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Language: Dhivehi is the national language. English is widely spoken in addition to German, French, Italian and Japanese, spoken by the resort staff.
Currency: The Maldivian Rufiya (MVR) is divided into 100 laari. The resorts in Maldives are generally expensive and travelers should ensure they bring sufficient funds. There are no cash machines and travelers cheques are rarely used, but there are foreign exchange facilities available at resorts and banks. Major credit cards are accepted at most resorts and hotels. US Dollars can be exchanged at the airport, banks or hotels.
Guests staying at resorts can settle their accounts in hard foreign currency (US Dollars are best), credit cards or travelers cheques. Banks are usually closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
Time: Local time is GMT +5.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use, including the two-pin flat blade plug and the round three-pin plug.
Communications: The international access code for the Maldives is +960. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). No city/area codes are required. IDD facilities are available at all resorts and card phones are available on all inhabited islands. The major islands are covered by the mobile network; the local operators use a GSM 900 network, which is compatible with many international cell phone operators, but it is best to check whether your network has roaming agreements with the Maldives. Dhiraagu, the Maldives Telecommunications Company provides mobile telephones for daily rental. Internet access is available in hotels and main tourist resorts.
Duty Free: Travelers to the Maldives, irrespective of age, do not have to pay duty on cigarettes, cigars, tobacco and gifts within reasonable quantities. Prohibited items include alcohol, firearms, pork, opium, marijuana, cocaine, pornography and religious idols.
Tourist OfficeMaldives Tourist Office: +960 323 228 or www.visitmaldives.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 119 (Police); 102 (Ambulance).
Embassies
Maldives High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7224 2135.
Maldives Honorary Consulate, Cape Town, South Africa: +27 (0)21 761 5038.
American Embassy, Colombo, Sri Lanka (also responsible for Maldives): +94 (0)1 242 9070.
British Consular Correspondent, Male: +960 311 218.
Canadian High Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka (also responsible for Maldives): +94 11 522 6232.
Australian High Commission, Colombo, Sri Lanka (also responsible for Maldives): +94 11 246 3200.
South African High Commission, New Delhi, India (also responsible for Maldives): + 91 11 2614 9411-19.
Mission of Ireland to the UN, New York, United States (also responsible for Maldives): +1 212 421 6934.
New Zealand Consulate, Singapore (also responsible for Maldives): +65 6235 9966.
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