Experiencing Maldives and 10 Tips and Hacks

College has been the wakeup call for me, that I have to strive harder, plan things, and become more visionary. During that time, it was the right opportunity to become more mature and set my goals, so I listed down the things I wish to do, the things I want to achieve, and the countries I dream of exploring. The small and humble country of Maldives is one of those fantasy destinations.

Setting my feet on the island is both a prestige and a privilege for me because I know, in myself, that I have worked hard for this moment, and I felt ecstatic when the time finally came when I got to explore and travel to Maldives. To be able to fully fund my trip to Maldives during my early 20’s is one of my personal achievements so far. That is why I am really happy whenever I see how some of my colleagues, readers, and other people in their young adult phase achieve and level up their games.

From the airport in Maldives, you can already see the clear waters the island has to offer. Riding the yacht from the airport to reach our hotel on the Island Velassaru was one of the most mesmerizing experiences I had in Maldives. I had a great glimpse of what Maldives had to offer. The yacht ride costs USD 200 per head which is actually expensive, but the sea plane costs double. So settling for the yacht ride is a more practical choice, but it does not compromise the quality experience. To give you a heads up, before travelling to Maldives, and also just like when you go to most countries, you need to expect that you will cash out A LOT. In Maldives, almost everything is expensive, that is why it is indeed an achievement for me to fund my own travel in the country.

I see Maldives as promoting the “pure luxurious” branding through the cozy yet classy hotels and cottages they offer, the clear blue water surrounding the island, and of course up to the beaches which strike me as pure, virginal, and relaxing. It also surprised me how there are also Filipinos there in Maldives. I was so excited to see familiar faces and hear the comforting voices of my “kababayan” (fellowmen). I was able to negotiate with them, and they were more than willing to offer me quality services in Maldives.

Staying at Velassaru, I had one of the greatest times of my life in Maldives, and I hope that someday, you would get to experience what I felt too. So here my 10 practical (and economical) tips and hacks for your future trip in Maldives:

1. Stay in a luxurious hotel. Since it is not every day that you get to see and enjoy the beauty and glamour of Maldives, it is only necessary to lounge in a classy hotel. This does not mean that you have to rent the most expensive room in Maldives, but choose a more than the average and ordinary one. The services and amenities of a great hotel can add to your overall experience in Maldives. This will also help you feel the ambiance of the humble island more. ( We stayed at @VelassaruMaldives )
2. Avoid staying in Maldives too long. The views around the island are more or less similar. A few days would actually suffice and it is more than enough for you to fully enjoy the beauty of the scenic resorts and magnificent clear water around the island. This can also save you a lot from your flight ticket and will also help you save time. The key to achieving this is time management.

3. Food are expensive and of limited choices. Before going to Maldives, expect that almost everything is expensive especially the food. With a limited choice, you can only pick from a narrow set of food at expensive prices ( But they have International Cuisine). The key to solving this is to research first before going to Maldives. You can search for the best local food you can try around the island. Also, you can see if you prefer the food available there. You do not want your tummy to be disappointed. This trip is also not for the unprepared physically, mentally, emotionally, and of course FINANCIALLY. Truth be told, but travelling to and exploring Maldives is really pricey. From the flight ticket, accommodations, resort and island services, up to the food that you will be eating. This will lead us to the next tip.

4. Be sure to always have US Dollars with you. If you are from the Philippines, of course, your Philippine Peso will not be accepted in Maldives, so be sure to have your money, in US dollar currency, with you wherever you go. This will come in handy whenever you want to grab a bite of a cuisine in Maldives or buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Beforehand, you must already have exchanged your local currency to US dollars. To be financially prepared is indeed a MUST so be sure to be ready with your US dollars when you go to Maldives.

5. Anticipate that the airport transfer fee costs MORE than the flight ticket to Maldives. With this, it is really a MUST that you bring a lot of cash with you. You need to be prepared financially for your trip to Maldives. Saving and working for it are few of the keys in order to achieve your dream vacation in Maldives. Again and again, be financially prepared. When you achieve it, it will bring you far and save you the worry of course.

