Do you need a visa for the Maldives? +
No. 30-day tourist visa issued free on arrival at Velana International Airport (Malé). Requirements: passport valid at least 1 month past arrival, return or onward ticket, hotel confirmation or proof of sufficient funds. IMUGA Traveller Declaration to fill online 96h before flight (free, mandatory).
When to go to the Maldives? +
December to April: dry season, sunny, calm sea, peak diving visibility. Tourist high season, prices 50-100% higher in December-January. May to November: Hulhangu monsoon, short showers but warm climate (28-30 °C). Best season for manta rays at Hanifaru Bay (June-November). Prices 30-50% lower.
How much does a Maldives trip cost? +
Local island guesthouse: €1,800-2,500 for 10 days, flight included. 4-star all-inclusive resort: €4,500-7,000 for 7 nights. 5-star overwater resort (Soneva, Cheval Blanc, Anantara): €10,000-25,000 for 7 nights. The widest price range of any destination in the world.
Guesthouse or resort for Maldives? +
Resort if honeymoon, private beaches, all-inclusive, total isolation (alcohol allowed only on private islands). Guesthouse if budget, cultural immersion (Muslim island = no alcohol, separated 'bikini beach'), reasonably-priced diving. Possible to combine: 3 nights guesthouse + 4 nights resort.
How to get around the Maldives? +
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) or Maldivian Air Taxi seaplane for distant atolls (>100km from Malé): €250-400 return pp. Speedboat for nearby atolls: €100-180 return. Public ferry (very slow, €1-3) for local islands. Domestic flight (Maldivian) to Gan, Fuvahmulah, Kooddoo.
Are the Maldives at risk from climate change? +
The Maldives is the world's lowest country (max 1.5m altitude). Long-term (50-100 years), the archipelago is threatened by sea-level rise. Short-term, no impact for travelers. The Maldivian government is heavily investing in elevated islands (Hulhumalé) and coastal defenses.
Can you combine the Maldives with another country? +
Yes, smart for amortizing the long-haul flight. Common combos: Dubai + Maldives (1h flight from DXB), Sri Lanka + Maldives (1h flights), South India (Kochi/Trivandrum) + Maldives. Plan 2 weeks for a comfortable combo.
Which atoll for first-time? +
North and South Malé: most accessible (30-60 min speedboat, no seaplane needed). South Ari: for divers (whale sharks, manta rays). Baa: for nature and UNESCO (Hanifaru Bay). Noonu / Lhaviyani: for the most prestigious eco-luxe resorts.
