Maldives
ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ
Maldives is resort-focused, so your apps are about getting there and back. WhatsApp is what resort transfers use.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
All apps →
Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
For Malé airport and seaplane terminals.
📱Messaging
All apps →
The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
Universal — resort transfers, seaplane bookings, restaurant pre-ordering.
✈️Travel Planning
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Activities, attractions, and SIM cards across Asia. Better than GetYourGuide in Asia.
For seaplane transfers and resort packages.
Is Maldives one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- D / G / J / K / L
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type D: Three large round pins in a triangle. Used in India and South Asia.
- Type G: Three rectangular pins. The British plug, used in UK, Ireland, HK, Singapore, Malta, much of Africa and Middle East.
- Type J: Three round pins, unique to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
- Type K: Two round pins + half-circle grounding pin. Standard in Denmark and Greenland.
- Type L: Three round pins in a line. Used in Italy and Chile.
Highly variable by resort — confirm with your hotel before bringing adapters.
Tipping
Tipping is welcome in the Maldives; resorts often add a 10% service charge, but a few dollars to your butler, room steward, or dive instructor is appreciated. Tip in cash (USD is widely accepted) for personal service.
CurrencyMVR & USD
Dhivehi you'll actually use
Etiquette and scams to know
✓ Do
- Dress modestly on inhabited (local) islands and in Male, covering shoulders and knees; bikinis are only for resort islands and designated 'bikini beaches'.
- Greet locals warmly; 'assalaamu alaikum' is the standard greeting.
- Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving.
- Respect Islam: the Maldives is a Muslim country, and locals pray five times a day.
- Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques.
- Ask permission before photographing local people, especially women.
✕Don't
- Don't bring alcohol, pork, or religious items of other faiths into the country; they're prohibited outside resort areas.
- Don't drink alcohol or sunbathe in swimwear on inhabited local islands.
- Don't show public displays of affection on local islands.
- Don't touch or remove coral, shells, or marine life; it's protected and often illegal.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Inflated prices and aggressive selling in Male's tourist shops; compare prices and haggle politely.
- Unofficial 'excursions' or boat transfers that overcharge or differ from what was promised; book through your resort or licensed operators.
- Hidden resort surcharges and steep fees for extras like Wi-Fi, water, or excursions; read what's included before booking.
- Overpriced or unmetered speedboat and taxi transfers between the airport and Male; confirm the rate first.
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — here's how we check.