You may be wondering what is illegal in the Maldives. Well, there are plenty of things that are not allowed in this beautiful country, from drugs to selling alcohol. In this post, we will take a closer look at some of the most important laws and regulations in the Maldives. So if you are thinking about visiting or moving to this tropical paradise, make sure you know what is off limits!
Dancing is Legal
Dancing in the Maldives is generally not a problem. There are a few restrictions though, such as a ban on pole dancing and striptease. But if you want to bust a move while on holiday, then there’s no need to worry! You should be extra careful when partying with locals from other countries, since they might have different laws that apply to them. So make sure you know who’s who before getting carried away on the dance floor!
Selling Alcohol
It is illegal to sell alcohol in the Maldives. The only place you can get your fix is at your resort or hotel bar – so either buy it before going or be prepared to pay a lot for drinks… especially during holidays and special events.
You should also be aware that many people in the Maldives work at bars, restaurants etc., so do not offer them drinks unless you want to encourage alcohol consumption among the locals! Also keep in mind that most resorts have a strict rules about drinking on the resort premises. So if you are planning to hold an event with plenty of booze, make sure you check with management first!
Baring too much skin is Forbidden
In accordance with Sharia law, women are required to dress modestly. They must cover their knees and shoulders while visiting local islands or going through customs at Male’ International Airport. Remember: there is no tolerance for tourists who do not follow these simple etiquette guidelines. You can get fined or deported for showing too much skin!
Be respectful when visiting local islands
When staying on a local island you should dress modestly and be respectful. This means no partying until the early hours of the morning, not swimming in revealing clothes etc. The Maldives is a conservative Muslim country, so while enjoying your holiday it’s important to respect their culture. Showing good manners will help you get along with the locals while here!
Being Gay is Illegal
Homosexuality is considered to be one of the most serious crimes in the Maldives – if caught by authorities there are severe consequences. But this isn’t only limited to physical acts; even holding hands or kissing someone of the same sex can land you in jail! The law does not define specific gender, so both men and women are subject to the same punishments.
If you’re planning a holiday with your partner, then just keep in mind that homosexuality is not allowed – even if you come from a country where being gay isn’t considered a crime. The Maldives does not see this as a cultural difference… it’s still illegal! If you get caught, expect some serious trouble.
Being Gay is Legal, but only for Foreign Citizens
In 2014, there have been numerous debates about implementing constitutional law concerning homosexuals being given more rights. Although the proposal was rejected by the Parliament a year ago, a new bill might be taken into consideration soon – read more on My News Maldives . So while gay people are still facing difficulties when living in the Maldives, it seems like there are good chances for this to change in the future. Until then though, homosexual acts will remain illegal for Maldivians.
Even if you are not gay yourself, you should know that having sexual relations with a man can lead to lengthy imprisonment! You also need to keep in mind that being gay is not widely accepted by other people… so keep your private life private, don’t kiss or have sex in public places etc., or else you might get into serious trouble!
Do you want to vacation in the Maldives? Great! But be sure that when you get there, you know what is illegal. Dancing has been legalized on these islands, but selling alcohol and baring too much skin are both forbidden. Most importantly of all, being gay is still considered an offense punishable by imprisonment or death due to shari’a law. If any of this sounds like it might concern your travel plans, call us today for help planning a trip with less risk involved.
Who is Fun Island Maldives?
Fun Island Maldives focuses on traveling the world and experiencing everything there is to know about The Maldives, a picture-perfect archipelago situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and home to 1,190+ tiny coral islands! This amazing country is famous for the beauty it possesses and is celebrated as one of the best travel destinations in the world. For first-timers, traveling to the country will be very exciting but at the same time, there is so much more to look forward to and understand beyond the exotic lifestyles.
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