Travel Guide
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Currency
Currency is of little concern to tourists staying in the Maldives, unless you are staying on Male’, the capital. Resorts, as well as hotels on Male’, accept US dollars, traveler’s cheques and major credit cards such as American Express, Visa, and Diners Club. British pounds, German marks, Italian lira and Eurocard are also accepted, although US dollars are more widely received. If you are staying at a resort you do not need to carry money as everything is billed to your room, and the tab settled when you check out.
If you are visiting or staying on Male’ the only time you would need Maldivian currency is if you are dining at smaller restaurants or shopping at places other than tourist shops. Even then they may take foreign currency. If you must exchange money for Maldivian currency, which is called “rufiya”, you can do so at your resort or at one of the major banks located on Male’. Major hotels on Male’ can exchange money for their guests.
The exchange rate is 11.72 rufiya (rf) for one US dollar. Rufiya comes in notes of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. One Rufiya is divided into 100 laari (coins).
Bank hours are from 8am to 1:30pm Sunday through Thursday.