Maldives

Whether you are looking for a Maldives package with a flight from the major cities in India or an all-inclusive Maldives trip package to accommodate your bucket list wishes, we can help you navigate your travel planning journey. The island paradise is often quoted as turquoise heaven for those who love oceanic getaways and our best Maldives packages focus on catering to just that. From Male to Addu Atoll, explore beyond the shimmering white sand beaches, dive in to see the vibrant marine life, and unwind with luxury stays that will help you experience the best of your travels. 

The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April, outside of the monsoon season. We recommend staying during March and April (excluding the Easter holidays when pricing is more expensive) when you will enjoy hot, dry weather and quieter resorts. If your budget allows you to book a trip during this peak season, you’ll experience much lower humidity levels and very hot days.

Sitting either side of the equator the Maldives is blessed with a warm, tropical climate. While this means temperatures sit between 25°c and 31°c throughout the year, there are variations in rainfall, humidity and sunshine hours. Check out our guide below to find out when it’s the best time to travel to the Maldives, weather-wise.

The months between May and September are warm with plenty of sunshine. There is a risk of rainfall and thunderstorms – but these usually pass pretty quickly. Water visibility is reduced so diving and snorkelling are not as rewarding. However, because this is the low season, you can likely find some great travel deals on flights and hotels – and enjoy your resort with fewer crowds.

The unique and natural beauty of the Maldives coupled with the one-island-one-resort concept attracts droves of tourists to the luxury destination, but it is not solely dedicated for the affluent traveller—the country offers various types of accommodation options catering to a diverse range of preferences; from luxury to budget travellers and backpackers, etc. These facilities are broadly categorised into four types: resorts, city hotels, guesthouses and safari vessels.

A tourist resort is defined as “an island or a designated area of an island that has been developed to accommodate tourists and to provide board and lodging facilities for them,” according to the Maldives Tourism Act 1999, while a tourist hotel is designated as “an establishment, other than a tourist resort or a tourist guest house that has been developed to provide board and lodging or (only) lodging for tourists for a payment decided at a certain rate per day of stay.” 

Guesthouse—the more budget category—is defined as “an establishment other than a tourist resort or a tourist hotel, that has been developed in compliance with the standards determined by the Ministry of Tourism to provide board and lodging or (only) lodging for tourists for a payment decided at a certain rate per day of stay.” Location is a generic context used in distinguishing these categories: resorts are usually located on mesmerising private islands, most hotels are set up in urban centres, and guesthouses are mostly located on inhabited islands. 

While 70% of the tourist bed capacity is contributed by resorts, city hotels and guesthouses play a vital role in catering to the urban tourism needs of the destination. City hotels and guesthouses are similar in terms of services; however, city hotels operate on a larger scale with more rooms, unlike guesthouses which are more like boutique hotels, usually with a smaller number of rooms offering more personalised services at an economical rate. 

The best way to get around the Maldives is to walk. The capital city of Malé is about 2.2 square miles, and whichever resort you pick will be walkable as well. Island-hopping at your own leisure really isn't the best option since the ferry network is not very extensive. That said, if you are traveling by yacht, you'll be able to navigate these waters. Once you arrive at Velana International Airport (MLE) on the island of Hulhule', you’ll most likely be escorted by a representative from your resort to the island where you are staying. You will have to take a ferry, a seaplane, a speedboat or some combination of the three to reach your final destination. This final jaunt is sometimes included in the cost of your hotel stay.

Yacht

For the rich and famous, this is one of the best ways to travel. Yachts glide through this archipelago and provide the best access to remote islands and isolated reefs. Many resorts have their own docks for the convenience of seafaring travelers. You can charter a yacht once you get here or you could simply bring your own. Keep in mind, licensed tour operators can bring you to islands that may usually off-limits to tourists.

Seaplane

If you are trying to get somewhere in a hurry, take a seaplane. Your resort may use one to transport you to and from the airport. On these brief jaunts, you'll enjoy a scenic bird's-eye view of the reefs and islands. For an island hop by air, compare the rates of Trans Maldivian Airways and Atoll Transfer.

Ferry

The local ferry network is very limited and while schedules are published, ferries are often late and sometimes may not even show. Since this mode of transit is pretty unreliable, it is not recommended.

Speedboat

Speedboat transfers have become increasingly popular in the Maldives. Some resorts will arrange for speedboat transfer and in some cases you may book speedboat transportation independently. Prices vary by resort and distance.

Taxis

You'll also spot some taxis in Malé, and these can be useful if you have luggage or get caught in a thunderstorm. You can either hail a taxi or call for one.

The culture, traditions and customs of the country are influenced by Indian, Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Arab, Persian, Indonesian and even African influences. A fabulous cultural mix that makes all the richness of the Maldives.

In music and dance, for example, you will be surprised to recognise a purely African rhythm. The Boduberu, a traditional Maldivian dance, illustrates this perfectly. The language accompanying this dance, followed by the rhythm of the drums, will take you to East Africa.

Other music as well as some culinary specialties refer to the South African or Indian origins of the Maldivians. Local island residents of the Maldives consume a lot of spices, including curry. Coconut milk and fish also find their place in the traditional dishes of the country such as in the Roshi.

DAILY LIFE IN THE MALDIVES

Besides their origins, the other peculiarity of the inhabitants of the Maldives lies in their attachment to the sea. During the day, women take care of the home while men go fishing for tuna. The way of life of the Maldivians depends very much on the sea. When the fishermen return, people gather on the beach to collect the catch that will be cooked by the women. In short, sea fishing takes an important place in the economy of the archipelago in addition to tourism.

As for religion, if the Maldivians were originally Buddhist, today Islam is the only religion allowed. You will have the opportunity to contemplate a high number of mosques especially in the capital, Male. The Islamic centre, Old Friday Mosque and Rasrani park are among the must-see attractions and will delight lovers of beautiful architecture.

As well as handicrafts, you can bring back from your Maldives trip, braided mats and various jewelry. You will also find beautiful lacquered vases and small wooden boats evoking your beautiful walks in the sea an inexhaustible memory of your holidays in the Indian Ocean!