The Maldives is a country of numerous islands full of natural beauty. Male Island, the capital of the Maldives, is one of about 1,200 small islands. About 1.5 km long and 1 km wide, this island is one of the most populous cities in the world, and tourists are especially attracted to it. Male Island is also a perfect place for honeymoon couples.
Where will you stay?
There are several resorts in Male City. Good service can be found at Somerset Inn, The Mellors, Hotel Jane Male, Hotel Octave, etc. You will get good rooms with WiFi and AC in these hotels. Among the resorts, you can stay at Kurumba Maldives, Holiday Island Resort, Paradise Island Resort, Sun Island & Spa, and Bandos Island.
Cost
Food costs in the Maldives are a little higher. If you are in the city, two people can stay for 30 – 70 dollars a night, and if you want to stay at a resort near the island, it will cost 150 – 300 dollars per person. Normal food costs between 5-7 dollars per meal. If you want to rent a speed boat through a package, it will cost 150-170 dollars. To travel at a low cost, try staying at a local resort or guest house and use government ferries for transportation.
How to get around Male Island
Male Island is a small island full of coconut, betel nut, and other trees. It is always crowded with tourists. Here, you find the touch of urbanization in the middle of the sea. The sweet breeze from the blue sea invigorates the body and mind, and all the tiredness of traveling is gone in no time. The real beauty of the Maldives can be seen from the infinity pool of almost all the resorts here, and you can easily indulge in various water sports. If you know how to swim, don’t forget to enjoy swimming at the beach. On the east side of Male Island, you can catch a ferry to Varunulaa Raalhugandu and watch the amazing sunset. Male Island is a perfect place for surfing and snorkeling, so you will have fun surfing here.
Do not leave without trying mas hooni (a dish made of tuna fish, coconut, onion, and lemon that is eaten with roshi) and various cold drinks. If you want Bengali food, visit the Bengali restaurant “Dhaka Food” in Male city. You can get cheap Bengali food here. However, eating at the underwater restaurant will be a different experience. Apart from Male Island, there are some other places to visit in Male city, such as Artificial Beach, Old Friday Mosque, National Museum, Sultan’s Park, National Art Gallery, China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, Fish Market, and Grand Friday Mosque.
In addition, you can visit various resort islands located nearby from Male. You can stay there if you want to. However, the cost of resort islands is very high. If there is a day trip option, you can visit in the form of a package. To visit resort islands at a low cost, consider local resort islands.
Male travel tips
- If you are traveling to the Maldives, you do not need to get a visa in advance; here, you need to get a 30-day visa on arrival.
- Keep an NOC if employed, a trade license if running a business, and an ID card and photocopies of necessary documents if you are a student.
- January to March is the best time to visit the Maldives. However, if you go in the off-season, the costs will be lower.
- If you are traveling to the Maldives, you will go through Sri Lanka. So if you have time, visit Sri Lanka and then go to the Maldives to see both countries.
- If you want to visit Male Island during the tourist season, it is better to make hotel bookings in advance, which will reduce costs and also avoid extra trouble at the last minute.
- Special offers are available when booking various hotels or resorts through Maldives travel agencies.
- Bring sandals or low-heeled walking shoes to explore Male Island on foot.
- Although it is known as a luxurious country, if you reduce the cost of shopping along with traveling a little wisely, you will travel well while saving money.
- Some resorts in the Maldives also offer day trips, so if you take a trip package with the resort rental, the cost will be reduced.
- If you don’t know scuba diving, there is a course for it.
- If staying at a resort, try to include food in the package. And if you dine out, choose local food from the menu bar; the price of local food here is low.
- Most of the cafes here are alcohol-free.