Maldives

People choose the Maldives quickly and plan the trip slowly. The country is made up of atolls, and almost every hotel occupies its own island, with its own reef, transfer and set of services. Picking the wrong island is an expensive mistake, because moving once you are there is difficult. That is why the main decisions are made at home, before the trip.

The first group of articles helps you choose when and where to go. We look at climate and weather month by month, the dry season and the rainy season, and the weeks when prices are lower. A separate piece covers New Year's in the Maldives for couples and families. There is an overview of atolls for vacations and diving, an article on the best months for seeing manta rays and large sharks, and a piece on Hanifaru Bay in Baa Atoll.

The second group is about where to stay. These are roundups: overwater bungalows, all-inclusive resorts, four-star hotels, resorts for families with children, hotels with snorkeling right off the beach. Alongside them are reviews of individual resorts, including Soneva Jani Maldives, Joali Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah, Lily Beach Resort and Spa and Four Seasons Kuda Huraa. In each review we look at the villas, the reef, the transfer and what is included in the price.

The third group answers questions about budget and practicalities. We compare a guesthouse with a resort, describe staying on local islands with guesthouses and ferries, gather ways to save money and take apart common myths about prices. Transfers get an article of their own: seaplane, speedboat or domestic flight. There are also pieces on eSIM and getting online without roaming, and on restrictions: what you cannot bring into the country and where swimming in a bikini is accepted.

Every article opens with a short conclusion, so the main point is visible right away. Practical sections follow: how to get there, what the rate includes, which charges are added to the bill, and who the option suits. For prices and rules we give the source and the date we checked them. We write about the downsides plainly: a long and expensive transfer, rain in the low season, a weak reef near the shore. There are no promotional ratings in the texts.

This section is meant for people who have already decided to go to the Maldives and are choosing between specific options. It suits couples, families with children, divers and travelers on a limited budget. If you are still comparing the Maldives with other countries, it will be less useful. There are no articles on city sightseeing routes here: people come for the sea, the reefs and the islands.

We suggest starting with the general articles: how to choose an atoll, a hotel and a meal plan, and the five checks to run on an island before you book. Then settle on the month of your trip using the articles on seasons. After that, choose the type of stay: a resort or a guesthouse on a local island. Leave the roundups and resort reviews for last, once your budget and atoll are clear. The articles on transfers, connectivity and restrictions will come in handy just before you fly.

The Maldives belong to the "Asia" category inside the "Destinations" section. The country has no subcategories, and all articles sit in a single list. If you are considering other options for a vacation by a warm sea, take a look at the neighboring categories: "Thailand", "Vietnam", "Indonesia", "India", "Turkey" and "United Arab Emirates". "Armenia" and "Azerbaijan" are on the same level, but those are trips of a different kind.

Prices, mobile rates, transfer schedules and import rules change, so we return to the articles and check them against the official websites of the resorts, the carriers and the government agencies of the Maldives. The date of the latest check is given in the text. Check entry rules and customs restrictions with official sources before your trip: our articles tell you exactly what to look for. The section keeps growing with new resort reviews and roundups. Before you decide, verify the month, the transfer and the full list of costs. Those three points are enough to make your choice of island an informed one.