26 natural atolls 1,192 coral islands, about 200 inhabited Visa on arrival Free 30 days, all nationalities Green tax $12/night resorts · $6/night small guesthouses Best diving visibility Dry season, roughly Dec–Apr One island, one resort The concept that shaped Maldives tourism Guesthouses on local islands Legal since 2009 — a genuine budget route 26 natural atolls 1,192 coral islands, about 200 inhabited Visa on arrival Free 30 days, all nationalities Green tax $12/night resorts · $6/night small guesthouses Best diving visibility Dry season, roughly Dec–Apr One island, one resort The concept that shaped Maldives tourism Guesthouses on local islands Legal since 2009 — a genuine budget route
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Alcohol

Alcohol & resort bars

Where alcohol is and isn't available in the Maldives follows one clean rule, covered in our religion & etiquette guide: resort islands and liveaboards serve it, inhabited local islands — including Malé itself — do not.

What resort bar programs actually look like

Beyond the basic fact of availability, resort bar and wine programs vary enormously — from a simple pool bar with standard spirits and local beer, up to dedicated wine cellars and sommelier-led programs at higher-end properties. Soneva Fushi and other established luxury resorts in this directory are known for particularly extensive wine lists as part of their overall dining identity.

What's included vs. what's extra

Whether alcohol is included in your rate depends entirely on the meal plan you've booked — see our resort dining guide for how room-only, half-board, full-board and all-inclusive plans typically differ, since "all-inclusive" doesn't always mean unlimited premium drinks.

Duty-free

International arrivals can generally access duty-free alcohol purchases at certain points of entry — worth checking current allowances and where this applies specifically if bringing your own is part of the plan, since rules and availability can change.