Digital Nomads: The Ultimate Guide To Your Remote Work Bliss in the Maldives
The Maldives.
Nestled in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has 22 administrated atolls with over 1200 islands. Wedged southwest of India and Sri Lanka, the Maldives hails as one of the most luxurious and highly sought-after travel destinations in the world.
Known for its crystal-clear cerulean water, white-sandy beaches, an enclave of marine life, intimate getaways, unparalleled diving, and picturesque over-water villas, Maldives carries a reputation for the fancy, lux, glam, and glitter.
But the truth is, you can explore and enjoy the Maldives on a shoestring too.
most of all, you can enjoy the Maldives and work remotely here!
Our mission here at Zenera is to elevate Maldives as an emerging and promising destination for digital nomads in South Asia (GMT +5).
If you are a digital nomad, entrepreneur, or solo traveler seeking to discover a unique destination off the beaten path, you are in the right place. Stay put and keep reading!!
The rise of remote work and digital nomadism
Digital nomadism refers to the shift of individuals who leverage technology to work remotely in different parts of the world. Many companies in the world have also adopted hybrid or fully remote work models, allowing their employees the flexibility and freedom in where they work, so long their productivity is in line with work output. Many company owners are also leaning toward this shift due to the increased cost of office spaces and see this shift as a cost-effective strategy for optimizing the autonomy of work, often observing high delivery of deadlines and performance targets. Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners are also favoring the option of remote work and leveraging the benefits that remote work offers.
This rise of digital nomadism has accelerated in recent years due to the pandemic, which forced many companies to reconsider traditional office-based work, tap into the advancement of digitalism and re-organize their business structure. In the busyness and hustle of the modern world, there is also a growing appeal for the work-life harmony potential that remote work offers, often allowing one to have a sense of adventure, inspiration, freedom, and exploration whilst pursuing professional goals by working anywhere in the world.
As a remote worker/digital nomad, one would often think of co-working and co-living destinations in places like Bali, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Mexico, Hungary, Columbia, Croatia, Vietnam, Japan and Malaysia for their vibrant communities, relaxed and safe culture, low cost of living, access to nature, and high-speed internet. In this article, we will explore the various options for how you can pursue remote work in the Maldives without breaking the bank AND join us in one of our Zenera digital nomad retreats here in the Maldives.
working remotely in the Maldives
For the 5th year in a row this 2024, Maldives has won the World’s Leading Destination award, attributing the success to its tourism industry. While the Maldives is not notably the obvious destination for digital nomads due to its lavish, ritzy and opulent reputation, it is a country that is growing in popularity for remote work due to its unparalleled beauty, growing infrastructure for digitalism, serene backdrop, reliable internet, and affordability for a wider range of travelers.
Working remotely has never been more accessible and convenient than it is today. With a backdrop to die for, close access to the ocean, tranquility over the hustle, and all-year-tropical summer weather, the Maldives stands out for many digital nomads and remote workers who are considering working in time zones between Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
choosing where & when to go
Contrary to popular belief, the Maldives is not just about upscale, luxury resorts and private islands that ooze opulence and intimacy, nor is it a travel destination only for honeymooners and families. As a digital nomad and remote worker, one might prefer options that are more budget-friendly long term, access to an inclusive like-minded community, infrastructure that supports digitalism and reliable internet, and options for adventures, dining and socialization. One might even prefer to move to different accommodations throughout their stay (island hopping) or stay at one place long term.
In terms of choosing when to go, the Maldives is a summer-all-year-round destination with 2 distinct monsoon seasons.
The southwest monsoon (wet season) normally extends from mid-May to November. The northeast monsoon (dry season) extends from January to March. The months of December and April are considered the monsoon transitional periods. The average air temperature ranges from 25°C to 32°C. The average water temperature ranges from 28°C to 30°C. The official monsoon period is from July to October, except because of the ongoing effects of climate change, the weather has been very erratic even during those months, almost an observed pattern of the monsoon delaying every year. Short showers are often observed and accompanied by clear skies, on the flip side, occasional periods of storms may last up to 2 weeks or more.
The peak season for the Maldives begins usually from the winter months of November to April observing more visitors than usual. This festive season is normally tied to big holiday seasons like Christmas, New Year’s, Orthodox Christmas, Chinese New Year and Easter. The low season for the Maldives begins around mid-April to October which is a good time if you are looking to experience the Maldives without the crowd or the exorbitant rate.
Below are some options one can consider when choosing where to stay.
Local islands & guesthouses
Local islands in the Maldives are the best way to wholeheartedly experience the Maldives’s authentic culture.
