Plan Your Holidays

Maldives Travel FAQ

Welcome to our comprehensive Maldives FAQ! Whether you’re a first-time tourist, a returning traveler, a travel agent, or an expat, this guide answers 50 of the most common questions about visiting the Maldives. We’ve organized the FAQ into categories for easy navigation, covering history and culture, legal matters, social etiquette, travel tips, accommodation advice, health & safety, and more. Enjoy your trip to paradise!

Maldivian History & Culture

The Maldives has a rich history spanning over 2,500 years. Early settlers arrived from South Asia, and the islands were Buddhist for centuries before converting to Islam in 1153 AD The country was later influenced by Portuguese, Dutch, and British powers – it became a British protectorate in 1887 and gained full independence as a republic on July 26, 1965. Today, the Maldives is the smallest Asian country by population and is known for its stable, presidential republic government.

Maldivian culture is a blend of influences from India, Sri Lanka, Africa, and the Arab world. The national language, Dhivehi, reflects this mix, containing words from Sinhala, Tamil, and Arabic. Traditional Boduberu drumming and dance is a lively folk performance that’s popular at celebrations. Maldivians are also proud of their dhoni boats – handcrafted wooden vessels used for fishing and transport. The society is close-knit and family-oriented, with great respect for elders. Major public holidays follow the Islamic calendar (e.g. Eid festivals at the end of Ramadan), as well as a National Day and Republic Day celebrating their history.

The official language is Dhivehi (Maldivian), an Indo-Aryan language written in a unique script. However, English is widely spoken, especially in resorts, hotels, and tourist areas. You’ll find that staff at resorts, tour guides, and many locals in hospitality are fluent in English. In the capital Malé and larger local islands, many people (especially younger generations) also understand English, so communication is generally easy for visitors. Some resort workers speak additional languages based on the clientele.

Maldivian cuisine is based around three main staples: fish, coconut, and starches (like rice or root crops). Tuna is the most common fish – you’ll find it in everything from breakfast dishes to curries. A popular local dish is Mas Riha, a spicy tuna curry cooked with coconut milk. Other specialties include garudhiya (a clear fish broth), roshi (flatbread) and short eats called hedhikaa, like fish rolls and coconut-and-lentil snacks. Due to Islamic dietary laws, you won’t find pork on local menus, but resorts often cater to international tastes. Resorts serve a wide range of cuisines – from buffets with Western, Asian, and Middle Eastern dishes to specialty restaurants – so both adventurous eaters and those preferring familiar foods will have plenty of options.

Yes. The Maldives is a 100% Muslim country – Islam is the state religion, and all Maldivian citizens are Muslim. This shapes the local laws and customs. For example, daily life pauses for prayer times, especially on Fridays (the holy day). During the month of Ramadan, many locals fast from dawn to dusk, and some services (like local cafés or government offices) may close or operate on reduced hours. Tourists are not expected to follow Islamic practices, but should be mindful of them. This means that outside of resorts, alcohol and pork are not available, and modest dress is required (more on that in the etiquette section). Visitors are welcome to observe or quietly participate in cultural events, but proselytizing or openly practicing other religions in public is prohibited. Overall, as long as you respect the local customs (e.g. dress modestly and avoid eating in public during Ramadan on local islands), you’ll find Maldivians very hospitable and friendly.

Entry Requirements & Legal Matters

No pre-arrival visa is required for tourists. The Maldives grants a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival to all nationalities. Upon landing, you’ll need to show a passport valid for at least 1 month, proof of onward travel (return flight tickets), and a confirmation of your accommodation booking or sufficient funds for your stay. The visa is issued at the airport immigration counter without any fee in most cases.

Yes. Tourist visas can be extended up to a maximum of 90 days in total. You must apply for the extension (before your initial 30 days expire) with the Maldives Immigration authorities, provide a valid reason or sponsor (like your hotel or a resident), and pay a fee for the extension. Always double-check the latest requirements on Maldives Immigration’s website or ask your hotel for assistance if you plan to stay longer than 30 days.

