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.
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.
MTCC's state-run taxi service for Greater Malé, with booking, tracking, advance scheduling and card payment.
A new MVR and USD wallet that foreign visitors can apply for and fund with eligible international cards.
The best general map for Malé, Hulhumalé and inhabited-island landmarks, but not a complete ferry planner.
MTCC's official app for Greater Malé buses and supported public high-speed ferry routes and tickets.
The official free arrival declaration required within 96 hours before the flight to the Maldives.
The national airline's app for booking, managing and checking in for its scheduled domestic or international flights.
Useful for written Dhivehi text on inhabited islands, although most tourism services also communicate in English.
The official booking and schedule tool for public high-speed ferries on participating RTL routes.
A marketplace for seats on participating scheduled speedboats and requests for private boat charters.
A new government app for hazard alerts, weather, tide data, safety guidance and community incident reports.
Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Airport bundles can cost far more than city or online offers; buy only enough data to get into town if needed.
Best choice for broad coverage, including rural areas.
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
The essential apps for Maldives are Avas App, Foodies, WhatsApp, Google Maps, RTL Travel App.
We've curated 15 apps across 11 categories for traveling in Maldives, including 7 essential apps.
Avas App is the top-rated ride hailing app in Maldives. The most established local ride app for cars, taxis and other vehicles across Greater Malé.
Tracked rides, official tickets and cash backups make Bangladesh easier to navigate
Prepare entry, payments and city-specific transport before a complex trip
Use two ride apps, book scenic trains early, and keep cash beyond the cities
Use ride apps in Kathmandu, carry cash beyond cities, and verify every trekking permit
inDrive in the cities, cash for daily life, and official alerts for the road north
