Top Places to Stay in the Maldives
The Maldives is the ultimate escape for a holiday! It’s unlike any other tropical destination in the world, where you feel far away from your daily routine.
This paradise lies on the equator southwest of Sri Lanka and India, spanning 500 miles north to south across the Indian Ocean. The Maldives archipelago of 27 atolls, ring-like reef formations surrounded by lagoons, were created by volcanic activity long ago. The atolls look like pearl necklaces as we flew towards Male’ , the capital city. There are 1,192 small coral islands that lie within the atolls, of which only 190 are inhabited by locals and ~211 are resort islands.
With over 538 hotels and 120 resorts, it’s overwhelming trying to decide where to stay and how to get to the Maldives. After months of research, we chose the following resorts and recommend each of them for different reasons. We also share some information at the end of this article on how to get to the Maldives and how to get around once you’re there.
Due to the long flights to get here, many visitors think this is a once in a lifetime destination, but after a first visit, it’s likely you’ll return.
Every resort we visited greeted us warmly with cold towels and a refreshing drink upon our arrival. When we left, the island’s staff came to say goodbye and waved to us as we left on a speedboat or seaplane. We felt a genuine welcome at each place we visited and found the Maldivian people to be kind hearted. Most resorts include a meet and assist on arrival and departure by their airport teams at Male’ International Airport, and complimentary VIP lounge access at the Trans Maldivian Airways seaplane terminal for those who need seaplane transfers.
Sharing our list of the best places to stay in the Maldives!
BOOK A TRIP TO THE MALDIVES! If you want to book a trip to the Maldives, email: info@globaladventuress.com We offer recommendations to help you plan and book your travels.
Good to note: We will be adding to this list after our next visit to the Maldives, so keep checking back for more of our recommendations.
See more photos of the Maldives on our Instagram account CLICK HERE!
Photo Credits: Some of the photos below have been provided by the resorts
TOP PLACES TO STAY IN THE MALDIVES
1. BAA ATOLL
Milaidhoo Maldives is located in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO world biosphere, only a scenic 35-mins seaplane flight from Male International Airport. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this 5-star boutique resort caters to couples seeking peace and privacy. There are 50 villas on this 13-acres island, and each villa has been designed to feel like a secluded retreat.
Our island host Jameel invited us to kick off your shoes since this is a barefoot island. He then started to tell us the Milaidhoo small island story . . . “once upon a time there was a tiny tropical island, an emerald drop of paradise wrapped in soft white sands, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef, lapped by warm turquoise waters and hidden in the heart of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Milaidhoo is that island.”
Jameel took us to our overwater villa that was spacious and filled with natural light. Our villa doors opened up 180-degrees to the outdoor deck with a private freshwater pool, a hanging Maldivian swing (‘undhoali’) and daybed. We loved the interior design, art pieces and contemporary custom-made furnishings and en suite bathroom with soaking tub and separate rain-shower. Luxury comforts from A/C, ceiling fan, fridge, wifi, fine linens, and Acqua Di Parma toiletries were present.
There are many activities to choose from on this tiny island. We joined the snorkel tour of the house reef and saw schools of angel, parrot, hawk, and moorish fish darting in and out the tiers of colorful corals. Other options include yoga, reef hopping by boat, dolphin watching, night snorkeling, local Maldivian fishing expedition, big game fishing, a Biosphere cruise and more. Milaidhoo delivers custom made itineraries for each guest. For more information on the spa, aquatic center and excursions, click here
After a sunset cocktail at the Compass Pool Bar with live music, we dined candle-light aboard a traditional Maldivian sailing boat, at the only authentic fine dining Maldivian restaurant in the Maldives – Ba’theli, where our chef created gourmet dishes inspired by the ancient maritime spice route, with herbs and spices to enhance natural flavors. Guests can dine outside on the boat’s deck underneath the star filled night sky, or indoors where you can watch the sea-life below through glass floor.
The next morning, we walked around the island at sunrise, attended a yoga class and enjoyed a lovely breakfast at Ocean Restaurant where we found a bountiful tropical buffet selection of fresh fruit juices, homemade waffles, omelets, a selection of 53 cheeses.
Also located in the Baa Atoll Island archipelago is the Anantara Kihavah Resort situated on Kihavah Huravalhi Island. The resort is a part of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, famous for their #AnantaraJourneys that make a stay at Anantara extra special and unforgettable for honeymoons, anniversaries or family vacations.
