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Maldives
- The Maldives is generally a safe destination with a low rate of violent crime though petty crime and occasional gang-related violence occurs in Malé.
- Travelers visiting the Maldives’ resorts are predominantly affected by petty criminality.
- Environmental challenges such as seasonal flooding are significant due to the low-lying nature of the islands.
Risk Factors
- Petty crime, such as theft on beaches or from hotel rooms, can affect travelers. More serious crimes occur in lower-income neighborhoods of Malé and Addu City due to gang-related violence and knife crime. Gang violence against foreigners is rare.
- Visitors are advised to remain vigilant, secure their belongings, and avoid traveling alone at night in less populated areas.
- Political demonstrations are common, especially during elections, and generally occur in Malé and Addu City. There is a latent risk of violence, as previous protests have seen clashes between security forces and protesters. Bypass all gatherings to minimize incidental risks from violence.
- A latent risk of terrorism remains, though there are no notable groups with established capabilities in the Maldives nor have any incidents occurred in recent years. To further reduce risk, avoid protests, political events, or crowded public areas, particularly in the capital city, Malé.
- Road conditions in Malé can be congested and somewhat hazardous due to narrow streets. The use of taxis and other public transport is advised over self-driving.
- In Malé, it is typical to call a taxi using the local taxi service hotline. Several taxi services operate 24/7, and usually respond quickly. Reputable hotels will provide the number for reliable taxi services. Hailing a taxi off the street is safe, but less typical than calling a service directly.
- On resort islands, taxis are rarely needed because most areas are walkable or offer golf cart transportation. For transfers between islands, speedboats or seaplanes are arranged by resorts. Sea travel is common but poses risks during the monsoon season.
- The risk of earthquakes in the Maldives is relatively low. The country is located away from major tectonic plate boundaries, which significantly reduces the likelihood of seismic activity. The most notable incident was the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, triggered by a massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, which impacted the Maldives and resulted in flooding and casualties.
- The Maldives experiences two monsoon seasons: The Southwest Monsoon (May to October) brings heavy rains that can lead to localized flooding. This may affect transportation between islands, especially by boat or seaplane. The Northeast Monsoon (November to April), is drier but can still cause occasional rainfall.
- Severe tropical storms are rare in the Maldives. Despite this, remain abreast of developments during the monsoon seasons and adhere to weather alerts.
- The Maldives is an Islamic country, and observance of other religions in public can lead to penalties. Importation of religious materials contrary to Islam is prohibited.
- Respect local customs and dress modestly outside resort islands, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.