TAILOR MADE ITINERARY- MEL-CMB-MLE RETURN OPTION 02 (Jetwing)

Sri Lanka has a recorded history that spans back 3000 years. Like its massive neighbor India, Sri Lanka is a diverse country, home to many religions, ethnicity and languages. It is also still blessed with a variety of wildlife that has survived alongside this human civilization, on this small island for centuries. Today it offers tourists a diverse experience - from the modern city of Colombo with its skyscrapers to national parks teeming with elephants and religious and cultural buildings of multiple origins.

Arriving in Sri Lanka

If you arrive via CIP fast track service, as soon as you exit from the plane, there will be an airport representative with your name in a sign board. You will be escorted to the Silk Route lounge where you will meet your chauffeur guide. You can relax here until the luggage will be brought to you on your behalf. Refreshments, tea and coffee will be provided while you wait. Also wash rooms and WiFi facilities are available. If you want to change foreign currency, please inform the guide or the airport representative who will assist you with this. The airport staff will borrow your passports to clear your luggage through customs on your behalf. You will exit the airport via a separate exit and your vehicle will be waiting for you at a designated car park for an easy exit.

*Note: If you are taking a domestic scheduled flight upon your arrival at BIA, then you will be met by a representative and transferred to the relevant terminal.

If you arrive in Sri Lanka without the CIP fast track service, then you will have to collect your luggage and then proceed through customs and come to the public arrival lounge where you will see all the chauffeur guides with various name sign boards. Look out for the relevant tour operator branded sign board with your name on it. If you can’t locate your chauffeur guide please call the emergency hotline on (+94 71 699 2211) and the local ground handling agent will assist you.

*Note: If you are taking a domestic scheduled flight upon your arrival at BIA, then you will need to proceed to the relevant domestic flight counter located at the general arrivals hall where you will be then escorted to by a representative to the relevant terminal.

Departing Sri Lanka

If you depart via CIP fast track service, then you will be dropped off by your chauffeur guide as a VIP entrance to the departure lounge and a dedicated porter (tips all taken cared) will be assigned to you to help with your luggage. You can wait in the lounge until you are checked in and then you will go with your porter who will be with you while you check in the luggage. Afterwards proceed directly towards the Executive Lounge (additional charges apply) where you can wait until the Gates open for your flight. You will have wash room and WiFi facilities available at the lounge.

*Note: Airport & Aviation Services of Sri Lanka advises all travelers to be at the airport at least (3) three hours prior to your departure flight time to comply with check-in deadlines as well as to avoid any unpredictable traffic on the roads & crowds at the airport. We also recommend you to check-in online at an appropriate time.

If you depart without the CIP fast track service, then you can hire the services of a porter (tips to be paid by you) from the public entrance of the departure lounge gate. Please keep your passport and ticket ready since you need to show this to get in. Once you get in, your luggage will be scanned and then you will be checked as well. Then proceed into the departure lounge and then if your flight is open for check in, you can enter. Once again your luggage and you will be checked. Then based on your airline, you can proceed to the counter and check your luggage in. Afterwards you can wait close to the gate in the public seating area until the gate opens up. 

*Note: Airport & Aviation Services of Sri Lanka advises all travelers to be at the airport at least (3) three hours prior to your departure flight time to comply with check-in deadlines as well as to avoid any unpredictable traffic on the roads & crowds at the airport. We also recommend you to check-in online at an appropriate time.

There had been some guest comments that the CIP arrival is much better than the CIP departure in terms of the service provided and the CIP arrival is much better value for money.

Hotels In Sri Lanka

• Most of the hotels in Sri Lanka has a standard check in time at 1400 Hrs and a check out time at 1200 Hrs. However, a handful of the hotels will have a different policy for this.
• Early check in or late check out can be requested at hotels on complimentary subject to availability on the required day. To secure a guaranteed early check in or late out you must book it in advance and pay for it.
• Most of the hotels in Sri Lanka has compulsory supplements for X'mas (24th December), NYE (31st December) & Perahera (Between July & August in Kandy).
• Some hotels may require an advance or full payment to guarantee reservations at the time of the confirmation.
• Confirmations from service providers including hotels may take between 24 - 48 hours.

Cinnamon Air Domestic Flights

Cinnamon Air schedule flight routes changes yearly, there are instances where new destinations are added to the daily schedule or sometimes discontinued on existing flight routes. However we will keep you updated well in advance of any changes. Also Cinnamon air makes time changes to their flights at the last minute which we will inform the guests accordingly. Each person is allowed 23KG of main luggage and 5KG of hand luggage.