Kihavah translates to “young coconut” and the Anantara Kihavah’s turquoise lagoon, white sand beaches, lush tropical trees – coconut, papaya, mango, and orchid garden create a perfect setting for guests to relax in paradise during their stay.
There are over 80 beach & overwater villas and residences. Our Villa Host escorted us to our beautiful overwater villa that featured updated traditional interiors and modern amenities (pillow and soap menus, yoga mats, beach bags, sandals). The villa had a private pool, swinging daybed and deck with steps leading down to the Indian Ocean.
Each villa has bikes to cycle and explore the island. Our spa treatments at the Anantara Spa were divine. Click here to learn more about our healing massage.
Anantara has a complete dive and water sports center. Guests can dive along the resort reef, sail a boat or cast a fishing line. The Manzaru Pool sits between the lagoon and one of the main dining areas. This is an amazing place to relax or sip an exotic juice or cocktail. There are unique programs offered like the Spice Spoons Cooking Class where you can learn how to create a traditional Maldivian dish or marine biology courses for kids!
There are many ways to experience romance and adventure including snorkel with mantas and Hawksbill sea turtles and stargaze at SKY – the Maldive’s only overwater observatory where guests can discover constellations & planets through a powerful telescope. Resident Astronomer Shameem points out “pale yellow rings of Saturn or the counter-rotating zones and belts of Jupiter that vary in width, color and intensity from year to year, and the Milky Way’s shining Omega Centauri or Messier 13, a globular cluster of over 300,000 stars in the constellation of Hercules.” Guests can name a star after a loved one and present it as a gift.
A highlight during our stay was lunch at award-winning SEA a world-class dining experience where gourmet meals are served in an underwater restaurant. And you can select wine from the world’s first underwater wine cellar with 520 wine labels. We watched sharks, turtles and dozens of tropical fish swim while we dined on lobster and pan-seared Japanese wagyu.
Sunsets at Anantara Kihavah are not to be missed. This is the perfect time to be mesmerized by the technicolor sunset at SKY Bar with a specialty cocktail in hand, while listening to the resident DJ Kristina spin vinyl. A favorite is the Kihavah Island Tea — an Indian Ocean white rum and arak with lychee, peach, lemon and a dash of Earl Grey Tea that pairs nicely with tapas and fragrant shisha.
2. RASDHOO ATOLL
Located in the Rasdhoo Atoll, eco-friendly Kuramathi Resort Island is 1 mile long and the largest of 5 islands in this tiny atoll. We arrived to Kuramathi via a 90 minute speedboat transfer from Male’. You can also get to Kuramathi from the capital on a 20-minute seaplane flight. It’s one of the largest islands we stayed at with a variety of activities, facilities and restaurants for a range of guests – families, honeymooners and divers.
We met our host Fairooz who took us on a 30 minutes island tour through the lush vegetation with ancient banyan trees, nature trails, several white sand beaches and a white sand bar at the end of the island. The resort has a dive center, eco center and a kids club. There are 3 main restaurants where international buffets are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 9 à la carte restaurants, and 6 bars on the island. Kuramathi is one of the original resorts in the Maldives, and in the past 40 years has grown to 300 villas.
There are several dive and snorkeling excursions offered and we heard Kuramathi is a great location for divers to see hammerhead sharks and other marine life. Kuramathi is also one of the only islands in the Maldives to have a decompression chamber and is well equipped to handle groups of divers.
After our tour, we retreated to our amazing Deluxe Overwater Villa. There are many different style villas to choose from both on the beach and over the water. Villas feature a king-sized bed, attached bathroom, shower, A/C, bathroom amenities, and sundecks with sun lounge chairs.
Once we settled in, we strolled on the beach to the spa to relax and feel the island vibes. The Spa’s overwater bungalows are beautifully set looking out to the lagoon along the palm fringed coast. The spa offers a wide range of massages, skin care and beauty treatments. Click here to read more about our spa experience.
In the heart of the island, we dined at Duniye Restaurant where the focus is on international cuisine. There’s also a nice selection of wines to pair with your meals.
Good to know: if you prefer, you can choose to stay with an all inclusive package. Kuramathi offers two different types to consider.
3. SOUTH ARI ATOLL
Everything about the W Maldives is playful, lively and exudes the cool factor. It’s a luxury playground in the Maldives with white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, healthy reefs and a big dose of fun to everything that happens.
