Maldives
Capital: Cities Male 
Government type: Republic
Time zone: Throughout the summer period, Maldives Standard Time is two hours ahead of Kiev time and 3 hours ahead of the Kiev Winter Time
Public Holiday: Maldives Independence Day July 26
Currency: rufiyaa (MVR)
Geography
Climate
Language
Currency
Custom rules
Diving
Spa
Sport and leisure
In the evening
Geography
Maldives located Southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator. There are 1,190 coral islands, forming
an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Island stretches 820 kilometers north to south and 120 kilometers east to west.
202 islands are inhabited, 88 are exclusive resort islands.
The name "Maldives" derive from «mahal» (kingdom) and «diva» (the island).
The reef is composed of coral debris and living coral. This acts as a natural barrier against the sea, forming lagoons. Other islands set at a distance and parallel to the reef, have their own protective fringe of reef. An opening in the surrounding coral barrier allows access to the calmer lagoon waters.
The barrier reefs of the islands protect them from the storms and high waves of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean has a great effect on the climate of the country by acting as a heat buffer, absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing the tropical heat. The heat is further mitigated by cool sea breezes.
Climate in the Maldives
Being an equatorial country, the Maldives has tropical climate with annual average temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius.
So, the temperature of Maldives is hot throughout the year and there is no cold winter.
There are two monsoons, the southwest from April to September and the northeast from December to April.
The average maximum temperature is 28-30ºС in daytime and average minimum is 25.4 ºС in
nighttime. The annual average water temperature is 24-28 ºС.
Language
Dhivehi is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood getting around the capital island. In the resorts, a variety of languages are spoken by the staff including English, German, French, Italian and Japanese.
Currency
The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa and Laaree.
One Rufiyaa is equivalent to 100 laarees.
The exchange rate for US Dollar at the time of writing is MRf.12 for the dollar.
Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500.
Coins are in the denominations of MRf.2.00, MRf.1.00, 50 laarees, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaree. The US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency. Payments in the resorts and hotels can be made in most hard currency in cash, travellers’ cheques or credit cards. Commonly used credit cards are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro Card.
Custom rules
Attention! Seaplane Baggage allowance: 25Kg. Any excess baggage must be paid at USD 2.00 per 1 Kg.
Maldivian law prohibits the import of:
Alcoholic beverages
Any video materials
Narcotics and psychotropic substances
Pornographic material
Arms and ammunition
Explosives
Idols (for worship)
Religious materials offensive to Islam
Animals
If you do have any alcohol with you, then you can declare it at customs. They will give you a receipt and you can claim it back when you leave. They usually X-ray all incoming luggage, so any undeclared bottles are likely to be found.
If you bring video materials, customs officials will seize it to check for pornographic and religious material. You will be given a receipt for it and material will be returned to you on your departure from the Maldives.
Strictly prohibited in Maldives:
Break and tear live or dead corals
Damage shells
Fishing close to the islands
Throw away cans, tin, glass or plastic bottles, and other garbage
Underwater hunting
Visiting Male in swimsuits
Tourists are requested to wear clothes that cover thighs and upper body while visiting inhabited islands.
Nudism and topless are prohibited.
Maldives it is one of the few places in the world where miracles happen: here you can fully forget about the present. You will immerse into the space made of the blue sky, the snow-white sand, and the emerald-colored and incredibly transparent water. You could simply lie down on the fine warm sand and watch the seas for hours on end. The coconut trees laden beaches are so
picturesque that you would not want to go away from here. It is not just nature lovers who can enjoy a vacation at Maldives. This place has something for everyone.
Maldives also offers all sorts of water sports like under water diving, snorkeling, sailing and much more for sports and adventure lovers.
Diving
Maldives is arguably the best diving paradise in the world. The fascinating undersea world is one of the main tourist attractions of the country. Area abounds with reefs and caves of incredible coral, with shoals of fish of every conceivable size and color
Maldives is a Mecca for scuba diving holidaymakers. The underwater world on Maldives is one of the richest and colorful.
Each island is surrounded by a unique coral reef and lagoons with different shades of blue. Each Hotel has dive sites.
Water is crystal clear and perfectly warm.
All resorts are equipped with diving centers and have regular dive excursion schedules Resorts in Maldives have dive schools offering beginners diving lessons and several other advanced and specialized diving courses.
The schools have separate courses for kids and adults, with the beautiful, turquoise lagoons forming their training grounds. The lagoons with their clear water form natural swimming pools and are a perfect place for learning scuba diving.
Beginners usually start with the introductory dive that is carried out in the waist depth shallow waters of the lagoons. After nine dives and theory lessons, an internationally recognized PADI Open Water Diver certificate can be obtained which usually takes about a week.
