TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(MVR)
Rufiyaa |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 960 |
Telecommunications:
International telephone, telegraph, and telex services generally
are reliable. Telephone service within Male is adequate, but the
service connecting Male to the resort islands is sometimes erratic.
Male is 10 hours ahead of eastern standard time.
Transportation: Six airlines service the Maldives. Boats
are the primary means of transport between the islands. Limited
taxi service is available in Male.
Tourist attractions: Maldives have some of the
world's most beautiful beaches, excellent snorkling, scuba diving,
wind surfing, and fishing.
Climate:
The Maldives have a hot tropical climate. There are two monsoons,
the southwest from May to October and the northeast from November
to April. Generally the southwest brings more wind and rain in
June and July. The temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F).
The best time to visit is November to Easter.
Clothing:
Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year. Light waterproofs
are advised during the rainy season.
Currency:
Maldivian Rufiya (Rf) = 100 laari. Notes are in denominations
of Rf500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of
Rf2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laari.
Currency
exchange: Major currencies can be exchanged at banks,
tourist resort islands, hotels and leading shops. Payments in
hotels can be made in most hard currencies (particularly US Dollars)
in cash, travellers cheques or credit cards.
Credit
& debit cards: Most major island resorts will accept
American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard and Diners Club.
Arrangements vary from island to island, and it is advisable to
check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant
acceptability and other facilities which may be available.
Travellers
cheques: These are generally accepted in Sterling and
US Dollars. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers
are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.