However due to weather reasons & weight control, the airline might reduce or deny luggage to be carried on board. To avoid any last minute complaints from the travelers, most of the time, we advise our guides to transfer the luggage by road on the day before so that the luggage will wait for the guests at the next hotel at the time of check in. Guests are advised to carry a small hand luggage with a change of clothes. If you are reducing the weight of your luggage based on the Cinnamon air flight weight restrictions, please talk to us before the start of the tour since we can easily transfer the bags by road.

Train Journeys

• Your chauffeur will wait with you until the train arrives, escort you to your seats and then leave to pick you up from your destination. If the chauffeur can’t make it on time, we will arrange a separate vehicle to pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.
• The train at times can be late departing or even while En route (in rare cases they can get cancelled as well on short notice).  Also note that the train tickets can only be confirmed on availability 01 – 07 days prior to the train travel date as the tickets issued from the Railway Authority is being compromised by black marketers and we are only able to purchase tickets through them and confirm. If tickets are unavailable the clients will take a scenic road transfer.
• Only applicable for the train ride starting/ ending in Ella : If you wish to go over the famous Nine Arch bridge by train please let us know since if you start or end your train journey in Ella, you will not get to experience this. The Nine Arch bridge is located between Ella and Demodara stations
• 1st class train carriage is air conditioned & 2nd or 3rd class carriages are non air conditioned. 

Safari Game Drives At National Parks In Sri Lanka

• Yala National Park is another place which had become very popular and therefore you will find lots of jeeps inside the park in one place trying to get a look at one leopard. If you wish to have a relaxing safari we have alternatives to Yala such as Wilpattu and Lunugamvehera where leopard and bear sightings are really good as well.
• Yala National Park closes for a period between the months of September and October. The exact dates are announced nearer to time of the closure. This is mainly because of the well-being of the wildlife in the reserve due to the dry weather climate that will exist prior to the said months.
• Due to "The Gathering" at Minneriya National Park (during June, July & August) being very famous among tourists and locals, there’s a possibility that there will be many jeeps in the park during your safari.
• The elephants migrate time to time from Minneriya National Park to nearby parks and therefore depending on where the elephants are at, at the time of your arrival, the trackers will take you to either Minneriya, Kaudulla or Eco Park.

Cultural Sites in Sri Lanka

• Sigiriya Rock Fortress: During the weekends lots of locals and schools visit cultural sites and it could be busy. Therefore we do recommend that you visit these places early in the morning (Sigiriya around 7am with packed breakfast) so that you can avoid the many tourists and visitors.
• Polonnaruwa: During the weekends there will be many locals and school groups who come to visit the cultural sites and Polonnaruwa could be crowded. However since the ruins are spread around a large area, you will not be stuck in long queues anywhere.

White Water Rafting - Kitulgala

• Rapids are generally graded for white water rafting, and the waters at Kitulgala are not considered dangerous for those above the age of 11 years old, especially when accompanied by a guide. However, it is not recommended for the pregnant ladies, Little kids & people with heart conditions. If you have a health condition that you think might affect your experience, you should let your guide know so that they can make any necessary arrangements for you.
• Rafting will depend on the water level of the river & weather condition.

Tipping

We encourage you to offer tips to the chauffeur / national guides based on their services as a means of thank you for their time and energy. It’s an accepted practice and as a guideline, we would advise USD 15 – 20 per day. However this is at your discretion and you can decide any amount that you feel is the best.

Shopping

This is something that we do not promote during tours as an organizational policy. Therefore we refrain from including shopping destinations in the itineraries (unless requested for) since we understand that just like anywhere else in the world, commissions are involved and as a company we would like to stay away from them. If you wish to purchase any items, you can talk to your chauffer and he will take you to suggested shops. Also since we have not inspected nor purchased, we do not recommend and guarantee these products. Following are some shops that we think are better based on public opinion, but like mentioned above we do not have any stakes / benefits out of promoting these locations;

• Gems – Premadasa Gems in Colombo, Kandy & Galle
• Spice – Luckgrove in Matale
• Tea – Tea Tang, Dilmah in Colombo
• Other Colombo shopping destinations – Paradise Road, Barefoot, ODEL
• Other Galle shopping destinations – Three by TPV, ODEL, Barefoot

Changes to Itinerary

While on the ground if you wish to make any changes to your itinerary, we recommend you to call our emergency hotline so that we can provide you with the necessary information and amend the program as well. This way we can keep your Tour Operator (with whom you have booked the tour) informed of the same as well. 

