It’s December, a time when people would normally travel across the world, sip wine in Christmas markets in Europe, or dip toes in the Pacific Ocean on exquisite vacations. This year’s a little different, no thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but a lot of people will still be traveling and exploring holiday destinations.
A recent investigation by Arbiterz found that most Nigerian travelers have been going on holiday trips to Dubai and Maldives after the resumption of international flights in early September, following a five-month lockdown since March.
Considering a lot of travelers from Nigeria are more familiar with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) city, in this post, we explore Maldives – widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful island nations – as an option for the December holiday season.
How Much Does it Cost to Get to Maldives?
If you want to spend your holidays in the island nation, it would cost between ₦400,000 to ₦650,000 to fly from Nigeria to Male, Maldives’ capital city, depending on the carrier and airport you go through.
Airlines that run services between Nigeria and Maldives include Etihad, Emirates, Egyptair, Sri Lankan Airlines, GoAir, Saudia, Flydubai, Gulf Air Bahrain, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. They operate flights mostly from the Lagos and Abuja international airports.
Where to Stay in Maldives
The top-rated hotels in Maldives are sorted by hotel class and then by user rating, as provided by TripAdvisor. Here are five of the best resorts and hotels in the South Asian nation, all of which are five-star hotels, have a 5.0 rating, and offer top amenities such as free breakfast, a business center, pools, free Wi-Fi, and restaurants.
Also Read: Paradise Travel Series: Soneva Fushi, The Maldives
Adaaran Prestige Water Villas All Inclusive is located at Raa Atoll and costs $902 per night (₦451,000 using the current parallel market exchange rate).
Anantara Veli Maldives Resort is at Anantara Veli and costs $796 (₦398,000).
Baros Maldives is located at North Male Atoll and costs $492 (₦246,000).
Central Boutique Inn is at Villa Shabnamee Handhuvaree Goalhi, with a room offered for $2,230 (₦1,115,000).
Kanuhura Resort & Spa is located at Lhaviyani Atoll at $589 (₦294,500) per room a night.
What to do in Maldives
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is one of the best things to do on vacation, and multiple reports show it is on a whole different level in Maldives. The island nation has exceptionally clear water and one of its biggest attractions is its marine life filled with an incredible variety of colored fish and corals. That makes it a great environment for snorkeling.
Scuba Diving
Like snorkeling, scuba diving is considered a must-do when visiting Maldives. You will be able to go some meters deep into the water and see absolutely stunning marine life – sharks, eagle rays, and many other species.
You can consult travel sites like Trip Advisor for even more things to do.
Also Read: Paradise Travel Series – The Nautilus Resort, Baa Atoll, Maldives
Trips to Sandbanks
Maldives is literally a small island entirely made of very white sands and surrounded by pristine, clear waters and coral reefs. So sandbanks are everywhere but you’d need a boat ride there. The sun is often fierce and there is hardly anything to protect yourself from it on the banks, so boats carry umbrellas to be placed on the beach to create some shade.
Visiting a local island
The islands where the locals live are lovely places to explore, with nice beaches (often separate for tourists and locals); small local cafés; schools, and friendly people hanging around.
Eating
You get an incredible variety of international food at Maldives cuisine – from fresh tropical fruit to delicious fish, including barbecued meat, Japanese or Italian cuisine. One of the greatest things to do in Maldives is eating.
