What to do in Male: A travel guide to the Maldives capital

Travel Guide to Male, Maldives Male is the capital of the Maldives and an important transportation hub. After arriving in the Maldives, you can go to various resort islands from here. Here are some key information for your trip to Male: - Visa: Maldives offers a 30-day free visa on arrival. You need to prepare a passport with a validity period of more than six months, with at least one or two blank pages, a return ticket or a ticket for continuing your journey, as well as cash, traveler's checks, international credit cards, etc. to prove your financial strength. Just fill out the entry card upon arrival. - Transportation: From Male International Airport to Male Island, you can take the 2.1-kilometer-long China-Malaysia Friendship Bridge built in 2018, which takes about 15 minutes by car or bus. You can also take the ferry, which runs every 10 minutes from 6:00 to 23:59 and every 30 minutes from 0:00 to 5:59, and the fare is cheap. When traveling on Male Island, you can take a taxi, but some drivers are reluctant to pick up passengers with luggage. Before traveling, you can ask the locals about the price to avoid being ripped off. You can also rent a bicycle and travel freely through the streets and alleys. - Attractions: The Old Friday Mosque has a long history and unique architectural style. It is an important religious site in Male. Please pay attention to your clothing when entering. The Sultan Park is shaded by trees, with large lawns and beautiful flowers, as well as the ruins of the Sultan's Palace. The fish market is very lively. In the early morning, you can see the fresh catch brought back by fishermen and experience the local fishing culture. - Food: Try the gadoja, a tuna-based salad; the fish curry, which is a perfect blend of rich curry and fresh fish; the fish cakes, which are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside; and the coconut cake, which is full of coconut aroma. - Accommodation: There are various accommodation options. Luxury hotels have complete facilities and considerate services, and cost more than several thousand RMB per night. The price of mid-range hotels is generally between 1,500 and 3,000 RMB. Economy hotels or B&Bs are more affordable, with prices around 500 to 1,000 RMB. - Note: Most attractions in Male are open to the public free of charge, but some special attractions such as museums may charge admission fees of around RMB 20-50. The local climate is tropical marine with strong ultraviolet rays, so you must take adequate sun protection. Male follows Islamic customs. Visitors to mosques are required to dress appropriately. Women should avoid wearing revealing clothing and men should not wear shorts. Do not take photos of children at will while in the local area, respect local customs, and it is strictly forbidden to fish, pick or trample on corals on the island without permission, and you are not allowed to cook in the hotel rooms.