Maldives
Perhaps the most popular destination for honeymooners!!! The Maldives consists of 1192 islands divided into 26 Atolls, we traveled alternatively and stayed on an island with locals far from the luxury resorts. Was it worth it?
Before we start...
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There are 2 vacation options in the Maldives, the most common is to go to one of the many resort islands, stay and relax doing activities offered by each hotel.
The second is to stay on local islands or make a combination of both options!
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We chose to stay on local islands, eat in traditional restaurants and experience the culture of this very kind and peaceful people.
We chose to stay 3 nights at Rasdhoo island and 2 at Ukulhas. The criteria for choosing these islands was that there is a ferry connection with a speedboat from the airport to Male just like the other islands.
How are the local islands?
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In each atoll there are many islands where some are hotels and other islands where the locals live. So definitely both categories share the same wonderful sea-bottom-white beaches.
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In the past, tourist activity was not allowed on these islands, but in the last 11 years it has changed and you will find quite decent new accommodation on popular sites (booking.com - hotels.com -etc) at affordable prices that make the dream of a holiday in the Maldives possible.
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For your arrival on the island, the hotel will send you details depending on the time your flight arrives at the main airport on the island of Mahe.
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The cost of the rooms is about $50 for a double, a few meters from the beach and with all amenities
Restrictions
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On the local islands, the best beach of the island is called bikini beach, the reason it is called that is because female tourists can wear and walk around in their bathing suits, while on the rest of the island, because it is a Muslim country, it is prohibited.
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Another restriction on the local islands is alcohol.. You can't drink or buy anywhere except at the resort. Of course you will find alternative solutions with alcohol-free beers and wonderful Moctails with fresh fruit at a cost of 2-3$.
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The food on the islands wherever we ate was very good with excellent service and dishes did not exceed $5 unless you get fresh lobster which was around $35-40.
Activities
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On the island you have the choice of several activities in water sports that you can do on the bikini beach of the island.
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There was also a beach volleyball court on our beach and we had the pleasure of playing and getting to know the young people who live there. island.
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The main activity is snorkeling or scuba diving as the seabed in the Maldives is one of the top destinations for marine life, we had the opportunity to see sea turtles, black tip sharks and countless fish.
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Also here you will find the famous sandbanks where you can rent a boat and spend a few hours there like a castaway!!
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Below we have the brochures for the activities & dive sites with their prices.
Contact
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In hotels you will find wi-fi as well as in most restaurants with satisfactory speeds
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If you want to have 4G everywhere and you want to get a data package then the solution is the OOREDOO company where by scanning your passport at a vending machine at the airport you will get a sim card with 2 options of data packages 35$ &50$
Exchange
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The currency is the Rufiya with an exchange rate of 1$=15.35mvr but the prevailing currency is the US dollar and all prices will be in dollars where you can pay for anything in all the islands.
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You will find an exchange at the airport but also many travelers who have a better exchange rate for euros. The choice is yours!
Climate - Weather
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The best time to go is from November to April where it is not monsoon season
Accommodation
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Your stay if you choose to stay on a local island will be an easy matter since you will have to choose between several accommodations. On most sites you will not be charged and you will pay for your stay there. If you want to pay by credit card, ask if they accept it or if they want cash.
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We stayed on 2 islands and were completely satisfied with it and we recommend them below.
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If you choose to stay in Mahe which is the airport due to flights we recommend the Hulhumale area where it had a lively nightlife as well as very nice restaurants on the beach road.
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The hotel there was Amber Beach Hotelwhich offers free transfer to and from the airport!
