Travel Tips
Maldives immigration
A number of international airlines connect the Maldives with the major cities of Europe and Asia. A few steps from your plane take you inside the arrival terminal. At Passport Control, entry formalities are simple and casual. A 30-day holiday visa is granted free of charge on arrival. Read More...
Import regulations by Maldives customs
Tobacco: for personal use
Alcohol: reasonable quantity
Prohibited items
Pornographic literature, idols of worship, pork products and certain other animal products, explosives, weapons or drugs may not be imported. Alcoholic beverages cannot be imported without an official license. Drugs are strictly prohibited; the penalty for importing drugs for personal or other use is life imprisonment. Animals require a veterinary certificate. (dogs not allowed).
The following may not be exported in any form: tortoise and turtle shells and products made of turtle shell (the Government has banned the killing of turtles), and black coral in whole form.
NOTE:If you are bringing in a lot of photographic or diving equipment it is advisable to inform your resort of the details prior to your arrival or bring a list with details such as serial numbers of the equipment, to avoid delay at the airport upon arrival. You will be expected to take them back with you. Import duty is payable for any items left behind.
Airport Facilities
Money and communications: A branch of the Bank of Maldives is located by the exit in the arrival terminal. It offers a foreign currency exchange service. Read More...
Port Health:
Maldives being free from certain diseases that are of public health concern as well as of international importance, implementing continuous vigilance activities at Ports of entry at sea and Air, to ensure that appropriate surveillance activities are carried out effectively in safe guarding against any threat of introducing diseases are of health importance. Intensified surveillance for incoming passengers and continuous inspection of food items, and animals that were imported into the country is being carried out at all ports of the country.
In preparation for the certification of the Malaria Free Maldives, all incoming passengers from malaria-infected countries are screened.
For Certification of Sanitary Port an organized Medical Service, adequate staff and equipment provides in and out passengers care and attend Medical emergencies at port.
Disinfections is compulsory for Cargo aircraft and passenger aircrafts coming from Yellow Fever and Malaria endemic areas.
Transit
Transit passengers must leave Maldives within 24 hours of arrival. If a transit passenger fails to leave within 24 hours the passenger shall revise his permit to stay
Departure
All persons leaving the Republic of Maldives shall possess a valid passport or travel document. All passengers shall complete and submit an embarkation card with their passport to the Immigration Officer for inspection.
Public Transport
In a country where the international airport is on an island all by itself, where the entire tourist resorts are on separate islands, the speedboat reigns king. It also performs well in recreation.
Getting around in the Maldives is not restricted to a boat though.sea planes offer an even faster and scenic alternative, especially to distant resorts.
On some of the bigger islands, especially on the capital island of Male’ the latest sports cars compete with motorcycles, scooters and the sedate taxi.
SEA
Speedboats:Airport to hotel transfer.
Passenger Ferries:Larger vessels, often fast and air-conditioned.
Cargo vessels:Normally diesel powered, slow.
Dhoni:Versatile and adaptable workhorse of the sea. Very seaworthy
Wind Surfers:Inter-island travel banned.
AIR
Sea planes:Inter-island passenger ferry, Fast and comfortable.
Airplanes:Restricted to where runways are available.
LAND
Cars:On larger islands. Taxis are available.
Other light vehicles: On larger islands, often available for Hire.
Trucks:Normally used for heavy-duty work.
Motorcycles:Used as a convenience. Normally not available for hire.
Bicycles:Normally not available for hire.Some models are sold as cheap as US$ 60.00
Information and Help Desks
The airport information desk (tel: +960 332 5511, ext: 8240) is located in the departure area of the terminal. A tourist information counter is available in the arrival area of the terminal.
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