Maldives

Picture this, you’ve just taken some time off work to go on the holiday of your life! You are searching for destinations on your phone, scrolling through Instagram reels, reading popular travel blogs, and asking your fellow traveler friends for some suggestions, though at the same time in the back of your mind, you have this constant image circling your thoughts- a destination nearby Nepal that offers serene tropical islands, towering palm trees, enchanting beaches, vibrant marine parks, and endless crystal clear skies! And if you are someone reading this and happen to be looking for this exact same list of things, then the Maldives just might be your dream destination!

Also referred to as the “Tropical Paradise” of Asia due to this destination having more than a thousand tropical islands, the Maldives is an independent island country located in the north-central Indian Ocean and is majorly made up of islands and sandbanks upon which many of the atolls (ring-shaped coral formations), cities, towns, and villages are built upon. Covering an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometers, only 298 square kilometers of the Maldives is dry land. Additionally, this nation has many scenic destinations, where a few of the most renowned ones are Male, Hulhumale, Addu, Naifaru, and Dhidhdhoo, which are known for their serene beaches, pleasant weather, and mouth-watering food cuisines! Likewise, this stunning nation is mostly inhabited by the Maldivian people, who follow Islam as their main religion, with the most commonly spoken languages here being Maldivian (also known as Dhivehi), Arabic, and Hindi.

Even though the Maldives is small in size, this country surely makes up for it in terms of its breathtaking and scenic natural attractions that are hard to find anywhere else in the world! Islands like Alimatha, Maafushi, Baros, and Milaidhoo offer some of the world’s most tranquil beaches, colorful lush green vegetation, and abundant marine life, making any traveler swoon over these scenic spots! Furthermore, this destination also offers many unique and intriguing travel experiences here, like there are all-glass underwater restaurants located 16 feet in the ocean where, while dining, you’re able to catch glimpses of the most colorful coral reefs and sea creatures through a glass dome! In a similar realm, scuba diving and snorkeling are some must-do activities in the Maldives, and if you want to catch a glimpse of popular marine life such as manta rays, barracudas, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and grey-white tip reef sharks up close and personal, then you can do that here in the Fuvahmulah Atoll! Encompassing a number of fun and memorable experiences, the Maldives is a slice of paradise waiting to be discovered by you!

Why visit the Maldives? 

The Maldives has been a top tourist attraction for many years, and rightfully so! With many picturesque islands, charming cities, and mouth watering cuisines, who wouldn’t want to visit this country? Below, we have listed reasons why you should keep the Maldives on your list of countries to visit.

• Visa on arrival: While traveling internationally, many travelers find the visa and documentation to be a stressful process, but if you’re planning to visit the Maldives (for Nepali citizens), a visa on arrival is provided, which means no waiting time or visa fee required, which makes the whole process of traveling to the Maldives simple and straightforward. You just need a passport that has a 6-month validity, upon which your visa on arrival will be provided. 
• Favorable climate: Another reason attracting millions of travelers to the stunning nation of the Maldives is due to its warm and tropical weather, where most of the months here are hot and humid, ideal for travelers who are interested in engaging in fun outdoor activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, or going on relaxing beach/nature walks. Furthermore, due to plentiful sunshine, you’ll be getting a ton of vitamin D during your trip as well!
• Delectable food cuisines: Incorporating a harmonious blend of Indian and Sri Lankan cuisines, the Maldivian cuisine majorly incorporates ingredients such as fresh coconut, various seafood, and fragrant herbs and spices. A couple of the most popular dishes here include mas huni (Maldivian breakfast), garudhiya (fish soup), bondi baiy (rice pudding), bajiya (deep-fried snack), and kulhi baokibaa (savory fish cakes) that are said to be well-loved by many tourists across the world. 
• A mix of luxury and relaxation: Being a top contender for honeymoon destinations, the Maldives is home to numerous high-end luxurious resorts and over-water villas where couples visiting here are able to experience the most luxurious travel experiences of their lives! For instance, many resorts provide their travelers with their own private pools, 24/7 butler services, fine dining facilities, relaxing couples’ spa treatments and even organize private excursions to islands and beaches.

