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This is a very important section that you might need to be aware of. This section will also contain information about the Maldives that you might need to know before you visit.

 

			WHAT TO PACK Sunscreen (high spf) Sunglasses Hat or Cap for shade from the sun Light cotton clothing Lotion (Aloe Vera) Insect Repellent Bathing Suits Personal diving or snorkeling equipment Credit Card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard US dollars
			ENTRY REGULATIONS A tourist visa of thirty days will be granted on arrival to all visitors with valid travel documents. A confirmed hotel reservation is required for immigration clearance, visitors without hotel reservation should seek assistance at the airport tourist information counter right outside the arrival hall. Prohibited Items:    * Narcotics and psychotropic substances    * Pornographic material    * Live pigs    * Religious materials offensive to Islam    * Idols (for worship) Restricted Items:    * Arms and ammunition    * Alcohol and Spirits    * Pork and its by-products    * Dogs    * Dangerous animals Items allowed when accompanied with certificates:    * Live plants and animals - a valid phytosanitary / sanitary certificate required    * Medicines - doctor's medical prescription required
			DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND CONSULATES Sri Lanka High Commission of Maldives in Sri Lanka 23, Kaviratne Place, Colombo 06, Sri Lanka Tel: (94-1) 500943 Fax: (94-1) 581200 E-mail: maldhc@sltnet.lk   United Kingdom High Commission of Maldives in London 22, Nottingham Palace, London WIM 3FB, United Kingdom Tel: (44-207) 2242135 Fax: (44-207) 2242157 E-mail: maldives.high.commission@virgin.net
			AIRPORT INFORMATION The first thing you’ll notice as soon as you get off the plane at Male’ International Airport is that the airport is on an exclusive island. From the air it looks like a giant aircraft carrier, the runway occupying most of the island. Catch a glimpse if you can. In fact to build the airport two islands have been connected through reclamation. However it is a full fledged international airport that can cater to the largest of aircraft and is well equipped with modern facilities. Located just over a kilometer away from Male’ the capital, the airport is connected to the rest of the country and resorts by boats and seaplanes.   The facilities available at Hulhule include:  * 88 transit hotel rooms in Hulhule Island Hotel,  * Business Centers.  * Internet Centers.  * Elevators, specially-designed toilets and telephones,  * Banks.  * Postal and telecommunications offices.  * Over 100 tax-free shops in both terminals.  * Food and beverage outlets serving a wide range of cuisine.  * 24-hour medical centre.  * Children's Play Area.  * Over 40 Travel agency counters.
			GETTING AROUND Apart from a few air services, there are no regular, scheduled transport links between the Maldives' atolls and islands. Transfers between airport and the resorts are arranged by agents as part of the resort package and are by seaplane, local boat (called dhoni), speedboat or launch. Boats and aircraft can be chartered for special trips, though this is expensive. Not many people need to travel between resorts, but the most straightforward way to do so is usually to go via the airport, taking the same boats or aircraft which carry arriving and departing vessels. Transport to and from nonresort islands can be arranged on cargo boats, but only by those who have the requisite travel permit. The other option is a "safari", cruising around the atolls on a live-aboard boat, with whatever stops for diving and sightseeing that we can arrange on request.
			CLOTHING Light Cotton clothes are recommended to ward off the heat and humidity. Nudism is an offense in the Country, and visitors are requested to respect the traditions and religion of the local people wearing clothes that cover the thighs and shoulders when visiting inhabited islands.
			BANKS AND CURRENCIES The local currency is the Rufiya, and US$ 1.00 is equivalent to approximately 12.85  Rufiya, all major currencies are accepted widely in the country. The most commonly used credit cards are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diner Club, JCB and Euro Card.   Banking hours are Sunday to Thursday: 08 am to 1:30 pm.
			HEALTH AND SAFETY Travelers across the world are understandably more concerned about personal safety and security issues today than ever before. We would like to inform all our  tourists that Maldives's track record for safety and stability is intact. Maldives's reputation as a safe and secure destination is well known and it enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Visitors to the Maldives do not require any vaccinations or medications against Malaria before traveling to the Maldives unless they are coming from a yellow fever infected region. The most common problem for tourists in the Maldives are sunburn and dehydration. The tropical sun is very intense in the country. And soft breezes on the islands and during boat rides can easily fool you. Some form of sun protection is necessary even for travelers with darker skin tones. A range of sun cream are available in Male' and in most resorts. It is also advisable to wear a t-shirt when snorkeling. To avoid dehydration drink lots of fluids. There are two hospitals in Male', many clinics, pharmacies and a number of good doctors both in private practice and at the hospitals. A physician is also within easy reach from all resort islands.
			COMMUNICATION Communication service in the Maldives is provided by the National Telecommunication Company DHIRAAGU. DHIRAAGU provides an efficient and reliable telephone service all over the Maldives. Whether you are on your chosen tourist resort or on any of the inhabited islands of the Maldives, you will have access to a telephone. On most resorts you will have international direct dial telephones in your room. Most cruising vessels also offer phone service. If you happen to make a visit to an island village nearby, it might be good idea to take a telephone card with you. Phone cards are available at many retail establishments including the shops on your resort. Your resort will also be able to provide you with fax service. DHIRAAGU also operates a pager service, a GSM mobile telephone service, along with the internet and cyber cafe' facilities. Please ask us if you need any of these services.
			TOURISM RELATED ORGANIZATIONS There are many sources of information about the Maldives, each providing a somewhat different angle from the others. For general information on the Maldives you may contact the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board of the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism also operates a tourist information office in Frankfurt, Germany.    MALDIVES TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD Bank of Maldives Building Boduthakurufaanu Magu Male’, Maldives Tel.(960) 323228 E-mail: mtpb@visitMaldives.com   Maldives Government Tourist Information Office Bethmannstr.58 60311 Frankfurt Tel: 069/2740440 Fax: 069/27404422 Email: maldivesinfo.ffm@t-online.de