The Maldives has strict customs rules. It is forbidden to bring firearms or weapons, narcotic drugs, pornographic materials, pork products, and idols or materials for worship of religions other than Islam into the country. Alcoholic beverages are also prohibited in luggage and will be confiscated at customs if you’re not a licensed importer. (Don’t worry – alcohol is available at resorts, just not allowed through the airport). Additionally, starting in late 2024 the Maldives banned vaping device – if you bring a vape, customs will hold it and return it when you depart. Illegal drugs of any kind carry severe penalties, including long jail sentences, so absolutely avoid bringing or using drugs. When in doubt, declare any prescription medications (with a doctor’s note), and respect these rules to avoid trouble at the airport.

Alcohol is only available on resort islands and liveaboard boats that have special licenses, as well as at the single designated airport hotel bar. It is illegal to bring alcohol into the country or to consume it on local (inhabited) islands. This means you cannot buy alcohol in Malé or any local town – even tourist guesthouses on local islands cannot serve it. However, all resorts (and safari/liveaboard cruises) serve beer, wine, and spirits to their guests under a regulation that permits alcohol on those premises. So if you stay at a resort, you’ll have access to cocktails and drinks as usual. Just be aware that if you visit a local island on a day trip, you should not carry alcohol with you or expect to find it there. Enjoy your drinks at the resort, but remember public intoxication off-resort would be considered disrespectful.

Recreational drone use is heavily regulated in the Maldives. Technically, you are allowed to bring a drone in, but to fly it legally you must obtain approvals from the Maldives National Defence Force and the Civil Aviation Authority – a process that involves paperwork and can be time-consuming. Many resorts completely ban drones for privacy and safety reasons (some resorts even impose fines if you launch a drone without permission). If you still wish to drone, it’s best to check with your resort in advance and get written permission. For any drone flight near inhabited islands or sensitive areas, official permits are required. In summary: don’t plan on using a drone freely unless you’ve secured all necessary permissions; otherwise, stick to ground and underwater photography, which are more than stunning enough in the Maldives!

Local Customs & Etiquette

Dress code expectations differ between resort islands and local islands. On resort islands, you can wear typical beach attire – swimwear, shorts, sundresses are all fine, and there’s no strict code (nudity, however, is not allowed). Women can wear bikinis at the resort pools and beaches without an issue. In the capital Malé or other inhabited local islands, by contrast, modest dress is required out of respect for the Muslim culture. This means both men and women should cover their shoulders and thighs when in public on local islands. For women, it’s recommended to wear longer shorts, skirts or loose pants, and tops that cover the shoulders (no low-cut or transparent clothing). Men should avoid walking around shirtless or in swim trunks in villages – t-shirts and knee-length shorts are good. If you plan to visit a mosque, long pants for men and clothing covering arms and legs plus a headscarf for women are appropriate. Many local islands do have designated “bikini beaches” for tourists (signposted areas where tourists can swim in swimwear), but elsewhere on those islands you must cover up. It’s a good idea to carry a light shawl or sarong to wrap over your swimwear when going through local areas.

Not on public beaches in inhabited islands. Bikinis and revealing swimwear are only acceptable on resort islands and certain tourist-designated beaches on local islands. In Malé or village areas, it’s considered disrespectful (and actually legally prohibited) for women to be in bikinis or for men to be shirtless in public. If you’re staying at a local island guesthouse, they will usually guide you to a specific beach where tourist swimwear is allowed. Always use cover-ups when transiting through the village to the beach. On private resort islands, feel free to sunbathe in your bikini or swim trunks – resorts are separate from local communities and cater to international norms. Just remember that nudity is illegal everywhere, even in private resorts, so keep that swimsuit on. Overall, if you’re unsure, err on the side of modesty unless you are on a confirmed resort beach.

Public displays of affection are frowned upon in the Maldives’ conservative society. On local islands and in public places, couples should avoid kissing, passionate hugging, or any overtly affectionate behavior – it can cause offense and is against local norms. Even holding hands can be seen as too intimate in some local areas (though a married couple holding hands quietly would usually be tolerated). If you’re in Malé or a local island, it’s best to be discreet – a friendly side hug for a photo is one thing, but prolonged embraces or kisses in public are not appropriate. On resort islands, the environment is more permissive. Resorts understand they have many honeymooners, so hand-holding and brief hugs or a peck are generally fine at the resort property. Still, out of respect for staff (many of whom are local), it’s good to keep any affection low-key. In summary: save the romance for the privacy of your room or when no one’s around, especially off-resort.

