Flag Maldives
 

       
       

    • Travel Advice. Check Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice before travelling.  
       
       
    • Personal Safety. There is very little crime in the Maldives although visitors should take care with their valuables and other personal possessions. Use safe deposit boxes on island resorts. Leave a photocopy of your passport and itinerary with a contact in the UK. Check the FCO travel advice for the latest advice.  
       
       
    • Respect local laws and customs. It is an offence to import pornographic material, materials contrary to Islam, idols for worship, pork and pork products, alcohol, dogs, dangerous animals, explosives, weapons, firearms and ammunition and chemicals into the Maldives. Export of tortoise shell and coral is forbidden. Alcoholic beverages are confined to the island resorts and must not be taken off those islands. Dress is informal but nudism is an offence in the Maldives. Visitors are requested to wear proper clothing when visiting inhabited islands. Topless bathing is prohibited.  
       
       
    • Funds. The Maldives is generally expensive on the island resorts – you should bring sufficient funds for your stay with you. There are no cash machines and travellers’ cheques are used infrequently.  
       
       
    • Entry requirements. No prior visa arrangements are required but visitors must have a passport valid for more than six months. A tourist visa of 30 days will be given on arrival to visitors with valid travel documents. Overstaying without the proper authority is an offence. Visitors coming from yellow fever infected regions should have an international certificate of inoculation.  
       
       
    • Health. Medical treatment can be very expensive. You would be advised to go overseas for anything other than routine treatment. Sensible precautions should be taken to avoid sunburn and dehydration.  
       
       
    • Don’t leave home without travel insurance. Make sure you are covered for medical treatment and accidents, and it is advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passport or luggage.  
       
       
    • Don’t become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession of drugs in the Maldives carries severe penalties.