We waited for our seaplane in the W Maldives A/C Lounge in Male, where we enjoyed refreshments, drinks and used the wifi while waiting a couple hours for our flight. Our flight to Fesdu Island was beautiful with stunning views of the reefs, lagoons and atolls. Upon arrival, we were greeted at the island dock by the W Team and escorted to our overwater bungalow in a colorful island buggy.
The W Maldives features beachfront bungalows and overwater villas on this small island. Our overwater villa had all the modern amenities with a traditional thatched roof. Our deck featured a private pool, circular day bed, with easy access down a flight of stairs to the lagoon.
Guests have many activities to choose from — relax at AWAY Spa or WET pool, workout at the ENERGY gym or sign up for dives, snorkeling excursions at DOWN UNDER & WAVE dive and water sports center.
We selected a Robinson Crusoe experience and spent a couple hours on W’s private island at Gaathafushi. Only a 5 mins boat ride from the W Maldives resort, where guests can picnic or spend the full day. Special events such as weddings can be arranged here.
We snorkeled and discovered the reef beneath our overwater bungalow where you can find manta rays, sea turtles, exotic fishes, reef sharks and even eagle rays. Closer to the edge of the reef you can even see juvenile sharks, sting rays and sometimes dolphins.
There’s a two-mast 80-foot sailing yacht with two luxury cabins, lounge and stunning deck called ESCAPE for those who want a private sailing experience.
The W’s creative naming team calls the island doctor’s clinic OUCH.
There are several dining options to choose from. At FIRE, you can choose how you want your seafood or meat prepared – charcoal, tandoor oven, open-rotisserie. Our entrees were accompanied with a variety of curries, mezzeh, Tandoor-cooked naan bread. It was fun to dine in an open-air setting next to a fiery pit and torch lamps, while digging our toes into the sand.
Breakfast at KITCHEN is an indoor/outdoor dining space with a semi-buffet with freshly squeezed juices, baked goods, omelettes, waffles. A perfect way to keep cool while dining is to sit one of the tables in the shallow pool and dip your feet.
FISH is over the water and under the stars, and is a romantic dining spot for sunsets over the Indian Ocean. The fish is freshly-caught, and the tuna poke salad and sushi roll were delicious!
There’s an extensive selection of wine, champagne or refreshing cocktails or mocktails.
There’s always WHATEVER WHENEVER service catering to guests 24/7.
LUX* SOUTH ARI ATOLL on Dhidhoofinolhu Island
LUX* South Ari creates fantasies come true from a paradise for a peaceful hideaway or active adventure or family reunion or wedding and even corporate retreats. Their brand has an asterisk in its name * to accent the “lighter and brighter” experiences guests share.
Greeted at the island dock with a lime, ginger, honey concoction and refreshing cool orange blossom mist towel, we stepped into a fabulous 24 hours stay at this luxury resort! LUX* goes to great strides to help guests celebrate life and have fun. LUX* loves to surprise guests with the unexpected like pop-up carts with treats or alfresco cinema under the stars.
Each of these moments is added to their list of “Reasons To Go to LUX* Resorts & Hotels.” Some stand outs include baristas amazing designs on your cappuccino made from organic coffee, roasted/blended on site! The myriad of ice-cream flavors like Sicilian pistachio variegate, crema with crunchy hazelnut and Madagascan vanilla, all homemade under the resort’s brand ICI.
There are even messages in bottles that have prizes in them! The resort hides 25 bottles throughout the island and the lucky guests who find a bottle might win a spa treatment or candle-lit dinner or a scuba dive excursion. We called our folks from the vintage English red phone booths where you can make complimentary calls anywhere in the world. Don’t forget to leave a note on the magical tree of wishes.
And there are so many locations around the island that are “Instagram famous” with cool spots to take photos and share on your social media.
With 193 private villas on the beach or overlooking the crystal lagoon and two miles of white powder beaches, the rooms and suites are spacious with coastal beach house chic.
LUX* offers a large choice of water sports and diving activities — fluo diving and flyboarding, hoverboarding and jetsurfing. Their 5-Star PADI dive center offers whale shark diving and snorkeling, and there are several land-based activities like volleyball beach yoga and cycling. LUX* South Ari Atoll also offers two infinity pools, floodlit tennis courts and a Technogym fitness center.
