Overwater villa or guesthouse? Which month is the best value? A short guide for first-time visitors to the Maldives.
The Maldives is visa-free for Azerbaijani citizens — with a passport, a hotel booking and a return ticket you get the entry stamp at the airport. There are direct flights from Baku and connections via Dubai, Doha and Istanbul.
The first decision is where to stay. Overwater villas are for privacy and the postcard view, but they are expensive. Guesthouses on local islands cut the budget by two or three times; those islands are alcohol-free and have designated beaches for swimwear.
Watch the transfer: resorts are reached by seaplane, speedboat or domestic flight, and this is often not included in the price. On package tours, always ask whether the transfer is included.
The driest, sunniest period is November to April. May to October brings short showers but much lower prices — a good-value option for honeymooners. Bring your own snorkel mask: on many islands the reef is just a few metres from the beach.
