Capital city, Maldives
Malé
Tiny, dense island capital that most visitors pass through between the airport and the resorts. Quick for permits, cheap local food and diving trips; there is no beach, no alcohol and little to do.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,940–3,240Comfortable, one person · Rf30,000–50,000Details
- Value for money31/100Better value than 30% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–AprWarmest: May, 29°CDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTap water is desalinated but most people drink bottled.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$26–65Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTaxiVery walkableDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards at hotels, restaurants and shops; cash for taxis, ferries, local cafés and fish market.Details
Where to stay in Malé
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Malé city center | Fish market, mosques, local cafés, close to the ferry |
| Hulhumalé | Newer island with beaches, guesthouses and calm streets near the airport |
| Villimalé | Residential, cheaper rooms, local life |
Apps that work in Malé
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber, WhatsApp
- Taxis: Taxis have flat zone fares by hand signal and are cheap. Ride apps are not widely used by visitors.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Maldives.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards at hotels, restaurants and shops; cash for taxis, ferries, local cafés and fish market. ATMs are in town and at the airport.
- Currency: Rufiyaa (MVR). US$1 ≈ Rf15.44 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in Malé, Hulhumalé, the airport and larger islands; many local islands have none.
- Tipping: A 10% service charge is added to most bills, plus tax. Many resort guests also tip staff a few dollars a day.
- Paying by phone: Cards and phone wallets work at resorts and most Malé businesses; local QR payments need a Maldivian account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa on arrival requires a confirmed, prepaid booking at a registered resort or guesthouse, a return ticket and enough funds.
- Submit the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival; every traveller, including children, needs one.
- Israeli passport holders have been refused entry since 15 April 2025.
Emergency numbers
Police 119 · Ambulance 102 · Fire 118
Plugs
Type C, D, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Dhiraagu and Ooredoo counters in the Velana airport arrivals hall sell tourist SIMs; bring your passport. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Maldives
Going to Malé solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.