Maldives climate
Due to its proximity to the equator, the climate of the Maldives is tropical with only slightly fluctuating temperatures.
In the Maldives it is hot and humid all year round, short and heavy rain showers can come down in every season. However, during the southwestern monsoons from May to November, the most rain falls. This is also the period for possible storms (although the risk of tropical storms in the Maldives is low) and the least sunshine.
The northeast monsoon, on the other hand, is rather friendly: it lasts from December to March / April, is fairly dry and a bit cooler. The daily maximum temperatures in the Maldives are around 30 °C all year round, the nightly minimum temperatures rarely drop below 25 ° C.
The sea breezes cool a little during the day and make the humidity (up to 80%) bearable, while the nights can be very muggy.
The water temperature in the Maldives also hardly fluctuates and is between 26 and 28 °C over the course of the year.
Best time to go to the Maldives
Basically, it is warm in the Maldives all year round. However, some times are more suitable than others for a trip to the Maldives, various factors in the Maldives are important for the choice of vacation time.
If you are looking for sunshine, you should visit the Maldives in the drier season from December to April. However, this is also the peak season for tourism – resorts can be booked out and prices higher than the rest of the year.
The period between Christmas and New Year is the busiest and most expensive part of the high season when many of the all-inclusive tourists come from Europe and America.
It is warm between May and November, but the sky can be cloudy. The humidity is higher and rain and tropical storms can occur. This is the off season – prices are lower and there are fewer tourists. Some resorts close for annual repairs.
During the transition months from November to April, divers will find clearer water.
Money
Currency: 1 rufiyaa (Maldives rupee) corresponds to 100 laari
Currency abbreviation: MVR (ISO code), Rf – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
Banknotes are in circulation of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Rufiyaa (more common) and 500 Rufiyaa (less common). Coins are used in amounts of 25 and 50 laari and 1 and 2 rufiyaa (more common) and 1, 2, 5 and 10 laari (less common).
Exchange rate:
October 2009
1 US dollar = 13.0 Rufiyaa
1 Euro = 19.1 Rufiyaa
1 Swiss Franc = 12.6 Rufiyaa
Sightseeing
The Maldives are every vacationer’s dream destination. The country has not only deep blue sea and beautiful beaches to offer. So there are a large number of different sights in the country that you can visit.
The Hukuru Miskily Friday Mosque is definitely worth seeing. The mosque was built in 1656. The Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu Mosque is also worth a visit. The mosque is the largest in the country. The characteristics of the building are a forty meter high minaret and a huge golden dome. The mosque also houses an Islamic library inside.
Another must is the National Museum where you can learn more about the history of the country. The public library is also worth a visit, as you can also get information about the Maldives here.
One of the special buildings is the Presidential Palace. It was built in the First World War and is still home to the President’s office.
The Maldives are a real paradise for water sports enthusiasts like divers and snorkelers, as there is a fantastic underwater world to explore.