Maldives Travel Guide

This Maldives travel guide will cover everything you need to know before you visit the Maldives from Bangladesh. It will cover tips for visiting the Maldives and how to visit the Maldives on a budget or to lavishly spend on a great holiday.

We stayed in a luxury resort, Malahini Kuda Bandos in North Male atoll and had the best time. However, I had researched extensively so I was very informed by the time we went. Now, I will share everything from my research and experience. Hopefully, this helps you make an informed decision before you book your trip.

Where to stay – Local island or Luxury resort?

There is the unending debate on whether it is better to stay on the local islands or luxury resorts. It depends on the type of holiday you want from the Maldives. The Maldives is made up of over 1000 coral islands and each resort sits on its own island. Local islands provide a Maldivian experience, which could be more authentic. It is also so much cheaper to stay in guest houses on these local islands. The major downside is the freedom and personal space. As the Maldives is a Muslim country, the beaches adhere to strict rules – no bikinis etc. Although there are a few beaches that are now dedicated to tourists so you can wear whatever. However, there is no alcohol. If you don’t mind this, then perhaps a local island is for you. After all, it is still the Maldives.

The luxury holiday vibes that the Maldives has been associated with can be found on the luxury resort islands. They feel much more special, intimate and if you choose the right one, authentic too. Freedom is given and they feel more romantic. Meeru Island for example, is Maldivian owned and makes the effort to make the experience as authentic as possible. However, the luxury resorts come with hefty price tags.

Maldives Travel Guide: Entry Requirements for the Maldives

Visa Requirement for the Maldives: If you are travelling to the Maldives for tourism, no visa is required for Bangladeshis prior to going to the Maldives. It is one the few countries that allows every nationality sans visa. Once you arrive to the Maldives, you are issued a 30-day free visa on arrival.

Passport Validity: Passports need to be valid with Machine Readable Zone and have at least 6-month validity. You may be asked for your travel itinerary – return flight, hotel and/or onward destination evidence. We were not asked to show our itinerary but a few people I know have been asked.

Travel Declaration form: Whilst there is no visa required, you have to complete a travel declaration form before entry and exit. It can be done within 96 hours of flight time and is a Maldives Immigration procedure. The form which can be found on the immigration website is straightforward and you will be asked about it. I was not asked anything since I filled it up 24 hours in advance.

Flying to the Maldives from Bangladesh

There are a lot of international flights that land at Velana International Airport, Male. We flew US Bangla Airways and could see Iberia, Alitalia, Etihad, Qatar, Turkish Airlines, British Airways and Emirates when we landed. There are a few other airlines that fly to Male so check your local airports. US Bangla flies directly from Bangladesh to Maldives but if you don’t mind breaking your trip, consider other airlines such as Indigo and Sri Lankan airlines. The flights from Dhaka to Male are a little over four hours and costs anywhere between BDT 66,000 to BDT 78,000.

How to get to your resort in the Maldives

Seaplane or boat transfer are the main forms of transfer from the airport. Not all resorts cover your transfer; so email ahead to let them know your arrival and departure times from Male airport. Seaplane transfer is usually an additional cost unless your resort has an inclusive promo. They are quite expensive but I guess it is all a part of the experience. Seaplane costs range from $300 to approximately $500 per adult (exclusive of taxes) and depends on how far away the resort is located.

Maldives Currency

The currency widely used in the Maldives is Rufiyaa (MVR) which is a closed currency and is so beautiful. However, the US dollar is widely accepted. I was able to use my Standard Chartered and American Express credit cards with ease both at the airport in Male and at Malahini Kuda Bandos resort. This means that you really don’t have to withdraw cash especially if your destination is a resort.

What is the Culture in the Maldives like?

With regards to culture, this Maldives Travel Guide will focus on religion as I think it forms the Maldivian culture. The Maldives is a Muslim country; therefore you have to be careful with what you are bringing into the country.

Alcohol (including alcohol bought at duty free) is not allowed. Stick to the alcohol offered at your resorts. Also, no pork, religious books or idolatry figurines are allowed into the country. It is also important to note Ramadan dates as this might affect your transfer when you arrive at Male. This will also affect your experience if you are staying on one of the local islands. For the local islands, transfer from Male might be impossible at specific times on Fridays. This is due to Prayer times and just things being generally slower on Fridays.

For resort islands, check with the resort to see what their arrangements look like. Seaplanes will fly on Fridays so this is most likely not a problem for resorts. We went via speed boat to Malahini and it hard took us 12 minutes to reach the resort. Two way fare was 80 USD for adults and 65 USD for kids was included in our room rate.

