As summer travel plans take shape, a visit to the Maldives remains an alluring escape. With no visa requirements for stays lasting less than 30 days and myriad resorts (find our pick of the best of them here) built for switch-off mode, it’s also a relatively easy trip to plan. But between new airport changes, evolving resort policies, and costs that can quickly add up, there’s more to factor in than you might think.
Below, we’ve rounded up the things that you will want to know before you book. From the intricacies of honeymoon packages—you might need to supply proof of your nuptials and their recency in order to enjoy the perks—to scheduling your dives and selecting a resort that embraces sustainable initiatives, there’s much to consider.
Keep these out of your bag
The Maldives is an Islamic country. You are not allowed to bring idols for worship, religious material offensive to Islam, pork, or pork products into the country. Also banned is any kind of pornographic material—including sex toys.
Mind your ciggies
The Maldives has introduced a generational smoking ban that applies to both residents and visitors: anyone born on or after January 1, 2007 cannot legally buy or use tobacco in the country. While older travelers can still smoke in designated areas (mostly within resorts), local islands tend to enforce stricter rules. Vaping, meanwhile, is banned outright, and devices will be confiscated at the airport and may even attract fines. If you smoke, check your resort’s policies in advance and avoid carrying vapes or e-cigarettes altogether.
Honeymoon perks may require proof
If you’re booking a honeymoon package, don’t assume it’s all on trust anymore. A growing number of Maldivian resorts now ask for proof, such as a marriage certificate or wedding invitation, before extending perks like room upgrades, celebratory dinners, or complimentary wine. Some hotels also have validity windows (for instance, travel within six to twelve months of your wedding). If you can’t provide documentation, you may lose the benefits tied to your booking.
There’s a new airport terminal, but check where your flight is departing from
Malé’s Velana International Airport has opened a new, much larger terminal designed to ease congestion and speed up arrivals, with more check-in counters, immigration desks and aerobridges. While the experience is now far smoother, the rollout is phased, so not all airlines may be operating from the new terminal yet. Until the full transition is complete, double-check your ticket or confirm with your airline to avoid last-minute confusion. Once you land, transfers to resorts remain the same, speedboats for nearby islands and seaplanes (with hotel lounges) for those further out.
Budget for seaplane/boat transfers separately
A seaplane transfer could cost anywhere from $270 (Rs19,669*) to $450 (Rs32,782*). Don’t forget to check if a complimentary ride seaplane or boat transfer is part of your deal.
Short trip? Book a resort close to Malé
Fixed timings for seaplane and boat transfers mean you could end up spending anywhere between one to four hours at the airport, losing the day in transit. But, a host of hotels are just a quick zip from Malé. The JW Marriott Kafu, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa, Grand Park Kodhipparu, One&Only Reethi Rah, Varu by Atmosphere, and Ozen Reserve Bolifushi are all between 15 to 40-minute boat rides from the city. If you choose a hotel that is a seaplane ride away, check if they can schedule it according to your flight timings to avoid waiting for hours.
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