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Maldives

3.20° N, 73.22° E

One resort per island, reached by speedboat or seaplane from Malé. The Maldives does overwater villas, house reefs and seclusion better than anywhere, at prices that climb quickly once taxes, transfers and meal plans are counted.

Best season
Dec–Apr
Getting there
Velana (MLE) + speedboat/seaplane
Currency
Maldivian rufiyaa; US dollars widely used at resorts
Typical stay
5–7 nights

Maldives guides

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Planning a Maldives trip

The Maldives suits anyone whose idea of a holiday is one island, one villa and very little to organise once you arrive. Each resort occupies its own island, so the hotel you book is effectively the destination: its reef, restaurants and transfer shape the whole week. Couples and honeymooners are the obvious fit, but larger resorts with kids' clubs and shallow lagoons work well for families too. If you want road trips, markets or hiking, look at Mauritius or Seychelles instead.

When to go

December to April brings the driest, calmest weather, with February and March the most reliable months for sunshine. From mid-May to November the south-west monsoon adds cloud and squalls, yet showers usually clear quickly, rates drop and Baa Atoll fills with feeding manta rays. Avoid the Christmas and New Year fortnight if you are watching the budget, since prices peak sharply.

Getting there and the final leg

International flights land at Velana airport beside Malé, and the resort then collects you. Speedboats serve North and South Malé Atoll in under an hour and run at any time. Seaplanes reach Baa, Raa, Noonu and other outer atolls but fly in daylight only, so a late landing means a night near the airport. Far-flung atolls such as Laamu are reached by domestic flight plus a short boat ride. Transfer costs vary widely, from a few hundred dollars to well over US$1,000 per adult return.

How long to stay and what it costs

Five or six nights works from the Gulf or India with a speedboat resort; from Europe we'd book seven, more if the island sits a seaplane ride away. Two adults typically spend US$16,000 to US$20,000 for a comfortable week excluding flights, and a smart-luxury week starts at around US$10,000. Factor in 17% GST, a 10% service charge and a Green Tax of US$12 per person per night on top of quoted rates.

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