Out of 1200 islands in the Maldives, about 200 of them are local islands, they are where Maldivians actually live. Because of the government’s initiatives to develop the Maldives, many young adults have moved to the “city islands” like Male/Hulhumale for school and job opportunities, leaving the older generation, the women and the young behind living in these islands. The biggest distinction for staying on a local island over a resort is the budget involved. With resorts offering a minimum of 300- 10,000 USD per night, guesthouses in local islands offer rooms from 40 USD to 190 USD per night! The cost of land, watersports and diving excursions are significantly cheaper than in a resort too. Some local islands also offer a wide selection of restaurants as well. Some of these islands below are also listed on air b&b, offering modern facilities with faster internet and discounts for an extended stay.
Staying on a local island offers a fascinating insight and first-hand experience on how Maldivians go about their simple island life. Life seemingly slows down, the locals are not hurrying away like in the city, the friendly smiles and the day-to-day simple joys in life. This experience cannot be replicated from a day trip worth of cultural sightseeing. It is important to remember that no two local islands offer the same experience as they vary according to their geographical location within the Maldives, accessibility to public ferries/domestic flights, access to infrastructure for digitalism, access to food options, and access to activities. The pricing of the rooms are also dependent on the amenities included, meal and transfer inclusions.
Below is a brief introduction to some of the popular local islands here in the Maldives:
Hulhumale
10 minutes by taxi from Velana International Airport and 10 minutes from Male City. an island that is completely reclaimed and near the airport with many options for restaurants, cafes, shops, supermarkets, schools and businesses. It is considerably less crowded and overwhelming than Male City. A popular stop for a late arrival for tourists before transiting to their resorts. People are generally more open-minded with some foreigners living there too. Guesthouses are often lined next to the beaches with many excursions easily available.
Maafushi
Perhaps the most popular local island in the Maldives, Maafushi residents like to consider themselves a different breed of Maldivians. With over 50 hotels, guesthouses and establishments, housing 2 of the nation’s prisons, Maafushi is perhaps the most developed and well-known local island in the Maldives. It is conveniently located, 30 minutes from Male City. If you are looking for an upbeat and cheap option for your stay with a desire to meet locals and foreigners alike, similar to places like Boracay in the Philippines, Maafushi may be suitable for you. We personally do not enjoy this local island so much as it was way too busy and crowded for our preference. If you are into socializing, this may be the island for you.
Thulusdhoo
Thulusdhoo is located Northwest of Male, approximately 30 minutes away, this is a beautifully tucked local island, mostly known for surfers for the beach surf breaks in the Maldives: Cokes and Chickens. Whether you are a surfer or not, this charming island offers a beautiful blend of tourists and locally-infused island living experiences. Thulusdhoo is also equipped with beautiful photo spots and various dining options (vegan too!). Thulusdhoo is our favourite local island and it is also where we host one of our Zenera retreats!
dhigurah
Located at South Ari Atoll, this popular local island is located near the premise of South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA) which is the only hotspot in the world when whale sharks are sighted all year round! As one of the largest local islands in the Maldives spanning over a length of 4km, it is also one of the lushest local islands. Guesthouses and hotels are located in the middle of the island to retain its tranquillity and keep the island as natural as possible. There is also a sandbank located on the tip of the island where you can easily access by foot. The only downside to this is the accessibility to get there, it takes about 2 hours on a calm day from the airport to Dhigurah by speedboat.
dhiffushi
A tiny local island located not far from Thulusdhoo, Dhiffushi offers an idyllic and low-key stay for those who want a quiet scene surrounded by tranquil nature. About 40-45 minutes boat ride away from Male, it offers a great selection of hotels, guest houses, and restaurants. If you prefer to work in solitude or have a peaceful, quiet lifestyle, Dhiffushi is an ideal location if you are looking to take a break from social activity offering minimal distraction and a space to recharge as well. It is also located on the easternmost point of the Maldives, so if you are into sunrises, you definitely do not want to miss sunrises here!
hanimaadhoo
Located up north of Male in Haa Alif Atoll, Hanimaadhoo is the largest local island in this atoll, and it has its domestic airport. The only way to get here is a domestic flight from Male that takes approximately 140 USD each way. With over 7km of powdery-white sandy beaches and azure water, Hanimadhoo offers an unexplored and untouched beauty of exquisite marine biodiversity that is lesser known to the world. An emerging destination that caters to divers, surfers and travelers alike, Hanimadhoo is a perfect unique destination to enjoy a culture-immersive and laid-back stay away from the hustle of the popular local islands.
resorts that cater to digital nomads
If you hold a bigger budget and enjoy splurging in paradise, you may enjoy remote working in a resort. There has been a growing trend in catering to remote workers who are seeking the comfort, sophistication, service and luxury that resorts offer. Some resorts even offer discounts for an extended stay of up to 30 days.
