Social ConventionsThe majority of the indigenous population does not mix with the tourist visitors, with the exception of those involved with tourism in the resorts and Malé. Dress is informal, but locals who are Muslim will be offended by nudity or scanty clothing in public places, and the government rigidly enforces these standards. Bikinis and other scanty beachwear are not acceptable in Malé or on any other inhabited island; they should be restricted to resort islands only. When entering a mosque, the legs and the body, but not the neck and the face, should be covered.
Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. The indigenous population not involved in the tourist trade lives in isolated island communities maintaining almost total privacy. A large number of locals smoke, but smoking and eating during Ramadan is discouraged.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Island Aviation Services (Q2) (website:
www.island.com.mv).
Departure TaxNone.
Main AirportsMalé International (MLE) (website:
www.airports.com.mv) on Hulule Island is 2km (1.2 miles) from Malé (journey time by boat – 15 minutes).
To/from the airport: Boats travel from the airport to Malé. Boats from the various island resorts meet each arriving plane to take visitors to their accommodation. There is no scheduled transfer from Hulule Island to the other islands.
Maldivian Air Taxi and
Trans Maldivian Airways operate special transfer trips to most resorts. If an advance booking has been made, representatives of the resorts will receive tourists at the airport and will take care of all onward transport arrangements.
Facilities: Left luggage, first aid, bank, duty-free shops, snack bar, post office and restaurant.
Getting There by WaterMany
cruise ships stop over at the Maldives islands as part of their itinerary.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into the Maldives without incurring customs duty:
• A reasonable amount of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco.
• A reasonable number of gifts.
Prohibited ImportsPornographic literature; idols of worship; pork; alcoholic beverages. Drugs are strictly prohibited; the penalty for importing drugs for personal or other use is life imprisonment.
Prohibited ExportsThe following may not be exported in any form: tortoise and turtle shells and products made of turtle shell (the government has banned the killing of turtles), and black coral in whole form.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirInternal air services are operated by
Island Aviation Services (Q2) (website:
www.island.com.mv), linking Malé with Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan. There are also services to Hanimaadhoo in the north.
A number of companies operate seaplane and helicopter services around the Maldives. The transfer from the airport to the resort islands may be an optional extra on the tour. These services are also available for trips around the islands.
Getting Around by WaterVisitors generally remain on their resort island for the duration of their stay, although island-hopping trips by
ferries are widely available. Local
charter boats are also easily available for hire.
High-speed boats meet arrivals at the airport, supplied by the resort they are booked with, and boats are available for hire at the ferry counter near the jetty area. The speedboats connect the airport with Ari Atoll and some outlying islands.
Getting Around by RoadTravel on individual islands does not present any problem since few of them take longer than half an hour to cross on foot. In Malé, it is possible to take taxis.
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