Maldives
South Asia · Dhivehi · Rufiyaa
Cover up off the resort islands, skip alcohol on local islands entirely, and swim only at designated bikini beaches.
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5 phrases you need in Maldives
- Helloއައްސަލާމް ޢަލައިކުމްas-sah-LAH-moo ah-LAY-koom
- Goodbyeދަނީdhah-NEE
- Pleaseއާދޭސްކޮށްފަah-DHEYS kosh-fah
- Thank youޝުކުރިއްޔާshoo-koo-REE-yah
- Excuse meމާފްކުރޭmah-AHF koo-RAY
The Trovlr app drills all 8 Maldives phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
etiquette
On inhabited local islands, swimwear is only allowed on marked bikini beaches and modest dress applies in the streets; resorts have no such rules.
money
Resorts bill in US dollars and take cards for everything; on local islands carry rufiyaa cash for cafes and guesthouse extras.
transport
Seaplane transfers only fly in daylight, so a late international arrival can mean a night in Male; speedboats run later and cost far less.
connectivity
Grab a Dhiraagu or Ooredoo tourist SIM at the airport arrivals hall; the data packages are cheap and beat most resorts' patchy wifi.
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