Joanna James
The Maldives is perhaps the most famous and travelled-to beach destination in the world. Despite all this fame and popularity, there's still a lot most visitors don't know about these islands. So, if you're planning a trip to this tropical paradise, here a few things you should know.
The nation that is the Maldives is actually made up of almost 1200 different islands! These small landmasses pepper a section of the vast Indian Ocean making up the Maldives. Some of these islands are actually uninhabited and have no trace of human civilization. Some islands aren't even mentioned on most maps! All of this makes the Maldives and excellent location to go island hopping, particularly if you're looking to indulge in a Robinson Crusoe like experience. The islands that do have a permanent population are broken down into two distinct categories – local islands and resort islands. If you're looking for the full Maldivian expere3ince, you'll end up visiting all kinds of different islands during your time here.
An overwhelming majority of the Maldivian populace are Muslims. As such, Islam has a strong presence here on the islands. This in turn means that there are several things to be mindful of when visiting the towns and settlements of the Maldives. For example, this means that activities like consuming alcohol in public is frowned upon and even prohibited under certain circumstances. Additionally, you should be mindful of your attire when exploring the populated areas of the Maldives. This is especially true if you plan on visiting some of the sacred sites strewn about the islands like the old mosques and shrines. As a general practice, long sleeves and pants that cover your knees are always a safe bet. Keep in mind that you only need to adhere to these rules if you plan on exploring the more populated areas of the Maldives – it's a different story at your resort.
Aside from the beaches, luxury resorts are one of the most notable and popular attractions in the Maldives. Resorts come in all varieties, it can be a feature-rich beach bungalow like the Anantara Veli Maldives Resort or it can be on its own private island! The choice of where you stay is up to you and as alluded to earlier, there are no real restrictions to worry about here. You can order as much alcohol as you desire, slip into something comfortable, and hit the beach at your own leisure.
There are quite a few ways to get around the Maldives. Seaplanes and speed boats are readily available and are the fastest and convenient ways to travel – albeit rather expensive ones. Conversely, you can use the local ferries to travel in-between islands although these are not always reliable and show up infrequently. Keep all these factors in mind when making travel arrangements in the Maldives.
The Maldives enjoys a warm and tropical climate for most of the year. There are two distinct seasons to be aware of – the dry season which lasts from December to April and the wet season which lasts from May to November. Make sure to take these into account when packing for your trip.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a pas...
