5 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO MALDIVES | Maldives TRAVEL TIPS

Mar 9

Our Maldivian Dream: Exploring Paradise and Local Culture!

Our Maldivian adventure might have come to an end, but the memories of this breathtaking paradise will last a lifetime! It's truly a place unlike any other, and we learned so many fascinating things about the islands and their culture during our stay. If you're wondering if the Maldives is worth it, we're here to tell you: absolutely! Come along as we share how we spent our days in this incredible destination.

A Taste of the Maldives: Food and Flavors

Every morning started with a delicious breakfast, offering a wonderful variety from Western to Asian, and even some authentic Maldivian dishes. One of the most interesting things we learned was about Maldivian cuisine itself. Coconuts are king here, with some of the tallest coconut trees in the world! Their rice is often coconut-based, and they even have a traditional drink made from coconut tree sap.

Being surrounded by 90% ocean, it's no surprise that fishing is a huge part of Maldivian life. Tuna is their number one catch, and we enjoyed plenty of it during our Maldivian food experience – so fresh and flavorful!

Island Hopping and Water Adventures

Getting around the islands is an experience in itself! We often used buggies or golf carts, but for crossing between larger islands, we took a traditional dhoni (ferry). The scenery as you glide across the turquoise waters is simply unforgettable.

Our resort, the Conrad Maldives, offered a fantastic array of complimentary non-motorized water activities, which we made sure to take advantage of on our last day. We loved taking a pedal boat out onto the crystal-clear water, just like we used to do in Turkey! The Maldives is made up of about 1200 islands, with over 90% water, making it the flattest country in the world. Only about 200 islands are inhabited, with the rest dedicated to resorts or agriculture. We were even hoping to spot some friendly (non-biting) sharks during our explorations!

Of course, snorkeling was a huge highlight. We picked up our free equipment from the dive center and dove into the vibrant underwater world. The fish species here are truly unique and mesmerizing – a truly unforgettable experience.

Climate, Culture, and Charm

The Maldives has two distinct seasons: dry (October to April) and monsoon. We visited during the dry season, which meant plenty of sunshine. It's interesting to note that the overwater villa concept was developed here to adapt to the monsoon season!

We quickly became friends with the amazing staff, especially our bartender during happy hour! Their hospitality truly made our stay special, and we completely understand why so many guests return year after year. Happy hour on the beach with delicious snacks and stunning views was the perfect end to each day.

A unique aspect of Maldivian culture is that alcohol is generally forbidden outside of resorts and will be confiscated at customs. We also learned that before becoming a Muslim country, the Maldives was Buddhist, and you can still find some ancient Buddhist shrines on other atolls – something we'd love to explore on a future visit!

A Seaplane Farewell

Our departure was by seaplane, a truly spectacular way to see the scattered islands from above. While seaplanes can sometimes be a bit delayed, ours was surprisingly on time! We even made a quick stop at another island before heading to Malé, the capital and most populated island, home to about 150,000 people.

With a total population of around 550,000 across thousands of islands, the Maldives boasts incredible diversity, with different dialects and traditions from north to south. Learning about the Maldivian people and their culture from various islands was a truly enriching experience.

Our Final Thoughts: Paradise Found!

Our seven days in the Maldives flew by in a blur of breathtaking scenery, incredible food, and warm hospitality. It's a destination that truly lives up to its reputation as paradise on Earth. From snorkeling in vibrant reefs to learning about local customs, every moment was a treasure. We can't recommend a trip to the Maldives enough – it's an experience you'll never forget!

Have you been to the Maldives? Share your favorite memories or tips in the comments below!