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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Booking checklist

Questions to ask before booking a resort

This page is a distilled checklist version of several other guides on this site — the specific questions worth asking a resort or travel agent directly before booking, rather than assuming a brochure or listing page covers everything.

Transfers

  • Speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight? See our getting around the atolls guide.
  • Is the transfer included in the quoted rate, or billed separately?
  • What happens if my international flight arrives after dark and my transfer is seaplane-only?

What's actually included

  • Exactly which restaurants and drinks are covered by my specific meal plan — see our resort dining guide.
  • Are green tax, GST and service charge included in the quoted price, or added at checkout? See our green tax explainer.

The villa itself

Anything specific to your trip