Below are some resorts that offer such packages:
9 practical concerns for digital nomads
1.timezone & currency
The Maldives has a timezone of GMT+5.
The national currency here is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). If you have not already, the Maldives carries one of the coolest notes in the world with a variety of marine animals on each specific denomination. In both resorts and local islands, both USD and MVR are widely accepted although in the local islands, including Male City, MVR is highly preferred. Because buying MVR in other countries is impossible, the best arrangement is for you to have your USD/EUR/AUD/NZD/YEN exchanged in either Male City or Hulhumale when you arrive. Know that there is a fixed USD bank conversion of 1 USD to 15.42 MVR, which is not the best value if you are changing in larger amounts. If you pay the locals in USD, you will most likely notice this conversation rate being used. The locals have a way of obtaining a favorable exchange rate in the “black market” (sometimes even 1 USD to 18 MVR), but you will need to ask them to know that. Most things are cheaper when paid in MVR than USD.
In terms of the availability of ATMs in the local islands mentioned above, most of them have at least one ATM allowing you to make withdrawals in MVR. Cards are widely accepted in resorts and most service and dining establishments.
2. Getting to the Maldives
The Maldives’s airport is called Velana International Airport, located It is located on the island of Hulhule. It is well connected to Male City and Hulhumale, both of which are considered the more developed local islands of the Maldives.
Major airline carriers fly directly to the Maldives from Sri Lanka, Singapore, Switzerland, India, the UK, Russia and the Middle East. Most of these direct flights may cost quite a lot. There are often good deals if you book ahead of time. There are also extensive options for low-cost carriers including Wizz Air from Abu Dhabi, AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur, IndiGo from India and FlyDubai from Dubai/Sri Lanka. With this in mind, there is always a way to find cheap flights by breaking your flight path into two: one to get to one of those cities from where you are, then book another cheap flight to the Maldives from there. Often, you may get amazing last-minute deals too! A friend of ours got a return ticket from Thailand to the Maldives for less than 350 USD return. A good tip would be to always fly on weekdays, utilize a VPN when making bookings, and avoid booking flights on the weekends.
3. Safety & Healthcare
Yes, it is safe to travel in the Maldives. Like other countries, most places will initially be surprised to meet a solo traveler. However, because you are alone, others may make more effort to get to know you and do their best to make you feel included and welcomed. Regarding medical services, it is worth noting that each local island has a medical center and multiple pharmacies, offering basic medical services, vaccination programs, maternal and child health care, and emergency treatment. Most atolls have an atoll hospital that provides primary, secondary and emergency care. It is worthwhile to keep track of where is the nearest atoll hospital in your chosen vicinity of the Maldives. We recommend always carrying a stash of first aid for any incidents, specifically in the Maldives- waterproof plasters, sanitizers, antiseptic cream, charcoal pills, vinegar for jellyfish stings, gloves, bandages, etc. We also recommend purchasing basic travel insurance that caters to nomads like us from SafetyWing.
4. Visa
Presently, there is no digital nomad visa issued by Maldives Immigration yet. The country does offer a 30-day tourist visa which allows all nationalities to enter the Maldives. There is no pre-approval required and it will be granted upon arrival. One must present:
- a passport or a travel document with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with at least 1 month of validity.
- a complete travel itinerary, including confirmed return journey tickets, a prepaid confirmed booking at a registered facility, and sufficient funds to cover the stay in the Maldives, or a pre-approved sponsorship visa from Maldives Immigration
- entry requirements to their onward destinations; for example, the visa and passport validity
There is an option for an extended stay of up to 60 days with an additional fee of 50 USD that takes about a week to process. This present option allows one to stay fuss-free for up to a month of digital- nomading to truly take in what the Maldives has to offer.
5. Muslim culture & dress code
The Maldives is a Muslim country with strict rules that value religious observations, and cultural sensitivity. It is very prominent that when you arrive at the airport, you will notice a conservative dress code and headwear especially observed by women.
As men, it is ideal to have clothing that includes a shirt and shorts that cover your knee.
For women, it is important to cover up more, especially on the premise of a local island. We recommend clothing that includes longer dresses, longer skirts, loose tops and bottoms that are not revealing or skimpy. Also consider the heat of the Maldives, a loose top is always preferred! This is important especially in public places and specifically in local islands. This dress code does not apply to private resorts unless specified in dining areas.
A rule of thumb is to always consider cultural sensitivity and dress modestly as you would when you travel to a Muslim country. In the local islands, there are allocated bikini beaches where travelers can dress for the beach. There are special signages that indicate the appropriate clothing required. Nudity is not tolerated in the country. In summary, we encourage everyone to respect the culture of the locals as it is their country we are visiting, not ours.
