The Maldives is one of the most popular islands, tourists around the world decide to visit. They also do not belong to the cheapest. The Maldives, however, will provide an experience like no other place can deliver. This chain of 26 atolls creates some of the most incredible views, with just 3 meters above sea level at its highest point. The Maldives offer the real, turquoise waters like nowhere else in the world. All those incredible photos, which look like someone overdosed with the blue water filter, are real.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to the Maldives are required to have a valid passport. All tourists regardless of nationality are granted a 30-day visa-free stay upon arrival however tourists are also expected to have a continuation or return ticket from the Maldives dated within the 30 days of arrival. Another requirement is the proof of sustainability which is having a sum of money to cover every day with an amount no less than 50 $USD or a confirmation of reservation in a tourist resort or a hotel. Tourists should beware that they may be refused entry by the Immigration officer if he suspects the visitor to have fraudulent documents, harmful intentions or has strong anti-semitic religious or political views. Tourists who wish to drive in the Maldives will be rather disappointed. Foreign driving permits are not honored and neither is an International driving permit. To drive in the Maldives tourists must pass a local driving test however, one of the necessary documents is a Work visa card which means tourists on a 30-day visa-free stay cannot take the test.

Traveling hazards

Very few of the Maldives islands are big enough to support automobiles. Most transportation in the Maldives is done either by boat or seaplanes. The larger island which is capable of supporting vehicles is mostly filled with buses and taxis which charge a fixed price for a fair. Public roads are well built and maintained usually brick roads. Roads on smaller islands might not be well paved but are generally well kept by the resort authorities.

Environmental hazards

The atolls of Maldives support barely any land life with the exception of humans and few other species. There are no dangerous land creatures on the island however, there are many dangers lurking in shallow and deep waters. Lionfish is one of the most venomous and commonly spotted fish. This relatively small marine creature has spikes sticking out of its body which happen to contain venom. This fish will not directly attack anyone however touching it and being stung with one of the spikes might be deadly, especially when alone in water as the sting may cause pain shock or temporarily paralysis. While diving around the coral it is important to watch out for many things. It is generally advised not to touch the coral, not only for safety but out of respect for the local environment. Coral is often sharp and can cut very easily. Cuts can get quickly infected. The moray eels live inside corals and have such terrible vision, that they might mistake a diver for prey. Although a moray eel is way too small to kill a person, it will certainly leave a nasty bite with its razor-sharp teeth. Stingrays are very common in the Maldives. These creatures are usually friendly, especially that feeding them is almost a local tradition and a popular tourist attraction. However, stingrays carry a deadly weapon on their back which unfortunately has claimed lives in the past. These animals only attack when feeling threatened, therefore, dealing with them should be carried out in a gentle manner. The nightmare of many beachgoers around the world, sea urchins. These creatures are literally a ball of spikes. They do not attack, they are not aggressive however stepping on them means having a sea urchin spike stuck in your foot. Do not remove it yourself, the spike will shatter if you try to do so. Visit the nearest clinic to have the sting removed by a professional. There are no recorded reports of shark attacks in the Maldives however there are many different species of sharks around the islands. Blacktip reef sharks and Whitetip reef sharks are the most commonly seen in the lagoons however hammerheads and nursing sharks can also be spotted. Sole danger to the Maldives is the water surrounding it. Storms, cyclones or worst of all tsunamis can be extremely devastating. In the 2004 tsunami over ⅔ of the capital city Male was flooded.

Health hazards

There is no risk of yellow fever in the Maldives. The government of the Maldives requires proof of yellow fever vaccination only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever. Apart from the yellow fever vaccination, there are other vaccines however these are only recommended and not required. These are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B and typhoid vaccines. Healthcare due to the very specific geographical location and makeup of the islands is rather quirky. The city of Male has a normal public hospital however smaller islands may or may not have a resident doctor who provides for all inhabitants on one of the many Maldivian islands. Most resorts also have a resident doctor or nursing staff. Tourists are strongly advised to purchase medical insurance which will cover medical airlift by seaplanes or speedboats as these may be very expensive.
In case of an emergency dial 102.

Crime

Despite the ongoing situation in the capital city of Male, other islands do not experience political turmoil. Tourist safety as mentioned by the Maldivian government is their premium target. All resorts and other islands are safe. Violent crime on the island is almost unheard of whilst petty crime does occur but mostly in Male and is still relatively lower than in other capitals of the world. Tourist should stay cautious in crowded areas and on public transport. The Maldives is generally not an area of terrorist activity however the current political situation in Male might create a potential hazard. Narcotics are illegal and punishable on all of the Maldivian islands.

Summary

The islands of Maldives are some of the most looked after tourists destinations in the world. These tiny islands host more than 10 times its population in tourist arrivals yearly. Incredible views and water attractions deliver a fantastic holiday for all to enjoy. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.immigration.gov.mv/pages/entry.html
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/maldives