Some schools do offer training up to professional level but they may require a certification of physical fitness. Qualified or professional divers should bring their logbook and copies of certificates and cards. All types of International certificates are accepted.
At the end of the courses you will be given a certificate which allows you to dive around the world without further training.
Snorkeling in Maldives is increasingly gaining momentum, as it gives an opportunity to even those people, who cannot dive or do not feel enthusiastic about trying diving, to enjoy the wonderful underwater life by simply wearing a mask and fins.
The calm waters around the coral islands of Maldives make snorkeling very easy. The superb visibility of the sea, the credit for which goes to its crystal clear waters, enables you to witness the underwater life as you snorkel.
Snorkeling allows you to become a part of nature and glance at the colorful fishes that flock around the hotel resorts in the lagoons. Many can be seen by merely snorkeling a short distance
from the beach. One can also dive with turtles, moray eels, manta rays, sharks and dolphins. The best part about snorkeling is that it makes you feel the depth of the world lying beneath you and it is something that really astonishes people. Maldives is considered to be one of the best destinations for snorkeling in the world.
Excursion
The main sight of Maldives is ocean and all that related with it-underwater world, fishing, and excursions to uninhabited islands. Visit excursion on the Glass bottom boat and you will experience sea life in its natural state. Explore the underwater world in submarine. It will allow acceding to the wonderful one and little known world the marine bottoms, to the natural habitat of many species of plants and fish. There are also aerial excursions by helicopter or sea-plane to experience the glittering shades of blue that is the Maldives. Moonlight excursions may also be available depending on the resort of your choice.
A visit to the capital island Male can fulfill your shopping needs and offer many sightseeing attractions. Male excursions are organized regularly by resorts in Male atolls. Male’ is the seat of government, and also where a number of historical and cultural buildings have been preserved. The Islamic Center dominated by a large golden dome, the museum and the old architecture of some houses combine with modern day high-rise buildings to create an island of contrasts. Male’ is the best place for shopping, and shops packed with souvenir items line the busy streets. The local fish market is a fascinating sight when freshly caught fish are landed in the afternoon. The local fruit and vegetable market in a shaded building near the waterfront displays the local products.
Spa
Rest both body and soul.
There are different types of massages for face and body with essential oils to cure skin problems. Coconut treatments let your body detoxify and heal, especially scars. It is practiced traditionally and will soften and revitalize skin. To cleanse, re-energize and re-invigorate the body a blend of coffee and cocoa, a concoction is richly endowed with vitamins and minerals, is used. There are also treatments like herbal bath, wash, and massage especially for the new mothers to firm and calm their bodies.
Ayurveda means The “Science of life” it is an ancient healing therapy.
A whole body massage with ayurvedic oils to nourish the body tissue and expel toxins from the cells, this special massage has a much deeper and far-reaching effect than ordinary massages. It includes an herbal steam bath and is a treat for anyone who just needs to feel good – a heavenly experience.
Benefits: - This massage increases tissue strength, improves blood circulation, rejuvenates the whole body, slows ageing, induces peaceful sleep, promotes vitality, and reduces stress, mental tension and sexual weakness.
Weddings in the Maldives
Maldives - one of the most romantic places in the world, to make your wedding ceremony unique and unforgettable!
Please note that ceremony is not official, but after it you will get a certificate. After the Weddings in the Maldives the couple is treated with a series of surprise presents from hotel and photos of ceremony.
… white sand, white flowing satin, boat, decorated in tropical colors and palm leaves, national presentation, exchange by rings, sparkling champagne and wedding cake, special supper on the beach in the rays of sunset, decorated bungalow for just married and, ahead...Your honeymoon...
Sport and leisure
Hotels propose different types of active holidays: windsurfing, catamarans, canoe, parasailing, snorkeling, diving, Beach Volley ball, football, tennis, squash, aerobic, table games.
In the evening:
Sunset Cruise- Relax on the sundeck of our traditional dhoni boat and admire the spectacular views of the sun setting on the waters of the Indian Ocean
Spend a romantic evening dinner for two at your hotel. Or simply take a leisurely stroll along a secluded white sand beach and enjoy the most spectacular place on earth.
But it is not all! For those who loves fun there is disco two-three times per a week, folklore evenings, and shows in many hotels (read descriptions), karaoke evenings (even in Russian) - in general, rest to any taste. Maldives interesting for all - for romanticisms and serious gentlemen, with children and newly-weds, for little and grown man.
Attentively choose hotel and dates, buy tour and in 8 hours you will be in such warm and glad country- Maldives!
