Velana International Airport (IATA: MLE, ICAO: VRMM) is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhule Island in the North Malé Atoll, near the capital island of Malé. Malé airport is the main gateway into the Maldives islands for tourists.

Most international flights arrive in good time to connect by speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight to the next atoll. Staying on Male is not recommended.

Two further airports in the country receive international flights: Hanimaadhoo International Airport, which has a weekly flight to Trivandrum in India and Gan International Airport, which has two flights a week to Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Suggested vaccines: measles and routine immunizations.
Some travelers are also advised to be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Typhoid.
Yellow fever certification is required if traveling from a country with risk of transmission.
Effective on December 15, 2024, Maldives has implemented a comprehensive ban on the use, sale, and distribution of vaping products, following amendments to the Tobacco Control Act.
As part of this regulation:
Guests are prohibited from bringing e-cigarettes, vapes, and vaping devices into the Maldives.
These items will be confiscated at the airport and disposed of by the airport authorities.

Currency
The currency used in the Maldives is the Rufiyaa but as a visitor to the islands, there’s no need for you to take much (if any) local money. The best currency to have on hand is Euros or Dollars but most islands allow you to pay by card, which comes in very handy. If you’re planning to pay by card, remember to notify your bank before your trip to avoid having it blocked while you are away.

Gratuities
A 10% service charge is added to the bill at most resorts, hotels and restaurants so tipping isn’t usually expected or required, but always appreciated. If you do choose to tip, US dollars or the local currency is best. As a suggestion, tour guides are often given approximately $10 per person per day and a suggested amount for housekeeping staff is $2 per person per day.

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:

Compulsory Insurance:
a. Emergency evacuation expenses
b. Medical expenses
c. Repatriation expenses

Recommended Insurance:
a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip
b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods

To enter the Maldives, travellers are now required to apply for a visa at https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/. All travellers should possess a valid passport with a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least 6 months validity.

All travellers are required to submit a traveller declaration form within 96 hours of departure to the Maldives.

Climate
The Maldives is a true tropical destination, making it beautifully temperate throughout the year - it rarely sinks below 25°C. Seemingly missing a proper winter, the Maldives has two distinct seasons beginning with the dry season from November to April, which is punctuated by northeast monsoons. The wet season follows from May to October, fuelled by southwest monsoons and strong winds. Undoubtedly, the temperate months of January to April make up the peak season when water sports, diving and island-hopping is most enjoyable. However, the large swells and waves from June to July make it very popular for surfing.

Dress Code
Each nestled on a private island, the resorts are a law unto their own where bare feet and swimming togs are the go-to. Although, you will need to throw something over your beachwear before you visit the restaurants at most resorts. The Maldives’ inhabited islands and specifically the capital, Malé, are more conservative. It’s best to pack a few modest items for trips to nearby islands and make sure you leave any sheer items at home.

What to pack
Preparation and packing for any holiday is important but never more so than when you are on a remote island. Once you arrive by seaplane, you’ll find it very hard to pick up that odd item you thought your partner had packed! This isn’t an all-inclusive list but it should make your packing a little easier.

• Swimwear (and lots of it)
• A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen - take enough to last you
• Water shoes
• A book or two
• Insect repellent, hand sanitizer and additional toiletries
• Dry bags for boat trips and water sports & a wet bag for afterwards
• Lightweight clothing
• Sandals, walking shoes & water shoes - no need for heels!
• Dive card and log book (if applicable)
• Waterproof jacket for the rainy season
• A good pair of binocs
• Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment
• A small torch
• Camera equipment - perhaps a GoPro as well

Most lodges will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis.

Luggage
Depending on where you are staying, you may need to take a light seaplane, which may have luggage restrictions so it’s advisable to pack fairly light.

Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage per person. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines.

Electricity
Across the Maldives, power plugs and sockets are either Type D or G. The standard voltage is 230V but you can use your electric appliances in the Maldives, if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as it is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you need a voltage converter. You can also consider a combined power plug adapter/voltage converter for your electronics.

Effective from December 15, 2024, Maldives has implemented a comprehensive ban on the use, sale, and distribution of vaping products, following amendments to the Tobacco Control Act.
As part of this regulation:
Guests are prohibited from bringing e-cigarettes, vapes, and vaping devices into the Maldives.
These items will be confiscated at the airport and disposed of by the airport authorities.