Good to know

The Republic of Maldives is an archipelago of atolls in the Indian Ocean, located southwest of Sri Lanka. Buruni Island is part of Thaa Atoll, about 180 km south of the capital Malé, and can be reached by seaplane and speedboat.

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, used in all administrative offices, while English is widely spoken and also taught in schools, making it easy for tourists to communicate both in Malé and in the villages.

The Maldivian people are known for their friendliness, hospitality, and deep connection with nature, making it easy to feel at home.

As a fully Muslim country, it is important to respect local customs: wear modest clothing (shorts, t-shirts, or light dresses, but not see-through or too revealing), do not consume alcohol or pork. Topless sunbathing is not allowed, even on the beach.

Buruni Island is very small: 1,450 meters long and 350 meters wide, with about 400 inhabitants. At the moment, there are only 2 guesthouses on the island, including ours. There are no paved roads and no cars—only scooters. It is therefore still an untouched, natural, and peaceful place, far from mass tourism. Thanks to this uniqueness, in Buruni you can still experience and discover the real Maldives.

In the Maldives, the year is divided into two main seasons: iruvai, the dry season from December to April, and hulhangu, the wet season from May to November. Transition periods, in mid-April and November, offer particularly calm conditions and exceptionally clear water.

The temperature varies little throughout the year, with lows around 27°C and highs up to 32°C; the water temperature remains constant at about 28°C.

To enter the Maldives, an electronic passport with at least six months of validity from the return date is required.

All travelers must complete the Travel Declaration (IMUGA) online, a free service available from 96 hours before arrival.
At the end, a QR code is generated to be shown at check-in in Italy.
This is the official link: imuga.immigration.gov.mv (beware of unofficial sites that request payment).
https://imuga.immigration.gov.mv/

A travel insurance policy covering medical expenses, medical transport, and repatriation is mandatory.

It can be purchased through the airline or insurers such as Europ Assistance, Allianz, AXA, Columbus.

The Maldives can be reached by plane. A direct flight takes about 9–10 hours, while flights with connections take between 12 and 15 hours depending on schedules. The main international airport is Velana – Malé, supported by several local airports for domestic flights.

The guesthouse is located on an island inhabited by local Muslims. Respectful clothing is therefore required.

It is recommended to bring:

• Mask and fins
• Snorkeling protective shirts
• SPF 50+ sunscreen and after-sun lotion
• Insect repellent spray

The local currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), but US dollars are also accepted.

Currently, no mandatory vaccinations are required to enter the Maldives.

It is advisable to bring common medicines and any personal prescriptions. Any special medications should be accompanied by a medical certificate in English.

A medical center with a resident doctor is available on the island.

• Polizia municipale
• Health Center with a resident doctor
• Pharmacy
• ATM (only local currency)
• 4 bars
• 3 minimarkets
• School
• 4 mosques (not open to visitors)
• Small gym (for residents and guests)
• Recreation center with games
• Football pitch
• Volleyball court

The voltage is 220 volts.

The guesthouse does not offer Wi-Fi. To have internet, it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card directly at the airport. Tourist packages start at about 40 USD for 10 days.

Alternatively, it is possible to activate an eSIM. It is recommended to configure the SIM already at the airport, as technical support is not available on the island.In alternativa è possibile attivare un’eSIM. È raccomandato configurare la SIM già in aeroporto, poiché sull’isola non è disponibile assistenza tecnica.