 | Maldives Shopping | Tips 1 - 10 of 35 |  | Popular Shopping | Other Shopping Tips | All Tips (35) Its so tiny,there really isnt a lot to buy.The man in the shop makes these pantysarongs,you can pick the material that you like and he will make them for you,they are typically Maldivian Trousers,there is a knack to putting them on aswell,they are not as simple as you think he he!
pantysarongs.For the men and the ladies,and children.
$20 but i can make them for less! Leave a Comment Theme: GiftsAddress: Maayafushi resortDirections: near reception on the beach,opposite the bar near the pier.
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On our trip to a local island, only about 20 minutes from Taj Exotica, we had about an hours free time. There are lots of souvenir shops, each painted in shocking pink and orange colours so you'll see them! We got all of our gifts/souvenirs from this island, and some nice crafty pieces too. They have loads of wood carvings, placemats, napkin rings, teas, keyrings, fridge magnets and the like. And the price is negotiable. There are no prices on the items, which was a bit annoying, so I picked everything I kind of liked and they tell you the prices at the till. I guess it depends how green you look on what price you get. I was told everything came up to $80, so I told them I only have $50 on me (which i did!) , and the deal was done.
Wooden carved items, fruity teas, handmade photo albums. Leave a Comment Theme: Local Craft
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My best tip shopping tip for the Maldives, would be *not* to shop at your resort. Most resorts arrange excursions to nearby local islands, and I highly recommend taking the opportunity to visit. Not only because these trips are your only chance of seeing what *real* Maldivian islands are like, but because the local islands offer some decent shopping - and because it's a better idea to support the local communities with your tourist dollars, rather than the resort owners. Most tourists will find prices on the tourist islands to be very inflated. We visited the local island of Rasdhoo (in the Rasdhoo atoll) - and found prices there to be *much* lower compared to Kuramathi. (1 USD for 1.5 liters of water, as opposed to 4.5 USD on Kuramathi!) There were lots of souvenir and handicraft shops on Rasdhoo, with a much better selection than on Kuramathi. You'll find a variety of souvenirs, such as t-shirts, bags and sarongs, all sorts of woodcarved items, paintings, woven mats - and of course the usual keyrings and fridge magnets. (But please, *please* avoid the shark teeth and jaws you'll find for sale!! More in my "Tourist trap" tip!) Postcards, drinks and snacks are available too. You'll also find Maldivian coin sets for sale - you probably won't even see Maldivian coins elsewhere, as the USD is what tourists generally use! Bargaining is a must on the local islands - but do it with a smile, and don't get too upset over a dollar or three!;o) Leave a Comment Theme: Local Craft
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The gift shops sell stuff such as colourful tropical fish fridge magnets, tropical fish ornaments, tropical fish books... you get the jist of it. But thats what the Maldives is all about. They also do posters/books etc of the Maldives and sarong thingys for women or the David Beckhams of the world, stuff like that. Leave a Comment Theme: Gifts
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The playing card is unique for every card. Each with one kind of fish. It's plastic coated. You can play and learn the marine life. Simply tell the sales you've bought it somewhere at this cost. Airport sell USD 5.
USD 3 each pack Leave a Comment Theme: GiftsDirections: in the souviner shop or airport
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When we were leaving I bought this book called Resorts of Maldives. It was a beautiful book with narratives of most of the islands of the Maldives. It's written by Adrian Neville, who also did the gorgeous photos - he has personal experience of all the places mentioned. I have tried to recommend it to some friends, but unfortunately it appears that it is rather impossible to find. They don't have it on Amazon and you can't google it either. I'm glad I bought it there, so that it can help me dream of the next time I go back... Leave a Comment Theme: Books
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You can do your shopping here on the local island, if you go on the island hopping trip. Their prices are much cheaper than the souvenior shop on the island and the airport. Bargaining is expected, most of the shops sells about the same thing. The funny thing is that the guide on the island pointed us to 4 shops that he says are chosen by the island chief for us to shop in. He told us that each day different shops are chosen for tourist to shop in, and there is no need for us to go to all the shops as they sell almost the same things. So, we did what he told us and found out that 1 of the shops belongs to him.. I bought fridge magnets, 4 for $3($5 each at the airport) Kids T-shirt $4 each($8 at the souvenior shop on the island) Man T shirt $6 Hand painted painting $6($20 at the airport) Mineral water $1($3 on the resort) Leave a Comment Theme: Local Craft
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Sun Island has its own little selection of shops. One of them is a jewellry shop. They have many hand made rings, necklaces and bracelets. Unfortunatly, as expected, the price is high. I didnt see any that weren't 3 figure sums. Not a bad idea if its your partners birthday or something though. The jewell stones are of good quality, and they even sell loose gemstones in a little gift box. And yes, of course, these are expensive too. Still, its worth a look. Leave a Comment Theme: JewelryAddress: Sun Island Resort and Spa
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Do not forget to buy souvenirs from Maale's handicraft shops. Get Maale's map from tourism counter at airport and it would be helpful for you to find these souvenirs shops. Most of souvenir shops are in the northern end of Chaandanee Magu which was earlier known as the Singapore Bazaar for its many imports from Singapore. Magu in local language means "Road". So do not worry if you see Magu written at every second place.
Souvenir shops are stocked with ample variety of gifts such as wodden fish, t-shirts, jewelry, maldivian mat woven with local natural fibers and many other items. Export of products made of turtle shel and black coral are not allowed so do not buy them. Many of these shops have sales guys standing outside and they would insist you to have a look at their shop. Many shops are decorated from outside with traditional Maldivian souvenirs and handicrafts.
You can pay by credit card or by cash. US dollars are easily accepted so no need to convert them to Maldivian Ruffiya. Try to bargain as much as you can. Leave a Comment Theme: Local CraftAddress: Chaandanee Magu, Maale, Maldives
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The whole road is full of shops selling clothes, electronics, jewelry, etc. Most shops open til 11pm. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherAddress: Majeedhee Magu
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