Published: 2 April 2014
The Maldives is a collection of islands surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean and is among the most popular holiday destinations on Earth, particularly noted for their wonderful beaches and natural beauty.
Why Visit the Maldives?
The Maldives are considered some of the most beautiful islands of their kind in existence. They conform almost perfectly to most people's image of an ideal island paradise and the reality of the Maldives actually exceeds the pictures in the brochures - pictures just don't do it justice, you have to experience the Maldives yourself. The region is also far quieter and more private than many similar destinations.
The Maldives is also noted for the high quality experience it offers to visitors. Thanks to 40 years of thriving tourism, the area has reached very high standards in food service, accommodation, and other amenities.
When to Visit?
The Maldives benefits from plenty of sunshine and year-round warm weather. As such, it is an ideal place to visit whether for a summer break or a winter getaway. Throughout the year, temperatures vary between 26-30 degrees centigrade (79-86F), so the islands offer warm weather even at the coolest times. The only real month to avoid is November, as this is the monsoon season. Christmas and New Year breaks to the Maldives are also very popular.
The first three months of the year are the most popular time to visit, as this period tends to be blessed with the clearest skies and the warmest, calmest waters. This is followed by April which is a "shoulder" period, often benefits from lower prices. After this, less predictable weather results in a low season, but until the aforementioned monsoon period it is highly unlikely this will ruin any holidays.
Sightseeing in the Maldives
The Maldives has a long history. It has been inhabited for many centuries, possibly more than 2,000 years, and is now home to a fascinating culture. As a result, it is also home to many cultural sites, including fascinating heritage sites. Among these are the Old Friday Mosque and Grand Friday Mosque, both found in Male. The wooden palace of Utheemu Ganduvaru on the Haa Aliff Atoll is also a truly fascinating site.
The Maldives is well-known for its natural beauty, and there are many natural sites to see as well as man-made and historical ones. The beaches are uniformly beautiful, with particular sites such as Sun Island Beach gaining particular praise from tourists. Many visitors to the Maldives also feel that scuba diving in locations such as Banana Reef and Manta Point is also unmissable.
Things to Know
It is expected of visitors to the Maldives that they will dress modestly. This does not mean that women are required to cover their heads as in some stricter locations, but it is generally best not to show too much flesh outside of the most private settings.
The local currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa. However, tourists often find it best to use a combination of credit or debit cards and US dollars.
The Maldives is perfectly situated to combine with other luxury destinations, some of the most popular destinations to combine with the Maldives are Dubai or Sri Lanka, making your trip even more memorable.