A Passenger Service Charge of US$ 10.00 should be incorporated in the air ticket (including tickets issued outside the Maldives). Alternatively, your airline may absorb the service charge. Passengers in transit for less than 24 hours may leave the airport without having to pay the service charge.

Malé International Airport (Hulhule Island)

Malé's International Airport is situated on its own island which from the air looks like a giant aircraft carrier. In fact, to build the airport two islands had to be connected through reclamation. It is a fully fledged international airport with can take the largest of aircraft and equipped with all modern facilities. Located just over a kilometer away from the capital Malé, the airport is connected to the rest of the country and resorts by boat and seaplane.

The facilities available at Hulhule include:

88 transit hotel rooms at the Hulhule Island Hotel, Business Centre, Internet Centers, elevators, rest-rooms, telephones, banks, postal and telecommunications offices, over 100 duty-free shops in both terminals, food and beverage outlets, 24-hour medical centre, children's play area, and over 40 travel agencies.

Clothing

The Maldives is hot throughout the year. Light, summer cotton and linen wear is ideal. Pack lots of T-shirts, beachwear, light skirts, cotton shirts, slacks and shorts. At the resorts where you'll have to walk on soft sand most of the time, going barefoot may be ideal for some. However, on visits to inhabited islands, where most of the streets are of compact sand, or in the capital Malé where most of the streets are paved, casual shoes or sandals are easier for walking.

Currency & Banking

The local currency is the Rufiyaa. The exchange rate is MRf. 12.75 = US$ 1. Always exchange your money at authorised money changers. Travellers Cheques and all major credit cards are accepted at all hotels and resorts. All resorts deal in foreign exchange and will accept payment in any major European currency. Banking hours are Sunday to Thursday: 8.00 am to 1:30 pm. Visitors should be in possession of at least US $25 per day of stay in the Maldives. There are no restrictions on the amount of currency you can bring in.

Customs & Immigration

No prior visa arrangements are required. A tourist visa of 30 days will be given to visitors with valid travel documents, on arrival. For those coming from yellow fever infected regions, an international certificate of inoculation is required.