Shopping in Maldives

Shopping has always been an important part of tourism of any country. One of the best ways of exploring the heritage, culture and lifestyle of a country or a city is by strolling along the local markets and other shopping destinations. Don’t forget to bargain and most of the times you can land up buying something rare at a very reasonable rate!!

When it comes to best shopping destinations of world, Maldives offer unmatched facilities. You simply cannot miss to go on a shopping spree while you are on a tour to Maldives!! Maldives shopping includes a quick pick of various garments, jewellery, local artifacts, cosmetics and perfumes, handicrafts, gizmos and gadgets, accessories and edible items. All these alluring shopping items and the friendly atmosphere make Maldives an attractive location for the shopaholics.

Getting in and around Maldives

All major international flights from India, Europe, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Dubai and South-East Asia lands to the Male International Airport and Gan Airport. For navigating in and around Maldives, you can avail of the Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways.

Various taxi boats are also available to take the visitors around the island and major tourist destinations.

Things to shop in Maldives

With Maldives Island serving as a popular shopping destination, you will be spoiled of choices when it comes to shopping. A number of Maldives shopping destinations offer many exotic shopping items that will act as souvenirs of your Maldives vacation. Here are some of the best picks of shopping in Maldives:

• Local handicrafts made by weaving and lacquer work.
• Stamps
• Colorful island fabrics
• Black-coral jewellery and sea-shells jewellery
• Garments, cosmetics and perfumes
• Various items made up of turtle shell
• Kuna woven mat with stylish geometric art work.
• Electronic gadgets and gizmos
• Handicraft household products like coconut graters, spoons made from coconut shells, wooden mortars, etc.
• Decorative lampshades
• Edible items like canned fish and many more.
  
  

  Exchange rates in Maldives

  
  The local currency of Maldives is Maldivian rufiyaa. However, shopping in Maldives has been made easier by payment through credit card or hard currency in terms of US dollars. The exchange rate prevalent in the city is 1 US Dollar = 15.31 Maldivian rufiyaa.
  
  

  Maldives Shopping Centers

  
  In flightshotelstours, we provide you with a complete guide on Maldivian shopping with the major shopping destinations and their uniqueness.
  
  Male, the capital of Maldives is the major shopping hub and a sheer delight to the shoppers! Shopping in Male will surely make you go crazy with plenty of shopping places and hordes of items to choose from. Actually, you will feel lost as what to buy and what not to buy.
  
  Two popular shopping centers in Maldives are located in Male only making it a fascinating shopping destination.
  
  

  Chaandanee Magu

  
  This is one of the most happening shopping places of the city. Most renowned for its souvenir items, this place is ideal if you are looking for some traditional handicrafts. The shops in this area are packed with special curios, handicrafts and gift items. Among the must buys are the thudu kuna, a woven mat made out of local fibers; and charming small dhonis made out of wood. These can be a part of your souvenir collection from Maldives.
  
  

  Majeedhee Magu

  
  Situated on the main road of the island is the Majeedhee Magu, the main shopping zone of Maldives. This is the ultimate shopping destination where you can actually find everything under the sun. It is the hub of a number of shops selling all types of possible goods and items. You can check out some of the fashionable handbags and watches or look out for variety of cosmetics and perfumes here. These shops also boast of a varied collection of garments, jewellery, handicrafts and artifacts and electrical equipments among other things. The market remains open till 11 in the night. Maldives shopping wouldn’t be complete if you don’t visit this shopping paradise.

  Local market at Male

  
  If you want to check on the flavors of Maldives, visit this Male local market situated little away from the Male Fish market. Here you can find large number of stalls displaying the local produce of Maldives like local fruits and vegetables, jams, pickles, small handicraft items, sweetmeat, homemade sweets, etc. This shopping spree gives you an idea of exploring the varied taste and food habits of the island.
  
  Apart from these, there are few other Maldives shopping destinations specializing in jewelry and sapphires, garments and souvenirs. These shopping centers are much cheaper than Male, and you don’t need to visit all the shops because most of them sell the same things. Some of these shopping centers are located in Maafushi Island, Sun Island, Kurumba and Mobile Local Bazaar.
  
  

  Caution while shopping

  
  It is a fact that most of the items sold in Maldives are basically imported from various parts of the world like India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, etc. These imported items are sold at much higher prices here. So, if you don’t bargain, you will actually run into loss.
  
  Export of certain items is restricted in Maldives like products made of black coral, turtle shell, red coral and pearl oyster shell. So, do not buy these items and carry it out of the island as you can face the customs problems.
  
  Having this guide with you, Maldives shopping will be an interesting and fun thing for you!! Your credibility lies in buying the best item at a good bargain and Maldives will never disappoint you in this.
  
  For more online information on Maldives, log onto flightshotelstours.
  
  Flightshotelstours.com offers online information on Shopping in Maldives.