Eager to explore the busy Maldives capital and beyond? Hop into a seaplane, take a speedboat, or walk around for a more detailed look. Find out how to get around Male in this article.
Male, the capital of the Maldives, is the area's busiest city. Spread over an area of just six kilometres and home to over 150,000 residents, the city is a sharp contrast to the idyllic little islands further away. This is where most of the country's business, culture, history and amenities are concentrated. Those who are in the Maldives on vacation, typically head to their resorts straight from the airport on a seaplane or a speedboat. However, if you are in the Maldives for a longer period of time, staying in Male can prove to be a unique cultural experience.
Walking
Walking is probably the best way to get acquainted with the island. Because of its small territory, you can cover the whole city in a matter of a few hours on a very relaxed walk stopping by the local cafes for traditional snacks and pausing for pictures. The main city attractions are easily accessible from the pier and include old mosques, the sultan's garden, the fish market, and others.
Taxi Cabs
When you get tired of walking or are in a hurry, you can always hop into a taxi cab to get to your destination. Air-conditioned and comfortable, cabs are an efficient way of travelling around the city ' and relatively inexpensive as well: there are fixed prices for getting from one specific point to another and, typically, a taxi trip should not cost you more than $1. Note, however, that the streets in the city are very narrow and, in combination with cobblestone roads, can make your trips slower.
You can hail a taxi on the street, ask your hotel to call one for you or use one of the popular taxi services like Dialacab or New Taxi.
Speedboats (or water taxis)
Speedboats are a very popular mode of getting around in the Maldives ' they typically leave every 15 minutes and are a great way to explore the areas around Male, visit nearby islands as well as get to the adjacent island of Hulhule. Speedboard is also relatively inexpensive, especially compared to the prices seaplanes.
Dhoni
Another option to indulge in a bit of nearby island hopping is by hiring a traditional cargo boat, or dhoni. Though significantly slower than speedboats, dhonis are a more authentic way to travel around Male and close-by islands ' and also the least expensive mode of transportation of all.
Seaplane
If you want to venture further away from the capital, you will probably need to get on a seaplane. Operated by Trans Maldivian Airways, seaplanes are a scenic yet pricey way to explore other islands. Note that seaplanes can carry a maximum of 15 people and don't fly at night. If you have a lot of luggage with you, it will probably need to travel separately.
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