Currency & Payment
Exchange rates fluctuate daily. Check current rates locally.
Local Currency Overview
Currency type, banknotes, and coin denominations
The currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR, symbol Rf or .ރ), divided into 100 laari. In practice, resorts, hotels and most tourist transactions are widely priced and paid in US dollars, and card payments are common. You rarely need much local cash if you stay mainly at a resort.
- Currency
- Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf, MVR)
- Tourist use
- USD widely accepted
- Subunit
- 100 laari
- Resorts and most tourist bills are quoted in USD
Currency Exchange Tips
Best places and methods to exchange money
You can change money at banks and authorized exchanges in Malé and at the airport, but many travelers simply use US dollars and cards throughout their stay. Change only what you need into rufiyaa for local islands or small purchases. Keep clean, undamaged USD notes, as worn bills may be refused.
- Where
- Banks, airport, Malé
- Practical
- USD often enough
- Cash
- Bring clean USD notes
- Change small amounts to rufiyaa for local islands
- Worn or torn notes may be refused
Credit Card Acceptance
Card brand availability and usage tips
Cards are widely accepted at resorts, hotels, dive centers and larger restaurants, with Visa and Mastercard the most common. Many resorts run on a cashless account settled by card at check-out. On local islands and at small guesthouses or cafes, carry some cash as card acceptance can be limited.
- Accepted
- Resorts, hotels
- Networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- Cash
- Useful on local islands
- Resorts often settle a room account by card at check-out
ATM Usage
How to withdraw cash and associated fees
ATMs are mainly found in Malé, Hulhumalé and the airport, and are limited on resort and local islands. They dispense rufiyaa and sometimes US dollars, and foreign-card fees and per-withdrawal limits apply. Withdraw what you need before heading to remote islands, and prefer bank ATMs for security.
- Availability
- Malé, airport mainly
- Islands
- Limited on resorts
- Fees
- Foreign-card fees, limits
- Withdraw before heading to remote islands
- Prefer bank ATMs for security
Mobile & Digital Payments
Digital payment services available locally
Local mobile wallets and bank apps are used by residents, but as a visitor you will mostly rely on cards and cash. Contactless card and phone payments work at many resorts and larger outlets. Do not count on domestic mobile-payment apps, which usually need a local bank account or number.
- Visitors
- Cards and cash
- Contactless
- At resorts, big outlets
- Local apps
- Need local account
- Domestic wallets usually require a local bank account
Tipping Culture
Expected tipping amounts and etiquette
Tipping is customary but not obligatory at resorts, where a few US dollars per day for housekeeping and boat or dive staff is common. Many bills already add a service charge, so check before tipping extra. Small tips in USD are usually appreciated for good service.
- Custom
- Optional, appreciated
- Typical
- A few USD/day
- Check
- Service charge on bill
- Many bills already include a service charge
Price Guide
Average costs for meals, transport, and accommodation
The Maldives is generally an expensive destination, especially at private-island resorts where food, drinks and excursions add up quickly. Published prices often exclude a Goods and Services Tax (GST), a service charge and a per-night Green Tax, so the final bill can be noticeably higher. Local islands and guesthouses are far more budget-friendly.
- Level
- High at resorts
- Add-ons
- GST, service, Green Tax
- Budget
- Local islands cheaper
- A per-night Green Tax and service charge often apply
The Maldives does not offer a broad tourist VAT-refund scheme like some countries. A Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to goods and services, including a tourism GST on resort and tourist spending, and is generally not refundable to visitors. Do not assume you can reclaim tax; check official guidance for any specific cases.
- Refund
- No broad scheme
- Tax
- GST on goods/services
- Check
- Official guidance
- Tourism GST applies to resort and tourist spending