VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Country directory Maldives
Tourists arriving for up to 30 days do not need a visa. The visa is affixed to the passport upon arrival free of charge, valid for 30 days from the date of entry into the country. Citizens of the Russian Federation can visit the Maldives without an entry visa by presenting a foreign passport at passport control, return tickets with a specified date of departure, vouchers for tourist services and a minimum amount of $ 25 for each day of stay in the country. When leaving the country, a fee is charged.
There are no restrictions on the import or export of foreign and local currency. It is strictly forbidden to carry alcoholic beverages in any quantity, even those bought in Duty free stores, salami sausage, spearguns, pornographic publications and drugs. Turtle shells and corals are not allowed to be exported, except in decorative items.
Embassy in Maldives
Maldives, embassy in Moscow
Novokuznetskaya st., 11. Art. metro: Novokuznetskaya
Tel: 951-06-55
Secretary: 951-27-84
Reception: 230-28-89
Mon-Fri 9-16;
Maldives, Russian embassy in the country:
There is no Russian embassy in the Maldives. You can contact the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Colombo. Tel. (94-1) 57-35-55, 57-49-59 (around the clock).
Contact in Maldives
The entire territory of the country is divided into a number of telephone zones. The call can be made from any phone of the machine, working on the phone cards of the local operator “Dhiraagu” (cost 30, 50, 100, 200 and 500 rupees). Cards can be bought at the special “Dhiiraagu Teleshop” store in the capital or from card vendors on any of the major islands.
There are no public telephones on a number of islands, and communication is carried out from call centers (they usually work from Sunday to Thursday from 7.30 to 20.00, on Fridays – from 14.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays – from 9.00 to 18.00), serviced by telephone operators. The cost of a call depends on the distance and is slightly higher than from a pay phone. From 24.00 to 06.00 the cost of a call is 20% cheaper. Mobile phones of most standards do not work in the Maldives, but you can rent a phone from the office of the local operator “Dhiraagu” (tel.: 322-802).
Emergency Phones in Maldives
Police – 119.
Fire service – 118.
Ambulance – 102.
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1 – New Year
January 8-10 – Eid al-Fitr – end of Ramadan fasting
March 15-18 – Eid al-Kebir – Day of Sacrifice
April 6 – Islamic New Year
June 4-5 – National holiday
June 15 – Mulud – Day Birthday of the Prophet
July 26-27 – Independence Day
November 11-12 – Republic Day
September 1 – Hurawi Day October
28 – Martyrs’ Day
November 3 – Victory Day
USEFUL THINGS
There is no “star” classification of hotels in the Maldives, the following hotel classification is used: Deluxe, Superior, Standard, which approximately corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3-star hotels. A special classification was introduced due to the specificity of local hotels located on small islands with limited infrastructure, where accommodation is offered in bungalows or cottages no higher than 2 floors. When choosing a hotel, it is recommended to carefully read the specific list of services provided by a particular hotel.
In hotels, almost all services are provided on credit and upon presentation of a hotel card. As a rule, after the amount of services provided reaches 700 US dollars, it is necessary to pay the debt, after which the loan is renewed.
In accordance with the laws of the Republic of Maldives and the rules established in hotels, it is strictly prohibited to:
Break, tear live and dead corals in the ocean and near the coast, damage the shells and lift them to the surface. Penalties apply for violations.
Catch fish near the islands. For this purpose, fishing is organized in hotels, both for ordinary and large non-commercial fish, spearfishing is strictly prohibited.
Throw empty cans, tin, glass and plastic bottles and other rubbish on the islands. Use the waste bins provided for this.
It is forbidden to visit the capital Male and the islands where the locals live in beachwear. It is recommended to wear clothes that cover the body from the shoulder to the knee. Nudism and topless (topless) are prohibited by law (the exception is the island of Kuramachi, where topless is allowed). Penalties apply for violations.
It is recommended to drink mineral water or other factory-bottled drinks.
SHOPS
According to medicinelearners, shops are usually open from 09.00 to 13.00 from Saturday to Thursday. The day off, as in all Islamic countries, is Friday.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Despite the fact that the Maldives, as an Islamic state, is relatively liberal, visitors to the country must carefully observe the laws. In the Maldives, it is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places (outside the resort area), swimming naked (as well as “topless”) on all islands of the archipelago, fishing in the immediate vicinity of the coast, it is forbidden to catch and tear live or dead corals in the ocean or near coast. Violation of the laws of the country can lead to imprisonment. For a walk in Male, it is recommended to dress in accordance with Muslim ideas about morality: long trousers or skirt, shirt or blouse.
ELECTRICITY
220V, 50Hz;
HEALTH
Vaccinations against hepatitis A and B are recommended. Medical services are paid. To avoid problems, you should take out insurance.
