Maldives: A place to see before you die; and it’s visa-free
The Republic of Maldives is a small island nation in South Asia which is located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. Lying southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about a thousand kilometers from the Asian continent, Maldives, unknown to many is a country with a lot of amazing tourist sites.
With its 1,200 islands and 26 atolls, Maldives is blessed with an incredible beauty and splendor of nature. Its pulsating blue seas, shiny-sandy beaches, extraordinary reefs and exotic islands also adds more icing to the cake, making Maldives stand out as country with the potential to dumbfound any tourist.
December to April is the best time to visit the Maldives because that’s the time the weather conditions becomes a bit dry and favorable for watersports.
Below are some of the things to do or attractions to see which make visiting Maldives a dream come true for any tourist.
Male
It is the capital of Maldives and is known for its ancient mosques and colorful buildings. It also has an exclusive package of heritage buildings on one hand and trees, waters with welcoming shades on the other hand, giving tourists a “welcome of a lifetime”.
Banana Reef
This is one of the oldest reefs discovered in the Maldives and is adorned with magnificent caves, gorgeous cliffs, stunning coral growths and powerful overhangs. Banana Reef contains sharks, barracudas and groupers, making it one of the world’s most popular dive sites.
Water Sports
This will definitely put beams of smiles on the faces of most sports lovers. The natural environment of the islands in Maldives, with crystal clear lagoons and turquoise blue waters gives any sports lover the perfect combination for a natural water sports arena. The technological advancement of water sports in the Maldives also makes viewing a more enthralling experience.
Artificial Beach
The Artificial Beach, located in Male is the only man-made beach in the Maldives. With its refreshing views and a welcoming climate, this crescent-shaped beach is one of the places you’d have to visit.
Hulhumale
The Hulhumale is a priceless island which sprawls across 188 hectares of palm trees and awesome beaches, with a perfect blend of urban life to match. It is a spotless island with an awesome green architecture and a scene of poetic beauty.
Maafushi Island
Call this one “Paradise on earth”. This island is where most people go to reinvigorate their stress/fatigued bodies due to the tranquility it wields. It is a haven of serenity.
Dolphin & Whale watching with Sunset Cruises
For your leisure, the Maldives is ideal for observing the displays of the Dolphins and Whales. The Maldives possesses a wide range of species of dolphins and whales.
Grand Friday Mosque
With its golden and glowing dome, the Grand Friday Mosque in Male which will definitely steal your attention.
Mulee’age Palace
This artistically constructed edifice is the Presidential Palace of the President of the Maldivian republic. It is situated opposite the Hukuru Miskiiy and is a site you’ll definitely love to see.
China-Maldives friendship bridge
This is a 2-kilometer long bridge which connects Male to the airport island of Hulhule and by extension, the Hulhumale island. This bridge was constructed as a part of the Belt and Road initiative and was largely funded by China, a gesture which strengthened the bond between both nations. This bridge is also called the Sinamale Bridge.
Maradhoo Island
This is a very exotic island located in Addu Atoll. Its serene atmosphere will definitely want to make you stay longer in the Maldives.
Kudahavadhoo Island
This is the capital island of the Dhaalu Atoll and is famed for its architectural importance as a result of the presence of mysterious mounds called ‘hawittas’. The mounds are believed to be ruins of unexcavated Buddhist temples. Preserved in this island are remains of an ancient mosque which had coral-stone carvings.
Tomb of Muhammad Thakurufaanu
This is the tomb of Maldives’ national hero Mohammed Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam who liberated the country from Portuguese colonial rule. He is revered as one of the greatest rulers of Maldives.
Huraa Island
This island is home to the Bikini beach, a popular tourist attraction in the Maldives where tourists are allowed to wear bikinis and revealing swimwear.
Other exciting sites to visit are the Landhoo, which has the largest Mangrove vegetation; Nilandhoo island, which has the Foah’mathi (a historical place which is believed to have a Buddhist temple beneath it); the Isdhoo island, which is home to a 300-year-old mosque; the Guraidhoo island, which is known for the colorful houses and choral chunks which surrounds it; the Ukulhas Island, surrounded by coral reefs and exotic blue lagoons and a host of other invigorating places.
More so, Maldives grants free tourist visa or visa-on-arrival status to all nations of the world for thirty days! However, citizens of India and Russia’s package is quite exclusive – these citizens can enter the Maldives for 90 days, without a visa.
Entry requirements
To visit the Maldives; all visitors must:
- Hold a passport (MRP) or a travel document with at least 6 months validity.
- Have a pre-paid hotel booking/accommodation.
- Have sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in Maldives.
- Have confirmed onward/return tickets to home country or to country of residence (not applicable for valid resident permit holders).
- Have entry documents to their next destination; for example, the visa.
- Have completed Disembarkation/Embarkation Card.
- Have yellow fever vaccination certificate (if applicable).
It’s also advisable to include India on your itinerary when visiting the Maldives. Return flights from India to Maldives cost approximately $300 from various Indian airports.
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