The Maldives, like many Islamic countries, has its weekend on Friday and Saturday (not Saturday-Sunday). Friday is the holy day: government offices, banks, and many shops close on Friday (all day or at least for the Friday noon prayer). On inhabited islands, Friday prayer time (around 12:00–14:00) is a very quiet period – almost everything shuts down as people attend mosque. If you are in Malé or another local island on a Friday, expect most businesses (and even ferries) to pause around midday. Tourist resorts, however, operate normally on Fridays (guests often wouldn’t even notice it’s the weekend except that some local excursion schedules might adjust). Saturday is also part of the local weekend, but shops may open for at least part of the day. The work week then runs Sunday through Thursday. In addition, five times a day you’ll hear the call to prayer. During those prayer times, some local shopkeepers might briefly step away to pray (usually for 5–10 minutes). As a visitor, you’re not expected to do anything special except perhaps avoid loud activities near mosques and be patient if a service is momentarily paused for prayer.

Tipping is not mandatory in the Maldives, because a 10% service charge is usually added to most bills (and distributed among staff by law). However, tips are appreciated for exceptional service. Many tourists choose to tip certain staff who assist them frequently – for example, your room attendant, waiters, porters, or dive guides. Typical tips might be around $2–$5 for a porter or waiter, and maybe $10–$20 for your room cleaner (often given at the end of the stay or a smaller amount each day). If you have a personal butler or a specific host, a larger tip at the end (say $50 or more) is not uncommon for excellent service. Always tip in cash (USD) if possible, as foreign currencies (especially USD) are widely accepted and preferred for tips. In restaurants outside resorts (on local islands), you can round up the bill or leave small change if service charge wasn’t included – it’s kind but not expected. Note that at the airport, official porters have fixed fees and tipping them extra isn’t necessary. In summary, you won’t offend anyone by not tipping due to the service charge, but rewarding someone who went above-and-beyond is a nice gesture (and will be gratefully received).

Always ask permission before photographing local people, especially women, in the Maldives. Many Maldivians are a bit camera-shy or value privacy, so it’s respectful to gesture or ask “photo?” before snapping pictures of individuals or small groups. Often they will oblige, and it can lead to friendly interaction. Avoid taking pictures of people praying or of women without consent. When it comes to mosques, non-Muslims are generally not allowed inside mosques in Maldives (with a few exceptions like the Old Friday Mosque in Malé if special permission is granted). You may take exterior photos of mosques, but do not photograph worshippers during prayer and, if you’re near a mosque, be mindful of modesty. Also, remove your shoes before entering any mosque or a local home if you ever visit one. Drone photography is a separate matter (see the drone question above), but with any camera, respect people’s wishes – if someone waves you off, please refrain. At resorts, photography is generally fine (they’re used to Instagrammers!), just be considerate if you’re capturing other guests in your shots. And of course, the underwater world is a photographer’s dream – feel free to photograph fish, corals, and scenery to your heart’s content (just remember not to touch or damage marine life while doing so).

Practical Travel Tips (Flights, Money, Connectivity, etc.)

Almost everyone arrives in the Maldives by air. The main gateway is Velana International Airport (MLE), located on Hulhulé Island next to the capital Malé. Dozens of international flights operate to MLE from major cities in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. For example, there are nonstop flights from Dubai, Doha, Singapore, Istanbul, Mumbai, London (seasonally), etc. If coming from North America or other long-haul origins, you will typically connect through a hub like Dubai, Doha, or Singapore since there are no direct flights from the Americas. The airport is quite small but modern, and it’s uniquely situated on its own island – when you land, you’re practically landing next to the ocean! A second international airport, Gan (in the far south), receives a few flights from Sri Lanka, but MLE is by far the primary entry point for tourists.

Your resort or hotel will typically arrange the transfer from Velana International Airport. Since resorts are on separate islands, you can’t simply take a car – you’ll go by speedboat, domestic flight, or seaplane, depending on the distance and location. Upon arriving at MLE airport, you’ll find representatives from each resort waiting in the arrivals area to guide guests. They will check you in for your transfer and escort you to the boat dock or the seaplane terminal. If your resort is near Malé (close by in the same atoll), you’ll likely take a speedboat directly from the airport – many run 24/7 for arrivals. For farther resorts, you might take a seaplane (a small 15-seat floatplane) which operates during daylight hours and offers a scenic flight to your resort’s lagoon. Some distant atolls have domestic airports, so you’d take a domestic flight on a local airline (about 20–60 minutes) then a short speedboat ride to the resort. In all cases, the resort coordinates the schedule – you usually won’t need to book it yourself. They will charge you for the transfer (often a hefty fee) as part of your reservation. If you’re staying on a local island rather than a resort, you may take a public ferry or a scheduled speedboat from Malé or from an atoll’s capital. Always confirm with your guesthouse – they’ll tell you the timing of boats. The good news is the logistics are well-organized: you’ll be met at the airport by staff who will handle your luggage and get you on the right boat or plane without hassle.

