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To make your holiday in Maldives a most unforgettable
experience, we have prepared some essential information just for
you.
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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
We
have a tailor made section on Frequently Asked Questions and you
can access that section simply by
clicking
here. |
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WHAT TO
PACK
Sunscreen (high spf)
Sunglasses
Hat or Cap for shade from the sun
Light cotton clothing
Lotion (Aloe Vera)
Insect Repellent
Bathing Suits
Personal diving or snorkeling equipment
Credit Card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard
US dollars |
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ENTRY
REGULATIONS
A tourist
visa of thirty days will be granted on arrival to all visitors
with valid travel documents. A confirmed hotel reservation is
required for immigration clearance, visitors without hotel
reservation should seek assistance at the airport tourist
information counter right outside the arrival hall.
Prohibited Items:
* Narcotics and psychotropic substances
*
Pornographic material
*
Live pigs
*
Religious materials offensive to Islam
*
Idols (for worship)
Restricted Items:
* Arms and ammunition
*
Alcohol and Spirits
*
Pork and its by-products
* Dogs
*
Dangerous animals
Items allowed when accompanied with certificates:
*
Live plants and animals - a valid phytosanitary / sanitary certificate required
*
Medicines - doctor's medical prescription required |
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DIPLOMATIC
MISSIONS AND CONSULATES
Sri Lanka
High Commission of Maldives in Sri Lanka
23, Kaviratne Place, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka
Tel: (94-1) 500943
Fax: (94-1) 581200
E-mail:
maldhc@sltnet.lk
United Kingdom
High Commission of Maldives in London
22, Nottingham Palace, London WIM 3FB, United Kingdom
Tel: (44-207) 2242135
Fax: (44-207) 2242157
E-mail:
maldives.high.commission@virgin.net |
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AIRPORT
INFORMATION
The first thing you’ll notice as soon as you get off the plane
at Male’ International Airport is that the airport is on an
exclusive island. From the air it looks like a giant aircraft
carrier, the runway occupying most of the island. Catch a
glimpse if you can. In fact to build the airport two islands
have been connected through reclamation. However it is a full
fledged international airport that can cater to the largest of
aircraft and is well equipped with modern facilities. Located
just over a kilometer away from Male’ the capital, the airport
is connected to the rest of the country and resorts by boats and
seaplanes.
The facilities available at Hulhule include:
* 88 transit hotel rooms in Hulhule Island Hotel,
* Business Centers.
* Internet Centers.
* Elevators, specially-designed toilets and telephones,
* Banks.
* Postal and telecommunications offices.
* Over 100 tax-free shops in both terminals.
* Food and beverage outlets serving a wide range of cuisine.
* 24-hour medical centre.
* Children's Play Area.
* Over 40 Travel agency counters. |
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GETTING
AROUND
Apart from a
few air services, there are no regular, scheduled transport
links between the Maldives' atolls and islands. Transfers
between airport and the resorts are arranged by agents as part
of the resort package and are by seaplane, local boat (called
dhoni), speedboat or launch.
Boats and aircraft can be chartered for special trips, though
this is expensive. Not many people need to travel between
resorts, but the most straightforward way to do so is usually to
go via the airport, taking the same boats or aircraft which
carry arriving and departing vessels.
Transport to and from nonresort islands can be arranged on cargo
boats, but only by those who have the requisite travel permit.
The other option is a "safari", cruising around the atolls on a
live-aboard boat, with whatever stops for diving and sightseeing
that we can arrange on request. |
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CLOTHING
Light Cotton clothes are recommended to ward off the heat and
humidity. Nudism is an offense in the Country, and visitors are
requested to respect the traditions and religion of the local
people wearing clothes that cover the thighs and shoulders when
visiting inhabited islands. |
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BANKS AND
CURRENCIES
The local currency is the Rufiya, and US$ 1.00 is equivalent to
approximately 12.85 Rufiya, all major currencies are accepted
widely in the country. The most commonly used credit cards are
American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diner Club, JCB and Euro
Card.
Banking hours are Sunday to Thursday: 08 am to 1:30 pm. |
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HEALTH AND
SAFETY
Travelers across the world are understandably more concerned
about personal safety and security issues today than ever
before. We would like to
inform all our tourists that Maldives's track record for
safety and stability is intact. Maldives's reputation as a safe
and secure destination is well known and it enjoys one of the
lowest crime rates in the world.
Visitors to the Maldives do not require any vaccinations or
medications against Malaria before traveling to the Maldives
unless they are coming from a yellow fever infected region.
The most common problem for tourists in the Maldives are sunburn
and dehydration. The tropical sun is very intense in the
country. And soft breezes on the islands and during boat rides
can easily fool you. Some form of sun protection is necessary
even for travelers with darker skin tones. A range of sun cream
are available in Male' and in most resorts. It is also advisable
to wear a t-shirt when snorkeling. To avoid dehydration drink
lots of fluids.
There are two hospitals in Male', many clinics, pharmacies and a
number of good doctors both in private practice and at the
hospitals. A physician is also within easy reach from all resort
islands. |
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COMMUNICATION
Communication service in the Maldives is provided by the
National Telecommunication Company DHIRAAGU. DHIRAAGU provides
an efficient and reliable telephone service all over the
Maldives. Whether you are on your chosen tourist resort or on
any of the inhabited islands of the Maldives, you will have
access to a telephone. On most resorts you will have
international direct dial telephones in your room. Most cruising
vessels also offer phone service. If you happen to make a visit
to an island village nearby, it might be good idea to take a
telephone card with you. Phone cards are available at many
retail establishments including the shops on your resort.
Your resort will also be able to provide you with fax service.
DHIRAAGU also operates a pager service, a GSM mobile telephone
service, along with the internet and cyber cafe' facilities.
Please ask us if you need any of these services. |
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TOURISM
RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
There are many sources of information about the Maldives, each
providing a somewhat different angle from the others. For
general information on the Maldives you may contact the Maldives
Tourism Promotion Board of the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry
of Tourism also operates a tourist information office in
Frankfurt, Germany.
MALDIVES TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD
Bank of Maldives Building
Boduthakurufaanu Magu
Male’, Maldives
Tel.(960) 323228
E-mail:
mtpb@visitMaldives.com
Maldives Government Tourist Information Office
Bethmannstr.58
60311 Frankfurt
Tel: 069/2740440
Fax: 069/27404422
Email: maldivesinfo.ffm@t-online.de |
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