6. Chill and relax. Do not engage in too many activities. Take a break. Take time to relax and admire the clear view of the bodies of water around Maldives. Let the beauty of the island capture you, and take time to ponder on the life you are living. Grab this opportunity to think of life decisions, love choices, or even career paths and goals. Maldives is a great location for soul-searching, relaxation, and meditation amid this fast-paced world. Since it is only seldom that you have your time away from the city, try to turn off and put your electronic devices down for a while.

7. Be eco-friendly. Do not leave your trash in unnecessary places. As much as possible, use reusable utensils, cups, mugs, tumblers, and other stuff in order to help save our environment. It is also a must to be concerned in the continuing climate change around the world. Due to this phenomenon, it is said that some islands in the country of Maldives are gradually sinking due to the rising water level because of the melting ice caps and glaciers. This tip is not only exclusive to Maldives, but also to any other country or place you wish to visit. This especially applies to you and your own place or country. We should be mindful of combating climate change even through baby steps. One of the rising eco-friendly hacks today is the use of metal straws instead of using the plastic ones. Start avoiding plastics. We should all be responsible tourists and start being sensitive about our environment.

8. Be sensitive of the culture and traditions of the citizens of Maldives. It is only a must that we should understand the culture and traditions of the place and country we are about to visit. Before we go to a certain place, we should first research or try to know the taboos, the acts of politeness, and beliefs of the people of a certain community or group of people. We should also be responsible tourists and become sensitive to the historical aspects of the country and place we are in. Not that you should deeply study and learn their history and culture, but be sure to be always be aware of the things we are doing and about to do. You cannot just do whatever you want. Cultural and historical sensitivity is the tourist’s responsibility. Also try to learn the basic native polite expressions of the place you are about to explore.

9. Bring enough clothes, batteries, gears, and other necessary stuff. Most probably, you have a long day to shoot around the island, so you need to prepare your OOTDs, batteries for your cameras, and other gears and essentials. Do not let the day go by without you getting shots of the mesmerizing view in Maldives. Also, try to make a “content” out of what you experienced and shot from the island. You can write a journal, a blog post, or a simple Instagram post with a wonderful caption. It is not everyday that a person gets to explore and capture the beauty of Maldives, so better be ready to document your experiences. This will also help you cherish your moments in the island once you get back to your home place again. Let others see and feel what you have experienced. Share your insights to the world.

10. Do not forget to treasure every minute of your life in Maldives. Of course, you should cherish your stay in Maldives. Shoot, contemplate, relax, and do whatever you want as long as it does not harm other people or offend others especially the people in Maldives. Always remember that you are responsible for all of your actions. Own up to it. But never forget to enjoy. Live your dream. Learn from the experiences. Make something out of them. Every day is an opportunity to learn and an attempt to become the better version of yourself.

So those are 10 of the tips and tricks I have for you for your future trip in Maldives. One major key point to remember is that it is really necessary to be prepared FINANCIALLY because funding the trip to Maldives (and to any other country) is not a walk in the park. This is not to discourage you from visiting the country, but for you to be able to be prepared before , during, and after your vacation in Maldives.

In spite of this, still, you should not forget to live your dream and others’ dream as well. Use the time for soul-searching and relaxation. Everybody needs a break from all the pressure from school and work. Also find time to document your experience to let the world know your experience and add some of your insights into your posts. The captions and stories you share can inspire others to grab that dream and turn it into a reality.

Cheers 🙂

Instagram Accounts

Hotel : @VelassaruMaldives

Travel Buddies : @Krisbst08 , @Iamrainvillaran, @Maiyaabueg, @KimmerFerrer and @RechellRaych

Photographs taken using : DJI Spark Drone, Go pro Hero 5, Canon M10, Samsung Note 8 and Fujifilm XT20 with 16mm 1.4

More photographs on Instagram @Dgrazon #DeegeeMaldives