Can unmarried couples go to the Maldives?

Yes, unmarried couples can go to The Maldives. While it is a popular destination for honeymooners, The Maldives remains equally sought-after by unmarried couples too. In fact, many couples travel to The Maldives for their marriage proposal. There are no such rules that ban unmarried couples to go to the Maldives and share a room at a resort together. So, whether married or not, you’re more than welcome to visit The Maldives with your partner.

Upon check-in at a resort in the Maldives, you will only be required to present your passports, no marriage certificate is requested unless you have booked a special honeymoon package to the Maldives and thus, they will need proof for redemption purposes.

Not only CAN every couple travel to the Maldives- Every couple SHOULD travel there!

So you now know that unmarried couples can travel to the Maldives. What you might not know are the reasons why I believe every couple should experience a holiday in the Maldives. To help, you, here are 3 reasons why every couple must travel to the Maldives if they have never been before.

1. Privacy and seclusion

The vast majority of resorts in the Maldives occupy their own private island. The vast majority of resorts have private villas with their own private pools and absolute privacy from other guests on the island allowing you enjoy time with your partner in a way that is simply not possible anywhere else in the world. These luxury villas are a catalyst for couples wanting to do that “thing” that couples enjoy doing! From the outdoor “his and her” showers to the in villa sauna and roof deck hot tub, couples simply don’t want to be apart when they are on holiday in the Maldives.

Oh- and if you ever fancied skinny dipping in a pool or even booking a naturist holiday but never had the courage to do so, the only time you will need to put your clothes on in your private Maldivian villa is when your butler comes to your room to deliver some food!

2. Relationship Maker

Couples on holiday in the Maldives quickly realise there is not much to do other than what is on offer in the resort. You can’t go out on an excursion to a nature reserve, visit a theme park or go on a city tour in the Maldives. Instead, in the Maldives, you will spend the whole day doing things with your partner such as a couples massage, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, water sports, yoga or playing tennis.

Everything in the Maldives is about doing things together as a couple and spending the quality time with each other in a way that is often not possible in your busy lives back home. All the things you do together in the Maldives will be fun and relaxing and these are the feelings you will then start to subconsciously associate with spending time together as a couple. You will return home refreshed, energised and overpowered with reinforced feelings of positivity about your relationship.

For those that know they are with their life partner, there is probably no destination on earth as romantic as the Maldives to pop the question. Make memories by arranging a private island dinner excursion or even a private sunset beach supper to choreograph the perfect proposal!

3. Incomparable Luxury

Whilst the Maldives is by no means cheap, it is actually amazing value for money. A 7 night all-inclusive stay at a 5 star resort in beach villa with a private pool costs from £2,200 per person including flights from the UK. You could end up spending the same money on a 7 night stay in a 3* hotel in the USA!

If you allow about £600 for the flights, your 7 night stay is only costing £1,600 and that includes your sea plane or speed boat transfers from the airport to the resort which works out at an average of only £228/night!

A 5 star resort in the Maldives is also incomparable with 5 star hotels in many other countries. Maldivian 5 star resorts will often feature private butlers, villas that provide over 2,000 sq ft of space and that come with separate living areas, terraces, grand luxury bedrooms and a host of other amenities. The standard of luxury in the Maldives often surpasses that on offer at resorts in most other Asian countries which are already famed for their exuberant luxury, celebrated service standards, distinctive style, memorable cuisine and unforgettable experiences.

4. A feast for the palate

Many resorts offer All- Inclusive in the Maldives. Whilst this may not appeal to everyone, I always suggest my customers book half board. Pay as you go dining in the Maldives can be expensive and knowing you have 2 meals included will help you budget effectively for your Maldives holiday.

You should not however confuse Half Board, Full Board or All Inclusive with the same style of meal plan offered in mass tourism destination resorts. In the Maldives, most dining venues within a resort will accept half board guests either with a credit to be used against à la carte options, the ability to choose from a set menu or, a buffet that will often include live cooking stations and many high-end item choices.

Dining in the Maldives is truly an event. You will be looking forward to your meals every day, and you are generally guaranteed to never have to limit yourself to the same menu options on any two days. Unbelievably, even if you stayed in one of the five-star resorts for a month, you would not need to eat the same meal twice during your entire stay! The resorts pride themselves on importing the finest ingredients from across the globe and most chefs are highly trained with experience working in some of the best internationally recognised restaurants in the world.

A highlight for most of my couples is a barefoot candle light dinner under the open sky on the beach. With the waves gently lapping the soft white sand, you and your partner will be alone on your elaborately styled dining table without another human in sight. Your butler will miraculously appear when you need him or to serve your meal courses and then disappear as quickly as he arrived! It is the ultimate romantic experience and something that  you will not have the option to do in many destinations outside of the Maldives.

5. Pampering

Be prepared to be waited on hand and foot throughout your stay in the Maldives. From the moment you land at Male airport, you will be treated like a celebrity. When you arrive at your resort, someone will come and wash your hands and feet while you wait to be checked in. Your on call 24- 7 butler will be at your beck and call to provide you with almost anything you may want to request. Even walking from your villa to one of the resort restaurants is considered too much effort and your butler will invariably drive you there in a golf buggy.

In the spa, you will find signature treatments from across Asia, the South Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Many couples that I have arranged a Maldives holiday for will visit the spa on a daily basis during their stay trying out the array of unique massages and beauty treatments.

Unmarried couples are allowed to travel to the Maldives together, and many hundreds of thousands of such couples do visit the destination on an annual basis. I have a customer that travelled to the Maldives before they were married, for their honeymoon and every year since with their 2 children. They consider the destination to be a scared place as their eldest daughter was conceived there! I have no doubt that you will fall in love with the place when you visit!

Do’s and Don’ts in the Maldives

Although you won’t necessarily feel it at the resorts, The Maldives remains a conservative Islamic country with a long list of rules and regulations that apply to both locals and tourists.

Like any other Muslim-majority country, not respecting customs and laws in The Maldives can lead you to a series of punishments like getting a fine or even a prison sentence depending on the severity of your actions.

1. Public Display of Affection in The Maldives:

Due to religious concerns, tourists (especially couples) are discouraged from visiting the non-resort islands. Similarly, public display of affection (holding hands, kissing, hugging) is considered extremely offensive when on non-resort islands like the capital of Malé. You also need to be aware that homosexual relationships and all LGBTQ activities are strictly forbidden for residents, so make sure you remain discreet (we need to mention though that these rules are not necessarily applicable at private resort islands so you will have no problem checking in and spending a holiday with your partner).

2. Alcohol restrictions in The Maldives:

How about alcohol restrictions in The Maldives, you may ask? Alcohol is prohibited under Islamic law, and in The Maldives, you will only be allowed to consume alcohol within the resort’s premises. You should also absolutely avoid taking alcohol to non-resort islands to save yourself from getting caught for breaking the law in The Maldives.

3. Dress Code in The Maldives:

If you’re really planning on visiting local inhabited islands to have a look at the traditional Maldivian lifestyle, then it is important that you remain mindful of local customs. Women are expected to keep their shoulders and knees covered at all times, bikinis and topless sunbathing are strictly prohibited on the non-resort islands.