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Hotels in the Maldives to Serve the Purpose

By: Maldives Hotels Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Are you planning a vacation trip but cannot decide on the place to visit, then here is the perfect destination – Maldives. It is the best country with exotic spots full of rich and natural beauty. In this country, you can visit more than 1200 islands that are formed from the coral barrier reefs that encircle each one. The unique atolls are surrounded by the most magnificent white sands and lapped by crystal clear lagoons that are brimming with marine life. Doesn’t it sound romantic? Once you visit the place, you will believe that Maldives is one of the wonders of the world. The culture and tradition of Maldives also makes the nation the ultimate holiday spot for the vacationers. You will notice the combination of the African music and South Asian cuisine along with the essence of belongingness, which will persuade you to stay in Maldives forever. You will not find any difficulty in your holiday as the travel and tourism business is booming and a variety of hotels in the Maldives ensure to provide excellent services for comfortable and relaxing stay. You will also get familiar with the Maldives resorts, the geographical condition and even the dressing styles.
Geography

The Republic of Maldives is situated in the south of India and west of Sri Lanka, on the equator. Its 1,190 coral islands form a collection of 26 major atolls that stretch 820km north to south, and 120km east to west, deep in the Indian Ocean. Just over 200 islands are inhabited and 87 are dedicated to exclusive Maldives resorts. It's a nation with less than one per cent land mass over 99 per cent sea with no island longer than about 7km or higher than 1.3m above water level.
Language

Dhivehi is the most common language in the Maldives, but English is also widely spoken and there is little problem with visitors making themselves understood. A variety of languages are spoken by the resort island staff including English, French, German, Italian and even some Japanese.
Climate

The Maldives sits in the calm equatorial belt and the temperature remains at a steady 30 degrees Centigrade, with sunshine all year round. The driest months are from December to April, and the sun is at its hottest from February to April and coolest in December. The most humid months run from May to November.
Health

No vaccinations are required unless visitors are traveling from areas where yellow fever is endemic, in which case proof of yellow fever vaccination is required. Almost all resort islands have a resident doctor and decompression chambers are within easy reach for diving emergencies.

Spas

Travelers seeking a pampering break can be spoiled in the Maldives, home to numerous excellent spas. Some are owned and managed by resorts, others are well known spa chains operating within the hotels. There are a huge number of services on offer, often combining traditional Asian therapies with classic European spa techniques.

Shopping

The place to shop on the Maldives is Male.

* Majeedhee Magu, the main road on the island, for well-stocked shops selling just about everything including clothing, jeweler, cosmetics, watches, electronics and more, open until 11pm.

* Local market on the northern waterfront for stalls selling fruit, vegetables, homemade sweets, pickles and dried fish.

* Chaandhanee Magu, the second main road on the island, for souvenir shops, many selling items from Singapore.

Dress code

Most of the people in Maldives are Muslim and, the dress code is European-style on the resort islands (although topless bathing is strictly forbidden), women would be advised to dress moderately while walking in Male.

Money matters

The Maldivian currency is the rufiyaa, which is divided into 100 laarees. The US dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency and resort islands accept most hard currency cash, as well as travelers' cheques. The majority of resorts are authorized money changers, and credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and most restaurants, including American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and Euro Card.

Most banks are in Male and open from 8am to 1.30pm Sunday to Thursday, or 9.30 to 12.30pm during Ramazan (Ramadan).
Enjoy your trip in Maldives and have a great stay in the Maldives hotels.