Joanna James
The Maldives is one of the most popular beach destinations in the world. It is lauded for its pristine shorelines and luxurious resorts. Despite its popularity, however, there's plenty of myths that persist about these islands – here's a look at some of the most common ones.
One thing that stops most travellers dead in their tracks when they feel like planning a trip to the Maldives is the notion that the islands are only for the uber-rich. Another common notion is that you need to spend a lot in order to have a good time here in the Maldives. Both of these ideas couldn't be further from the truth. Now, having a larger budget obviously means you'll have access to a better range of options, but that's not to say that there aren't great options for lower budgets either. In fact, when it comes to selecting accommodations, the Maldives offer a great choice. Similarly, there are plenty of activities for you to try out that won't cost you at all much – at times even being free!
The Maldives Islands are located in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The closest land-mass to it is the tropical island of Sri Lanka that's located about 700 kilometres away. Now, at first, that may seem like quite the ways away – and the fact that it takes 16 hours to fly to the location doesn't help. That being said, when you consider other beach-focused vacation destinations – the Greek Islands or Bora Bora for example – the Maldives is relatively close by!
One of the most persistent myths regarding the Maldives is that the islands have no real culture; all there is to see here is the sea and the beach. This is by far the most erroneous myth that's associated with the Maldivian Islands. In truth, the Maldives has a rich and storied culture that has been shaped over many centuries. It has undergone significant cultural events – like the introduction of Islam and the surrender to colonial powers – throughout its history. These events in turn have helped shape an identity for the Maldivian people and its one that they wear proudly even today. All you have to do to witness Maldivian culture is to head into the major settlements dotted around the island – it as distinct as it is wonderful. This also extends to the island's food culture as well. The Maldives has some of the most unique and delectable dishes you'll find in South Asia. So, don't miss out on visiting one of the best restaurants in Maldives – such as the one located within popular properties like Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives – and enjoying some island treats.
Over the past few years, the Maldives has developed a reputation for being a fantastic honeymoon spot. While this is definitely true, it has also led to the notion that it's a destination reserved purely for newly-weds. This tropical island offers a whole lot more than just romance and amorous adventures. It's a great destination to visit with the entire family or even for a spot of solo-travelling.
Some people believe that the Maldives is all about taking it easy and relaxing – beyond that, there isn't a whole lot to do. Once again, this isn't true at all. There's plenty of exciting activities for you to try out in the Maldives – these range from exciting water sports like deep-sea fishing and scuba-diving to cultural tours through the island's settlements.
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