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Complete IMUGA Declaration
All arriving foreigners must submit the electronic Traveller Declaration (IMUGA) before arrival.
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Below is a summary of how I entered, whether through a visa or another permitted route.
Prepare these before applying
Travel note: I entered using the relevant visa or travel authorization available for my Nepalese passport at the time.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Rates used to convert to NPR for this trip.
| Currency | 1 unit → NPR | Date |
|---|---|---|
| USD | 137.81 | 2025-01-12 |
| MVR | 8.94 | 2025-01-12 |
| MYR | 30.91 | 2025-01-12 |
| AED | 37.71 | 2025-01-12 |
| S.No | Date | Details (Notes) | Category | Unit | Cost / Unit | Amount | Currency | Amount (NPR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 12, 2025 | Flight MNL - KUL | Flights | 1.00 | 352.00 | 352.00 | AED | 13,273.92 |
| 2 | Jan 12, 2025 | Visa Malaysia | Visa | 1.00 | 125.00 | 125.00 | MYR | 3,863.75 |
| 3 | Jan 12, 2025 | Flight KUL - MLE | Flights | 1.00 | 459.00 | 459.00 | MYR | 14,187.69 |
| 4 | Jan 12, 2025 | Hotel (12 Jan) | Accommodation | 1.00 | 70.00 | 70.00 | USD | 9,646.70 |
| 5 | Jan 12, 2025 | Lunch - Biryani in hotel | Food & Dining | 1.00 | 136.00 | 136.00 | MVR | 1,215.84 |
| 6 | Jan 12, 2025 | Water 1.5 ltr | Food & Dining | 1.00 | 15.00 | 15.00 | MVR | 134.10 |
| 7 | Jan 12, 2025 | Dinner - none paid | Food & Dining | 1.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | — | 0.00 |
| 8 | Jan 12, 2025 | Ferry - Male to Himmafushi | Transport | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | MVR | 1,341.00 |
| 9 | Jan 13, 2025 | Hotel (13 Jan) | Accommodation | 1.00 | 30.00 | 30.00 | USD | 4,134.30 |
| 10 | Jan 13, 2025 | Water 1.5 ltr | Food & Dining | 1.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | MVR | 89.40 |
| 11 | Jan 13, 2025 | Dinner | Food & Dining | 1.00 | 120.00 | 120.00 | MVR | 1,072.80 |
| 12 | Jan 13, 2025 | Water night 1.5 ltr | Food & Dining | 1.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | MVR | 89.40 |
| 13 | Jan 14, 2025 | Ferry - Himmafushi to Male | Transport | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | MVR | 1,341.00 |
| 14 | Jan 14, 2025 | Male to Hulumale bus | Transport | 1.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | MVR | 89.40 |
| 15 | Jan 14, 2025 | Hotel (14 Jan) | Accommodation | 1.00 | 1,100.00 | 1,100.00 | MVR | 9,834.00 |
| 16 | Jan 14, 2025 | Lunch at hotel | Food & Dining | 1.00 | 110.00 | 110.00 | MVR | 983.40 |
| 17 | Jan 15, 2025 | Airport to taxi | Transport | 1.00 | 95.00 | 95.00 | MVR | 849.30 |
| 18 | Jan 15, 2025 | Missed passport - back to hotel | Transport | 1.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | USD | 1,378.10 |
| 19 | Jan 15, 2025 | Back to airport | Transport | 1.00 | 100.00 | 100.00 | MVR | 894.00 |
| 20 | Jan 15, 2025 | Flight Male to Abu Dhabi | Flights | 1.00 | 150.00 | 150.00 | USD | 20,671.50 |
| Total | 85,089.60 |
Last updated 6 hours ago
All arriving foreigners must submit the electronic Traveller Declaration (IMUGA) before arrival.
Official entry requirements include confirmed return travel and prepaid confirmed accommodation at a registered facility.
Current U.S. advisory is Level 2 due to terrorism risk. Stay aware in transport hubs and public gathering areas.
The official currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), with approximately 15.4 MVR to 1 USD. US dollars are widely accepted at resorts, where most prices are listed in USD. On local islands, carry both USD and MVR. ATMs are available in Male and larger islands like Maafushi but dispense only MVR.
Resorts occupy private islands with all-inclusive pricing, overwater villas, and cashless wristband systems. Since 2009, local islands like Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, and Dhigurah offer budget guesthouses at a fraction of resort prices and a more authentic experience. Local islands have designated bikini beaches as public areas follow modest dress codes.
A 10% service charge is added to all bills in the Maldives, but it may not reach service staff directly. Tip porters $1-2 per bag, housekeeping $2-5 per day, and waitstaff $5-10 per meal at resorts. Tip in USD notes of $5 or higher, as locals get a much better exchange rate on larger denominations than $1 and $2 bills.
The dry season (northeast monsoon) from December to April brings clear skies, calm seas, and excellent underwater visibility exceeding 30 meters. Peak season is December to March with less than 2 inches of monthly rainfall but 30-50% higher accommodation prices. April and May are great shoulder months with good weather and lower rates.
Last updated 5 days ago
📍 Male
I arrived in Male from Kuala Lumpur around noon. After immigration, the hotel picked me up and I stayed in Male. I met Nepali doctors working there, spent time with them, and had dinner together.
📍 Hulhumale
The next morning, I went to the nearby government island of Hulhumale and stayed there for the night.
📍 Male
The following night, I returned from Hulhumale back to Male again.
📍 Male
On another day, I flew from Male to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
Clear tuna broth soup served with rice, lime, chili, and onions, the traditional Maldivian meal.
Shredded smoked tuna mixed with grated coconut, onion, and chili, eaten with roshi bread.
Whole fish marinated in chili paste and grilled, a popular beachside preparation.
Assortment of deep-fried short eats including fish rolls, pastries, and bajiya fritters.
Crispy deep-fried pastry rolls stuffed with spiced tuna, cabbage, onion, and hard-boiled egg, a popular tea-time snack.
Last updated 2 weeks ago
The bustling heart of the Maldivian capital where local fishermen bring in the daily catch of tuna, reef fish, and other seafood. Watch as massive yellowfin tuna are expertly filleted on stone slabs right before your eyes. The adjacent local market sells tropical fruits, betel leaves, and Maldivian snacks. A raw, authentic glimpse into island life beyond the resort experience.
📍 Open in Google Maps →The most popular local island for budget travelers, offering guesthouses, restaurants, and water activities at a fraction of resort prices. A bikini beach allows sunbathing in swimwear, while the rest of the island follows local customs. Book snorkeling trips with nurse sharks and manta rays, sunset dolphin cruises, and day trips to nearby sandbanks and resort islands from here.
📍 Open in Google Maps →A magical beach on Vaadhoo Island in Raa Atoll where the shoreline glows electric blue at night, caused by bioluminescent phytoplankton that light up when disturbed by waves. The effect creates a sea of stars beneath your feet, best seen on dark moonless nights. One of the most surreal natural phenomena in the Maldives and a bucket-list experience for night photography.
📍 Open in Google Maps →One of the first dive sites discovered in the Maldives and still among the best, named for its banana-shaped reef formation in North Male Atoll. The reef wall drops dramatically and is covered in soft corals, sea fans, and overhangs teeming with moray eels, reef sharks, groupers, and schools of colorful tropical fish. Suitable for both snorkeling along the shallow top and deeper scuba exploration.
📍 Open in Google Maps →Last updated 2 weeks ago
A glimpse into our favourite moments from Maldives.
Aerial view of a V-shaped overwater bungalow jetty stretching into the turquoise lagoon of a luxury Maldivian resort from a white sand beach
