How to bring alcohol to the Maldives?
The state religion of the Maldives is Islam. Therefore, the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited. The ban applies not only to the local population, but also to tourists. However, there are exceptions: in this article you will find all the alcohol nuances that you need to know before visiting the paradise islands.
Alcohol in the Maldives: the rules of the country
It seems a little strange that in paradise you can’t always enjoy a glass of champagne or an alcoholic cocktail. However, the Maldives is a Muslim country with its own restrictions. And you can only drink alcohol in certain locations. In public places, you can get a punishment for breaking the rules.
You can’t buy alcohol in the Maldives: it’s not sold in stores. The only exception is resort islands and floating bars, where you can get alcohol at fairly high prices.
Alcohol on local islands
On the inhabited islands, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. But demand creates supply, and so-called “drunken barges” have appeared in the vicinity of local islands.
Apparently, this is some kind of loophole in the law, because they exist absolutely legally. For example, at the pier of Maafushi Island there is a boat that will take you to a floating bar for free. The prices there are about the same as in hotels – beer 0.33 from $ 5, a bottle of vodka 0.5 from $ 100. The range of drinks is not large – usually several types of beer, vodka, whiskey. There are no photos, because I myself have not used their services, and I know about the prices from the stories of thirsty tourists.
By the way, there is also such a floating disco bar near the island of Thoddoo. We wrote about booking a place on it and buying alcohol on Thoddoo in a separate article.
How to bring alcohol with you to the Maldives?
Many tourists, having learned about the situation with alcohol in the Maldives, try to bring it with them. But we do not recommend taking alcoholic drinks with you to the paradise islands: the alcohol will be confiscated at customs. This also applies to alcohol purchased in duty free shops. It will have to be left at the airport, in a storage room. Therefore, buying alcohol in duty free if you are flying to the Maldives makes no sense. Unless you plan to drink during the flight, which may also be prohibited by the rules of the air carrier
Alcohol confiscated at the airport is placed in a storage locker.
The tourist is given a receipt and a token. Alcoholic drinks will be returned on departure, upon presentation of the token and receipt.
At the same time, there are rumors that the Maldivian authorities are planning to abolish the storage of alcohol in the cell: alcohol will be automatically confiscated. Check this nuance directly before flying to the Maldives.
How much does alcohol cost in hotels in the Maldives (about resorts)
The cost of alcoholic drinks in hotels is directly proportional to the class of the hotel and starts from $6 for a can of beer and $12 for an alcoholic cocktail in budget three-star hotels to several thousand dollars for a bottle in deluxe hotels.
That is why I recommend that if you like to drink on holiday, take all inclusive. However, in inexpensive hotels, all inclusive often has a truncated character – drinks are served free of charge only by the glass and only in the main restaurant. All the rest are for an additional fee. Usually in such hotels a bottle of inexpensive wine will cost you from $ 30 (+ taxes). Some hotels, for example LUX * South Ari Atoll, organize “happy hours” (from 5 to 6 pm the cost of a glass of wine is 2 times lower). Prices for strong alcohol start from $ 100.