Now, let’s learn about the most exquisite islands, popular cities and vibrant towns of the Maldives that offer a glimpse into the country’s stunning natural landscapes, historical landmarks and exciting water activities!

Male

If you happen to visit the Maldives, then you have to surely visit one of its thriving island cities, Male, which also happens to be its capital. Comprising 8.3 square kilometers, this city is broken down into 6 administrative divisions and is also one of the most densely populated cities in the Maldives. Additionally, in terms of tourism, this city is home to a plethora of historic landmarks, vibrant markets, and top-notch restaurants. For history and culture enthusiasts, destinations in Male like the Grand Friday Mosque, Hukuru Miskiy Mosque, National Museum, and Tsunami Monument are a few of the must-visit sights!

Likewise, if you want to immerse yourself in the rich cultural background of the Maldives, then you can explore thriving market areas/shops such as Male Fish Market, Male Local Market, Centro Mall, STO Trade Center, M Souvenirs and Chaandhanee Magu Street Market that also capture the everlasting beauty and spirit of this city! You’ll also be able to find a ton of food, clothes, accessories, and footwear options as well. In terms of the food cuisines, most of the foods served in this capital city are centered around ingredients such as seafood, fresh coconut, and fragrant spices and herbs. A few of the most prized dishes that are suited for the Nepali taste buds include garudhiya (fragrant fish curry), fihunu mas (grilled fish), biskeemiya (filled tuna and cabbage pastry), and fried yams.

COMO Cocoa Island

The COMO Cocoa Island is nothing less than a dream come true! Located in the south Male atoll, this is a luxurious private inland resort area perfect for couples looking to spend their honeymoon days. With more than 30 stunning overwater villas that are connected via wooden bridges, couples staying here are able to catch stunning views of the turquoise ocean waters and crystal blue skies directly from their rooms, adding a touch of surrealness to anyone’s vacation days! 

Additionally, this resort area has a number of lavish services ideal for couples who are into luxurious traveling. For couples who are into health and fitness, there is a wellness retreat and pilates/yoga center perfect for working out and getting those endorphins in while vacationing! Likewise for food lovers, there are many international cuisines available, from South Asian to Mediterranean, ideal for honeymooners who love exploring new cuisines. Moreover, one can get access to private fine dining services where the entire menu can be customized to their liking! Made for couples all around the world, the COMO Cocoa Island is surely one of the most prized destinations in the Maldives.

Addu City 

One of the most picturesque cities located in the Maldives has to be Addu, which is located in the southern region of Maldives. Divided into 6 districts, this city is also said to be one of the oldest atolls (ring-shaped islands made out of coral) that has become a major tourist hub in recent years. Further, due to this city being well connected in terms of road connectivity, travelers visiting this city can also rent bicycles and take a tour of scenic islands such as Gan and Maradhoo located within the city premises.

Travelers who are into adventurous water sports such as scuba diving and snorkeling will find Addu City an absolute paradise, where the Herathera Island is popular for its vibrant coral reefs and many species of marine life such as manta rays, turtles and even dolphins! For nature lovers, the Addu Nature Park is an unmissable spot, as this natural attraction has numerous mangrove trees, protected wetlands and tranquil lakes that can certainly boost anyone’s mood and energy! Additionally, other renowned destinations in this vibrant city include Gan Beach, Huludu Lagoon Beach, Herathera Island, Villingili Island, Usgandu Beach and Mathikilhi Eco Garden Meedho, which offer many serene natural attractions, a tranquil atmosphere and fun water activities.

