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How to Combine Luxury with Culture in the Maldives

Uncovering Maldivian culture and traditions!

By Amie GinendraPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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The Maldives is typically associated with luxurious resorts situated on white-sand beaches surrounding beautiful blue seas. While this is true, there is a huge portion of the nation that remains undiscovered by visitors and provides a unique look into the lives of the locals. Here is a guide shedding light on the cultural aspects of this amazing tropical nation.

Overview

The best Maldivian trip is the one that combines luxury with culture! Are you wondering how you can tackle that? Well, make sure you visit these four residential islands with a guide preferably. This will take you on a wonderful journey of discovery that is both awe-inspiring and thought-provoking! Always combine your luxury Maldives trip with a touch of local culture for the ultimate holiday!

Hanimaadhoo

This island is located about an hour away on a domestic flight from the capital city, Male. This is a great way to get to know the island while staying in a resort-style hotel. It sits on a beautiful uninhabited beach on the north point of the island. This is a bikini beach too. As the Maldives is conservative in nature, some of the residential islands do not allow certain swimwear. Therefore, ensure it is a bikini beach if you would like to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. People may be seen paddling in the water, snorkelling and diving, or resting by the pool with fresh juice. The quiet local town is approximately ten minutes away by bike and is a wonderful place to observe the slow pace of life in this area of the country.

Hulhumale

Your next stop will be Hulhumale, also known as the airport island. You can see that life on this island is more westernised and livelier than on islands that are farther away from Male. The central beach is surrounded by cafés and eateries where friends, families and couples gather to talk and watch a glorious sunset. Hulhumale is a busy small city by Maldivian standards, and it is great to be caught up in the bustle. After a delicious supper of spicy curries, sambals, rice, curries and poppadums, you can head to a neighbourhood café for coffee and desserts beneath the stars. You can also make a quick day trip to this island from a beach resort in Maldives the likes of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, which is only 13 km away!

Dhiffushi

After your city tour, head on a speedboat to the island of Dhiffushi, similar to Hanimaadhoo, which is a small island and is a very quaint and peaceful place. Head to the one and only café here for some refreshments which consist of a variety of little pastries stuffed with tuna, coconut or potatoes. The fishermen do put up a couple of torches on the beach in the nights and throw the remaining fish into the water. You'll be able to see stingrays, and crabs emerge from various hiding places to enjoy this feast. A local tradition you cannot miss out on!

Thulusdhoo

Thulusdhoo is renowned for its waves; therefore, if you like surfing, here is a spot that you must visit. It has a laidback environment, stunning vistas, and friendly people. There are also many secret reefs in this region that are abandoned and provide some of the finest snorkelling you'll ever experience in this part of the globe. Its position serves as a kind of highway for dolphins, stingrays, as well as turtles, thus sightings are frequent. Therefore, if you are looking for a holiday where you can have an incredible viewing of marine life, then this is a must-visit place for you!

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About the Creator

Amie Ginendra

Traveller | Writer | Foodie Lover | Blogger

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