives as a tourist, you will be granted a 30-day visa upon arrival and your passport must be valid for a minimum of one month. However, if arriving by air, most airlines state that your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the Maldives.
CUSTOMS
Tourists are prohibited from bringing in these items: alcohol, chemicals, dogs, idols for worship, gun powder and explosives, live plants and animals, medicines or steroids, materials contrary to Islam, narcotics and psychotropic substances, pork and pork products, pornographic materials, spear guns, and firearms and ammunition.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Banknotes and travelers’ cheques can be exchanged at the Velana International Airport and at foreign exchange bureau in Malé. Credit cards are accepted.
TELEPHONE CODE
+ 960, followed by the local number.
MOBILE PHONES
Prepaid SIM cards are available from two mobile network shops at the airport. They can be used for local and international calls as well as data.
INTERNET
Tourist establishments have WiFi access, usually for free.
ELECTRICITY
230 volts UK style power plugs type G
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Ambulance 102, Coast Guard 191, Fire 118, Police 119
MEDICAL
Some resorts have resident doctors and nurses. Country’s main public hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) is located in the capital city. Private hospitals, ADK Hospital located in Malé and Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumalé, provide the best available healthcare in the country. Each atoll has one hospital quipped with facilities for emergency treatment and minor surgeries. All islands have Health Centers with at least one general physician. There are pharmacies in all inhabited islands.
ALCOHOL
Only permitted for foreigners in resorts or on liveaboard vessels. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on any inhabited island even for guests staying in a guesthouse or hotel.
CLOTHING
Because of the tropical climate, clothes of cotton material are recommended. Tourists should respect local culture and dress modestly when visiting, or staying on, an inhabited island. Sandals are ideal, as you will often want to slip them off and go barefoot.
TAXES
Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 12 percent is levied on accommodation, restaurant and bar bills from tourist establishments. A Green Tax of USD 6.00 per person per day is levied on guests staying at resorts, hotels and liveaboards. For those staying in guesthouses, the Green Tax is USD 3.00 per person per day. A departure tax of USD 25 for tourists above the age of two is included in the airline ticket price. By booking a holiday package with CMH Tourism FZE LLC, all taxes are already included in your price, except for additional consumptions and personal expenses done by you in the resort.
TIPPING
A service charge of 10 percent is added to restaurant bills. An extra five percent in cash given to the main server is appreciated but not expected. Housekeeping staff could be rewarded with USD 5 per day per guest, and porters with USD 5 on arrival and departure.
SPEEDBOAT TRANSFER
Speedboat transfers do not have any fixed schedule. Speedboat transfers are managed by the resort and you will be transported on the first available shared speedboat transfer in connection to your international flight arrival. We will advise the resort about your flight arrival details provided in your booking reservation. Our representative will meet you outside the arrival hall and assist you with the speedboat transfer or introduce you to a resort representative who will assist you further.
SEAPLANE TRANSFER
Seaplane transfer is arranged by the resort according to your international flight arrival details provided in your booking reservation. You will be transferred on the first available shared seaplane. Our representative will meet you outside the arrival hall and assist you with luggage and seaplane check-in. Check-in for seaplanes is located very close, in the arrival hall directly. You will be transferred to the seaplane terminal by a small bus - this will take approx. 10 minutes ride and you will wait for your seaplane flight in a waiting area. Once you are boarded, a seaplane flight will take approx. 30 - 50 minutes and brings you to the resort directly.
Seaplane company is a third-party company and operates independently according to the flying hours’ restrictions imposed by the local Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA), subject to weather conditions and daylight. They operate transfers only during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).
Arrival: If you would like to reach your resort on the same day, please plan to arrive in the Maldives before 15:00 (LT) to get through customs on time as the seaplane check-in closes at 16:15 (LT). If you are unable to find an international flight that gets you to the Maldives in time, you could also spend a night in Male or Hulhumale and see what the local life is like.
Departure: Seaplane company will take care of all guests who have their scheduled international flight departure time after 9 AM (LT).
Baggage allowance: standard permissible weight is 25 kg, which includes 20 kg of checked-in luggage and 5 kg of hand luggage per person. The weight of any bag should not exceed 32 kg. The per kg charge for baggage above the permissible limit is USD 5.00/- plus applicable taxes charged by the seaplane company.
Maldives is a republic, governed by a democratically elected government for a five-year term. Unicameral parliament is also elected every five years, while courts enjoy full autonomy from the executive and legislature.
RELIGION
Constitution dictates that every Maldivian should be a Muslim. However, Maldivians are welcoming of visitors of all religions. Public practice of a religion other than Islam is prohibited.
LANGUAGE
Dhivehi is the native language. However, English is widely taught and used.
