Tourist Attractions in Maldives

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In Club Med Kani I recommend standard beach bungalows from room number 220 to 250. Deluxe Villa and Water Bungalows very highly overrated and two story buildings are not interesting, and the eastern side of the island is not prefferred for the beach because it is windy and shallow. Deluxe Beach Villa has non-working Jakuzzi. It is a shame that Club Med using this feature in their web site as part of advertisement. Avoid Water Bungalows: Strong Current Warning Sign Put by Club Med, Baby sharks a lot, water so shallow you can not jump,swim. Only walk.

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Every tourist hotel in the Maldives, outside of Malé, is an isolated island where there is no need for money. For every drink, meal and souvenir, you just sign you name and write your room number down. So far, so good. Then you notice that there is a place to put a tip (gratuity) when you are signing. Well it was a good drink, so you put down a tip for Mr. Bartender. Besides you are drunk in Paradise, so it seems like a good move at the time.

Then when you check out – you get the whole bill.

POW! What’s that? A service charge of 10% on everything!!!!

Yes, you just tipped someone 20-40%!

Unique Suggestions: Do not tip on written bills! Save a few coins here and there if you really want to for the real hard workers in the resort. These are the guys who move your incredibly heavy bags (pictured) and the guys who clean the beach every morning – 7 days a week.

Your room person? Pennies only. They are going to be charging you 10% for every can of overpriced soda.

Maldives is a heaven for romance, and a nice place for family vacation too. I stayed in Paradise Island last time. There is a big resort on that island with completed facilities, providing all the convenience you want. Price of everything (from hotel to food)on Maldives islands are high. But the beautiful atol scenery are definitely worth of visitng, at least once. Have a good time.

Only 4 counties in the world do not allow you to bring alcohol into the country with you: Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iran and the Maldives. Unlike the first 3, the Maldives will happily “detain” your Duty Free alcohol and then promptly serve you alcohol before you even leave the airport area - at a huge price. Yes - total hypocrisy. A small can of coke costs $2.50 and a small beer will always set you back a staggering $5-8. I read somewhere that prices are high because everything has to be imported and shipped by boat. Give me a break. This is huge national racket and more economics than cultural sensitivities. Every hotel has at least 1 if not 5 well-stocked bars. In your room you will find a mini-bar with the exact same prices as the bar. Easy to control, easy to extort.

Unique Suggestions: Either take a lot of money, stop drinking or sneak it in.

You can buy all the shells and corals you want, most probably you will not even be stopped as you leave the Maldives - although it is highly forbidden. But woe on you if you get caught when you enter your home country. They are most probably stricter with the rules for the protection of the environment. You won't only loose your souvenirs, but also get a hefty fine.

Personally I think it is a pity that they don't look at this more closely in the Maldives, but fact is, that you can buy big shiny coral shells on the streets and in the shops.
I was told that the shiny ones are looking that good because they fish out the living snails and mussels for it. If they would take the ones where the animals already died, they would not be that shiny anymore.
So think well, before you buy one of these.

Some of the sellers will assure you it was perfectly all right to take the shells or corals with you. Some may even offer "certificates". Don't believe them.

Fun Alternatives: There are enough souvenirs and products you can buy without harming the environment. Go for these instead.

There's not really tourist traps in the Maldives, people is honest.

But you have to be careful and dont accept to buy coral, shark teeths or stuff made with turtles. We must preserve Maldives environment and animals !.

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Alcohol is not allowed to be brought into the Maldives so unless you are all inclusive buying alcohol in the Maldives resorts are very expensive. Wine is not usually included in the all inclusive deal just with meals. Also branded spirits are not included they have their local version. The mini bars in your room are also usually chargeable. Lion larger is OK and served icey cold.

Unique Suggestions: Tip the Bar staff well and they will give you larger measures.

Enjoy a day sight seeing around the small but busy capital but beware you'll be followed by locals who'll offer to give you a tour of the island in exchange for a visit to their shop. If you wish to wander around alone you'll have to be firm with them as they don't seem to understand the word NO. The capital is compleltely safe to walk around alone and when visiting shops haggle like crazy to get the best price!