Joanna James
The Maldivian archipelago is an exotic destination; for most people, visiting the islands for the first time can be confusing when you don't know what to expect in terms of cultural differences, dress codes, and so on. This article serves as a guide listing things to know before you visit the Maldives.
As an Islamic nation, the Maldives follows conservative laws. Some of these must be known by tourists visiting the place so they don't offend the locals or break the law. Here are some main points to make note of: You cannot take pork or alcohol into the country. Pork is not served anywhere on the archipelago while alcohol can be enjoyed on your private island resort but not in public or the local islands. When exploring local attractions, especially the mosques, women must cover their heads, and both genders need to wear clothing below their knees, not expose their shoulders or mid-section. While you can dress as you please on your Maldives resort, pay attention to your attire and wear modest clothing when out in public. Also, bikinis can be worn outside of your resort only if the area is marked so—most public beaches do not allow bikinis to be worn. These laws in no way hinder your ability to enjoy an amazing holiday in the Maldives as the resorts cater to your needs. If you are concerned about COVID-19 precautions, you can explore the travel advisory for Maldives page listed on some resort websites, like Anantara Veli Maldives Resort, which has a full list of advice regarding travel, transfers, medicals, and more.
The Maldives has only two seasons, the wet and dry. The dry season is the best time to visit the islands so you can spend plenty of time outdoors, so plan to visit the place between November and April. The wet season heralds monsoonal rains; however, it rarely rains all day, which makes the wet season appealing to tourists looking for cheaper hotel rates, and special offers during the off-season. Regardless of rain, you must pack for the tropics because it's mostly sunny and hot in the Maldives. Take lots of comfy cotton clothing as well as semi-casual clothing, since most luxury resorts in the Maldives ask guests to dress up for dinner. A long-sleeved shirt, three-quarter pants, shawl, and kaftan will also come in handy for exploring local attractions in modest attire. Take shades, and a hat to protect yourself from the heat, and a dry bag to protect your tech from sand and water. Don't forget the sun tan lotion as well as bug spray.
Ask your Maldives resort about what is on offer; water sports, island-hopping tours, sunset cruises, surf safaris, snorkelling tours, and so on are all a part of the experiences in Maldives. They should not be missed, and while you cannot do them all, try to enjoy as many as possible.
The private island resorts in the Maldives are awesome, and you will not want to leave the place, but you must make time to explore the attractions. The Old Friday Mosque, the museum, the market, the surrounding local islands, and even the Grand Mosque are some of the alluring icons you will enjoy exploring outside of your resort island.
Seafood is a big allure in the Maldives, but apart from tucking into loads of shellfish and fresh fish, you must check out the traditional dishes. These can be savoured at your Maldives resort restaurants as well as the little tea shops on Mále, the capital island. Explore the variety of short eats, roti, salsas, and fish salads to understand how simple ingredients like fish, coconut and yams can turn out exotic dishes.
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.
