Home β€Ί Countries β€Ί Maldives

πŸ‡²πŸ‡» Maldives

Overwater villas, glass-clear lagoons and house reefs teeming with life β€” the Maldives is the world's most iconic honeymoon and diving escape.

Visa-free πŸ“… Best: Nov–Apr πŸ’΅ $250/day avg
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Capital
MalΓ©
πŸ’±
Currency
Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) / USD
πŸ—£οΈ
Language
Dhivehi
πŸ“…
Best time
Nov–Apr
πŸ›‚
Visa
Visa-free on arrival
πŸ’΅
Avg daily budget
$90 – $1,200
πŸ›‘οΈ
Safety
Very safe
✈️
Main airport
MalΓ© Velana (MLE)
Overview

Why travellers love Maldives

1,000 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, most home to a single resort β€” the Maldives is barefoot luxury and world-class diving on tap.

Budget travellers can now stay on local islands too, with guesthouses and day-trip snorkelling bringing the dream within reach.

Where to go

Top places in Maldives

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Resort atolls

Resort atolls

πŸ—“ 4–5 days

Private-island overwater villas and spas.

HoneymoonLuxury
Maafushi

Maafushi

πŸ—“ 2–3 days

Budget local island with guesthouses.

BudgetBeach
Baa Atoll

Baa Atoll

πŸ—“ 2–3 days

UNESCO biosphere β€” manta rays and whale sharks.

Diving
MalΓ©

MalΓ©

πŸ—“ Β½ day

The compact, colourful capital island.

City
Plan day by day

Maldives itineraries

Ready-made routes β€” tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Resort atolls β†’ Maafushi β†’ Baa Atoll
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$450 – $6,000
1–2

Resort atolls

Private-island overwater villas and spas.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Honeymoon Β· Luxury
3–4

Maafushi

Budget local island with guesthouses.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Budget Β· Beach
5

Baa Atoll

UNESCO biosphere β€” manta rays and whale sharks.

πŸ—“ 1 day✨ Diving
Route
Resort atolls β†’ Maafushi β†’ Baa Atoll β†’ MalΓ©
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$630 – $8,400
1–2

Resort atolls

Private-island overwater villas and spas.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Honeymoon Β· Luxury
3–4

Maafushi

Budget local island with guesthouses.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Budget Β· Beach
5–6

Baa Atoll

UNESCO biosphere β€” manta rays and whale sharks.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Diving
7

MalΓ©

The compact, colourful capital island.

πŸ—“ 1 day✨ City
Route
Resort atolls β†’ Maafushi β†’ Baa Atoll β†’ MalΓ©
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$900 – $12,000
1–3

Resort atolls

Private-island overwater villas and spas.

πŸ—“ 3 days✨ Honeymoon Β· Luxury
4–6

Maafushi

Budget local island with guesthouses.

πŸ—“ 3 days✨ Budget Β· Beach
7–8

Baa Atoll

UNESCO biosphere β€” manta rays and whale sharks.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ Diving
9–10

MalΓ©

The compact, colourful capital island.

πŸ—“ 2 days✨ City
✨ Build a custom Maldives itinerary β†’
Visa & entry

Maldives visa requirements

Visa required?
Free visa on arrival for all
Allowed stay
30 days
Visa on arrival
Yes (free, all nationalities)
eVisa
Online IMUGA form required
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
Visa-free
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. Everyone gets a free 30-day stamp on arrival; complete the IMUGA travel form online beforehand. Always verify with the official Maldives immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Maldives visa guide β†’Use the visa checker β†’
Money

Maldives budget guide

Budget

$90/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$1,200+/day
  • 4–5β˜… hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Maldives budget guide β†’
Things to do

Top attractions in Maldives

🏝️

Overwater villas

Sleep above the lagoon with steps into the sea.

🀿

House-reef snorkelling

Coral gardens off your villa steps.

🐠

Manta & whale shark dives

Baa Atoll's famous marine encounters.

πŸŒ…

Sandbank picnics

Private sandbanks in the middle of the ocean.

✨

Bioluminescent beaches

Glowing plankton lighting up the shore at night.

Get outside

Nature in Maldives

All nature
Blog

Maldives travel articles

All guides