Has anyone been to the Maldives? Is it worth it?

No. No one has visited the Maldives not even the Maldivians.

I'm going to Dubai!

I would not go unless you're Muslim. They have a terrible track record in regards to their non-Muslim citizens.

I have not been but have friends that have and they stayed in one of the water bungalows that was gorgeous. I would go if you're 4 hours away. It's on our bucket list. Don't know anything about a gay scene tho.

OP where would you be traveling from?

I've been, and like you did it as a side trip. I used local ferries to visit the local islands (which are only just opening up for tourism). Most people go to the Maldives to visit the luxury resorts which are very isolated from the Maldivians. I suspect they are more for couples than solo visitors, but would be amazing for a beach break. The beaches were amazing, the food generally terrible (on the local islands) and the people quite reticent. Personally, I'd fly slightly further and visit Sri Lanka, or back the other way to Greece, for good beaches but more interesting (and welcoming) culture.

In the Maldives all seems to breathe freedom and peace, and to make one forget the world and all its sad turmoils.

As long as you suppress your homosexual tendencies, you’ll be fine.

Stop and visit us in North Korea on the way home.

It’s a very expensive way to lie on the beach. There’s not much else to do.

Yes, OP - it is worth it.

No, OP - it isn’t worth it.

OP Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos could probably justify the cost. Joe Shmoe on minimum wage probably couldn’t.

Asking “is it worth it?” is thus, OP, a silly question.

It's no Seychelles!

How is Seychelles?

Oh no not Dubai.

R15, equally as beautiful and with a less problematic religion.

Thank you r17.

Comoros and the Mozambique coast is what I'm curious about.

White lotus has gone there

My sister got engaged there last year. She said the place looks heavenly but that there's nothing to do but sunbathe and fuck.

Go to Madagascar and visit the lemurs.

The Maldives' concerning religious laws:

[quote] Non-Muslim citizens of other nations can practice their faith only in private and are barred from evangelizing or propagating their faith. All residents are required to teach their children the Muslim faith. The president, ministers, parliamentarians, and chiefs of the atolls are required to be Sunni Muslims. Government regulations are based on Islamic law. Only certified Muslim scholars can give fatawa.[1]

[quote] As of 2021, freedom of religion remained significantly restricted. Individual societal abuses and discrimination based on religious beliefs or practices have been reported.

Thanks all. Didn't realize Maldives were Muslim. Maybe we'll stay away. My partner is tagging along with me. It's bad enough that we have to get two hotel rooms in Dubai - cause I ain't fuckin around with that shit.

[Quote] As long as you suppress your homosexual tendencies, you’ll be fine.

Not what I’ve heard. A former colleague was a millennial and very outspoken and demonstrative about his gayness and he’s been — with his partner — multiple times and loved it.

[quote] My partner is tagging along with me. It's bad enough that we have to get two hotel rooms in Dubai - cause I ain't fuckin around with that shit.

Which begs the question.

Why in FUCK'S SAKE would you ever visit Dubai, knowing that you can be imprisoned for being gay????

That makes no sense!!!

Take your money elsewhere, and give it to a place that actually respects gay people!!!!

R26 if you read my original post, I said I was going to Dubai for BUSINESS...as in work, as in I have job, dumb fuck.

You don't need 2 rooms in Dubai. My partner and I go there often and always stay in the same room with one bed.

My husband and I have been to the Maldives. We stayed at the St Regis and loved it. Perfect place to unplug and unwind. We never felt uncomfortable and experienced no visible signs of homophobia. Several other gay couples were also guests during our visit and they seemed to be having as good a time as us. It's a bitch to get to the Maldives from the US, so go for it while you're within a 4 hour flight.

I was wondering how Dubai, Qatar, and other places in the middle east handle gay couples at hotels. Same with Indonesia/Bali. I'm assuming it's ok with the big hotel chains as long as there's no massive public displays.

Also, Mauritius may be a good one to consider, or just saying fuck it and flying all the way to Cape Town.

What is this “business” you speak of, in Dubai?

R23, fuck the Maldives.

I cannot go someplace where the only thing to do is lay around by the water. There has to be some culture and museums or ruins to go see. When we were in Bali we spent little time at the beaches and never stepped foot in a nightclub. We were taking side trips to Borabador, batik factories and wandering around marketplaces. Of course, it helped that we had a villa with our own pool and staff. One day at beach, one evening at a surfside seafood place and one day on a boat excursion to try and snorkel was the extent of our beach activities. Everything else was more cultural.

Endless sunning is boring as hell plus the sun makes me too sleepy to function.

Agree with R34 - I've heard several people say it's just a really expensive and hard to get to place to....lay out in the sun.

I think people go to the Maldives as some sort of status symbol - which I don't understand - because it IS expensive and time-consuming to go there.

Seems like a 'stunt' vacation for Instagram and nothing more. I need good restaurants, cultural things to do and something besides a beach. Nothing wrong with a beach vacation - but you can literally do that all over the world.

Yes. Whenever I have a choice between a golden beach and a cloth printing factory—I choose the latter!

Maldives is so 2014. The top getaway destination now is Manjuyod Sandbar in Negros Oriental, Philippines.

That's nice for you R36 but people like different things plus we got a major discount on the textiles and had plans for them. Not everyone thinks roasting in the sun is fun. Are you European? British and Europeans think a great vacation is laying around hotel pools all day then going to clubs at night.

I grew up in a beach town so the allure is lost on me.

Go now because in another few years or so it might be underwater. Thanks sea level rise 🙄

[quote]British and Europeans think a great vacation is laying around hotel pools all day then going to clubs at night.

Keep us out of this gross generalisation!

R35, it's definitely the vacation of choice for the instagram "influencers".

I'm getting a sick headache.

Doesn't anyone know how to properly use LIE and LAY anymore? You do not LAY down. You do not LAY on the beach.

Influencers are scammers and grifters. How are they scoring free trips?

r42 True, you do not LAY down; but you can LAY YOURSELF (or any other object) down (as in "Now I lay me down to sleep").

The official spokesbird for the domestic fowl lobby has meantime contacted me and heatedly insists that I add that you [italic]can[/italic] LAY on the beach . . . if you're a hen.

Deals with brands. It's a write-off for the brand. They also spend on trips to offset revenue for tax purposes.