Visa free Vacation Destination: The Maldives

Do you need a vacation badly, a destination wedding, or a memorable honey moon, or even a relating baby boom and do not have the time for visa processing? well, look no further, the Maldives is one of your best options. You do not need a pre-approved visa to get into the Maldives, this applies to all nationalities. This makes it top destination especially for African passport holders who are mostly hindered by visa application process for vacation destinations around the world.

What you need to get into The Maldives

1. You must have a valid passport or travel document with at least 1 month validity.
2. Confirmed hotel booking
3. Confirmed return/onward ticket.
4. Traveller health declaration form to be filled on imuga to register your arrival and departure from Maldives
5. You also need a covid test that 96 hours before your flight (check your country’s travel advice).
6. Yellow fever certificate for Endemic countries countries(although, I wasn’t asked for that; but just to be safe, take it with you if you have one). Viola! You’re all set.

Now, lets get to the Tea!

Travelling during Covid

This was my first travel post lockdown and I wasn’t sure if I would be allowed to travel as restriction rules changed everyday. I had planned my birthday get-away and was determined nothing was going to stop it. The UK had just introduced the light category for travel and Maldives was on the Amber list. I got to Heathrow airport on the morning of my flight to find it almost empty,  to my surprise, no questions asked about reason for travel, just had to show my flight ticket. Lucky me!

The Maldives fight duration

 

Male Maldives airport and Alcohol ban

The queue was at the immigrations was a bit long because about 3 airlines landed at close intervals. They only asked for the health declaration form and my covid test, although I heard them ask someone else for hotel reservation confirmation. After clearing immigrations, I was approached by customs and told that I had to drop all alcohol in my luggage because alcohol is not allowed into the country. (This doesn’t mean you can’t buy at the stores or hotel, you just can’t bring it into the country). Anyway, I had to drop the bottles grudgingly. The entire airport arrival clearance took about 20mins.

 

Getting to the resort in Maldives

There are over 1200 small coral islands in the Maldives. To get to the resort on Huruelhi Island Male, where my hotel was, I had to book a Trans Maldivian airways sea plane transfer to the Resort. Il advice to always take the national carrier when in doubt or faced with unfamiliar options. The sea plane ride was verrrryyyy bumpy and noisy😨. This was my first time on a sea plane so I must confess I was a bit startled.

The ride lasted for another 40mins and the views from the seaplane was absolutely stunning showing islands and blue landscapes.

Radisson Blu Resort Maldives – Welcome to Paradise

We finally arrived at the Radisson Blu resort and were welcomed with bright smile and refreshing drinks. Our luggage were offloaded from the seaplane and I was shown my room….oh my!!! I was absolutely blown away. I had booked the overwater villa that was surrounded by the Indian ocean. It was either that or the villas by the beach which is more suitable for family vacations with little children or older people.

But as a young “baby girl/boy”, you want to stay on the overwater villa with a private swimming pool.

The distance from the over water villas to the restaurants can be quite far, so for easy transport around the islands, its best you request for a bicycle at the front desk or wait for the buggy (they can take a while to get to you due to high demand) or walk just like normal people. lol 😝.

There are about 5 restaurants on the island but “Raha” was always the venue for breakfast. The buffet breakfast spread every morning gave me a foodgasm just at the sight it, trust me to eat to the fullest.

and you can also feed the fishes while you also eat

Activities to do in the Maldives

Some resorts can have a small souvenir shops but thats as far as shopping goes, there are no malls or shopping complex (except maybe at the city center). The Radisson resort had a basket ball and tennis court for sports, a library, a gym and a children’s play building or you can just take long walks…the serene environment does wonders for your mind.

or you can just have a chilled day at the pool

and watch the sunset by your room

Sunset by the beach

Because its an island, you are limited to water activities. I went on a 1 hour boat ride to the middle of the Indian ocean where I saw dolphins in their natural habitat and then went snorkelling.  The ocean was incredibly clear and soooo full of beauty.

If you are like me and love adventures, you will love this. Trust me, it was an amazing experience😍

One thing you must not miss out on, is a spa day in the Maldives. You can either book an all inclusive for your hotel stay or pay at the hotel. Getting a massage with a view like that felt like I was being treated by the angels themselves

How much does a trip to The Maldives cost?

Flight: The Maldives is quite expensive….flight cost on the average is $450 depending on when and where its booked. As a general rule, the earlier you book, the cheaper

Transfer: There is also an additional cost of transfer from the airport to your hotel *always check the hotel fine print on transfers*. Depending on your hotel location, you will need a seaplane or a boat transfer. The price can range from $50 to $500 per person. My transfer from Male airport to Radisson Huruelhi island cost $450.

 

Hotel: Your choice of hotel is highly dependent on your budget. The high end, luxury hotels cost about $900 above per night, the mid cost resorts start from $250 per night and lastly, the budget accommodations can range between $50 to $100 dollars per night.

Water Activities cost: On the average $80 but the really fun ones start from about $150. of-course these depend on your hotel.

Food: You’re most likely to spend $100 per day on feeding if you want a 3 squared meal.  Budget for higher if you plan on including a romantic dinner

Overall, the total cost depends  on the kind of spender you are and the experience you are looking to have.

Downside/Cons

The Water activities are hugely dependent on the weather condition…you can have your entire day ruined because the water rose above sea level which can pose a danger.

Not recommended for long stays (more than 10 days) you can quickly forget other world exist asides the ocean and trees.