LUX* Me is a blissful sanctuary of wellbeing where wellness concierges find a tailor-made program to meet guest needs. There’s an extensive menu of treatments and programs that include spa, fitness, meditation or nutrition. Find out more about our experience, Click here
We were able to dine at a couple of the 8 eateries and 5 bars. Our Umami fine dining evening included fresh sushi, teppanyaki and robata counters as well as the Maldives’ largest selection of sakes and Japanese whiskeys. Breakfast was fascinating at East Market Asian Cuisine, a sophisticated take on a bustling local night market. Next trip, we want to dine at Allegria, Senses, MIXE and Beach Rouge, a fashionable beach club on the island.
LILY BEACH RESORT & SPA at Huvahendhoo
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has won awards for its Platinum All-Inclusive Plan that offers an array of services, fine dining experiences and excursions. Highlights include traditional Maldivian line fishing, Bodu Beru – the traditional dance performance, sports activities including snorkeling and yoga.
There are 125 beach and overwater villas. Our beach villa had a private deck and easy access to a secluded white sandy beach. Our villa featured traditional Maldivian design with a large outdoor private bath and shower.
One of the excursions we signed up for was Maldivian line fishing on a traditional dhoni boat. It was a unique experience! Other adventures offered include turtle tours, sunset dolphin safaris and jet skiing.
We dined at the main restaurant Lily Maa where there is an all-inclusive buffet with table spreads – sushi, pasta, seafood, meats, desserts and pastries! There are even food theme nights – Indian Ocean, Seafood, Taste of Asia, Italian Night & BBQ Night. Don’t Miss! Chef Lionel Penn introduced us to his delicious homemade baguettes and cheese from all over Europe.
This is a great resort for families with large villas, a kids pool and even a buffet area for kids. Children love the crafts classes and treasure hunts at the Turtle Kids’ Club, where they can have fun with a well-trained staff while parents can join a diving trip or check into a well-deserved spa treatment. The resort even has a “rolls-royce” buggy for guests celebrating weddings or anniversaries.
Good to note some of the Platinum Plan Inclusions:
- Selection of 80 premium wines from around the world & French Champagne
- Lily Maa Restaurant: breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets with cooking stations
- Tamarind Restaurant (Thai & Indian cuisine): one a la carte dinner pp per week
- AQVA Bar: a la carte menu option for lunch with unlimited alcoholic & non-alcoholic cocktails, juices, soft drinks, tea, coffee (offered also at The Spirit Bar)
- Vibes Bar: live entertainment weekly
- Premium mini bar, replenished daily with beer, wine, soft drinks, water and snacks
- Complimentary beach side cooling box with chilled non-alcoholic beverages
- Complimentary snorkeling equipment and non-motorized water sports
- Complimentary fitness classes including aerobics, aquatics, yoga, zumba
- Free access to the sports complex: tennis court, gym, volleyball playground and all indoor games
- Two complimentary excursions pp per stay: coral garden snorkeling, fishing trip, sunset cruise, trip to the local fishing village Dangethi
4. SOUTH MALE ATOLL (South Kaafu Atoll)
COMO COCOA at Makunufushi is an intimate small island with 33 private overwater suites surrounded by a large lagoon, reef and a spectacular white sand bar.
The resort’s focus is on a carefree, understated luxury holiday. The award-winning COMO Shambhala Retreat at COMO Cocoa Island shares a philosophy for healthy living combining Asian-based therapies, nutrition, exercise and yoga created by experts in holistic health.
The resort offers an array of personal experiences from breakfast on a private sand bar, customized sunset cruises, fishing, dive and snorkeling trips or a complimentary yoga class.
The bungalows are connected by planked walkways suspended over the lagoon. The suites have high raftered ceilings and glossy teak floors, with floor-to-ceiling windows open to large decks. Some of the COMO Cocoa suites with Kajan thatched roofs are designed like local ‘dhoni’ fishing boats.
Our 1,400 sq ft. overwater villa was light filled and spacious….a sun terrace with a daybed, living room, huge bathroom with an outdoor shower and an upstairs bedroom with a half bathroom.
The Shambhala Cuisine served at the Ufaa Restaurant is South Indian inspired with classic dishes from Asia and the Mediterranean. There’s even a cookbook with several of the healthy, light and flavorful dishes that are on the menu.
Our server noted that “COMO Shambhala Cuisine is a unique nutritional concept that incorporates organic ingredients rich in living enzymes, vitamins and sea minerals while still delivering on flavor. Food is raw, steamed or grilled for maximum health benefits. Chefs also make ample use of the tandoor, a type of Indian oven that allows for the fat-free cooking of meats and fish whilst introducing a wonderful charcoal flavor.”
