Maldives - Travel Tips   by Racjman Eisa
 

The Maldives are a truly spectacular destination. When it comes to vacation destinations that are all about having fun and adventure in the sun, nothing beats the Maldives. Some call it "the absolute paradise." Others call it "heaven on earth." Well, one thing is for sure, a Maldives island travel is exactly what you need if you're looking for white powdery beaches, shade of turquoise waters, pristine coral reefs, incredible underwater life and other tropical vacation essentials.

A Maldives travel vacation has something for everyone - whether you are one for water sports, swimming, scuba diving and just plain frolicking in its white sand beaches.

We know how hard it can be to plan a trip. There are so many factors that you have to concern yourself with, least of which is the budget and your actual vacation time. Below are some great tips to help you get that last minute Maldives travel deal without messing up your budget or your schedule.

Get an early start

If there's anything you absolutely must do when you go on a Maldives island vacation that is to start early. There are a lot of things you need to take care of. Trip planning can be a tough nut to crack. A valid travel document or passport is necessary. Tourists are issued a maximum of 30-day tourist visa on arrival. Visa extensions are granted by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Male, the capital.

An international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever and cholera is required by visitors arriving from infected countries. Visitors are advised to get immunization for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A & Hepatitis B and those that intend to dive should get a medical check prior to going.

One Maldives travel tip you ought to consider is to prepare all your travel documents as early as NOW.

Check Your Calendar

You may also want to consider when during the year you wish to go - the optimum time with regards to weather are between December and April when there is the most sunshine and least rain. At these months, there's no surprise to learn that the prices tend to be far higher. The best season to surf in the Maldives is from April to October, during the South-West monsoon.

Bring A Travel Guide

Believe it or not, it's always much more gratifying to pull out a Maldives travel guide from your carry case, flip a few pages open, then slip it right back when you're tried of reading. It sure beats having to wait in the airport, sitting bored silly and wondering whether or not your flight's going to be delayed. That said, don't cling to travel guides religiously. Many travelers make that mistake. They are not the bibles that they are made out to be by some people.

So, how are you supposed to use Maldives travel guides then? How would you know which information to believe and which facts are outdated? The answer is easy. To get the most out of your Maldives travel guide, use them sparingly for basic orientation. So once you have the basics right down to a tee, go out there and discover the islands or the town on your own. That is, after all, what traveling is all about - adventure and discovery of new things.

Choose an island

Do your research about all the islands and the resorts beforehand. Decide what you and your family are likely to be interested in. Determine what your budget is. Decide what type of package would be the best for you - most resorts are quite pricey when it comes to food and drink so while a room & breakfast package may at first appear cheaper, after paying for all food and drink it may in fact be more expensive than an all inclusive package. Consider all these things properly and it will immediately narrow your list of potential resorts.

For instance, the Maldives is a great place for diving - if you're going to be spending a lot of time diving then you must be aware that different resorts have different standards in their diving facilities. Some resorts are also naturally better for divers than others. You'll want to choose a package that's best for diving. It's possible to get diving packages so you don't have to spend a fortune on additional diving expenses on a daily basis. Further, some resorts offer a wealth of activities and entertainment, others are very chilled and offer fewer activities. Perfect if you just wish to laze by the white sandy beaches gazing at the crystal blue waters. Travellers with children should try and choose a resort with a kids club if possible - there is a world of difference between resorts when it comes to providing facilities that keep the kids entertained. Romantics and honeymooners may find that some of the smaller islands are more cosy, intimate & quiet while the larger ones may have more of a party feel to it and be more crowded.

Type of Accommodation

Most resorts offer a wide range of accommodation types - decide which of these is best for you. For example, a standard beach villa would be typically a few metres from the sea while a water villa is located in the waters itself. Water villas can be beautiful and offer the chance to see the marine life swim by while looking from the window - but they are considerably more pricey. Some resorts, even the pricey ones, may not offer a personal TV in the rooms - this is usually intentional to promote the "no news, no shoes" feel of the island. Few people come to the Maldives to watch TV but, if this is a comfort that you simply cannot live without then check with your travel agent before booking to see if your chosen resort offers one.

Foods

Treat yourself to local foods and stay away from your usual staple of spaghetti, burger and cola. Be adventurous and have fun in the local foods, which can be a mixture of African, Arab, Malay and Indonesian cuisines. Before leaving, you can ask people who already traveled in the country if they can recommend any restaurants. Hotel personnel can also help you immensely. When you're there, don't hesitate to ask for the house specialty and enjoy!

Travel Notes

Writing down your experiences during your travel will not only preserve the memories, it will also help you relieve stress. Describe the sights that you have seen, the places that you have been to, even the people you have met. Get small keepsakes from each experience, a napkin from the restaurant where you have eaten, a receipt from a souvenir shop and the seaplane ticket to the island. This will keep the magic of your travel with you. And of course pictures and videos of the surrounding island and of you and your love ones having fun are a must.

Stay Connected

Another thing, as you travel, keep abreast of local news coverage. If you are in an area experiencing a natural disaster, or if you are going to a place where communications is poor, register with your nearest embassy or consulate for your own safety. The main point here is, stay connected. Nothing can be a better stress-buster than staying connected with the embassy or your family when traveling. With today's technology, communication is increasingly more available. People who travel can now keep in touch through cellular phones, emails and text messages. Rates in international phone calls are also cheaper now than before.
 

About the Author

Racjman Eisa travels the world for business and pleasure. He has a website dedicated to Maldives. He called Maldives, "My Paradise On Earth"