What can you bring to the Maldives? Alcohol in the Maldives - transportation rules, prices in hotels, where you can and where you can’t. How the inspection works in practice

It would seem that the question “What to bring from the Maldives?” quite simple. Each country has a certain set of something that is not in your country and these things are bought as an exotic souvenir. And here it’s not worth mentioning the various I love Maldives magnets and T-shirts. Not so! Maldives they produce and grow absolutely nothing. We even found two chickens on only one island from one family. Everything from toothpicks to building materials is shipped from other Asian countries.

Chinese magnets with dolphins and turtles, which can be found at any resort, are not the best souvenir, so it is better to find out in advance what you can find as a gift from the Maldives.

On the hotel islands, the choice of souvenirs is small and the prices are quite high. The best place to shop is in Male, the capital of the Maldives. In this one of the smallest capitals in the world, where 100,000 people live in an area of 1.5 km by 1 km, you can find almost everything.

COCONUT OIL

What the Maldives has in abundance is palm trees. Here, even at the state level, a decree was issued that in case the islands were suddenly cut off from the outside world and provisions ran out, every resident of the country should have their own coconut tree. Coconuts are very good for health, in addition, one nut is enough to quench your thirst and hunger.

Accordingly, everything that coconut and palm trees provide is available in the Maldives. The oil here is of very high quality and is inexpensive. It can be added to cosmetics and used to moisturize the body in its pure form. In general, it’s useful to keep it in the house, and it’s not a shame to give it to friends.

DRIED TUNA

Tuna is the No. 1 fish in the Maldives; it is caught here in tons and is incredibly adored. By the way, you should definitely try tuna meat fried or in curry. And bring home sets of tuna pieces, which are eaten here like chips. They are sold in convenient bags in supermarkets with the proud signature “Real Maldivian tuna”.

SPICE MIX

As in any Asian country, in the Maldives a mixture of spices is held in high esteem, from which the national dish curry is prepared. It differs from Sri Lankan or Indian at least in that it is not so spicy. And the spices used are local. So the best souvenir from the Maldives is an evening of Maldivian cuisine at home. You can have a themed party just in time for viewing photos from your vacation.

SHARK TEETH

The souvenir, of course, is for everyone and for connoisseurs. However, it is included in the list of the most popular things that are brought as gifts from the Maldives. You can buy a tooth keychain for $1, and a giant jaw for $250. In general, if you wish, you can be considered an original by hanging shark jaws at home instead of deer antlers.

SARONG

It is not entirely clear where cotton comes from in the Maldives, but items made from it are of very good quality here. Girls are recommended to purchase a sarong in the colors of the local flag as a souvenir of their vacation on the islands. A sarong will come in handy on more than one beach, and besides, it will warm up your home with its appearance.

TRADITIONAL MATS

Mothers, grandmothers and accounting departments will be satisfied. Maldivian mats are made of palm or coconut fiber and reed. They are beautiful to look at, have 100% natural ingredients and are useful in any household.

SAND

Yes, Maldivian sand is a souvenir in itself, take it with you and put it at home in a beautiful decorative vase or bottle. Such a homemade souvenir will definitely delight you and decorate your home.

Finally, we will give advice to tourists on what should never be taken out of the Maldives:

- Products made from tortoiseshell;
- Products made from black and red corals and the corals themselves;
- Pearls and pearl oyster shells;
- Reef fish.

A holiday in the Maldives will certainly be remembered for a long time and every tourist will want to bring something special from the islands as a souvenir, so you should definitely take the time to choose good souvenirs!

What is prohibited in the Maldives? Are there really any prohibitions and restrictions on the paradise islands? Since it is a Muslim country, this imposes a number of restrictions on tourists and other guests of the Maldives during their stay in the capital Male, on and even on resort islands. Now I will introduce you to what you should not do in the Maldives under any circumstances. And then your trip will take place without unnecessary unwanted adventures, and your long-awaited vacation will not be spoiled.