Yes, you can! Many travelers split their stay between different islands or even different types of accommodation. For example, you might do a few nights at a local island guesthouse and then a few nights at a resort, or split between two resorts in different atolls. It’s quite common and completely allowed to travel between islands, as long as all accommodations are in registered tourist facilities. Resorts and guesthouses can assist with arranging transfers from one island to another (often it will route you via the airport/Malé if the islands are far apart). There are also public inter-island ferries and scheduled speedboats between inhabited islands that adventurous travelers can use for budget island-hopping. Do note that moving between resorts usually requires going back to Malé or a hub point – direct resort-to-resort transfers are not routine unless the resorts are near each other. If you plan to do this, it’s best to coordinate with both hotels in advance so you know the timing and method of transfer. Liveaboard cruises are another way to hop around – you live on a boat and visit multiple atolls. Overall, exploring multiple islands is a great way to see different sides of the Maldives, from local life to ultra-luxury, as long as you budget time and transfer costs accordingly.

The Maldives is warm year-round, but it has dry and wet seasons. The best time weather-wise is generally December through April, when it’s the dry northeast monsoon – you’ll get plenty of sun, calmer seas, and lower humidity. This is also the peak tourist season (especially Christmas and New Year), so prices are highest and resorts can be fully booked. The rainy season runs roughly May through October, when the southwest monsoon can bring heavier rainfall, more clouds, and choppier seas. July and August in particular can be wet (though you still get sunshine in between showers). The trade-off is that this is low season – resorts offer better rates and there are fewer tourists around. If you’re a diver, note that May–November is plankton season which attracts manta rays and whale sharks, but also reduces water visibility slightly. The shoulder months of November and April are often ideal, as they offer a balance – transitional periods that can have great weather and still relatively fewer crowds. In summary, you’ll likely have the clearest skies from January to March, whereas you might find bargains (with some chance of rain) in June or September. Whenever you go, temperatures are typically around 28-32°C (82-90°F) each day.

The Maldives enjoys a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures. Daily highs are usually around 30°C (86°F), and nightly lows around 25°C (77°F) – it rarely deviates much from this range throughout the year. Humidity can be high (especially in the wetter months), but ocean breezes help. The sun is strong near the equator, so it often feels very hot in midday. As mentioned above, the year is split into a dry season (roughly Dec–Apr) with lots of sunshine and a wet season (May–Nov) with more frequent rain. Rain in the Maldives tends to come in short heavy bursts (thunderstorms or showers) rather than days of continuous drizzle. You might experience dramatic tropical downpours that last an hour and then clear up. The sea temperature is also warm year-round (about 28°C/82°F), making swimming and diving pleasant in any month. The Maldives can occasionally experience brief squalls or, very rarely, the edge effects of cyclones from far away, but direct cyclones are extremely uncommon this close to the equator. Overall, expect balmy, sun-filled days with postcard blue skies in the high season, and a mix of sun and quick rain showers in the off season.

Pack light, airy clothing suitable for tropical weather. Must-haves include: swimwear, T-shirts or lightweight shirts, shorts, sundresses, and flip-flops or sandals. Don’t forget a wide-brimmed sun hat and good UV-blocking sunglasses – the sun is intense. High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen is essential (and expensive if you buy it at the resort, so bring enough). If you plan to snorkel, consider bringing a rash guard (swim shirt) to protect from sunburn and stingers. For visiting local islands or Malé, pack at least one outfit that covers your shoulders and knees (e.g. capri pants or a skirt and a short-sleeve top) for modesty. A light scarf or wrap can be handy for both modest covering and as a shawl in the evening. In terms of shoes, you won’t need much – many resorts are “no shoes, no news” barefoot-friendly. Perhaps include water shoes if you want protection on coral sand or for wading in rocky areas. Insect repellent is a good idea for evenings, especially on local islands or if you sit outdoors by foliage. Other handy items: a reusable water bottle (many resorts have filtered water to reduce plastics), and your snorkel gear if you prefer to use your own (though resorts provide masks and fins, quality can vary). Don’t forget any prescription medications you need, plus basic meds for headaches or motion sickness just in case. For electronics, Maldives uses UK-style Type G plugs (230V), so bring a universal adapter. Lastly, a camera (or waterproof camera) to capture the stunning scenery, and maybe a dry bag to keep your electronics safe on boat trips, will round out your packing list.

