Maldives

A 5-night Maldives honeymoon from India starts at around INR 1.2-1.8 lakhs per couple for a 3-4 star overwater property on full board, rising to INR 3-6 lakhs for premium resorts like Soneva, Conrad, or Four Seasons. Budget travelers can explore local islands like Maafushi for INR 60,000-80,000 per couple for 5 nights. Flights from Mumbai/Delhi cost INR 20,000-35,000 round trip, and seaplane transfers add USD 400-600 per person.

At resorts the US Dollar is effectively the working currency and Visa, Mastercard and American Express are accepted everywhere for rooms, meals, excursions and spa treatments, so you rarely need physical cash. UPI is not a standard payment method in the Maldives, and ATMs exist in Male and on inhabited local islands but not on private resort islands. Carry a small amount of US dollars in cash for tips and for local-island guesthouses or cafes if your trip includes a day on islands like Maafushi.

The two networks, Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, both run kiosks in the arrivals hall at Velana airport selling physical SIMs and instant-activation eSIM QR codes with nationwide 4G coverage. Tourist plans cost about $40 for 20GB over 10 days and around $50 for 50GB over 30 days, including some local minutes and SMS. Most resorts also provide free Wi-Fi in villas, so a tourist SIM is mainly useful for staying connected during transfers or on local-island excursions.

Indian citizens get a free 30-day visa on arrival at Velana International Airport — no prior application needed. You must carry a passport valid for at least 6 months, a confirmed return ticket, proof of hotel/resort booking, and sufficient funds (approximately USD 100 per day). Since 2023, all travelers must also fill the online IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival.

Yes. Every traveller, including Indians, must submit the free IMUGA Traveller Declaration online within 96 hours before their flight departure time, regardless of holding a free visa on arrival. The form is at imuga.immigration.gov.mv and returns a QR code you show at immigration in Male, so never pay any third party claiming to file it for you. Fly Goldfinch fills the IMUGA declaration and checks your passport validity and accommodation proof before departure so you clear immigration without delays.

Yes on both counts. Family resorts are built around non-swimmers with shallow lagoons, lifeguarded swimming areas and kids' clubs (for example Niyama welcomes children from age 3), while crime against tourists is very low and resorts have trained medical staff. Vegetarian and Indian food is widely available, with Atmosphere Kanifushi running a pure-veg restaurant called Just Veg, Kuramathi offering an Indian restaurant, and Centara Ras Fushi serving a daily Indian buffet. Fly Goldfinch matches you to a family or honeymoon resort based on dietary needs and whether you want a kids' club or a quiet adults-only island.