I thought Santorini was beautiful until I visited here
Maldives Travel Guide:
✅ Visa & Entry
- **Visa-free Policy**: Chinese citizens can stay for 30 days without a visa, provided they hold a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return ticket.
- **Entry Requirements**: Some islands may require a hotel reservation confirmation.
✅ How to Choose an Island?
The Maldives follows a "one island, one resort" policy, so choosing an island means choosing a hotel. Key factors to consider:
1. **Budget**
- **Luxury Islands (¥15,000+/person)**: Cheval Blanc Randheli, Soneva Jani
- **Mid-to-High Range (¥8,000-15,000/person)**: Huvafen Fushi, Ozen Reserve Bolifushi
- **Budget-Friendly (¥5,000-8,000/person)**: Kuramathi Resort, Thulhagiri Island Resort
2. **Special Features**
- **Best Snorkeling**: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Angsana Ihuru
- **Family-Friendly**: Siyam World Maldives, Centara Grand Island Resort
- **Honeymoon Exclusive**: Velavaru Private Island, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
3. **Transportation**
- **Speedboat Islands**: Close to Malé (e.g., Huvafen Fushi, 30-minute speedboat ride)
- **Seaplane✈️**: Requires a seaplane transfer (e.g., Soneva Jani, 45-minute flight)
- **Domestic Flight✈️ + Speedboat**: Remote atolls (e.g., Shangri-La's Villingili Resort)
✅ Must-Try Activities‼️
1. **Snorkeling & Diving**
- Top spots: Ari Atoll (whale sharks, coral reefs), Baa Atoll (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve).
- Essential gear: Most resorts provide free snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins).
2. **Water Sports**
- Sunset fishing, jet skiing, transparent kayaking, sailing.
- High-end resorts offer submarines or parasailing (e.g., One&Only Reethi Rah).
3. **SPA & Wellness**
- Underwater SPA (e.g., Huvafen Fushi), beachfront yoga.
4. **Cultural Experiences**
- Explore Malé (Sultan Park, Fish Market), visit local islands (e.g., Maafushi).
✅ Dining & Expenses**
- **Dining Options**
- **All-Inclusive (AI)**: Covers three meals + drinks, ideal for hassle-free stays.
- **Half-Board (HB)**: Popular choice, with lunch available à la carte.
- **Unique Dining**: Underwater restaurants (e.g., Conrad Maldives' Ithaa), beach barbecues.
- **Cost Reference**
- Bottled water: ~$5, seafood dinner: $80-150 per person.
✅ Important Notes**
1. **Religion & Culture**
- Dress modestly in public (cover shoulders/knees on local islands), alcohol is prohibited for import.
2. **Eco-Friendly Practices**
- No coral collection or fish feeding, some resorts ban single-use plastics.
3. **Tipping**
- Butler: $5-10 per service, luggage handling: $1-2 per bag.
4. **Internet**
- Resort WiFi is usually free but unstable; consider buying a local Dhiraagu SIM card.
✅ Budget Reference (Per Person)**
- **Economy**: ¥10,000-15,000 (4-star island, speedboat transfer)
- **Luxury**: ¥20,000-30,000 (5-star island, seaplane + private pool)
- **Premium**: ¥40,000+ (top-tier island + seaplane + bespoke activities)
✅ Recommended Itinerary (5 Days/4 Nights)📷
- **Day 1**: Arrive in Malé → Speedboat/seaplane to island → Check into water villa → Sunset cruise
- **Day 2**: Snorkeling adventure → Beachfront dinner
- **Day 3**: SPA treatment → Fishing + barbecue
- **Day 4**: Switch to beach villa → Half-day local island tour
- **Day 5**: Depart after breakfast 🔥