Tourists heading to the Maldives often wonder about the availability of alcohol there. As it is a Muslim country, alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. However, this does not mean that alcohol is completely inaccessible in the Maldives. It is available, but not everywhere and at a relatively high price.
1. Rules and Exceptions for Alcohol in the Maldives
Many can’t imagine a vacation without a delicious cocktail by the waves or a glass of champagne after dinner. But the laws of a Muslim country are strict, and they must be followed, otherwise, one may face punishment (for example, for consuming alcohol in public places). On inhabited islands, it is forbidden to drink and sell alcohol (with the only exception being Hulhule Island and the airport hotel). You can’t simply go and buy alcohol in the Maldives; it is not available in stores. However, in this tropical country, alcoholic beverages are available on resort islands that obtain permits to sell them. Alcoholic beverages are also sold in so-called floating bars. However, alcohol is quite expensive.
2. Can You Bring Alcohol to the Maldives?
Bringing alcoholic beverages to the Maldives, whether in luggage or carry-on, is prohibited. This is not an idle warning: all suitcases are scanned, and if a bottle of alcohol is found, it will have to be left behind (there is an option to store it, receive a receipt and token, and then retrieve it before flying home). However, there have been rumors for a long time that Maldivian authorities want to cancel the storage option for guests’ alcohol. If this becomes a reality, alcoholic beverages will simply be confiscated without the right to return. But for now, this is just talk. There are no exceptions to the rule, even if you buy alcohol in duty-free. It will still have to be left in storage or drunk during the flight (though you should check the airline’s rules first, as this might also be prohibited). Also, don’t try to bring your favorite drink in another container, such as a soda bottle or skin lotion. Of course, you might get lucky, and customs officials won’t suspect anything, but it’s better not to risk it. Various tourist “know-hows” have long been known to customs officers, and you might find yourself in an unpleasant situation or even fined.
3. Resort Islands and Alcohol in the Maldives
On these luxurious resorts, almost all pleasures are available, including alcohol. The only downside is its price. Therefore, tourists who like to combine relaxation with a cocktail or another strong drink should choose an all-inclusive system. In relatively budget hotels, the selection of free drinks will not be very large (and vice versa, the more expensive the hotel, the more varied its wine list and the better the quality of the drinks offered). Hotels operating on this system usually offer guests various cocktails, standard alcoholic drinks (whiskey, cognac, vodka, gin, rum), wine, and beer. But elite brands, as well as champagne and other delicacies, will have to be paid for additionally; they are not included in the standard (and free) offer. It is important to know that alcohol in the Maldives can only be consumed in bars and restaurants; you cannot move around the premises with a glass. In bars located on the beach and by the pools, you can buy a cocktail or another drink at half the usual price. This can be done during “happy hour,” which occurs between lunch and dinner. Many tourists who opt for a full board system use this to avoid overpaying for all-inclusive. As for the prices of alcohol in the Maldives, they are impressive:
- Alcoholic cocktail — from $15 and up;
- Can of beer — from $5;
- Bottle of regular wine — from $50;
- Glass of wine — from $10;
- Bottle of cognac or vodka — from $100;
- 50g of cognac or vodka — from $6;
- Bottle of champagne — from $75;
- A bottle of expensive collectible wine in a high-class hotel can cost from $90 to several thousand.
It’s important to consider that the price of a drink in a restaurant menu needs to include an additional 22% special tax.
4. “Drunken” Bars in the Maldives
On local, i.e., inhabited islands, alcohol in the Maldives is completely prohibited, including in hotels. Choosing such a vacation, you should be prepared for this aspect. Of course, there are no liquor stores either, and the most you can find is non-alcoholic beer. Understanding the difficulties tourists face and their desire to relax on vacation, the Maldives came up with a clever trick and organized special floating bars that offer a small selection of alcoholic beverages. It is all completely legal: prohibited products are not sold on the island, but at the shore, vacationers are met by a boat that takes them for free to a floating bar located in the open sea. The only downside: the selection of drinks is small, and their quality often leaves much to be desired. The cost of alcohol is comparable to resort hotel prices:
- Can of beer — about $5;
- Bottle of a strong alcoholic drink — from $80.
It is important to remember that one can only drink in the bar or in their room; drinking on the beach and in other public places is not allowed, otherwise, there could be legal problems. Interestingly, alcohol in floating “drunken” bars is not sold by the native local residents, who are strictly prohibited from doing so, but by people from other countries, often from India and Pakistan.
5. What Alcoholic Beverages Can Be Found in the Maldives
Despite strict restrictions, you can find alcohol to suit any taste in the Maldives:
- Beer — both globally known brands like Carlsberg and local ones (from Sri Lanka, Singapore, the Philippines; alcohol is not produced in the Maldives);
- Wine — the selection depends on the hotel: the higher its class, the better the quality of the wines (to preserve elite varieties, they are stored in cellars up to 6 meters deep);
- Whiskey, gin, vodka, and other strong drinks — their range and quality also depend on the hotel’s level, and elite products need to be paid for additionally;
- Cocktails — popular alcoholic drinks at the resort. Resort islands, in addition to familiar options like “Margarita” or gin and tonic, offer a wide selection of cocktails with tropical flavors, such as mango or pineapple.
In the Maldives, you can even find elite alcohol, but only in high-class resort hotels and the special bars associated with them. For example, a good selection of quality alcohol is offered in the bars at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi 5, One&Only Reethi Rah 5, Kurumba Maldives 5, and Veligandu Island Resort & Spa 5 hotels.