Flight Booking and Travel Tips for Your First Ever Trip to Maldives | The Maldives have been an increasingly popular tourist destination over the last few decades. With consistent temperatures and romantic settings, it’s no surprise that it is attractive to so many types of travelers.

If you are considering visiting the Maldives for the first time, the right planning will make sure it’s what you want it to be. Read on to learn important travel tips with it comes to booking airfare, picking accommodations, and creating a budget for your Maldivian adventure.

Before You Go…

When traveling anywhere, it’s good to know a few things about the place you’ll be visiting. These facts can assist you with making better decision when making your travel preparations.

• Are the Maldives a country? – Yes. The capital is Malé.
• What is the official currency? – Maldivian rufiyaa, but USD is commonly accepted. Credit and debit cards can also be used.
• What is the official language? – Dhivehi
• Do I need a visa before I travel? – No, all travelers can stay in the Maldives for 30 days without a visa. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months from when you arrive
• What is the weather like? – The Maldives are in a tropical climate, so their temperatures don’t vary much through the year. Temperatures can range from 25 C/77 F to 31 C/88 F.

Getting There

Before you can enjoy the Maldives, you have to figure out how you’re going to get there. There are four international airports in the Maldives to choose from.

• Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé
• Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ) in Haa Dhaalu
• Villa International Airport (VAM) in Alifu Dhaalu
• Gan International Airport (GAN) in Addu City

A great way to find a cheap flight booking, or at least the cheapest possible, is to search in advance. This will at least give you an estimate of your airfare if you’re saving up, how many layovers you’ll likely have, and your total travel time. Depending on your final destination, expect to possibly take a boat or bus to your final destination.

Money Matters

Another concept to consider is the budget you want to have for your stay. You can decide to stay at a bed and breakfast to lessen the amount of meals you purchase or an all-inclusive resort where all your meals are taken care of. The all-inclusive resorts will likely cost more than a bed and breakfast.

It’s wise to do research before setting a budget, so you have the best idea of how much the entire adventure will cost. Even though eating at your place of stay will likely more expensive, it’s still quite expensive to eat out in town because nearly everything in the Maldives is imported. A budget for activities, souvenirs, and emergencies isn’t a bad idea either.

Your Accommodations

The Maldives has become a hot spot for honeymooners and those who appreciate travel luxury, so there are plenty of high end resorts to choose from when making your reservation. When you book your accommodations, let them know when you’ll be arriving as it is customary for some to send a representative to pick you up from the airport.

There’s typically one resort per island, so choose wisely. Those amenities are the only ones you’ll have available to you during your stay. Take a look at what type of restaurants and activities are on the grounds. For example, if you want to snorkel in the coral, some resorts’ reefs are close enough to swim to while others require a boat ride to get to.

Packing and Culture

With temperatures that stay in a warm range, you won’t need to pack much heavy clothing. However, when deciding what outfits to pack, keep in mind that the Maldives is a Muslim country. This means that dress expectations are conservative, especially for women.

Some more liberal choices of dress are acceptable within a resort, like swimming trunks and bikinis are acceptable, but are prohibited once you leave. Here’s some more information on the culture that is useful to know.

Popular Activities

As with most island destinations, there is a huge variety of activities to do and places to visit. If you’re more of an adventurer, take advantage of snorkeling or scuba diving through a reef, windsurfing, and hiking. If you’re more of someone who likes to relax, look for a fishing excursion or book a spa treatment.

One recommended dining experience found in the Maldives is at one of their underwater restaurants. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant on Conrad Rangali Island and Underwater Restaurant in Hurawalhi are your two options.

Now that you have a better idea of what to expect from a trip to the Maldives, you’ll have a much easier time planning in the perfect vacation. This is just the beginning of what you should know, and it is a good beginning. The more you research before your trip, the higher chance it’ll be your favorite one.