Firstly, everyone knows that, and it is immediately taken away at the airport by customs. Only those tourists who vacation on the island can freely buy expensive alcohol in bars and restaurants. But guests on local islands sometimes only find out that they cannot bring alcohol to the Maldives and are forced to stop drinking alcohol for the entire duration of their stay. However, not everything is so sad, because enterprising Maldivians have already figured out how tourists can get around.
Secondly, the Maldives also has a law prohibiting the construction of buildings on the islands higher than the tallest palm tree. However, in practice there are exceptions, because on the most famous island of Maafushi, this law is not respected. We ourselves saw how the most comfortable and inexpensive hotel with a height of 6 floors was built there!
Thirdly, as sad as it may be, you cannot swim in a bikini in the Maldives! This is due to the culture and traditions of this country, formed under the influence of the Muslim religion. However, this ban only applies to residential island villages, and it has no effect. By the way, some islands fence off a special territory, away from residential buildings, and they call it, and there - hurray! — you can walk, sunbathe and swim in bikini swimsuits. But those tourists who go to resort islands don’t have to worry about this at all: everything is possible there, almost like in.
Fourthly, you can't swim naked. Nowhere! However, according to rumors, only the hotel turns a blind eye to this Kuramati.
Fifthly, eating pork is prohibited in the Maldives. Bacon in the Maldives is also bad. You will not see it on the menu of cafes and restaurants located in public places. But this is not such a big problem. After all, this country is famous primarily for seafood, and fishing is considered one of the main elements. And in those located on private islands, there is no such prohibition.
Sixthly, dogs, except for shepherd dogs serving in the police, are also not liked in the Maldives and tourists are not allowed to bring their pets with them. To be honest, why you can’t bring your dogs and cats to the Maldives remains a mystery to us. They write on the Internet that they are considered unclean animals (like pigs), so Muslims cannot stand them. And I can also assume that this was done to preserve the ecosystem of the islands, so that a disaster does not happen, like the one that once happened on.
Seventh, in the Maldives, under no circumstances should you promote any religion other than the Muslim religion. It is forbidden to even bring a Bible with you. After all, he knows more than one change of religion on these paradise islands. Sun worshipers gradually disappeared under the onslaught of Buddhism, and in the 12th century Buddhism was swept away by Islam. The servants of Allah do not want the same fate for themselves, therefore, while hospitably inviting residents of the rest of the world to their islands, they strictly insist that you leave your beliefs at home during your vacation.
Eighth, be prepared for the fact that the Halloween holiday, which originated from the Celtic Samhain and is very popular in the USA and other Western countries, is officially prohibited in the Maldives. So if you're going at the end of October, don't expect carnival and fun. And during the celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are prohibited from smoking, drinking and eating during daylight hours.
Ninth, tourists are not allowed to work in the Maldives. But if you liked the Maldives so much that you are ready to come here quite officially to work in a hotel on a work visa or to help as a volunteer with environmental protection, then you are welcome to read

Tourists go on board to lie on the soft sand, bask on the warm shore, swim in the azure water, exercise or even play. But any category of vacationers would like to bring with them a “piece of the Maldives” that will remind them of paradise for many years. And, of course, don’t forget about the souvenirs that the many friends, relatives and colleagues who remain in their homeland are waiting for. So, let’s find out what you can bring from the Maldives for yourself or as a gift, besides traditional magnets.

What souvenirs are brought from the Maldives?

The list of top 10 souvenirs that can only be bought in the Maldives includes:

But whatever you decide to bring home from the Maldives, remember that the best souvenir will always be your own memories.

Shopping in the Maldives

The main features of shopping here are as follows:

The choice of shops in cities is very small. Most of the retail outlets are located in the capital. If you want to buy something more exotic, you will have to take a walk around the islands of the archipelago.
It makes sense to buy only those goods that are made specifically in the Maldives, and not imported here from another country. The latter can be found in large numbers on the streets of the Singapore Bazaar.
Everyday goods are cheapest to purchase in metropolitan stores (for example, the People’s Choice or Fantasy supermarket).
The best time to go shopping for souvenirs is on Sunday. But Friday and Saturday are official days off in the Maldives, so many shops may not be open. Also, when shopping, take into account the time: 5 times a day during Muslim prayer, all retail outlets are closed. In general, they work all day: usually from 8-9 in the morning until 10-11 in the evening.
You will not find price tags on the goods. Be careful: sellers quote a price (usually several times higher) based on the buyer’s appearance. Bargaining is not prohibited, but is even encouraged.
All local traders speak English, and some also speak French and German.
At the same time, the prices for many souvenirs from the Maldives are quite high - they are made and painted by hand, and often in a single copy.
Be prepared for local merchants selling everything to tourists, without mentioning that some items are prohibited from being exported from the Maldives. You should also be aware of this so as not to waste your money.

What cannot be exported outside the state?

