Maldives

No man-made evidence of human habitation has been found on the islands of the archipelago - houses were built from wood and other materials that are quickly naturally processed. Religion did not require the creation of long-standing stone temples. However, comparative studies of cultural traditions and linguistic features show that the first inhabitants of the islands were immigrants from Tamilakam - an ancient Indian region. The approximate period of their settlement is 300 BC. In the 5th-7th centuries, Persians and Arabs arrived on the islands, but until the 12th century, the locals were Buddhists. Only in 1153 did a preacher appear in the Maldives, with the help of whom the Islamic religion came to the country. He became a sultan, taking the name Muhammad ibn Abdullah. Muslim rule lasted until the invasion of Europeans - the Portuguese and the British. In 1965, as a result of an uprising, Britain was forced to grant independence to the Maldives. Now it is a presidential republic.

These sunny exotic islands are the dream of many tourists. More than a thousand coral islands , each of which is a real paradise: transparent turquoise ocean waters, diverse underwater world, snow-white beaches , branchy palm trees and bright tropical greenery. But it is better to find and choose a tour to the Maldives, and see the beauty of this country for yourself. 

Some official data

Capital: Male.

Official language: Dhivehi.

Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa.

Religion: Islam.

Holidays in the Maldives: reasons to buy a tour or a package tour, search and selection of tours online

Tourism began to develop on the islands in 1972, when the first resort appeared here. Today, it is the main branch of the economy, bringing the bulk of income to the state budget. These tropical atolls are an ideal place for lovers of beach holidays and water activities. 

It is worth buying a tour to the Maldives in order to:

• Enjoy beach relaxation and bounty landscapes to your heart's content. Fine white sand, blue ocean and excellent infrastructure will allow you to forget about everyday affairs.
• Explore the underwater world . The Maldives are located on atolls - coral islands, so here you will meet a huge number of bright and unusual sea creatures: colorful fish, calm turtles, serene rays and others. Adrenaline lovers can go diving with sharks, and adventurers will be interested in exploring sunken ships from different eras.
• Enjoy water activities . Here you can catch a wave on a surfboard, ride along colorful atolls on a boat, motorboat or yacht, ride water skis, go parasailing and much more.
• See paradise from a bird's eye view . Those who wish can view exotic landscapes from a helicopter or paraglider.
• Visit an uninhabited island . There are significantly fewer inhabited atolls in the Maldives, so it’s easy to feel like Robinson Crusoe. A picnic in such a place will be remembered for a long time.
• Try local dishes . The national cuisine is based on Indian recipes, only adapted to local products. The main ingredients of Maldivian treats are coconuts, fish and rice cereal. There are many dishes with seafood, especially tuna.

Going on a weekend tour to the Maldives, you will be able to see amazing natural views, historical sites and get acquainted with the local culture . The relaxing atmosphere of the islands will allow you to reboot and gain strength for new achievements, and the memories of this amazing trip will warm you for a long time.

✔️ Types of entertainment by region

The Maldives consists of a chain of 26 atolls, which contain 1,192 islands. It is a small country, so the following areas can be distinguished:

• Male is the capital and largest city of the state. Here you can visit Islamic shrines and buy souvenirs.
• The atolls are the main tourist destinations. They have resorts, many beaches and various entertainments. Raa and Baa will delight you with cozy landscapes and amazing nature, Ari is famous for its delicious watermelons, and Lhaviyani is the place to buy unique pearl and coral jewelry.

✔️ Climate and seasons

The country is located close to the equator, so there are almost no seasonal changes here. The air temperature is about +30 °C, the water temperature is +26 °C. The climate is mild, warm and humid. Year-round good weather is another reason that attracts tourists to this country.

✔️ Currency

The national currency is the rufiyaa . You can exchange currency at banks, special points and the airport. However, in tourist places, dollars and international cards are accepted. And even in most hotels, rufiyaa will not be accepted, so you will only need them in remote places.

✔️ Major holidays

To immerse yourself in the islands' culture, you can time your trip to coincide with national holidays. Then you can combine beach activities with traditional folk festivities.

The main patriotic celebrations:

• Independence Day (July 26) - liberation from British protectorate;
• National Day (date varies) - victory over the Portuguese invaders.

During these days, the main events take place in the capital: military parades, musical performances, fairs, and ceremonial fireworks.

Important religious holidays:

• Uraza Bayram . The end of the main Muslim fast - Ramadan. For three whole days people have fun, visit friends and eat different dishes. 
• Eid al-Adha . A traditional day of worship and sacrifice. It is believed that all who observe the rituals of this holiday will be blessed with prosperity.
• Muharram . The first month of the year according to the Muslim calendar. Its first day is considered the New Year holiday. In Islam, it is celebrated with a sermon on the Hijjah - the day when, under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad, the Muslim community left Mecca and moved to Medina. 

Social events:

• Fisherman's Day (December 10). Fishing in the Maldives is an important part of the country's economy. An official holiday has even been established in its honor, which has become one of the favorites of local residents. They organize fairs selling seafood, and fishermen perform in ensembles and sing Maldivian songs.
• Western Christmas (December 25) and New Year (January 1) are celebrated mainly in hotels. Events are held especially for tourists.

The islands also host various festivals dedicated to art, food, and local traditions. 

✔️ Medicine

To minimize the budget expenditure on medical services, you need to get insurance. Then, in case of health problems, the insurance company will take care of the bills. The level of medicine in the country is quite high, so without an insurance policy, a visit to the doctor will not be cheap.

✔️ Useful tips

There is a set of general rules for traveling, but for complete comfort you need to know the specifics of the country you are flying to.

• Hotels and restaurants often include tips in the bill. If they don't, then the staff's reward is at your discretion. But tipping taxi drivers is not customary.
• Alcohol is prohibited on the islands. It can only be found in hotels and resorts. Drinking alcohol outside of them is prohibited.
• Islamic traditions dictate their own rules. There is no need to adhere to them all in tourist areas, but sunbathing topless is still not recommended. Outside the resorts, you must wear closed clothing. Meeting local women is not advisable.
• Basically, everyone in the country will be able to answer you in English.
• It is difficult to get the necessary medications on a secluded atoll, so stock up on the necessary medications. It is advisable to check the list of permitted ones in advance, so as not to get into an unpleasant situation.
• The state takes great care to preserve nature, so throw away your garbage only in designated places. When diving, do not break off corals - you will be fined for this.