We indulged ourselves at the COMO Shambhala Retreat with massage spa treatments. The signature COMO Shambhala Massage is nurturing with long, soothing strokes. Find out about our spa experience, Click here .
5. NORTH MALE ATOLL
Baros is an award-winning boutique resort renowned for their high standard of Maldivian hospitality. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this 5-star boutique resort is one of the Maldives’ first island resorts. Baros opened its doors 44 years ago and has honed their heartfelt level of service to the finest detail. Their resort has been meticulously maintained and recently went through a complete renovation.
Since Baros lies in the southern reaches of North Malé Atoll, we didn’t need to wait for a seaplane, and arrived by speedboat within 25 minutes to the island. It’s an easy resort to reach and an ideal place to stay if you have an early morning flight at the Male’ International Airport.
This small island has a natural jungle and a canopy of towering palm trees. The handcrafted beachfront and overwater villas are built from timber and sandstone, furnished with rich teak floor and comfortable furnishings. Baros has amazing white sandy shores and a lagoon that’s surrounded by a thriving coral reef.
Our personal island host took us to our overwater pool villa equipped with every modern convenience. The bedroom and bathroom looked out to our spacious wooden deck with a private pool with direct access to the lagoon.
Don’t Miss! The Serenity Spa at Baros. It was a highlight during our stay. To learn more about our spa experience Click here .
In the evening under a starry night, we dined at one of the Maldives’ most famous open-air restaurants, the Lighthouse. The sophisticated cuisine features local fresh fish prepared by Master Chefs, as well as a superb wine list.
Our stay at Baros was too brief and we hope to return again soon.
HOW TO GET THERE
HOW TO GET TO THE MALDIVES?
There are several flights to the capital city Male’ in the Maldives. We flew via Dubai on Emirates Airlines. It’s a long journey from Seattle to the Maldives, so we decided to stopover in Dubai for the night on our outbound and return flights. It helped with the jetlag and it was fun to see Dubai’s highlights too! Click here to see where we stayed and what we did in Dubai.
HOW TO GET AROUND IN THE MALDIVES?
Most visitors work directly with their resorts to plan their transfers from the capital city to the resort island. Since we stayed at multiple resorts, we carefully planned our transfers with the resorts and either flew seaplanes or took speedboat transfers to/from Male’ and resorts.
By seaplane
There are seaplane flights from Male’ International Airport to various resorts in the Maldives. Some flights are 20 mins and others up to over an hour depending on the location of your resort. The transfers between the airport and resorts are arranged by the resort, so provide your international flight details at least 48 hours before arrival. The transfer process is smooth and easy with representatives meeting guests at the airport and then transferring you to a private lounge where you can await your flight. Most resorts add the seaplane flight charges to the room bill. Luggage is limited to 25kg per passenger plus 5kg hand luggage. Excess baggage fees may be charged by the operator.
By domestic flight
Domestic flights normally operate during daylight hours. Check with your resort on flight times since you’ll need to coordinate your arrival time to domestic airports and a resort speedboat ride. The resort charges for your transfer will be added to room bills.
By speedboat
Several of the resorts in the North Ari and South Ari Atoll are reached by speedboat and can vary between 10 mins to 2 hours or more depending on the location of your resort. Check with your resort to see what your transfer options are.
BASIC INFORMATION
Geography: The Republic of Maldives consists of 1,192 coral islands grouped in a double chain of 27 atolls spread over ~90,000 square kilometers that stretch over a distance of 800 km from north to south. The highest land point in the Maldives is about 9 ft. above sea level, making it the lowest highpoint in the world.
Climate: The temperature of the Maldives ranges between 75 degrees F and 92 degrees F throughout the year. The average sea temperature is 79 degrees F. There are two distinct monsoon seasons. The iruvai (northeast monsoon) is hot & dry December to April. April is a transitional time between seasons and the best time for clear water (ideal for divers). The hulghangu (southwest monsoon) is between May and November with rain and humidity, hence the low season. Even during the low season there can be 4-7 hours of sunshine during the day. Click here for forecasts and more details on the Maldives weather.
Population: Approx. 395,000, a third of which live in the capital of Male’. The Maldives is one of the smallest independent nations in the world.
Religion: Maldivians are devout Muslims and follow the tenets of Islam. Citizens are obliged to adhere to Muslim principles by constitution and follow the Muslim calendar. There are several mosques throughout the capitol and each inhabited island has at least one mosque.