When organizing any trip, it is important to carefully approach the preparation of your vacation and study local customs and laws. This is especially true for tourism in countries with a culture different from the Western one and a strict religion. When planning leisure time in the Maldives, it is worth inquiring in advance about what is not allowed in the Maldives for travelers. Most restrictions can be divided into two main categories: prohibitions associated with Islam, and prohibitions caused by the need to preserve the unique flora and fauna of these places. It is better to follow the laws of the Maldives, because even tourists are subject to serious punishment, up to actual prison time, not to mention huge fines.

About the ban on alcohol

Islam views the consumption of alcoholic beverages extremely negatively, as well as the use of any substances with a narcotic or addictive effect. For Muslims, drinking alcohol means committing a great sin. Therefore, on the islands of the Maldives there is a prohibitive law, which is active both for the local population and for tourists. Previously, those who arrived on a visa could drink alcohol, but now this relaxation has been canceled. For anyone who decides to spend time on an island where indigenous people live in addition to tourists, you will need to give up alcohol.

Alcohol is not only prohibited from being consumed, but also from being brought. So at Male airport, all strong (and low-alcohol, too) drinks, including everything purchased in duty-free, will be immediately taken away (but can be returned upon departure at customs upon presentation of the appropriate receipt).

If you are hoping for an “all inclusive” system, then not everything is simple: they have the right to distribute expensive alcohol only on the resort islands. But there you will have to pay the appropriate price for it, since hotels and restaurants pay huge taxes. In the same case, when you are staying at a regular all-inclusive hotel, there may be no alcohol at all, or only beer awaits you in the minibar, and a modest glass of wine for dinner. However, the more expensive the hotel, the better the selection of drinks. However, you will have to pay extra for champagne and luxury bottles in your room beyond the basic cost of your stay.

An alternative option for drinking alcohol on holiday in the Maldives is water bars. Boats are often moored to the islands, which pick up everyone and head out to the open sea. In this neutral territory, far from civilization, they sell strong drinks and light cocktails, but also at a high cost.

Interestingly, the places on the islands where you can order alcohol are staffed only by employees from Sri Lanka and India. This is again due to the fact that, by law, citizens of the Maldives are prohibited from selling such drinks.

Customs restrictions

If we talk about bans on the import of various products and goods, then in addition to the already mentioned alcohol, we need to keep in mind pork products and objects used for religious rituals. Pornography of any kind is prohibited in the Maldives, and even a lingerie catalog can fall into this category. Any videotapes upon entering the country will be confiscated and sent to a special storage room, from where they will be retrieved for you upon departure. Cigarettes and perfumes can be imported within reasonable limits.

Both offshore and away from the islands, tourists in the Maldives are prohibited from collecting coral. It will be impossible to take them out at customs, and you will not be able to prove that you were simply collecting the wreckage. In addition, you cannot export various elements of wildlife, for example, starfish and shells (at least in large quantities). Another ban related to illegal poaching is crafts made from turtle shells. Thus, it is easier for travelers to purchase special souvenirs on the islands, which will definitely be regarded at customs as simple trinkets that are not of particular value. Also, if you purchase black pearl products on the islands, you will need a special certificate from the manufacturer, otherwise the goods will be considered illegal by customs and confiscated. If you are visiting, you need to explain to your children the restrictions adopted in this country.

What else can't you do in the Maldives?

