Joanna James
Ranked among the region's finest honeymoon hotspots and beach holiday destinations, Maldives is a dream come true for most visitors. Here are 9 common mistakes first-time visitors to the islands avoid in order to enjoy a seamless vacation in the paradise archipelago.
One of the biggest mistakes holidaymakers make is postponing a getaway in the Maldives until their honeymoon or destination wedding. Waiting for the milestones of your romantic life to determine how soon a vacation in the Maldives will be realised is foolhardy even if the paradise islands were not constantly under the threat of submersion due to their low altitude.
As a collection of more than one thousand islands, spending the entirety of your Maldivian holiday on one island should be considered a crime. With so many pristine islands including more than 200 inhabited isles occupying its confines, a tour of the Maldives should include at least a few pit stops in some of the country's countless virgin islands.
This is a mistake that honeymooners and vacationers have been making for decades due to the country's reputation as a beach hub. Maldivian culture is just as rich and engaging as any of its neighbours and all one has to do is spend the day in the nation's capital Male to discover the many landmarks and heritage sites located within the city. Don't take our word for it, visit the National Museum or the presidential palaces and see for yourself.
The idea that the Maldives is not a budget-friendly holiday destination is one of the biggest misconceptions in the travel world. While there are plenty of high-end resorts and lavish properties that are beyond the means of ordinary travellers, the country is not without budget hotels or affordable accommodation options for those on a budget.
As one of the best options available for tourists to enjoy a Maldivian holiday for less, it is a wonder why all-inclusive resort deals are not so popular among travellers. These packages offer tourists the best of everything that the resort islands have to offer and cut down the food and alcohol costs significantly, as well.
Whether you are based at the Adaaran Club Rannalhi or any one of the other Maldives luxury hotels, there's no excuse for avoiding water sports adventures in the Maldives. As one of Asia's top locations for engaging in water sports, the idyllic water, wind and weather conditions in the archipelago must be put to good use by signing up for diving, snorkelling, surfing, or kayaking excursions.
Do not forget to pack sunscreen for a trip to the Maldives as it is a country that lies on the equator; the damage that unprotected exposure can cause is quite significant.
A holiday in the Maldives is also a great opportunity to visit neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka as many airlines have advantageous deals for combined vacation packages.
Skimpy clothing and public displays of affection can land you in hot water in an Islamic nation such as the Maldives and tourists would do well to remember that when they step outside of their resort islands.
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 passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
