Maldives Travellers Essentials
Visa & Immigration
When you enter Maldives a 30-day free visa is issued on arrival for all Nationalities. No prior visa is required to enter the Maldives and based on immigration requirements, entry permits will be granted on arrival. However, an entry permit does not permit visitors to take up employment, set up any business or conduct any professional activities (paid or unpaid) except with the consent of the government and in compliance with pertinent laws and regulations of the Maldives.
Before You Arrive to Maldives
Make the most of your trip to Maldives with our guide to important information, tips and advice for visitors to our sunny side of life. Be prepared for the sunny warm weather as well as rain at any time, which can be torrential but usually brief. Be aware that there are certain goods that you are not allowed to bring into the Maldives under any circumstances, and some goods that are restricted.
USEFUL NUMBERS
police
119
Flight Information
+960 3315366
Fire Brigade
118
Ambulance
102ADK Hospital
+960 3313553IGM Hospital
+960 3335335Medica Hospital
+960 3002255Tree Top Hospital
+960 3351610while you are here
Enjoy the most Maldives has to offer, besides enjoying the white sandy beaches of the islands there several other activities one can enjoy, including: Scuba Diving, Big game fishing, Water Sports, Picnics, Local culture, and Surfing
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Connectivity
Although Maldives is spread in a north south direction in the middle of the Indian Ocean, today it is widely interconnected as well as connected to the world. There are nine regional airports, Maldivian,Trans Maldivian Airways and FlyMe operate to these airports and the seaplane services from all three airlines make almost all islands easily accessible. Major airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar, Emirates, British Airways and many more have scheduled flights to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. IDD facilities and broadband internet are available. The 3g and 4g networks provided by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo makes it possible to be connected to the entire world even when on a dive trip to the outer reef edge.
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Of Interest
Notable places of interest are in Malé, and ruins of the Buddist era can be found spread amongst some of the islands. Malé excursions are regularly organisd by resorts and guest houses and in Malé make sure you visit the Hukuru Miskiiy and see the Munnaaru (minaret), Medhu Ziyaaraiy which is the tomb of Abul Barakaath Barbary credited for converting Maldivains to Islam, Muleeaage- presidential palace, Maldives National Museum, Islamic Center and enjoy shopping for Souvenirs in the northern portion of Chaandhanee Magu.
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Getting Around
As Maldives consists of several islands sea transport is essential. Each resort has its speed boat service or sea plane service. There are ferry services available form the airport and also to the atolls from Malé. There are two main hospitals and both are in Malé.
All major credit cards are accepted in all the resorts and most guest houses. For the traveler visiting guest houses it is better to do that banking in Malé as similar to resorts, ATMs may not be available in some islands.
The banks operating in the Maldives are:
Bank of Maldives: +960 332 2948
State Bank of India: +960 331 2111
HSBC: +960 333 0770
Habib Bank: +960 332 2948
Bank of Ceylon: +960 332 3045
Mauritius Comm Bank: +960 330 5656
Maldives Islamic Bank: +960 332 5555