Yes, you can stay connected. Wi-Fi is available at almost all resorts and guesthouses – in many higher-end resorts, Wi-Fi is free and accessible in rooms and common areas (though ultra-remote resorts may have slightly slower speeds). Do note that resort Wi-Fi can sometimes slow down during peak hours when many guests are online at once. In local island guesthouses, Wi-Fi is typically provided, but quality varies. If you need reliable internet everywhere, consider getting a local SIM card or eSIM for your unlocked phone. The Maldives has two main telecom providers: Dhiraagu and Ooredoo. At the airport arrival area, you’ll find booths where you can buy a tourist SIM card (for example, $30 for a package with several GB of data). Mobile coverage is surprisingly good on most inhabited islands and even many resort islands, with 4G signal in a lot of areas. Using a local SIM for data can be more reliable than some resort Wi-Fi networks, and it’s definitely cheaper than international roaming. If you’re island-hopping, a SIM is useful on the go. In Malé and larger islands, there are also internet cafés and some public Wi-Fi hotspots. Overall, while you can disconnect in the Maldives and enjoy paradise, you don’t have to be off-grid unless you choose – getting online is quite feasible.

The local currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). However, as a tourist you will find that US dollars are widely accepted and indeed are the standard currency at resorts. In resorts, almost everything is priced in USD and you can settle your bill by credit card or USD cash. On local islands, many guesthouses, dive centers, and shops will also accept USD (and sometimes EUR) for payment, though change might be given in rufiyaa. The exchange rate is roughly 15.4 MVR to 1 USD (it’s a quasi-fixed rate). It doesn’t fluctuate much, so some places just take $1 = 15 MVR for simplicity. If you pay in USD cash, bring smaller denominations (like $1, $5, $10 notes) since getting change for big bills can be tricky and smaller businesses might run out of change. It can be useful to have some local rufiyaa on hand for things like local ferries, small cafés, or tipping local service providers. You can get rufiyaa by exchanging money at the airport bank counter or withdrawing from an ATM in Malé (ATMs usually give rufiyaa). But if you’re mostly at a resort, you actually don’t need local cash – you can sign for things to your room and pay by card at check-out. Credit cards are widely used (see next question) and are usually the easiest way to handle big expenses.

Credit cards are widely accepted at all resorts, hotels, and many shops catering to tourists. Visa and MasterCard are most common, and many places also take American Express. At a typical resort, you won’t use cash at all – everything from meals to spa treatments gets charged to your room, and you settle by card (or cash if you prefer) when checking out. However, if you venture to local islands or Malé, it’s wise to carry some cash. Local restaurants, small shops, and ferry ticket counters may not have card facilities, so having rufiyaa or USD in small notes helps. There are ATMs in Malé and in the airport (and a few on some bigger inhabited islands like Maafushi or Hithadhoo), but none on resort islands. So, if you’re going to a resort and want cash, withdraw or exchange in the airport before you head out. For local islands, there might be 1-2 ATMs on the island (if it’s a larger island), but don’t rely completely on that – bring some backup cash. Tipping small amounts and purchasing souvenirs from local markets is easiest done in cash (rufiyaa or USD). One tip: if you pay in USD, bring crisp, newer bills (post-2006) because very old or worn USD notes might not be accepted by banks. It’s also worth informing your bank that you’re traveling to the Maldives, so your card transactions go through smoothly. In summary, carry a mix – a credit card for big expenses and resort bills, and some cash for incidentals and local spending.

