Visas
Usually, a pre-purchased visa is not required to visit the Maldives as long as the traveller has a valid passport and sufficient funds to last their stay. You should check with your travel agent prior to booking to make sure, as rules & regulations for visas can change. It's also possible to get visas for visits to India and Sri Lanka from the High Commission in Male.

Money Matters In The Maldives
The local unit of currency is the Rufiya. However, all transactions for foreign visitors are conducted in US dollars (US$). Do not exchange travellers cheques for local currency on your arrival. We strongly recommend that you take most of your money in US$ travellers cheques in small denominations, as you may be given change in Rufiya. It is also useful to take a small amount in US$ cash, again in small denominations (one-dollar bills), for tipping the airport porters, room boys and boatmen, and so on.

American Express and Visa cards are accepted on all islands. Other credit cards may be used, but it is best to check with the resort.

You must reserve US$ in cash to pay the airport tax on departure. Avoid accumulating local currency, as you may have problems at the airport on departure in reconverting Rufiya.

Usually, when at a resort any additional expenses that you incur (drinks, excursions etc) will be charged to you just prior to your departure. Resorts generally accept the standard credit cards/travellers cheques.

Health & Safety In The Maldives
Given the huge number of resorts in the Maldives, it's a relatively safe place to visit, health-wise. Visitors are advised to get immunisations for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B and those that intend to dive should get a medical check prior to going. Also, consider taking a basic medical kit .

Doctors and clinics often require immediate cash payment for health services. Travelers have found that, in some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage, including provision for medical evacuation, has proven to be useful.

Dining in the resorts is usually very safe. The well known resorts have very high standards with regards to the quality of food offered and most employ highly skilled professional chefs to prepare meals for guests. The only time you may be at slightly higher risk is when eating in individual places such as cafes in Male. Make sure that you drink only bottled water during your stay.

Some of the common health problems that may occur to travellers include heatstroke/exhaustion, motion sickness and sunburn. Some infectious diseases may include fungal infections, diarrhoea & hepatitis. Some diseases may also be spread through insects, such as Malaria & Dengue fever. Also, be careful when spending time in the water – it's possible to pick up cuts, bites & stings.

Local Laws and Norms
Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced in Maldives. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. It is illegal to bring alcohol into Maldives. However, alcoholic beverages are legally available for retail sale to tourists on resort islands.

Public observance of any religion other than Islam is prohibited. Although Maldivian law prohibits importing idols for religious worship, tourists going to the resort islands are generally allowed to bring in items and texts used for personal religious observance.

It is illegal to take anything out of the sea, either living coral or souvenirs from wrecks; to remove shells from islands or purchase items made from turtles.

Official regulations do not allow public nudity anywhere in the Maldives - even at the beach on your resort or swimming or snorkelling around your cruise boat. Most resorts do not allow swimwear inside the restaurants, to avoid offending fellow holidaymakers. At the in-house bars or restaurants casual cotton tropical wear is highly recommended. Visiting inhabited islands or Male the capital requires paying a little attention to what you wear - be sensitive to local norms, culture and traditions.

Holidays
2006 - January 1 (New Year's Day), January 10 (Hajj Day), January 11 (Eidal Alha - Feast of the Sacrifice), January 31 (Islamic New Year), April 11 (Mouloud - Birth of the Prophet), April 21 (National Day), July (Huravee Day), July 26-27 (Independence Day), September (Martyrs' Day), September 24 (Start of Ramadan), October 22-24 (Kuda Eid - End of Ramadan), November 3 (Victory Day), November 11-12 (Republic Day).

Important Diving Information:
An Internationally recognised certificate, the PADI OPEN WATER COURSE, consists of theory sessions, confined water sessions and open water dives to turn theory into real open water experience. All guests intending to undertake scuba diving whilst on holiday will be required to complete a medical questionnaire in resort. You are strongly recommended to undergo a full medical before booking your holiday, as, if there is any concern regarding your fitness to dive, a medical examination would be required and extra costs must be paid locally.
Please note you should not dive within 24 hours of arrival or departure or within 24 hours of any flight.
Qualified divers must bring their logbook and copies of certification. Tradewinds Holiday Insurance includes scuba diving up to 30ft (9m).

Clothing
Casual/informal clothes are accepted in most bars and restaurants. Light waterproofs are advised during the rainy season. Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Malé or in the hotel bars and restaurants. Light cotton clothes are recomended to ward off the heat and humidity. Nudism is an offense and visitors are requested to respect the traditions and religion of the local people by wearing clothes that cover the thighs and shoulders when visiting inhabited islands.
The Maldives is hot throughout the year. Light, summer cotton and linen wear is ideal. Pack lots of tee shirts, beachwear, light skirts, cotton shirts, slacks and shorts. At the resorts where you'll have to walk on soft sand most of the time, going barefoot may be ideal for some. However on visits to inhabited islands, where most of the streets are of compact sand, or Male where most of the streets are paved, casual shoes or sandals are easy to walk on.

Climate
The islands are subject to changeable climatic conditions. The weather is near perfect for most of the year, with daytime temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and evening temperatures rarely falling below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. During the southwest monsoon, from April to October, rainfall increases considerably, especially in June, July and August when strong breezes may blow. November to March is hot and sunny with the occasional tropical shower.

Take care
Be careful where you eat and drink when in the Maldives. Registered outlets are usually safe. Avoid raw fruits and vegetables from dubious sources or of unknown nature without consulting someone you can trust. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Use sun creams of a high factor especially during the first few days. A variety of sun creams and lotions are available in all resort shops and boutiques.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Round- and square-pin plugs are used.

Telephone
All resorts have International Direct Dialing facilities. Some resorts provide access to Internet /E-mail. GSM Mobile phones are available for rent from Dhiraagu - The National Telecom Company.

Time GMT +5.

Water
The water provided in resort areas is generally safe to drink. In other places, water for drinking or brushing your teeth should be boiled or sterilized, or use bottled water.

Tipping In The Maldives
The Maldives currency is the Rufiya (Rf). It's customary to tip the staff in your resort that you may have interacted with they aren't especially well paid so tips help to sustain & improve their way of life.

Tipping can be done to the waiters, bar staff and the room boy who cleans your villa. In Male, tipping does not need to be done in the tea rooms and some restaurants will include a service charge. Waiters, bar staff and room staff expect to be tipped US$10 per week. Porters expect US$1 per bag.