*Note: Additional charges for changes made are subject to cancellation policies for services already booked , whereas refunds cannot be guaranteed unless otherwise it is negotiated and confirmed by the relevant managements of the service providers. 

What to Expect when travelling in Sri Lanka

·        When entering temples and kovils, you must wear clothes which cover your elbows and knees (we provide you with a wrap-around cloth to help you with this) Always remove foot-ware & caps when entering.

·        One day of the month is dedicated to Lord Buddha and is called a Poya day, on which all liquor sales are prohibited in the country, including in the hotels. (prior purchases on the day before can be made with the help of your driver or via the hotel)

·        Sri Lankan's love their spices and if you can’t take the extra spicy food, best keep in mind when ordering food, you might want to tell the chef to go easy on the chilies since the standard spicy level of Sri Lankan's could be a bit too much for someone who is not used to it. 

·        Cultural sites such as Sigiriya and Dambulla have become very popular and you will see a lot of people in these places. We have alternatives if you wish not to go to these sites. We recommend Yapahuwa rock fortress instead of Sigiriya and Mulkirigala Cave Temple, instead of Dambulla. If you really want to visit Sigiriya and Dambulla and also want to avoid the crowds, we recommend you be at the gate early morning and be the first to enter so that you will have the entire site to yourself before the crowds come in.

·        We always recommend that we book you in for a private yacht when doing whale watching so that you can have a very relaxing and comfortable experience. Also you can return back anytime you want as well.

·        During your beach holidays when you have not requested for a vehicle to be at your disposal and if you are going to use public transportation – it’s always best to agree on a fare before getting into a tuk tuk or a cab since outside of Colombo, there’re no meter services to calculate the fare. You are welcome to bargain since there’re no fixed prices.

·        Between 6 – 7 PM is generally the time that several mosquitoes come out and its best to be ready with an insect repellent, in case you are still outdoors.

·        Sunscreen is recommended when going out in the morning. Due to different sunscreen and insect repellent products react differently on people, these products are not included in the standard tour packet. However if you want one, please let your driver know and it will be complimentary for you.

·        When crossing the roads on your own, don’t be offended if vehicles don’t stop and give way. It’s an Asian cultural thing, where everyone is in a hurry on the road. Always cross the road on a yellow crossing and if one is not available, best raise your hand (in “STOP” motion) at the vehicles and cross the road.

·        Sri Lankan's will always have a smile on their faces and don’t hesitate to smile back. They are a very hospitable people and will go out of their way to help you out.

·        If you want to start a conversation with the locals, one of the famous topics would be Cricket. Everyone in Sri Lanka knows and love cricket.

·        Once in Sri Lanka you would witness Elephant back rides and bullock cart rides for tourists, but we refrain from promoting such rides since these animals are not cared properly and we try to stay away from anything that promotes animal cruelty.

·        If you’re someone who always enjoys local delicacies, the top 5 authentic food not to be missed would be – Kottu Rotti at Kaema Sutra restaurant – Colombo (comes with meat or vegetarian), Lamprais (a rise and curry with Dutch origins), Buffalo Curd with treacle, Black pork curry and finally, milk rice with lunu miris (the lunu miris is a bit spicy).

·        Famous Sinhalese words to remember would be;

-        Thank you - “Sthu-thi”

-        How Are You – “Ko-ho-ma-da”

-        Greetings – “Ayu-bo-wan” (don’t be surprised once you say this, some people might put their hands together and say the same, since this is the correct way of saying it)

Currency

Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR; symbol Rp) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Rp2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of Rp10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. There are also large numbers of commemorative coins in circulation.

The import and export of local currency is limited to Rp5000. The import of notes from India and Pakistan is not allowed. Otherwise, the import of foreign currency is not restricted but all amounts over US$10,000 are subject to declaration at customs. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on import.

Foreign currency can be changed at authorised exchanges, banks and hotels.

Banking

Banking hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300. Some city banks close at 1500, some even have night-time banking facilities.

MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. American Express is also often accepted. The tourist board urges caution when paying by credit card due to the potential for fraud.

Major cities have ATMs, although not all will accept international cards, especially the national bank. It is advisable to try to have some cash at hand whilst travelling, particularly in rural areas.