6. Internet & connectivity
Internet connectivity is considerably good in the Maldives.
According to Ookla’s SpeedTest, the average download speed for fixed broadband in The Maldives is 10 Mbps. In the resorts, fast-paced wifi is provided for the guests which allows calls, streamings and general working. One can expect internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps or higher. In local islands, depending on each establishment, wifi has varying connectivity and speed, ranging from 2-10 Mbps, depending on the provider and location. In terms of usage, 10Mbps in download speed and 1Mbps in upload speed is more than sufficient for a single-use device.
Mobile data (3G,4G, 5G) connectivity is available across the country. There are two providers Ooredoo and Dhiraagu that boost comprehensive mobile network coverage across the nation. According to OOkla’s Maldives Speedtest Connectivity report, Dhiraagu was the fastest mobile provider in Maldives in the first half of 2024, with the best overall speed, for both all network technologies combined and 5G. We recommend purchasing a SIM card for working rather than depending on the wifi. According to Speedtest, Maldives Mobile data ranked #25 globally, offering 95.78 Mbps in download speed and 21.98 in upload speed. (Last updated October 2024). We have worked online with the data alone and had no issues so far.
7. lack of nightlife
As a Muslim country that practices the Sharia law, drinking alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives. The only exceptions are in resorts, liveaboards and bar boats that cater to tourists where they carry specific licenses for it. For the same reason, you will notice that the nightlife in the Maldives is a lot quieter and calmer. Unlike other countries in the world where nightlife is often bustling, the nightlife in the Maldives especially on a local island is calm and quiet. On a local island, one may observe that the night is where the island comes to life. The locals normally engage in simple joys in life including going for walks, riding the motorcycles under the stars with their loved ones and spending time with their families on a “joali” or at home.
In a resort, most resorts offer theme nights like DJ nights. During the week, they host a range of activities held on different days at the bar including movie night, karaoke night, live band, etc. This may be a good setting if you are into socializing or if this sounds like your kind of fun.
For a few bigger local islands, bar boats are located just parked out of the perimeter of the local island. It is only on this bar boat that one can purchase alcohol legally.
8. accessibility
The Maldives is not the most accessible nation in the world because of how everything is spread out from one island to another. In terms of commuting, the only transportation infrastructure is speedboats or atoll ferries in between islands. Domestic flights are also available from Male Domestic Airport to most capitals in the atolls. Speedboats are a cost-effective way of commuting around Maldives averaging 25 USD for a 2-2.5 hour one-way journey. In terms of travel alerts and logistical issues, speedboats often stand a chance of being canceled or delayed, affecting travel plans. As the Maldives is a Muslim country, some speedboats and public ferries do not run on a Friday either.
A rule of thumb is to plan your trip well ahead of time. Consider the option for domestic flights and book in advance for a cheaper fare. Choose the option of a domestic flight if it is within your budget. Consider the option of ferries and speedboats if it is within your timeframe and if the weather is ideal (10 Knots or less).
Space yourself adequate time for transfers and factor in the possibility of delays. To most local islands near Male, there is usually an option of a speedboat with several operators. As each speedboat companies are run independently, I will recommend having your guesthouse book for you. You can also download the app “FollowMe” to track the arrival and departure of the speedboat before your arrival and departure time. It is also a useful app as it offers mostly live updates to track your journey especially when the weather is not ideal.
9. join a digital nomad co-working/co-living retreat
Feeling overwhelmed and jaded from all the planning and researching as a digital nomad?
Seeking a retreat when you can intentionally slow down, be productive and go on some adventures?
Join us for a digital nomad here at Zenera instead! In our digital nomad retreats, you can leave the planning and organization for us, while you focus on packing your bag and arriving in the Maldives. If you are a remote worker, creator, soul-led entrepreneur, or a solo traveler… our digital nomad retreats are for you!
Having lived here for a couple of years respectively, we both felt strongly about showing the world the true essence of what the Maldives has to offer; its possibilities beyond the luxury, opulence and glamour; one that is embedded with an authentic flair for the local culture; one that offers an unparalleled blend of slow living, personal growth, intentionality and purposeful productivity; one that is a rising destination for remote workers like us. 🦪 💻
We would love for you to join us for any of our retreats! Explore our retreats below, or contact us with any queries.
download the free “Maldives’Local Island Guide For Digital Nomads”
it is a 50-page guide designed for digital nomads and remote workers for a seamless understanding of how living on a local island in the Maldives looks like! Join our newsletter and receive it today!
Explore our Raalhu 2025 Thulusdhoo Retreat this coming May!
Read: What It’s Like To Join A Co-Working Retreat In The Maldives
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