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Maldives

Dream atolls and turquoise waters: free visa on arrival.

Capital
Malé
Currency
Rufiyaa (MVR) — USD widely accepted
Flight from Douala
~14 to 22h door-to-door from Douala/Yaoundé (1 stop)
Time difference
GMT+5 (+4h vs Cameroon)

The Maldives means 26 coral atolls, turquoise lagoons and some of the finest reefs in the world. The country runs at two speeds: luxury resorts on private islands, and local islands like Maafushi that are far more affordable. For an ordinary Cameroonian passport, the 30-day visa is free on arrival — you just fill in the IMUGA declaration online before your flight. Expect one layover and a 4-hour time difference.

Formalities

The visa, step by step

On arrival
How to apply
Allowed stay
30 days
Cost
Free
Processing
Immediate (stamped at the counter)

How to apply

Free visa issued on arrival to all nationalities. Mandatory: complete the IMUGA 'Traveller Declaration' online within 96h before departure (for both arrival AND departure) on the official site imuga.immigration.gov.mv.

Required documents

  • Passport valid at least 6 months
  • Confirmed hotel/guesthouse booking for the whole stay
  • Return or onward ticket
  • Proof of sufficient funds
  • Completed IMUGA declaration (confirmation QR)

Good to know

  • •The free 30-day visa is granted to all nationalities on arrival.
  • •Beware of paid third-party sites: only imuga.immigration.gov.mv is official and the declaration is free.
  • •A separate IMUGA declaration is required for each traveller, including infants.
How much it costs

A one-week budget

Backpacker
420 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight
Comfort
2 100 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight

Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé

420 000 FCFA–840 000 FCFA

No direct flight: connect via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian, often the shortest), Doha (Qatar), Dubai (Emirates/flydubai), Istanbul (Turkish) or Nairobi (Kenya Airways).

Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.

Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)

🏨252 000 FCFA
🍽️84 000 FCFA
🚕36 000 FCFA
🎟️72 000 FCFA
Hostel
24 000 FCFA–54 000 FCFA
Mid-range
90 000 FCFA–210 000 FCFA
Nice hotel
240 000 FCFA–900 000 FCFA
Tailored

Budget simulator

Comfort level
Estimated total budget
840 000 FCFA
Must-sees

What to do there

1

Atoll hopping

Explore the 26 coral atolls; Baa Atoll is a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

2

Diving & snorkeling

Reef walls, channels, wrecks: turtles, rays and reef sharks.

3

Private-island resort

An overwater villa or a simple day pass to enjoy Maldivian luxury even on a budget.

4

Maafushi local island

Guesthouse hub: bikini beach, cheap excursions and authentic Maldivian life.

5

Sandbank trips

By boat to a white sandbank for swimming, a picnic and dolphin-spotting.

6

Hanifaru Bay & Malé

Whale sharks and manta rays (Baa Atoll, Jun-Oct); the capital Malé: fish market, mosques.

Itinerary

One week, day by day

  1. D1

    Arrive in Malé: Old Friday Mosque, fish market, overnight in Hulhumalé.

  2. D2

    Speedboat to Maafushi (~45 min), settle in, bikini beach and sunset.

  3. D3

    Snorkeling trip: reefs, turtles, reef sharks.

  4. D4

    Sandbank excursion and dolphin cruise.

  5. D5

    Resort day pass (pool, lunch, overwater photos) or scuba diving.

  6. D6

    Nearby local island (Gulhi/Guraidhoo) or whale shark trip depending on season.

  7. D7

    Return to Malé, last shopping, flight home (departure IMUGA filled in advance).

✓

Travel checklist

A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.

Travel checklist — Maldives

Before you leave

What to pack

Visa sources: imuga.immigration.gov.mv · maldivesairport.com

Indicative data (June 2026), reliability haute. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.

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