Hulhumale

Just an hour away from the main capital Male, Hulhumale is another island city located in the Maldives popular for its scenic beaches, picturesque neighborhoods, and eco-friendly hotels. Looking in the past of this now-thriving city, Hulhumale was just an isolated island floating across the Indian Ocean, but after 1997 and the years after, an entire city was built on top of this island to reduce problems such as overpopulation and congestion occurring in Male. In the current time, this city has some of the most gorgeous beaches (Hulhumale and Eastern), serene parks (Central Park and Fehires Park), and tranquil spa resorts (Club Blu and Avoca Inn) that you can definitely add to your bucket list of options when exploring this charming city!

Additionally, for adventure lovers, this city offers many exciting water sport activities like snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, and scuba diving that are surely a fun and memorable way to experience this vibrant city! On top of this, one of the popular beaches, Hulhumale Beach, is especially known for its magical-glowing waters! where during April-November the waters flowing in this beach are inhabited by bioluminescent plankton (tiny marine organisms) that swim in the beach and glow when they go through a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence, leading to the surface water of the beach to illuminate as well, often looking like clusters of stars floating on water! Furthermore, for food lovers, this city also offers an array of both Maldivian, Indian, and Sri Lankan cuisines that share a similar flavor profile to Nepali cuisine, bringing a level of comfort while traveling.

Fuvahmulah

Travel to Fuvahmulah, also known as Maldives' very own shark island! For tourists seeking thrilling/exciting activities, this island city is the ideal destination for you to visit, as you can spot rare breeds of sharks like grey-white reef, tiger, and whale while going scuba diving and snorkeling! Consequently, this city also houses the Fuvahmulah Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the perfect destination here to explore if you are a nature lover, as this reserve comprises lush mangrove trees, freshwater lakes, diverse corals, and protected wetlands. 

Likewise, a few of the most historic attractions located here include Kedeyre Mosque, Vasho Veyo Circular Bath, and Gen Mosque, which have helped to capture the island’s rich history and cultural legacy. What’s more is that this scenic island also offers many eateries ideal for food enthusiasts to visit during their trip, where a couple of the most renowned ones that you can add to your travel list prized by locals include Bisque Icicles/Drippers (cafes) and Baabaa Gaadiya/Cool Banana (restaurants), where you’ll find an array of amazing Maldivian cuisine to indulge in.

Maafushi

Located in the southern region of the Maldives, the Maafushi island is another spectacular destination loved by travelers from all around the world! Home to numerous pristine beaches, vibrant souvenir shops and budget friendly guesthouses, Maafushi is truly an unmissable island you have to explore while in the country! This island has many picturesque beaches like Kaani Palm, Maafushi, Crystal Sands and Sunrise, that offer the most beautiful crystal clear waters and soft-golden sand, creating the perfect atmosphere for going on peaceful nature walks, watching breathtaking sunsets or simply sunbathing in these gorgeous beaches! Due to the Gulhi and Guraidhoo islands being close to Maafushi, tourists can also travel to these islands through a ferry boat in just 1-2 hours, making it another popular destination of the Maldives. 

Best time to visit the Maldives 

The Maldives has two major distinctive seasons, which consist of the wet season (May–October) and dry season (November–April). Due to travelers having different preferences for weather and travel activities, the best time for you to visit this beautiful nation would be during the dry season, which starts in November and lasts until April. During this time period, this country experiences a warm and humid climate with plenty of sunny days, with temperatures mostly averaging from 26 to 36 degrees celsius. A handful of activities that you can participate in to get the best travel experience here are going island hopping (in Alimatha, Maafushi, and Baros), engaging in adventurous sport activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and parasailing (in Lhaviyani and Fuvahmulah), seeing historic sites (in Male), or simply dining in restaurants/cafes to enjoy the mouthwatering Maldivian cuisine! (in Male, Gaafu, and Mailladidhoo).

If you’re planning to visit the Maldives, then you should definitely look into our honeymoon packages that are bound to take you on a journey like no other!