The Maldives is in the GMT+5 time zone, 5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There’s no daylight saving time, so it’s +5 year-round. All inhabited islands run on Maldives standard time. However, some resorts do use “resort time”, which can be one hour ahead of official time (GMT+6). The reason is to give guests more daylight in the evening – essentially, if sunset is at 6:30 pm in Malé, a resort might shift to +6 so that sunset becomes 7:30 pm “resort time,” allowing a longer afternoon. This practice isn’t universal, but quite a few resorts do it. For example, a resort might tell you upon arrival that they operate on resort time (one hour ahead of Malé). Your transfers will always account for this, so don’t worry – just set your watch to whatever the resort says. It’s a quirky Maldives thing that two islands close by can have a one-hour time difference if one uses resort time and the other doesn’t! When you check out and go back to the airport, you’ll switch back to regular Maldives time (GMT+5) because the airport and domestic flights all run on standard time. So the key is: listen to your resort’s guidance on the time. Many resorts will put a note in their welcome letter or even have clocks adjusted to make it easy. And if you island-hop, remember to adjust if needed. Aside from resort-specific shifts, Maldives time is 5 hours ahead of London in winter (and 4 hours ahead in summer), 10 hours ahead of New York (EST), and 3 hours behind Singapore, as a reference.

In the Maldives, the power outlets are typically Type G (the rectangular three-pin plug, same as the United Kingdom). The standard voltage is 230V, 50Hz. Many resorts, being aware of international clientele, might have multi-standard sockets or provide adaptors, but it’s not guaranteed in every room. It’s safest to bring a universal travel adapter that can fit UK-style sockets. If your devices use 110V (North America, for example), check that they are dual-voltage (most phone/laptop chargers are). If not, you’d need a converter, but nearly all modern electronics and chargers handle 220-240V automatically – just check the label. Power outages are not common at resorts (most have generators and stable power), but on some local islands the electricity can occasionally flicker. It’s a good idea to use a surge protector for sensitive electronics. Fun fact: some resort villas also have USB charging ports or international outlets nowadays. But to be safe, pack that adapter so you can charge your phone, camera, etc., without any issue.

Accommodation & Activities (Resorts, Guesthouses & Liveaboards)

You have three main options: resort islands, local island guesthouses, and liveaboard boats. There are around 100+ private resort islands in the Maldives. Each resort usually occupies its own island, offering luxury amenities, overwater villas, beach bungalows, restaurants, and spas. These range from ultra-luxury 5-star brands to more mid-range 4-star resorts. Secondly, since about a decade ago, the Maldives opened up local inhabited islands to tourists, resulting in many guesthouses and boutique hotels run by locals. These guesthouses are on islands where Maldivian communities live – they are far more affordable than resorts and give you a cultural experience (you can eat local food, meet locals, etc.), though facilities are simpler. Lastly, for the adventurous, there are liveaboard safari boats – essentially floating hotels – that cruise around the atolls. Liveaboards are especially popular with scuba divers and surfers, as they take you to different dive sites or surf breaks each day. They range from budget boats to luxury yachts. Additionally, in Malé and a few other transport hubs, there are some city hotels (mainly used by transit passengers or short-stay business visitors). So you can choose: a secluded resort with all the bells and whistles, a friendly guesthouse in a village, or a yacht roaming the seas. Many people actually combine a resort stay with a local island stay to get the best of both worlds.

The experiences are quite different. A resort island is exclusively for tourists and staff – it’s like a self-contained paradise. Resorts can offer indulgences like overwater villas, infinity pools, gourmet dining, alcohol service, and often no dress code (bikinis and drinks by the pool are fine). You generally won’t encounter local village life on a resort; instead, you get beaches, water sports, and a curated luxury environment. On the other hand, a local island guesthouse means you’re staying in a town or village among the Maldivian community. This offers you an authentic cultural experience – you can visit local cafés, see everyday life, maybe join fishing trips with locals or eat home-cooked meals. However, local islands follow all Muslim customs and laws. This means no alcohol is allowed and no pork (you might get chicken or beef substitutes). You must dress modestly when away from the tourist beach. Facilities on local islands are improving, but you won’t have the extensive amenities of a resort (no on-site spa or 5 restaurants – though some islands have dive centers and water sports). Guesthouses are much cheaper – often $50–$150 per night versus hundreds or thousands at resorts. You might trade luxury and privacy for cultural richness and savings. Also, at guesthouses, you can arrange excursions (snorkeling, picnics, etc.) often at lower cost than resorts charge. Both can be very enjoyable – it really depends if you prefer a polished resort experience or a