Touch sea creatures. Naturally, this ban is unofficial, but you want to get bites and burns. Therefore, you should avoid all colorful and unusual fish, creatures with spines, stingrays, jellyfish and sharks. And of course, you don’t need to touch scorching corals and seemingly harmless rocks, which can turn out to be dangerous, poisonous fish.
Spoil wildlife. The point is that you can’t break corals (whether they’re alive or not, it doesn’t matter). Spearfishing and fishing from the shore are also prohibited in the Maldives. The fine for violating this rule is about five hundred dollars. It is also prohibited to throw garbage onto the street, be it a single can or a couple of bottles - only in special bins.
Swim in a bikini. This ban only applies to public beaches and residential island villages. However, almost all the islands have areas specially designated for European recreation - tourist beaches. You can also swim in a short and open swimsuit on those beaches that belong to individual hotels and on entire resort islands. However, there are no nudist beaches in the Maldives, so you won’t be able to sunbathe naked anyway. Also, you should not walk the streets in your usual beach clothes.
Bring pets with you. First of all, the ban applies to dogs of all breeds and sizes. It must be said that the Muslim religion in the Maldives classifies four-legged and shaggy pets as dirty animals like a pig. Therefore, local residents are prohibited from keeping dogs, and even more so for tourists. The only exceptions are those dogs that are in police service. In theory, you can bring a domestic cat to the islands, but for this you need to choose the appropriate hotel.
There is pork. In Islam, it is believed that a pig is a dirty animal because it does not disdain any waste and likes to rest in puddles. In addition, pork is a very perishable meat, and the Maldives has a hot climate, reducing storage conditions for food. Thus, for Muslims, pigs are not only unclean, but also potentially dangerous animals that can cause poisoning if eaten. In the Maldives, not only do locals not eat pork, but restaurants on the islands do not serve locals either. In addition, it is almost impossible to find bacon in stores. However, all gastronomic restrictions are leveled out on the islands by the excellent quality and variety of seafood and fish. Hotels on islands where there are no local residents may contain pork on the menu.
We do not recommend that you smell flowers growing on the ground and trees! Some of them are toxic. Europeans are accustomed to enjoying the aroma of flowers by bringing them to their nose and inhaling the smell. Don't do this in the Maldives! The main dangers are allergies, poisoning with essential oils and damage to the skin.
Build tall buildings. This rather amusing ban is, first of all, of value to hotel operators in the Maldives. The fact is that in the Republic there is a restriction on those objects that are higher than the largest palm tree on the island. However, there are often exceptions, including on such a developed island as Maafushi.
Promote another religion. You can't even bring a Bible into the Maldives for personal use. The Republic takes religion on the islands very seriously, since Islam won several victories here, first over Buddhism, and then over the onslaught of Catholic colonialists. So you will have to keep your Christian or other beliefs to yourself while on vacation.
Celebrate Halloween. This strange but official ban is most likely due again to the importance of the Muslim religion in the Maldives and its opposition to Western culture. Of course, for Russian tourists such a restriction is not as offensive as for English-speaking travelers who are accustomed to the autumn atmosphere of horrors and painted pumpkins. So you won’t find any costume parties on the islands at the end of October. Fortunately, the Maldives has many other interesting holidays, including, for example, the grandiose Fisherman's Day.
Work. If you came to the Maldives on a tourist visa or even as a traveler, employment will be prohibited for you. However, there are ways out of the situation: you can get a job on a work visa, for example, in a hotel, or volunteer to protect the environment. The main thing is to familiarize yourself with the labor code of the Maldives in advance.

Myths about prohibitions

Not everyone has been to the paradise islands, so life in the Republic, as well as tourist holidays in these parts, are regularly surrounded by rumors and legends.

There is an opinion that night swimming in the ocean is prohibited. Or rather, the ban on simple free diving from the beaches applies at night in all hotels. On the one hand, this is caused by the activity of plankton, which colors the water in bright blue light, and on the other hand, by the blooming of corals. Also during this period, many aquatic predators go hunting. However, this does not mean that you cannot swim at night in the Maldives. Firstly, you can dive with flashlights, and secondly, go snorkeling in the company of an instructor. The main thing is to follow safety precautions.
There is also a myth that travelers should not wander into islands with local populations due to the strictness of Muslim culture. In fact, the form of Islam in the Maldives is very soft, and even the hijab is in many cases simply a tribute to tradition. Everywhere you can see girls in short skirts. Well, the people in the Republic themselves are very respectable and responsive.

At first glance, the Republic of Maldives does have a wide range of restrictions. However, a responsible and honest traveler will not encounter many of them during his vacation. The most important thing is to respect nature and people on the islands. Study all the existing prohibitions of the Maldives in advance, and then your private or family vacation will be at the highest level and will leave only pleasant impressions.

There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency in the Maldives. The import and export of Maldivian currency is prohibited. Items whose value exceeds $200 are subject to mandatory declaration when imported into the Maldives.

To items that prohibited from import to the Maldives include:

alcohol, pork products
pornography (magazines, videos)
firearms
spearfishing weapon
drugs (punishment for the latter is life imprisonment)

The importation of pets into the Maldives is restricted (special permission required) and dogs are prohibited. Maldives customs allows up to 200 items for duty-free import. cigarettes, 125 ml. perfumes, as well as goods for personal use.

Maldives Customs performs X-ray inspection of personal belongings at Male Airport. Items found on tourists that are prohibited for import are destroyed.

Export from the Maldives

From the Maldives prohibited from export:

black corals,
pearl oyster shells
turtle shells in all types, except for souvenirs purchased in certified souvenir shops (customs may require a receipt)
are subject to a similar ban any items, found at the bottom during rest. Violators face hefty fines