Traveller's cheques are often not accepted. If you find somewhere that will exchange them, the rate of exchange for traveller's cheques can be better than the rate of exchange for cash but there are handling fees to consider and banks are more likely to give a favourable rate than hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Domestic air services around Sri Lanka are limited, and most tourists travel by either road or train. If you do choose to fly, then the major domestic airport is Ratmalana at Colombo. There are reasonably regular flights to Jaffna, Palaly and Trincomalee by FitsAir (www.fitsair.com). Charter flights can be arranged by them, or by helicopter with Millennium Airlines (http://simplifly.com).

With the opening of Mattala Rajapaska International Airport, domestic services are expected to begin operating between the east and south coasts in the near future.

Sri Lanka has a widespread road network, which accounts for nearly 95% of land transport across the country. Driving tends to be erratic, and most travellers either employ a locally knowledgeable driver or use public transport.

The quality of the country’s road varies considerably. The main coastal arteries are modern and well-maintained, while many of the mountain roads are poor-quality and pockmarked with holes. Road works are everywhere, demonstrating the island’s increasing prosperity and its commitment to infrastructure development.

E class roads are high-speed expressways, while A class roads represent the national highway network. B class and C class roads tend to be smaller and of varying quality.

Car hire services are available from several international agencies. To hire a car, visitors must have a valid driving licence and be 18 or over. In order to avoid bureaucratic formalities in Sri Lanka, an International Driving Permit should be obtained before departure. If not, a temporary licence to drive is obtainable on presentation of a valid national driving licence. Air-conditioned minibuses are also available. Motorised rickshaws are also readily available for hire in towns and villages. Chauffeur-driven cars are not too expensive and are recommended.

Taxis in Sri Lanka have yellow tops and red and white plates. In Colombo, taxis are metered but it is advisable to agree a rate before setting off. Drivers expect a 10% tip. A cheaper and more authentic option is to flag down a tuk-tuk - these open rickshaws are available for hire in abundance across the country.

Cycling in the cities is inadvisable, but in rural areas bikes are becoming increasingly common. There are four National Cycle Trails. Most bike hire agencies are concentrated in Colombo and Negombo.

The cheapest and most enjoyable way to get around Sri Lanka is by bus. Most vehicles are ancient, atmospheric and packed with chattering locals, and major routes include Colombo to Kandy, Colombo to Matara and Colombo to Jaffna. Timetables can be found on the website of the National Transport Commission (www.ntc.gov.lk).

The Central Transport Board provides intensive urban bus operations in Colombo, where there are also private buses and minibuses. Fares are generally collected by conductors. Services are often crowded.

Trains connect Colombo with all tourist towns, but first-class carriages, air conditioning and dining cars are available on only a few. Passengers can buy tickets online from Sri Lanka Railways (www.railway.gov.lk). New fast services operate on the principal routes, including an intercity express service between Colombo and Kandy, otherwise journeys are fairly leisurely.First-class carriages almost always book up in advance, so it’s best to secure your ticket early.

There is no official river transport network, but several tourism operators offer river cruises on the Bentota and Polwatta rivers.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised, whilst bottled water and a variety of mineral waters are available at most hotels. Unpasteurised milk should be boiled, and if possible powdered or tinned milk is advised; these are generally available in Sri Lanka. Pasteurised and sterilised milk is available in some hotels and shops. Avoid dairy products made using unboiled milk. Beware of eating salads - vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled, and all should be washed in sterilised water. Street food in Sri Lanka is ubiquitous but use your judgement wisely and only eat well-cooked meat and fish, that have not been left sitting out.

Whether it’s a curry spread served in a private house or a succulent fish dish dressed to perfection in a restaurant, Sri Lankan cuisine is a true treat for the taste buds. Rice, spices and fruit are at the centre of most meals - expect a typical non-Westernised menu to feature staples such as mango lassi, Ceylon tea, curries and ‘roti’ flatbread. Prices are incredibly low outside the tourist hotspots, and it’s quite possible to eat like a king for less than £5 per day.

While Sri Lankan cookery is increasingly famous for its fine flavour combinations, most visitors will draw the line at being served curry at breakfast. Bigger hotels generally offer British-style spreads, but at smaller guesthouses you may need to ask for something a little milder. Expect a greater diversity of cuisine in large towns and cities such as Colombo and Negombo, where Chinese, Continental, Indian and Japanese menus are common.

In most Sri Lankan towns, you’ll find pavement stalls and corner shops selling street food specialities. No trip to the country is complete without a scrumptious snack bought from a street vendor but avoid unpeeled fruit and salads, which can trigger violent reactions in the uninitiated.