Extra taxes due to import costs

This is very important to note when it comes to the Maldives because the taxes are actually brutal. I remember when we were booking the resort and saw the cost. “oh this is not too bad” I thought until I got to check out and saw the final figure including ALL THE TAXES. From July-2025 onwards, there will be another spike in govt taxes. Maldives surely is getting more expensive day by day if it wasn’t already before.

The first tax of 10% was for service charge and then 16% for GST (Goods & Service Tax). So for every thing on the resorts, you pay around 26% tax on top of whatever the price is. There is also a green tax which is a flat $6 per day per person. It is important to note that almost everything in the Maldives is imported hence the heavy tax.

The best time to visit the Maldives

Peak period is between December to April, as it is known as the driest time during the year. This means that December to April is the best time to visit the Maldives. However it is generally ok all year round.

The monsoon season is between June to October but I’m not sure what global warming is upto these days. One thing we noticed was that even when it rained, it did not last long and dried up quite quickly. However, we visited in April so maybe this is only applicable in dry season.

Is the Maldives Family Friendly?

I had this belief before I did any research that the Maldives is for romantic couples. Don’t get me wrong, it is very romantic but in a wholesome way. It is perfect for families and if you pick the right resort, your little ones will have their best time. I still recall the first time we visited the Maldives back in 2017, how our first born Azlan, enjoyed the trip. You can read the blog here.

The Maldives is very laid back and most resorts have kids clubs. They also have lots of kids’ activities daily to keep the littles engaged. I genuinely think the Maldives has managed to carve itself as a destination for everyone. I see it as a perfect solo travel destination as well. The calm and serene atmosphere is perfect for writers and the activities are perfect for friend groups as well.

The eco system in the Maldives

The Maldives as a country prides itself on being a destination that has thrived due to its strict laws. I think that’s what makes it one of the most unique and magical places in earth. The laws include the animals and plants that inhabit this beautiful island. As it is a haven for coral reefs, you can imagine the extent to which everything is protected. You are prohibited from touching the animals and plants when snorkelling. It can seem very tempting but remember to look but not touch. The reason is to protect the eco system.

Tipping in the Maldives

As this is a Maldives travel guide, this is an important topic. Whilst tipping is not mandatory in the Maldives, it is encouraged. If you are staying in one of the luxury resorts, you are most likely going to be on one of the meal plans. Therefore, restaurant visits or those bar stops might not cost you anything additional. However, there will be excursions and services that might require staff to go out of their way to help. You want to have some cash to tip them as a thank you. This is not mandatory at all but I noticed how happy and thankful each staff we tipped was. Take out some cash before you get to the resort because most resorts don’t have cash machines.

Beach Villa or Water Villa in the Maldives?

This is a very popular question when researching the Maldives. I would say both as they give different vibes. Also if you have a toddler, you might have to check with the resort the minimum required age to stay in the water villas. Most resorts are happy to move you between rooms as they are used to this if rooms are available.

Beach villas are typically cheaper but equally beautiful in my opinion. They are also more family (especially toddler) friendly and give direct access to the beach. Water villas are romantic and epic so this is a no brainer if you have the opportunity to stay in one. I think this is what makes the stay just a little more special. In terms of cost, the water villas usually cost a lot more so it is another thing to consider. For 7 days in the Maldives, 5 days in beach villa and 2 days in water villa are perfect. At Malahini we stayed in the Sunrise Pool Villa. The private pool is something I have experienced in the past. The best was in Bali, Indonesia and you can see the photos here. Some of the photos from our room is given below.

What to wear in the Maldives

The secret to packing for a trip to the Maldives is that less is more. Unless you are going for a full-on fashion shoot, you really don’t need much when you are there. Swim wear, light breathable clothes, 1 or 2 smart clothes for special dinners, flip flops are all you will need. Instead, fill your suitcase with all manners of sun cream. Remember that if you are going via seaplane from Male to your resort, there is a limit to what you can carry to avoid excess luggage. So consider this when you are packing.

Souvenirs from the Maldives

For many people, the Maldives is a once in a lifetime trip. Therefore the urge to bring back souvenirs is very strong. Whilst this is encouraged, it is important to note that it is illegal to collect seashells, coral, sand etc. You could be arrested or slapped with a hefty fine if this is found in your possession on your way out. Whatever you do, do not disturb the natural habitat of these precious things. Let us leave everything as they are for future generations to enjoy just as we have.

This is where I will remind us all that sustainable and ethical travel are very important. Instead, go to the local shops (resorts usually have them too) and buy a souvenir. We got some fridge magnets and a wooden show piece and a wooden ship.

Overall photos of our time at the resort