History & Culture: Maldivians history and culture dates back to the 3rd century BC when seafarers from Africa, Asia & Arabia traveled the Indian Ocean shipping and maritime routes and inhabited the islands. Today, this country is a melting pot of different cultures. We learned from Milaidhoo resort, that “for over 5,000 years, The Maldives has been a port of call for traders sailing from Indonesia and India to Arabia with cargoes of cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, ginger and pepper. The Maldivians bartered coconuts, sun-dried fish, cordage, cowrie shells and sails woven from coconut fibre for spice, rice, ceramics and silks. Locally-made cargo boats, called ba’theli in the local language, sailed throughout the archipelago with these goods, spreading knowledge about different lands, their customs and cuisine.”
Cultural Note: When visiting the islands where the locals live, it’s a good idea for both male and female visitors to wear modest clothing (covering the shoulders down to the knees) to show respect to the local culture. Once you reach your resort, you can wear tropical clothes and swimwear.
Cuisine: Try this authentic local dish called Mas riha, a traditional tuna curry made with coconut milk.
Handicrafts: Maldivian craftsmen make wooden lacquer ware to small dhonis, Maldivian traditional boats, made from coconut palm timber.
Capitol: Male’ is the capital in Republic of the Maldives
Economy: In the last few decades, the economy has shifted from the age-old fisheries industry to tourism. Maldivians enjoy the highest GDP per capita in South Asia.
Currency: The local currency is Rufiyaa (~15 to 1 usd). We were able to use US dollars throughout our stay. If you plan to spend time on the local islands, get some local currency at an ATM. There are some ATM’s at the airport.
Country Dialing Code: +960
Local Time: +5 GMT
Electricity: 240 Volts AC
What To Wear in the Maldives: We wore lightweight, loose, natural (cotton, silk, linen) clothing. At most resorts we walked barefoot or wore flip flops.
What not to Bring: Alcohol is not allowed in the Maldives, except for when you are staying on resort islands. This includes anything bought in Duty Free which will be removed from your luggage on arrival, as well as if you bring any alcohol from a resort, it will be removed during departure at all airports.
Be sure to Bring! Sunscreen! You can also purchase sunscreen at resorts but it might be more expensive.
Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are needed but bring mosquito repellent just in case. Most resorts have a resident paramedic on the island and a first aid center. Be sure to check with each resort if you have special health needs prior to your arrival.
Visa to the Maldives: Most visitors don’t need a visa to enter the Maldives. We received a stamp in our passport when we arrived at immigration and there’s no charge for this. Be sure your passport is valid for six months after you leave, and you have proof of your hotel reservation, and ticket out of the Maldives. For a full list of entry requirements click here. When you arrive in the Maldives, you’ll be given an entry form to fill out. Half of the form will be taken by immigration upon arrival. Be sure to keep the other half in case you need it when you leave.
International Travel for U.S. Citizens: We recommend checking U.S. Travel State Gov Site for insights and helpful information for planning upcoming travel. Click here for details
This site mentions “Whether you are traveling for work or pleasure, solo or in a group, staying for a few days or several years, planning ahead can help ensure your time abroad is both enjoyable and safe.
The first step to an international trip is to read this Traveler’s Checklist to find out things to consider before you go. Pay special attention to safety and security information and assess for yourself the risk of traveling to a particular country or region. Some U.S. citizens with special considerations – such as students, women, and LGBTI travelers – may face additional challenges when abroad. If you do decide to travel, make a plan for what to do if something goes wrong overseas.”
Language: Dhivehi is the language spoken throughout the Maldives, belonging to the Indo-Iranian group of languages. English is widely spoken by Maldivians.
Basic Words & Phrases
- Hello– hello or use the Arabic greeting, “as-salamu ‘alaykum”.
- How are you? – Haalu kihineh
- I’m fine, thank you – Ran’galhu, shukuriyaa
- Good – ran’galhu
- Thank you – shukuriyyaa
- You’re welcome – maruhabaa
- What’s your name? – Kon nameh kiyanee?
- My name is _____ – Aharenge namakee _____.
- Goodbye – dhanee or vakivelanee
Helpful Words….
- Beach – ehelun
- Coral – muraka
- Manta ray – madi
- Dolphins – koamas
- Fish – mas
- Flower – maa
- Gecko – hoanu
- Makaana – heron
- Turtle – velaa
- Reef – faru
- Sandbank – finolhu
- Sand spit – thun’di
- Sand – veli
- Shark – miyaru
- Tuna – kanneli
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Global Adventuress thanks the resorts featured in this article for hosting us during our stay.
