🇲🇻
Essential apps for
Maldives
Dhivehi & EnglishMVR & USD3 apps
Maldives is resort-focused, so your apps are about getting there and back. WhatsApp is what resort transfers use.
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Power & Plug
TypeD / G / J / K / L
Voltage230V
Freq50Hz
Highly variable by resort — confirm with your hotel before bringing adapters.
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Basic phrases
Dhivehi
- Helloއައްސަލާމު ޢަލައިކުމްassalaamu alaikum
- Thank youޝުކުރިއްޔާshukuriyyaa
- Excuse me / Sorryމަޢާފް ކުރޭma'aaf kurey
- Yesއާންaan
- Noނޫންnoon
+10 more below
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Tipping
Tipping is welcome in the Maldives; resorts often add a 10% service charge, but a few dollars to your butler, room steward, or dive instructor is appreciated. Tip in cash (USD is widely accepted) for personal service.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
See all →📱Messaging
See all →Phrases
All Dhivehi phrases
Hello
އައްސަލާމު ޢަލައިކުމް
assalaamu alaikum
Thank you
ޝުކުރިއްޔާ
shukuriyyaa
Excuse me / Sorry
މަޢާފް ކުރޭ
ma'aaf kurey
Yes
އާން
aan
No
ނޫން
noon
Please
އާދޭސް ކޮށްފައި
aadhes koffai
Goodbye
ދަނީ
dhanee
How much?
ކިހާވަރެއް؟
kihaavareh
Where is the bathroom?
ފާޚާނާ ކޮބާ؟
faakhaanaa kobaa
The check, please
ބިލް ދެއްވާ
bil dhevvaa
I don't understand
އަހަންނަކަށް ނޭނގުނު
ahannakah neyngunu
Do you speak English?
އިނގިރޭސިން ވާހަކަ ދައްކަން އެނގޭތަ؟
ingireysin vaahaka dhakkan engeytha
Help!
އެހީވޭ!
eheevey
Delicious
މީރު
meeru
Cheers
ހެޔޮ ޞިއްޙަތަކަށް
heyo sihhathakah
Briefing
What to know before you go
✓ Do
- Dress modestly on inhabited (local) islands and in Male, covering shoulders and knees; bikinis are only for resort islands and designated 'bikini beaches'.
- Greet locals warmly; 'assalaamu alaikum' is the standard greeting.
- Use your right hand for eating, giving, and receiving.
- Respect Islam: the Maldives is a Muslim country, and locals pray five times a day.
- Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques.
- Ask permission before photographing local people, especially women.
✕Don't
- Don't bring alcohol, pork, or religious items of other faiths into the country; they're prohibited outside resort areas.
- Don't drink alcohol or sunbathe in swimwear on inhabited local islands.
- Don't show public displays of affection on local islands.
- Don't touch or remove coral, shells, or marine life; it's protected and often illegal.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Inflated prices and aggressive selling in Male's tourist shops; compare prices and haggle politely.
- Unofficial 'excursions' or boat transfers that overcharge or differ from what was promised; book through your resort or licensed operators.
- Hidden resort surcharges and steep fees for extras like Wi-Fi, water, or excursions; read what's included before booking.
- Overpriced or unmetered speedboat and taxi transfers between the airport and Male; confirm the rate first.
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