Maldives tourist information
FAQ for traveling to Maldives
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
To get a detailed response on each question press "+"
1. Passport Control
At the passport control please show the passport.
Validity of the passport needs to be at least 1 month from the date of arrival to the Maldives.
Tip: take a screenshot of your QR code to save it in your phone for easy access..
2. Customs
During the baggage check on arrival, customs will check all belongings thoroughly. It is against the local laws to bring in any sorts of alcohol and if found these items will be confiscated immediately & placed in a storage. Make sure you got a ticket to collect your alcohol on your departure from Maldives.
3. Airport Representative
After passing the customs control guests will be received by a representative of Exciting Travel Holidays at the arrival hall. Look for the guest's name on a board. Exciting airport representative will escort the guests to the airport counter and reconfirm the details of their stay, baggage and assist with everything else required.
Our new airport counter number is C7 in new terminal
At the passport control please show the passport.
Validity of the passport needs to be at least 1 month from the date of arrival to the Maldives.
Tip: take a screenshot of your QR code to save it in your phone for easy access..
2. Customs
During the baggage check on arrival, customs will check all belongings thoroughly. It is against the local laws to bring in any sorts of alcohol and if found these items will be confiscated immediately & placed in a storage. Make sure you got a ticket to collect your alcohol on your departure from Maldives.
3. Airport Representative
After passing the customs control guests will be received by a representative of Exciting Travel Holidays at the arrival hall. Look for the guest's name on a board. Exciting airport representative will escort the guests to the airport counter and reconfirm the details of their stay, baggage and assist with everything else required.
Our new airport counter number is C7 in new terminal
There are 3 types of transfers in the Maldives:
• Speedboat transfer
• Seaplane transfer
• Domestic flight + speedboat transfer
All the transfers need to be booked and paid in advance while the guest books their stay. It is not possible to book the transfers at the airport upon arrival and resorts do not confirm the bookings without transfers.
If you have booked a regular shared transfer it means you booked a group transfer and not an individual one.
Most of the transfers in Maldives are grouped & shared with the other guests or the same resort or resorts nearby.
Speedboat
Speedboat transfer takes from 10 to 90 minutes depending on the distance of the resort from the airport.
Exciting airport representative will escort the guests up to the jetty and pass the guests in hands of the resort's employees that will be waiting to board the boat.
Arrival & departure jetties are located just in-front of the main airport building, few steps away.
Domestic flight + Speed boat
This transfer consists of a flight by wheeled plane from Male' International Airport to the nearest domestic airport to the resort, and a speedboat ride from this domestic airport to the required resort.
Guests are escorted by Exciting rep to the domestic terminal for check-in. Domestic check-in starts 90 minutes before flight. Some resorts offer access to a comfortable Moonima lounge where guests can relax with food, beverages and Wi-Fi. Boarding starts 20 minutes before the fligth.
*During the booking process please check if the resort provides access to the lounge.
Waiting time for domestic flight depends on the flight schedule and availability of the seats. It cannot be confirmed or discussed in advance and varies between 1 to 6 hours.
After the flight, guests will be received by the resort representative at the domestic airport and escorted to the speedboat transfer to their island-resort.
What you need to know:
• The timetable of domestic flights can change without prior notice.
• The plane can make stops at the other airports and may not be direct.
Seaplane Transfer
Seaplanes fly only during daytime from 6 AM to 3:30 PM. They may make stops on the way at other resorts. The time schedule for seaplane transfers normally is announced around 6 PM the day prior to departure.
Guests are escorted to the Seaplane Terminal by car or a shuttle bus after checking-in their luggage and receiving boarding passes at the Main Airport building. The ride takes takes around 10-15 min. Upon arrival to a corresponding Seaplane Terminal guests will be accommodated in a lounge.
*facilities provided in a lounge vary from one resort to another. Please check on it upon booking confirmation.
• The waiting time for a seaplane could be from 30 minutes up to 4 hours.
• Luggage restrictions on the seaplane:
• Maximum 20 kg per luggage.
• Hand luggage 5 kg per person.
• For excess luggage charges will be applied during check-in.
ATTENTION! Neither the resort, nor seaplane transfer company nor Exciting Travel Holidays will bear any responsibility for delays of the seaplane transfer during extreme weather conditions that might make the guest miss their international flight or not being able to reach their resort on time.
• Speedboat transfer
• Seaplane transfer
• Domestic flight + speedboat transfer
All the transfers need to be booked and paid in advance while the guest books their stay. It is not possible to book the transfers at the airport upon arrival and resorts do not confirm the bookings without transfers.
If you have booked a regular shared transfer it means you booked a group transfer and not an individual one.
Most of the transfers in Maldives are grouped & shared with the other guests or the same resort or resorts nearby.