Alcohol cannot be sold on poya holidays (which occur each lunar month on the day of the full moon).

Most hotels include a 10% service charge. Extra tipping is optional.

Sri Lanka climate is tropical and consists of distinct wet and dry seasons. The Yala monsoon brings abundant rainfall to the country’s western and southern regions from May to September; the area experiences its dry season during December through March. Altogether, the southwest receives around 4000mm of rainfall each year. The Maha monsoon affects northern and eastern Sri Lanka weather and often lasts from October to January, with the dry season usually lasting from May to September. This region receives approximately 1000mm of precipitation annually, significantly less than the other half of the country. There is also an inter-monsoonal period in October and November during which rain and thunderstorms occur frequently across the island.

Generally speaking, upland areas of Sri Lanka are cooler and more temperate, with a yearly average around 16-20ºC (60-68ºF), and coastal areas are warmer with average temperatures around 27ºC (80ºF). The March-June season experiences slightly higher temperatures (up to 33ºC / 92ºF), while the temperatures in November-January are a few degrees lower (around 24ºC / 75ºF at the coast). Sri Lanka weather along the shores is made more comfortable by cooling sea breezes. The surrounding sea remains rather constant at roughly 27ºC (80ºF) year-round. Humidity is typically rather high in Sri Lanka, averaging out at around 80% year-round.

As the nation is located in the tropics, Sri Lanka weather can be severely affected by an El Niño. Though this irregular climate change only occurs around every three to seven years, the area’s weather can be altered for an extended time in effect. In the presence of a strong El Niño, expect a chance of drought conditions during the March-August months and possible flooding September-November. Floods regularly hit Sri Lanka, particularly in the southwestern region, so it may be wise to avoid the area during the wet season.

Sri Lanka climate can be at its most enjoyable in the drier seasons; the best time to travel to the west, south and upland areas of the island is during December to March, while the recommended travel season for the east coast region is April to September.

The most popular season for tourism is between December and March, when the country attracts Europeans fleeing the Northern Hemisphere’s winter weather. Christmas and the New Year are particularly popular for a Sri Lankan holiday, while July and August represent festival season on the island – if travelling during either time it is recommended to book well in advance to guarantee accommodation.

The island is certainly a year-round destination as there is usually one region of the country experiencing good weather, while others are hit by poorer conditions. The diverse topography of Sri Lanka allows for balmy beach holidays on the east coast from April to November, while the west is ideal for hitting the beach from December to March. However, be aware that Sri Lanka weather can be unpredictable during any season.

The weather in Sri Lanka can be unpredictable during any season so depending on where in the country you’re going, it’s best to take layers. The central highlands can be significantly cooler throughout the year, so you’ll need warmer clothes here. Lightweight rainwear is also recommended any time of year.

There are internet cafés in most towns and resorts. Whilst internet coverage is generally good, the same cannot be said for speeds, with many connections going via slower dial-up services rather than broadband.

Electrical sockets in Sri Lanka are Type G (BS-1363) and Type C (CEE 7/16 Europlug) and Type D (BS-546). If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all types.

Electrical sockets in Sri Lanka usually supply electricity at 230 volts AC / 50 Hz frequency. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliance isn’t compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter will be necessary.

Encompassing over 1000 coral islands that form about 25 natural atolls, the Maldives is separated from the rest of the world by the seemingly endless Indian Ocean, offering visitors a secluded little pocket of paradise. These exquisite tropical islands are best known for their white powder sand beaches, glistening blue lagoons and extensive reefs which are home to a diverse range of colourful marine life. The nation’s bustling capital of Male features an array of charming shops and restaurants as well as a busy fish market and a must-see 17th-century mosque known as Hukuru Miskiy which was constructed out of intricately carved white coral. Visitors will find plenty of activities to keep them entertained including: scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing, stand up paddleboarding, spa visits, and hopping from one idyllic little island to the next.

Currency

Maldivian Rufiya (MVR; symbol MRf) = 100 laari. Notes are in denominations of MRf 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of MRf 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laari.

Major currencies can be exchanged at banks, tourist resort islands, hotels and leading shops. Payments in hotels can be made in most hard currencies (particularly US Dollars) in cash, traveller's cheques or credit cards.

Banking

Banking hours are from Sunday-Thursday from 0730-1430.

