This country, made up of several thousand islands gathered in 22 atolls scattered in the heart of the Indian Ocean - in southern India and Sri Lanka - each year attracts millions of tourists in search of paradise vacations. Why go to the Maldives? To make a dream come true thanks to the many luxury hotel complexes that have appeared since the opening up to tourism in the 1970s.
Why go to the Maldives? For its thousands of islands!
The particularity of this destination lies in its geography. On an area of approximately 100.000 m2, only 0,3% of the territory emerges from the ocean. Land areas are grouped into atolls. Those are island and islet necklaces even simple rocks or sandbanks, hollowed out in their center by a natural basin forming the lagoon and protected by a coral reef.
Atolls in the Maldives
Dream stay in the Maldives
There isn't really a place to 'visit', no. Rather, it is a destination where we stay and the main activities take place on the beaches or in the sea : idleness, snorkeling (diving on the surface of the water with mask and snorkel) as part of activities organized by the "resorts", these village-hotels which occupy an entire island and where one is obliged to stay, wild tourism or homestay accommodation is prohibited.
Relaxing in the Maldives
Discover the Maldives by boat
Another formula for staying in these paradisiacal islands is that of the cruise. This option allows you to discover many atolls and appreciate the differences. In addition, the cruise ships offer vacationers many stops at sea to practice scuba diving and explore the multicolored fish bathing in the turquoise waters. A good reason that should answer your question: why go to the Maldives, right?
Kayaking in the Maldives
Shopping and catering in the resorts
The main advantage of resorts is that they offer many easily accessible services. Thereby, the holiday villages of the larger islands generally offer several restaurants allowing you to discover the local cuisine, composed mainly of fish.
In the capital, Malé, visitors can also taste more atypical local products such as hedhikaa, small pastry turnovers filled with tuna or fish with ginger, chili, onions, lemongrass and walnuts. coconut.
Cheap accommodation in the Maldives
The Maldives are a paradise destination, as long as you go there during the sunniest season, from December to April. On the flip side, it's also the high season, where prices are the highest, especially if you book at the last minute! For accommodation, you need anyway go through a travel agency to book an all-inclusive stay (flight, hotel room, activities, catering, etc.). By booking your stay well in advance, you can still find inexpensive rooms.
Hotel in Maldives
Pratical information
- Saint-Martin Tourist Office : Visit Maldives is the official website of the Maldives tourism board
- Passport and Visa : to enter the territory of the Maldives, a valid passport is required. You will also be given a free 30-day visa upon arrival at the airport in Malé, the Maldivian capital. An airport tax will also be required upon departure, but this may be included in the price of airline tickets.
- Money and change : the currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rupee (Mrf).
Transport
- Getting to the Maldives Western tourists all arrive at Malé International Airport, located on the artificial island of Hulhule built not far from the capital of the Maldives. To get to the island of the capital, you must then take a water taxi or directly a seaplane to go to a more distant island-resort.
- Getting around the Maldives : you have to borrow seaplanes or dhonis, boats making connections between the islands.
