The Maldives is the dream destination especially for couples and honeymooners. Are you planning your first trip to the Maldives? Here are my tips for a perfect first-time experience. Tips for Maldives and Maldives tips
TAKE A LOOK A THE FORECAST
The Maldives is the smallest country in Asia, both in terms of population and territory.
Nonetheless, the Maldivian atolls spread basically from India to the south of the equator.
This is something you must take into consideration when deciding where in the Maldives you are staying. The northern atolls are usually less subjected to monsoons than the southern ones, especially if you travel from May to November. Generally speaking, the months from December to April are the driest, and long sunny days are almost granted.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT MEAL PLAN tips for Maldives
This is not as easy as it sounds when booking a resort in the Maldives. First of all, remember that the meal plan you choose is of extreme importance. If you opt for a b&b or half board plan, always consider that you’ll have to stay in the hotel for all the other meals, with no chances of looking for that cheap, local restaurant you found behind your resort in Phuket. In the Maldives, you are stuck in your hotel, and that’s it. And prices for extras are definitely not low, so you’ll probably end up paying double the money you saved when you booked your hotel.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT RESORT
Location is something to consider for the weather and the money you will pay to get to the hotel, which is almost always not included in the resort fare. If you can reach your hotel by speedboat, because it is located in the Male area, it will cost you a fraction of a seaplane/domestic flight transfer. For example, when I traveled to the Maldives, my resort was in the Raa Atoll, and the seaplane cost me around $600 round trip. Usually, domestic flights are cheaper since you then have to take a boat to get to your island.
RESORTS VARIETY
Traveling to the Maldives can be cheap (well, let’s say, not that expensive) or extremely expensive, depending on your resort category. The Price difference between a 3-stars and a 5-stars is much more than other destinations. Also, To experience the maximum luxury, you can opt for a private island, which can easily cost you $15,000/night. Let’s say that for a medium category hotel, you can pay between $100 to $200/night, while for a 5-stars, you can start at around $350.
ROOM TYPE
I recommend you book at least one night on A water-villa or water bungalow for the ultimate Maldivian experience.
There’s nothing like waking up to a breathtaking sunrise on the water and go to bed with the sound of the ocean under your head.
ALWAYS HAVE YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE UP TO DATE as tips for Maldives
When you are in the middle of nowhere, and I mean it, even the smallest health problem can become a big issue since you’ll probably need to go to another island to get treatment. These transfers plus a check-up in a private hospital can cost you a fortune (btw, forget public hospitals). That’s why it is vital to have travel insurance covering transportation and treatments or, in case, transfer to another country.
WHAT TO PACK FOR A TRIP TO THE MALDIVES
Well, if you already started packing, just unpack everything you put into the baggage. Trust me, the only things you’ll need for a vacation to the Maldives are tons of swimsuits and light, beachy dresses. Plus a few pairs of flip flops. Bring a lot of sunscreen, hair protection spray, a hat, snorkeling gear, and an underwater camera/GoPro like this one. If you want to take your drone with you (take a look at my fav photography gear here), always check the resort policy beforehand: many hotels don’t allow drones because of guests’ privacy or seaplanes landing and taking off on the premises. Also, remember your first aid kit with your medicines and a mosquito repellent.
Remember not to pack alcohol, pork, or religious books.
SCHEDULE THE LANDING TIME IN MALE’
If you need to reach your resort by seaplane, be aware you will need to land in Malé before 3 PM. Seaplanes can only fly during the day, and the latest you can take off is around 4 PM. If you land after that time, you will need to spend the night in Malé and take your flight the following day.
On the other hand, you can opt for a domestic plane transfer + a speedboat.
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