CURRENCY
Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is a non- convertible currency only available in the Maldives. US dollars are acceptable legal currency, pegged at USD 1.00 = MVR 15.42. All major credit cards and currency notes such as Euro and Sterling Pounds are also accepted.
TIME
Five hours ahead of GMT. (GMT+S)
VISA
Tourists of all nationalities are granted 30-day visit visa on arrival. People visiting for other reasons, especially as journalists and photographers, should apply for respective visas in advance: www.immigration.gov.mv
MINIMUM PASSPORT VALIDITY
If entering Maldives as a tourist, you will be granted a 30-day visa upon arrival and your passport must be valid for a minimum of one month. However, if arriving by air, most airlines state that your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into the Maldives.
CUSTOMS
Tourists are prohibited from bringing in these items: alcohol, chemicals, dogs, idols for worship, gun powder and explosives, live plants and animals, medicines or steroids, materials contrary to Islam, narcotics and psychotropic substances, pork and pork products, pornographic materials, spear guns, and firearms and ammunition.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Banknotes and travelers’ cheques can be exchanged at the Velana International Airport and at foreign exchange bureau in Malé. Credit cards are accepted.
TELEPHONE CODE
+ 960, followed by the local number.
MOBILE PHONES
Prepaid SIM cards are available from two mobile network shops at the airport. They can be used for local and international calls as well as data.
INTERNET
Tourist establishments have WiFi access, usually for free.
ELECTRICITY
230 volts UK style power plugs type G
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
Ambulance 102, Coast Guard 191, Fire 118, Police 119
MEDICAL
Some resorts have resident doctors and nurses. Country’s main public hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) is located in the capital city. Private hospitals, ADK Hospital located in Malé and Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumalé, provide the best available healthcare in the country. Each atoll has one hospital quipped with facilities for emergency treatment and minor surgeries. All islands have Health Centers with at least one general physician. There are pharmacies in all inhabited islands.
ALCOHOL
Only permitted for foreigners in resorts or on liveaboard vessels. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on any inhabited island even for guests staying in a guesthouse or hotel.
CLOTHING
Because of the tropical climate, clothes of cotton material are recommended. Tourists should respect local culture and dress modestly when visiting, or staying on, an inhabited island. Sandals are ideal, as you will often want to slip them off and go barefoot.
TAXES
Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 12 percent is levied on accommodation, restaurant and bar bills from tourist establishments. A Green Tax of USD 6.00 per person per day is levied on guests staying at resorts, hotels and liveaboards. For those staying in guesthouses, the Green Tax is USD 3.00 per person per day. A departure tax of USD 25 for tourists above the age of two is included in the airline ticket price. By booking a holiday package with CMH Tourism FZE LLC, all taxes are already included in your price, except for additional consumptions and personal expenses done by you in the resort.
TIPPING
A service charge of 10 percent is added to restaurant bills. An extra five percent in cash given to the main server is appreciated but not expected. Housekeeping staff could be rewarded with USD 5 per day per guest, and porters with USD 5 on arrival and departure.
SPEEDBOAT TRANSFER
Speedboat transfers do not have any fixed schedule. Speedboat transfers are managed by the resort and you will be transported on the first available shared speedboat transfer in connection to your international flight arrival. We will advise the resort about your flight arrival details provided in your booking reservation. Our representative will meet you outside the arrival hall and assist you with the speedboat transfer or introduce you to a resort representative who will assist you further.
SEAPLANE TRANSFER
Seaplane transfer is arranged by the resort according to your international flight arrival details provided in your booking reservation. You will be transferred on the first available shared seaplane. Our representative will meet you outside the arrival hall and assist you with luggage and seaplane check-in. Check-in for seaplanes is located very close, in the arrival hall directly. You will be transferred to the seaplane terminal by a small bus - this will take approx. 10 minutes ride and you will wait for your seaplane flight in a waiting area. Once you are boarded, a seaplane flight will take approx. 30 - 50 minutes and brings you to the resort directly.
Seaplane company is a third-party company and operates independently according to the flying hours’ restrictions imposed by the local Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA), subject to weather conditions and daylight. They operate transfers only during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset).
Arrival: If you would like to reach your resort on the same day, please plan to arrive in the Maldives before 15:00 (LT) to get through customs on time as the seaplane check-in closes at 16:15 (LT). If you are unable to find an international flight that gets you to the Maldives in time, you could also spend a night in Male or Hulhumale and see what the local life is like.
Departure: Seaplane company will take care of all guests who have their scheduled international flight departure time after 9 AM (LT).
Baggage allowance: standard permissible weight is 25 kg, which includes 20 kg of checked-in luggage and 5 kg of hand luggage per person. The weight of any bag should not exceed 32 kg. The per kg charge for baggage above the permissible limit is USD 5.00/- plus applicable taxes charged by the seaplane company.