Riu Palace Maldives

The Maldives is a destination of dazzling tropical beauty that offers the perfect recipe for relaxation and rejuvenation! A country of more than a thousand islands, endowed with a dreamlike beauty, the Maldives beckons with clear lagoons, moonlit nights, and powdery white beaches.

Maldives offers a variety of resorts catering to the taste of most travellers, with most operating at a very high-end luxury level. From adults only honeymoon style resorts with overwater villas, offering the ultimate in peace and privacy, to sprawling resorts that span multiple islands and offer kids clubs, padel and tennis courts, and even a golf course or two, you’ll find a Maldives resort that suits your needs. As alcohol and food can be expensive in resort and you won’t be venturing out to eat, we highly recommend booking an all inclusive package in this island holiday destination.

Picture yourself in a place where the sand is as white as snow and the water is a mesmerizing shade of turquoise. This is the Maldives. It’s a tropical paradise that seems straight out of a dream. And the hotels offer an unmatched level of luxury quite unlike any you’ll find in other island destinations. The people here simply know how to do hospitality. This is a place to truly relax, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the finer things in life. Maldives is barefoot luxury at its best.

The Maldives has a hot tropical climate and the temperature remains remarkably consistent at around 30°C year-round – that’s on the beach and in the water! The sea in the Maldives is warm all year round and the water temperature is an average of 29°C (yowzers!) The warm seas of the Maldives also have high visibility throughout the year; with water clear enough to see the passing fish as far as fifty metres away at times so you can enjoy your holiday, snorkelling, diving, deep-sea fishing, or cruising, at any time of year.

International flights arrive at Male's Hulhule airport, which is on an island of its own. Transfers from the airport to your resort island are either by boat, seaplane, or domestic flight, depending on the distance. If your Maldives resort requires a seaplane transfer, be aware that seaplanes only operate in daylight hours. The seaplane journey in itself is an experience, as you get stunning views of the atolls - make sure you get a window seat and that you get your camera out before boarding. The seaplane will usually land next to a floating platform, from which you will be picked up by boat to be taken the remaining few metres in shore to your resort.

The Maldives is 3 hours ahead of South Africa. The standard electricity socket is the UK-style three-pin, although there are some variations, so an international adaptor will be useful. The language of the Maldivians is Dhivehi and is very similar to several other languages from Sri Lanka, South East Asia and North India. English is also widely spoken in the Maldives.

If you’re taking a seaplane transfer, the luggage allowance is a little more restrictive than your commercial flight - you are allowed 20kg per person of baggage and one piece of hand luggage weighing no more than 5kg. Be sure to take along your best beach and casual wear, perfect for the day while a light rain jacket might come in handy in the event of the occasional rain shower and sunglasses and suntan lotion are a must. It’s also a good idea to take along a few movies on a tablet or something similar as the English TV channels in your hotel may be limited and your own goggles and snorkels – even though your resort will have this equipment available to hire, you’ll probably be happier having your own.