Currency

The Maldivian Rufiyaa (abbreviated as Rf. or MRf.) is made up of 100 larees. The current exchange rate to the US Dollar is around MRf.12.70 per U.S Dollar.

Money changing

Foreign exchange facilities are avilable at all resorts and banks. Guests staying at resorts can settle their bills in foreign currency. It should be noted that the U.S Dollar reigns supreme over all other currencies in Maldives, and it is likely that the exchange rate for other currencies is slightly worse.

Banking and business hours

Normal banking hours is: 0800 to 1330 on Sundays to Thursdays. Friday and Saturday are holidays. Government offices are open from 0800 to 1400 daily except on Fridays and Saturdays. Shops and private businesses often stay open till very late (around 2130).

Credit Cards

Major credit cards are accepted by most resorts, but payment for a booking deposit by telephone is not generally accepted. In some cases, shops in Male' may try to add a surcharge to the purchase price if payment is made by card.

Exchange control

Uniquely to this region, there are currently no exchange controls in force in the Maldives, and visitors are spared the trouble of filling in various forms and haggling with the bureaucracy. However, the laws of the market prevail, and it might sometimes be easy to convert Dollars to Rufiyaa but strangely difficult to do the opposite.