Most major island resorts, local and souvenir shops will accept American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Arrangements vary from island to island. There are ATMs widely available in Malé but it isadvisable to check with your bank at home to find out if your card is compatible with ATMs in the Maldives

Travellers cheques are generally accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.

Internal flights in the Maldives are operated by Maldivian (www.maldivian.aero), linking Malé with provincial centres Hanimaadhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo and Gan.

There are also two seaplane companies operating seaplane transfers from Malé airport to individual resorts. These are Trans Maldivian Airways (www.transmaldivian.com) and Maldivian Air Taxi (www.maldivianairtaxi.com). These services are also available for charter trips around the islands.

There are only roads in Malé and a couple of other islands where there are small tarmaced strips. Overland transport on resort islands is usually by golf buggy.

Travel on individual islands does not present any problem since few of them take longer than half an hour to cross on foot.

In Malé, it is possible to take taxis but in most other areas taxi services are limited or non-existent.

Visitors generally remain on their resort island for the duration of their stay, although island-hopping trips by dhoni charters are widely available. High-speed boats usually meet arrivals at the airport, supplied by the resort they are booked with, and boats are available for hire at the ferry counter near the jetty area. The speedboats connect the airport with North and South Malé Atolls.

The water provided in the resort areas is generally safe to drink. In other areas, water of uncertain origin used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Food in upmarket hotels and resorts is usually risk free, although visitors should be cautious elsewhere.

Maldivian food is a fairly limited affair, consisting of fish, fruit and spicy curries. Your only chance to try ‘real’ Maldivian cuisine is in Malé, where cafés selling traditional snacks or ‘short eats’ (hedhikaa) are cheap and plentiful. Local specialities include: Seafood such as tuna, grouper, octopus, jobfish and swordfish; Kavaabu (deep-fried snacks made from rice, tuna, coconut, lentils and spices); and curries, usually made with chicken or beef. Curry leaves are added to a lot of Maldivian dishes.

On resort islands, there are normally between one and ten restaurants depending on the resort's size and level of luxury. Note that all restaurants on resort islands are run by the resort - there is no access to private enterprise. Cuisine is international, with all food other than seafood imported. All resorts have bars, where there is a good range of (usually pricey) alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available. It’s not possible to drink alcohol in Malé or anywhere else outside resorts.All bars are situated on resort island (no alcohol is available on Malé, though it is available on the nearby Airport island). Locals do not drink at all.

Regional drinks include: Sai (tea; a Maldivian favourite) and raa (toddy tapped from palm trees, sometimes left to ferment and thus slightly alcoholic - the closest any Maldivian gets to alcohol).

In international style restaurants in Malé a 10-15% tip for good service is standard. In local cafés it is not expected. In resorts, a service charge of 10-15% is usually automatically included in meals and for drinks. Extra tipping is not expected, though cash tips (US$1 per bag) for porters is appreciated.

The Maldives climate provides warm, tropical weather all year round, even during the wet season the temperature averages around the high twenties and low thirties. The Hulhangu Monsoon season runs from May to November leading to significantly higher rainfall, particularly on the southern islands; this period can see strong winds and fierce storms as well as overcast skies. However, it is still likely visitors will experience long hours of bright sunshine amidst the short, sharp torrential downpours of the monsoon. The Iruvai dry season sees a reduction in humidity and rainfall starting in January and continuing until April. February and March provide the most sun for holidaymakers from Europe seeking refuge from colder climes back home.

The Maldives climate is constantly hot and humid wherever you are. The average temperature generally ranges between 25°C (77°F) and 31°C (88°F) during the day, falling to 23°C (73°F) at night. Humidity is generally high with the wet season experiencing humidity levels of above 80% on average and the dryer months still as high as 75%.

Due to the lower rainfall and reduced humidity, Maldives climate is best experienced during the dry season, particularly between February and April. Although there is greater chance of rain during the wet season, the temperature remains hot and there is a strong chance of extended periods of sunshine in between showers.

The internet can be accessed from most areas of the Maldives. Malé, the capital, has a lack of internet cafés, but WiFi is available in many other cafés. Almost all resorts have internet connections via terminals for guest use or wireless, though these are rarely free.

For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in the Maldives are one of three types: the "Type C" European CEE 7/16 Europlug, the "Type G" British BS-1363 or the "Type D" Indian 5 amp BS-546. It's just anybody's guess as to which of the three types will be installed at any given specific location. it is advisable to contact your resort before leaving your home country to find out if your appliance plugs and voltage are compatible with the electrical outlets they provide. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all three types.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in the Republic of Maldives usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.