Speedboat
Speedboat transfer takes from 10 to 90 minutes depending on the distance of the resort from the airport.
Exciting airport representative will escort the guests up to the jetty and pass the guests in hands of the resort's employees that will be waiting to board the boat.
Arrival & departure jetties are located just in-front of the main airport building, few steps away.
Domestic flight + Speed boat
This transfer consists of a flight by wheeled plane from Male' International Airport to the nearest domestic airport to the resort, and a speedboat ride from this domestic airport to the required resort.
Guests are escorted by Exciting rep to the domestic terminal for check-in. Domestic check-in starts 90 minutes before flight. Some resorts offer access to a comfortable Moonima lounge where guests can relax with food, beverages and Wi-Fi. Boarding starts 20 minutes before the fligth.
*During the booking process please check if the resort provides access to the lounge.
Waiting time for domestic flight depends on the flight schedule and availability of the seats. It cannot be confirmed or discussed in advance and varies between 1 to 6 hours.
After the flight, guests will be received by the resort representative at the domestic airport and escorted to the speedboat transfer to their island-resort.
What you need to know:
• The timetable of domestic flights can change without prior notice.
• The plane can make stops at the other airports and may not be direct.
Seaplane Transfer
Seaplanes fly only during daytime from 6 AM to 3:30 PM. They may make stops on the way at other resorts. The time schedule for seaplane transfers normally is announced around 6 PM the day prior to departure.
Guests are escorted to the Seaplane Terminal by car or a shuttle bus after checking-in their luggage and receiving boarding passes at the Main Airport building. The ride takes takes around 10-15 min. Upon arrival to a corresponding Seaplane Terminal guests will be accommodated in a lounge.
*facilities provided in a lounge vary from one resort to another. Please check on it upon booking confirmation.
• The waiting time for a seaplane could be from 30 minutes up to 4 hours.
• Luggage restrictions on the seaplane:
• Maximum 20 kg per luggage.
• Hand luggage 5 kg per person.
• For excess luggage charges will be applied during check-in.
ATTENTION! Neither the resort, nor seaplane transfer company nor Exciting Travel Holidays will bear any responsibility for delays of the seaplane transfer during extreme weather conditions that might make the guest miss their international flight or not being able to reach their resort on time.
All Maldivian resorts have Wi-Fi connection, though not all the resorts have good Wi-Fi speeds. There might be charges for a better Wi-Fi package at few resorts. Please check this information at the moment of a booking.
SIM Cards
SIM cards with internet package are available for purchase at the airport. SIM card prices are:
30GB for $50
17GB for $30
SIM Cards
SIM cards with internet package are available for purchase at the airport. SIM card prices are:
30GB for $50
17GB for $30
In Maldives all the prices seen are in US Dollars ($). A government tax and a service charge will be added to all the prices. This is why around 26% needs to be added to all the prices that are seen in menus, shops, excursions and spas.
Deposit:
Some resorts take deposits upon check-in. The amount of the deposit varies from resort to resort. Normally this is about $100 per room per night. A hotel can take deposit in cash or pre-authorise money from the guest's bank card.
Deposit will be used to pay for everything the guest purchases during the holiday and if there is any balance left from the deposit, it will be given back to the guest on check-out. During the guest's stay, they will be presented with bills to sign for all charges occurred.
Deposit:
Some resorts take deposits upon check-in. The amount of the deposit varies from resort to resort. Normally this is about $100 per room per night. A hotel can take deposit in cash or pre-authorise money from the guest's bank card.
Deposit will be used to pay for everything the guest purchases during the holiday and if there is any balance left from the deposit, it will be given back to the guest on check-out. During the guest's stay, they will be presented with bills to sign for all charges occurred.
What is forbidden to bring to Maldives:
Penalties will be faced if these laws are broken.
- Alcohol
- Narcotics
- Pornographic materials
- Pork
- Guns
- Spear guns
- Dangerous chemicals and explosives
- Materials deemed contrary to Islam including 'idols for worship' and bibles
- Fishing from the island. If any guest would like to go fishing, resorts organize traditional fishing or big game fishing trips.
- It is forbidden to break or take live corals from the ocean or near the seashore, as well as damaging the shells and take them from the ocean.
- It is forbidden to visit local islands in swimwear and open clothes. We recommend wearing clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Being topless, naked outside is forbidden by the law
Penalties will be faced if these laws are broken.
Departure Information:
- Check and pay all the bills on the evening prior to your departure day.
- The exact transfer timing will be informed by the resort on the evening prior to the departure as well.
- Within 96 hours before departure, the guests need to fill in the Traveller Declaration form: https://travel.immigration.gov.mv/
We wish you an Exciting stay in Maldives!