[Tags: Tours to Maldives]
Туры на Мальдивы (Russian version)
Government type: Republic
Time zone: Throughout the summer period, Maldives Standard Time is two hours ahead of Kiev time and 3 hours ahead of the Kiev Winter Time
Public Holiday: Maldives Independence Day July 26
Currency: rufiyaa (MVR)
Geography
Climate
Language
Currency
Custom rules
Diving
Spa
Sport and leisure
In the evening
Geography
Maldives located Southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator. There are 1,190 coral islands, forming
an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Island stretches 820 kilometers north to south and 120 kilometers east to west. 202 islands are inhabited, 88 are exclusive resort islands.
The name "Maldives" derive from «mahal» (kingdom) and «diva» (the island).
The reef is composed of coral debris and living coral. This acts as a natural barrier against the sea, forming lagoons. Other islands set at a distance and parallel to the reef, have their own protective fringe of reef. An opening in the surrounding coral barrier allows access to the calmer lagoon waters.
The barrier reefs of the islands protect them from the storms and high waves of the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean has a great effect on the climate of the country by acting as a heat buffer, absorbing, storing, and slowly releasing the tropical heat. The heat is further mitigated by cool sea breezes.
Climate in the Maldives
Being an equatorial country, the Maldives has tropical climate with annual average temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius.
So, the temperature of Maldives is hot throughout the year and there is no cold winter.
There are two monsoons, the southwest from April to September and the northeast from December to April.
The average maximum temperature is 28-30ºС in daytime and average minimum is 25.4 ºС in
nighttime. The annual average water temperature is 24-28 ºС.Language
Dhivehi is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood getting around the capital island. In the resorts, a variety of languages are spoken by the staff including English, German, French, Italian and Japanese.
Currency
The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa and Laaree.
One Rufiyaa is equivalent to 100 laarees.
The exchange rate for US Dollar at the time of writing is MRf.12 for the dollar.
Rufiyaa bank notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500.
Coins are in the denominations of MRf.2.00, MRf.1.00, 50 laarees, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaree. The US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency. Payments in the resorts and hotels can be made in most hard currency in cash, travellers’ cheques or credit cards. Commonly used credit cards are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro Card.
Custom rules
Attention! Seaplane Baggage allowance: 25Kg. Any excess baggage must be paid at USD 2.00 per 1 Kg.
Maldivian law prohibits the import of:
Alcoholic beverages
Any video materials
Narcotics and psychotropic substances
Pornographic material
Arms and ammunition
Explosives
Idols (for worship)
Religious materials offensive to Islam
Animals
If you do have any alcohol with you, then you can declare it at customs. They will give you a receipt and you can claim it back when you leave. They usually X-ray all incoming luggage, so any undeclared bottles are likely to be found.
If you bring video materials, customs officials will seize it to check for pornographic and religious material. You will be given a receipt for it and material will be returned to you on your departure from the Maldives.
Strictly prohibited in Maldives:
Break and tear live or dead corals
Damage shells
Fishing close to the islands
Throw away cans, tin, glass or plastic bottles, and other garbage
Underwater hunting
Visiting Male in swimsuits
Tourists are requested to wear clothes that cover thighs and upper body while visiting inhabited islands.
Nudism and topless are prohibited.
Maldives it is one of the few places in the world where miracles happen: here you can fully forget about the present. You will immerse into the space made of the blue sky, the snow-white sand, and the emerald-colored and incredibly transparent water. You could simply lie down on the fine warm sand and watch the seas for hours on end. The coconut trees laden beaches are so
picturesque that you would not want to go away from here. It is not just nature lovers who can enjoy a vacation at Maldives. This place has something for everyone.Maldives also offers all sorts of water sports like under water diving, snorkeling, sailing and much more for sports and adventure lovers.
Diving
Maldives is arguably the best diving paradise in the world. The fascinating undersea world is one of the main tourist attractions of the country. Area abounds with reefs and caves of incredible coral, with shoals of fish of every conceivable size and color
Maldives is a Mecca for scuba diving holidaymakers. The underwater world on Maldives is one of the richest and colorful.
Each island is surrounded by a unique coral reef and lagoons with different shades of blue. Each Hotel has dive sites.
Water is crystal clear and perfectly warm.
All resorts are equipped with diving centers and have regular dive excursion schedules Resorts in Maldives have dive schools offering beginners diving lessons and several other advanced and specialized diving courses.
The schools have separate courses for kids and adults, with the beautiful, turquoise lagoons forming their training grounds. The lagoons with their clear water form natural swimming pools and are a perfect place for learning scuba diving.
Beginners usually start with the introductory dive that is carried out in the waist depth shallow waters of the lagoons. After nine dives and theory lessons, an internationally recognized PADI Open Water Diver certificate can be obtained which usually takes about a week.
