Alcohol in the Maldives is expensive, this is because it is imported from outside the country with high levels of taxes. If you really want a cocktail then pay attention to when happy hour is as you can often enjoy drinks for half the price or on 2 for 1 offers.
Prices vary a lot, depending on the resort. A beer will be 5-12 $, a cocktail 10- 25$, some resorts are even more expensive, but those will be out of budget anyway.
Drinks in the Maldives are not cheap, thanks mostly to the country's 22% tax on alcohol. If you plan on having drinks in your resort allow extra in your budget. On most resorts, a beer costs $10 to $15, whilst cocktails usually start from $20.
Alcoholic drinks are only available on resort islands. Do not take any alcohol away from a resort. The export of tortoise shell and coral is forbidden. Mariners in possession of firearms must surrender them to the local authorities.
Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic are included in your package. With that said, some resorts have all-inclusive packages with alcohol and some without, so do your homework beforehand to see if there are any extra charges.
Maldives Airport Duty Free Liquor Latest Price Aug 2022
Can you drink at resorts in the Maldives?
Alcohol: All alcoholic drinks you'd expect to find are freely available on all resort islands, but alcohol is not allowed on local islands including Male, hence the strict ban on importing it into the country.
As the islands are an Islamic nation, the population does not drink alcohol, however, it is available in most resorts. Locals instead prefer to drink sai or tea. Raa is a traditional drink and is a toddy that has been tapped from palm trees. It is sometimes left to ferment.
Considering this, tipping in the Maldives is not mandatory, but of course, highly appreciated. Tipping can be done as a gesture of appreciation or gratitude for excellent service and it is up to the discretion of each traveler.
However, US dollars are widely accepted. It may be useful to have some small denomination bills in the local currency or US dollars to use for tips to local guides if you are doing any excursions outside the hotel.
There is one exception to the rule here, and that is tourist island resorts. As one of Maldives' main income sources is tourism, the government has allowed alcohol to be sold and consumed in the resorts by tourists.
Generally, the Maldives is considered a high-end destination, and many of the resorts and hotels are designed to offer an exclusive and luxurious experience. Prices for accommodations can range from $100 to $50,000 or more per night depending on the type of room, amenities, and level of service.
While meal prices in the Maldives can vary, the average cost of food in the Maldives is MVR1,205 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in the Maldives should cost around MVR482 per person.
Totally worth it if you take every meal or enjoy alcoholic beverages. If you're planning to fully utilize all of the meals and drinks offered by the all-inclusive package at Le Meridien Maldives, it's likely that you will be able to save over $100 per day by opting for the all-inclusive package.
Water sanitation varies greatly from island to island in the Maldives. In the capital, the tap water is desalinated sea water, and while it doesn't taste great, it's safe to drink.
If you select an All Inclusive plan then some wine will be included in the package (in some Resorts), however each Resort will have its own version of AI. As Lyn says, the prices vary by resort and particularly the class of resort. At the cheaper end you're likely to pay $30-$40 a bottle up to thousands (plus taxes).
In the Maldives, it is appropriate for men to wear shorts (knee length) and t-shirts. Women in particular should take care to stay covered though, so always wear over-the-shoulder longer dresses, shirts and trousers. Never wear skimpy swimwear unless it is clearly marked that it is okay to do so.
Make sure you bring sufficient funds. On some islands cash machines can be scarce. Travellers' cheques are not widely used. Major credit cards are accepted at resorts and hotels.
As a guide $10 to 20 per week is a good amount to put in the box for these unseen members of staff. Other members of staff will give you good service throughout your stay and I would recommend tipping them either $1 to $2 per day, or $10 to $20 per week.
At the Male Airport Duty Free shops you will find a wide range of wines and spirits from around the world. All popular top beverage brands can be purchased here.
Gulha is the national dish of Maldives, a deep-fried pastry ball filled with smoked fish such as Maldive fish or tuna, along with desiccated coconut and onions. The snacks are usually sold at small cafés known as hotaa, or in shops scattered throughout the island.
Nightlife in Maldives is much more varied than it is perceived to beBesides bar hopping and clubbing options, you can watch crab racing and jungle cinema as well. Check out the unmissable top experiences of Maldives nightlife – from coolest parties to unique Maldivian experiences to most popular restaurants and bars.
Holidaymakers on all-inclusive packages will no longer be offered unlimited booze by hotels as part of a raft of major changes. The new rules, which are part of a crackdown on health, safety and anti-social behaviour will now see the number of free alcoholic drinks handed out restricted.
These rules mean, if you stay at an all inclusive hotel in one of these resorts, you can have a maximum of 6 alcoholic drinks a day as part of your all inclusive package – 3 at lunch and 3 with evening meals. Soft drinks are unlimited at any time of day and you can buy additional alcoholic drinks if you wish.
