Maldives
Arrange arrival and island transfers first, then add local apps only if your itinerary needs them
Complete the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration on the official Maldives Immigration portal within 96 hours before your arrival flight.
The essentials
What to know before you go to Maldives
Tourists normally receive a free 30-day visa on arrival if they meet the entry conditions, including a machine-readable passport, confirmed accommodation, onward travel and sufficient funds. The most important planning question is whether you are staying at a private resort or on inhabited local islands. Resorts arrange their own airport transfers, often by speedboat, domestic flight or daylight-only seaplane, so confirm the method, price, baggage allowance and arrival cutoff directly with the resort before flying. Independent island hopping is less standardized: RTL, scheduled speedboats, guesthouses and direct operators cover different routes, and weather can change services.
The currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa, while resorts commonly accept cards and US dollars. Carry clean US-dollar notes and some rufiyaa for local islands, where card acceptance and ATMs can be limited. Alcohol is restricted to licensed resort settings and must not be brought into the country. Dress modestly on inhabited islands and use designated bikini beaches.
Sea currents can be dangerous even near resorts, so follow local warnings and do not swim alone. For emergencies call 102 for an ambulance, 118 for fire services or 119 for police.
Ride Hailing
Malé Taxi Line
MTCC's state-run taxi service for Greater Malé, with booking, tracking, advance scheduling and card payment.
Food Delivery
FoodiesEssential
A Greater Malé delivery marketplace with more than 100 restaurants, cafés, home cooks and shops.
AVAS Food
A local alternative for restaurant delivery in Malé and Hulhumalé, with cash and online payment options.
Payments
Swipe by BML
A new MVR and USD wallet that foreign visitors can apply for and fund with eligible international cards.
Messaging
WhatsAppEssential
The principal channel for coordinating resorts, guesthouses, dive trips, excursions and island transfers.
Viber
A secondary messenger still used by some Maldivian transport operators, businesses and residents.
Navigation
Google MapsEssential
The best general map for Malé, Hulhumalé and inhabited-island landmarks, but not a complete ferry planner.
Transit
RTL Travel AppEssential
MTCC's official app for Greater Malé buses and supported public high-speed ferry routes and tickets.
Travel & Booking
IMUGA Traveller DeclarationEssential
The official free arrival declaration required within 96 hours before the flight to the Maldives.
Maldivian
The national airline's app for booking, managing and checking in for its scheduled domestic or international flights.
Language
Google Translate
Useful for written Dhivehi text on inhabited islands, although most tourism services also communicate in English.
Intercity Transport
RTL Travel AppEssential
The official booking and schedule tool for public high-speed ferries on participating RTL routes.
Odiapp
A marketplace for seats on participating scheduled speedboats and requests for private boat charters.
Utilities
Udha Maldives
A new government app for hazard alerts, weather, tide data, safety guidance and community incident reports.
Internet in Maldives
Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling
Guac
RecommendedReliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
Airalo
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Holafly
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Buying a local SIM card ID registration required
- Bring your passport; the seller registers the prepaid SIM during activation.
- Typical prepaid offers include around 20 GB, while starter prices begin near 30 MVR (~$1.95).
- Airport counters and city carrier stores are the easiest places to buy; confirm activation before leaving.
- Airport prices are usually higher than city or online prices.
- Local eSIM is available and follows the same identity rules as a physical SIM.
Airport bundles can cost far more than city or online offers; buy only enough data to get into town if needed.
Local carriers
Dhiraagu
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
Ooredoo Maldives
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have apps for traveling in Maldives?
The essential apps for Maldives are Avas App, Foodies, WhatsApp, Google Maps, RTL Travel App.
How many travel apps does Maldives have?
We've curated 15 apps across 10 categories for traveling in Maldives, including 7 essential apps.
What is the best ride hailing app in Maldives?
Avas App. The most established local ride app for cars, taxis and other vehicles across Greater Malé.
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