Taxis in Male are useful and can be hailed from the street or ordered by phone, a trip usually costs around MVR.25. Taxis operate 24 hours a day and provide a great alternative for exploring the city. The maximum rates for taxis are set by the government, fees increase after midnight until 6 am.

Yes walking around is easily done and small enough to see almost all the sights which are mainly concentrated on the north shore, a 15-minute walk from the airport ferry. Male is one of the world’s smallest capital cities, and it only takes around 20 minutes to walk the length of the island. Majeedhee Magu, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, and Chaandhanee Magu are the main roads that criss-cross the city and walk along the “magus” stopping into the shops, attractions, and eateries along the way.

Riding a bicycle in Male is a great way to explore Male and is the favored mode of transport for locals. Resorts and hotels often supply guests with bicycles either free of charge or for a small rental fee.

Male is an extremely safe place to visit, most visitors stay in “resort hotels” where crime levels are relatively low. Use your street smarts when exploring busy tourist areas, keep your wits about you, and keep your personal items close. Petty crime including theft of goods unattended on the beach or in hotel rooms does occur, use a safe deposit box in the hotels and resorts to take care of your valuables.

The Male Fish Market is located on the northern waterfront in Male, just west of Republic Square. There are a number of fishing boats docked opposite the market and this is where the local fishermen bring their fresh catch of the day to sell. There are lots of small stalls selling local products from the atolls, along with produce and plenty of different smoked and dried fish.

Majeedhee Magu is one of the main streets in Male, it runs from east to west and is the main shopping area in the capital city.

South West Harbour Area is brimming with cafes that are popular with locals and tourists alike throughout the day. The ferry terminal here takes passengers to Villimale Island, where the only natural beach in Male City is located.

The only beach in Male is on Vilimale Island, a small artificial beach on the east coast around 10 minutes from the airport ferry. The beach is great for surfing, but it’s not much in comparison to other beaches in the Maldives.

The official language spoken of the Maldives is Dhivehi, many people speak English especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. Most of the island’s inhabitants have a good comprehension of the English language. We recommend you get a good English-Dhivehi guidebook and learn common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Male enjoys a warm tropical climate with plenty of sunshine and daily average temperatures between 79-88 degrees. There is quite a bit of rain during the months of April to October with the southwest monsoon season, especially June to November. This is the time of year visitors can find some of the best travel deals including cheaper flights and discounted accommodation. November through April offers visitors the best weather throughout the island nation with warm temperatures and little precipitation.

The currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf or MVR). US dollars are widely accepted and in most resorts prices are posted in USD. It is recommended to exchange some rufiyaa for the other inhabited islands and on Male. There are exchange desks at the airport.

Male city has a thriving restaurant scene with many eateries aimed towards tourists and the rest aimed toward the Maldivian elite. The cuisine in the Maldives features a good mixture of fresh fish, seafood, and other staple ingredients from the region including coconuts. There are many Maldivian restaurants in the city of Male along with other international influences from Europe, India, Italian, Spanish, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Due to the Maldives being an island destination fish is one of the main ingredients featured on restaurant menus with Tuna, wahoo, and Mahi Mahi being some of the popular fish served with potatoes and vegetables, there are curries and lots of spices.

Some good dining spots in Male can be found along the waterfront and include Citron and Seagull cafe, the harbor and esplanade is a great place to stroll in the evenings with lots of eateries and evening entertainment options.

The island nation of the Maldives is a predominantly Muslim country, adhering to religious norms such as forbidding the consumption of alcohol. The only place where alcohol is legal in the Maldives is in the resorts and Male offers some exciting opportunities for evening entertainment. Despite some restrictions in the country, there are some very unique ways to spend your evenings when visiting Male.

The Jazz Cafe is a great establishment to enjoy a coffee while listening to the soothing sounds of jazz music, the cafe serves some delicious food. The marbled coffee shop is another great place for excellent food and drinks with a relaxing atmosphere, the cafe does sell alcohol along with great tunes.

Gili Lankanfushi and Soneva Fushi both offer guests a unique experience, one an open-air theatre with a cozy setting to enjoy Hollywood and Bollywood flicks. And the latter is set up on the beach, both with large outdoor screens for movie viewing under the stars. There are tables, recliners, and food and drinks available.

Crab racing is a thing in the Maldives, a favorite pastime of the Maldivians, many resorts offer this fun activity where a bunch of crabs are placed inside a circular boundary and roam in different directions, the first to cross the circle line, wins. Guests can put their money on a crab and the winner receives some exciting rewards like a free excursion, spa visit, or sunset dinner on the beach.

Night fishing is another popular activity with many excursions offered to visitors a few times a week. Learn the basics of fishing, serving the bait, and get rewarded with your catch which turns into your dinner!

In case of an emergency dial 1-1-9 in the Maldives, a direct dial free emergency phone number that connects the caller to the national police.

Hospitals:

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital tel. 960-333-5335

Tree Top Hospital tel. 960-335-1610

Adk Hospital tel. 960-331-3553