Useful information

Documents
No entry visa is required; possession of passport valid for at least three months following the date of entry is sufficient

Customs
Customs checks are extremely strict and the import of alcohol, meat and pork sausages, drugs, pornographic material and underwater fishing spear guns is prohibited.

Health regulations
No vaccination is needed.

Language
Both Divehi and English are spoken, although on board Italian-managed boats or resorts Italian-speaking staff is easily found.

Currency
Rufiyaa. 12.75 rufiye = 1 USD

Local time
Three or four hours ahead of Italian time, depending on daylight saving time.

Telephone communication
To ring Italy from the Maldives, dial the international code 0039, followed by the city’s code and the telephone number; to ring from Italy dial 00960. All tourist parts of the Maldives are covered by the GSM system.

Best time of year
The Maldives enjoy a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging between 26 and 32 degrees, and have two monsoon seasons, a dry and very windy season from November to April and a wetter season from May to October. The archipelago is not affected by cyclonic currents and can therefore be visited at any time of the year.

What to wear
Cotton clothing, swimming costume, hat and the essential sun glasses are advisable.