Some schools do offer training up to professional level but they may require a certification of physical fitness. Qualified or professional divers should bring their logbook and copies of certificates and cards. All types of International certificates are accepted.
At the end of the courses you will be given a certificate which allows you to dive around the world without further training.
Snorkeling in Maldives is increasingly gaining momentum, as it gives an opportunity to even those people, who cannot dive or do not feel enthusiastic about trying diving, to enjoy the wonderful underwater life by simply wearing a mask and fins.
The calm waters around the coral islands of Maldives make snorkeling very easy. The superb visibility of the sea, the credit for which goes to its crystal clear waters, enables you to witness the underwater life as you snorkel.
Snorkeling allows you to become a part of nature and glance at the colorful fishes that flock around the hotel resorts in the lagoons. Many can be seen by merely snorkeling a short distance
from the beach. One can also dive with turtles, moray eels, manta rays, sharks and dolphins. The best part about snorkeling is that it makes you feel the depth of the world lying beneath you and it is something that really astonishes people. Maldives is considered to be one of the best destinations for snorkeling in the world. Excursion
The main sight of Maldives is ocean and all that related with it-underwater world, fishing, and excursions to uninhabited islands. Visit excursion on the Glass bottom boat and you will experience sea life in its natural state. Explore the underwater world in submarine. It will allow acceding to the wonderful one and little known world the marine bottoms, to the natural habitat of many species of plants and fish. There are also aerial excursions by helicopter or sea-plane to experience the glittering shades of blue that is the Maldives. Moonlight excursions may also be available depending on the resort of your choice.
A visit to the capital island Male can fulfill your shopping needs and offer many sightseeing attractions. Male excursions are organized regularly by resorts in Male atolls. Male’ is the seat of government, and also where a number of historical and cultural buildings have been preserved. The Islamic Center dominated by a large golden dome, the museum and the old architecture of some houses combine with modern day high-rise buildings to create an island of contrasts. Male’ is the best place for shopping, and shops packed with souvenir items line the busy streets. The local fish market is a fascinating sight when freshly caught fish are landed in the afternoon. The local fruit and vegetable market in a shaded building near the waterfront displays the local products.
Spa
Rest both body and soul.
There are different types of massages for face and body with essential oils to cure skin problems. Coconut treatments let your body detoxify and heal, especially scars. It is practiced traditionally and will soften and revitalize skin. To cleanse, re-energize and re-invigorate the body a blend of coffee and cocoa, a concoction is richly endowed with vitamins and minerals, is used. There are also treatments like herbal bath, wash, and massage especially for the new mothers to firm and calm their bodies.
Ayurveda means The “Science of life” it is an ancient healing therapy.
A whole body massage with ayurvedic oils to nourish the body tissue and expel toxins from the cells, this special massage has a much deeper and far-reaching effect than ordinary massages. It includes an herbal steam bath and is a treat for anyone who just needs to feel good – a heavenly experience.
Benefits: - This massage increases tissue strength, improves blood circulation, rejuvenates the whole body, slows ageing, induces peaceful sleep, promotes vitality, and reduces stress, mental tension and sexual weakness.
Weddings in the Maldives
Maldives - one of the most romantic places in the world, to make your wedding ceremony unique and unforgettable!
Please note that ceremony is not official, but after it you will get a certificate. After the Weddings in the Maldives the couple is treated with a series of surprise presents from hotel and photos of ceremony.
… white sand, white flowing satin, boat, decorated in tropical colors and palm leaves, national presentation, exchange by rings, sparkling champagne and wedding cake, special supper on the beach in the rays of sunset, decorated bungalow for just married and, ahead...Your honeymoon...
Sport and leisure
Hotels propose different types of active holidays: windsurfing, catamarans, canoe, parasailing, snorkeling, diving, Beach Volley ball, football, tennis, squash, aerobic, table games.
In the evening:
Sunset Cruise- Relax on the sundeck of our traditional dhoni boat and admire the spectacular views of the sun setting on the waters of the Indian Ocean
Spend a romantic evening dinner for two at your hotel. Or simply take a leisurely stroll along a secluded white sand beach and enjoy the most spectacular place on earth.
But it is not all! For those who loves fun there is disco two-three times per a week, folklore evenings, and shows in many hotels (read descriptions), karaoke evenings (even in Russian) - in general, rest to any taste. Maldives interesting for all - for romanticisms and serious gentlemen, with children and newly-weds, for little and grown man.
Attentively choose hotel and dates, buy tour and in 8 hours you will be in such warm and glad country- Maldives!
[Tags: Tours to Maldives]
Туры на Мальдивы (Russian version)
