Maldives
Maldives, full name the Republic of Maldives, is an island state in Southern Asia in the Indian Ocean. It is formed from 19 coral atolls spreading out from the Indian coast to the equator. Maldives is the smallest Asian country, containing 1,196 islands, out of which approximately 200 are inhabited.
The climate is very hot with the temperature around 30 degrees for a whole year and with high humidity. There is a typical monsoonal climate, drought is alternating with rain season. If you go there in the months from June to November, there is a big probability of rain. However, you have a chance you will avoid bad weather due to its higher unpredictability nowadays. From November to May, it is sunny and hot there, the average temperature of water is 28 degrees.
Each island can offer something different. You can choose from a wide range of possibilities, starting with relatively cheap and modest accommodations and ending with luxurious resorts with their own infinity swimming-pools or beach villas that are so typical for the Maldives. A big difference is between a local island and a resort. The local island is inhabited by local inhabitants. You can see how local people live, what they do, sometimes they invite you to their house. It is also more suitable for those of you who are looking for a cheaper alternative. As most of inhabitants are Muslims, it is worth to mention you will not find any alcohol there and there are designated beaches where it is possible to wear bikini. In other places, it is not possible to wear them. If you do so, you are warned to dress up. If you decide to stay on a local island, you support local businesses.
A resort is usually an island with one hotel complex. However, there are islands divided into two halves where it is possible to find both resort and local inhabitants living there and mostly working in the resort. Besides accommodation, resorts also offer restaurants, bars, cafes, wellness, diving center, boat cruises, medical care and activities for children, including children’s corners (if it is not a resort for Adults only).
