Maldives 4N3Đ: A DIY Adventure
Seriously, this place is a paradise of islands and ocean! 🐬🌴🗾
I took this trip in April 2025.
The best time to visit the Maldives is between December and April. This season offers the least amount of rain and the clearest skies.
1/ Visa Information
The Maldives offers visa-free entry for many nationalities. Simply bring a printed copy of your hotel booking and return flight ticket. They'll check these documents before you board your flight.
Upon arrival at Maldivian immigration, present these documents, and they'll stamp your passport.
2/ Currency
The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa. It is recommended to exchange your currency for USD before exchanging to Rufiyaa once in Maldives.
You might be pleasantly surprised by the exchange rates, which can be more favorable for visitors compared to what you see online.
3/ Transportation
Flights to the Maldives from Vietnam require a transit; I chose to transit in KUL (Kuala Lumpur).
The capital of the Maldives is Malé, where you can get around by car or motorbike. Upon arriving at the airport, head straight to the harbor area where you'll find a line of taxis. Negotiate the fare with the driver.
Traveling between islands involves ferries. Remember to book your tickets in advance.
Consider booking your transport with a well-known agency.
4/ Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrived late at 9 PM, so I spent the night in Malé.
- Day 2: Traveled by ferry to Maafushi. Enjoyed a full-day tour booked through the hotel.
- Day 3: Spent the day on a resort tour.
- Day 4: Traveled back to Malé and flew to Sri Lanka.
5/ Food and Drink
I personally found the local cuisine challenging. Most dishes were quite salty, even the milk! Maafushi Island offers a variety of restaurants with European and Thai options, which I found to be more palatable than the local food.
Seafood is the star of the show here, so I didn't have high expectations for other types of food.
The beaches are absolutely stunning! 🏖️
```