A holiday in the Maldives

The dry season runs from November to April: less rain, calm seas and the best underwater visibility. Mid-December to March is the peak period and also the most expensive. From May to October, the wet season brings showers that are usually brief and pass within an hour. The ocean is less calm, but prices are 30–50% lower.

The manta ray and whale shark season in Baa and Ari atolls runs roughly from June to November. Late April, May and October offer the best balance of weather and price.

A direct flight from Moscow to Malé takes around nine hours. Connections via Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha or Istanbul are also available. These take longer, from twelve hours, but offer more choice of departure times and cabin classes.

Allow enough time for connections: a missed connection can mean a night in Malé, as seaplanes operate only during the day.

No. Russian citizens receive a free tourist visa on arrival for up to 30 days. You need a passport valid for at least one month after entry, a return ticket and hotel booking confirmation.

Before departure, you need to complete the online Imuga declaration. We send the link and remind you of the deadlines.

It depends on the resort's location. Speedboats take from ten minutes to an hour and operate around the clock. This is the most convenient option, especially with children. Seaplanes take from twenty-five to fifty-five minutes. The flight over the atolls is scenic, but possible only during daylight hours. Distant atolls are reached by domestic flight followed by a speedboat.

Transfers are almost always charged separately from accommodation: a return speedboat journey usually costs USD 100–300 per person, and a seaplane USD 400–800. We include this amount in the quote from the outset so the total is final.

If you arrive late in Malé and the resort is accessible only by seaplane, you will need to stay at a hotel near the airport and fly out in the morning. Hotels do not always make this clear.

For late arrivals or connecting flights, we therefore either select a resort with a speedboat transfer or book a night in Malé in advance and include it in the price.

Yes, but resorts vary considerably. Some are adults-only and do not admit children. At resorts that welcome children, consider the kids' club and its age limits, nanny availability, the depth of the lagoon near shore, two-bedroom villas and the type of transfer.

With young children, a speedboat is almost always more convenient than a seaplane: there are no departure-time restrictions and less pressure on their ears. We select resorts with the children's ages in mind.

The price usually includes accommodation, your chosen meal plan and taxes. The following are most often charged separately:

• Return transfers between the airport and the island
• Drinks when booking breakfast only or half board
• Dinners in à la carte restaurants, sometimes even on an all-inclusive rate
• Spa, diving, excursions and equipment hire
• The compulsory New Year gala dinner

We calculate the total with all compulsory items from the outset, so there are no surprises during your stay.

In the Maldives, the standard of all-inclusive varies greatly. At premium resorts, it is often good value: island restaurants are expensive and there are no nearby alternatives. However, some hotels exclude the distinctive restaurants and premium drinks that guests specifically come for. We price both options and show the difference.

At the resorts in our selection, a week for two with transfers, meals and taxes, excluding flights starts at around RUB 800,000 in low season. Most options fall within RUB 1–2 million; private islands and residences cost from RUB 2 million. Over New Year, the same resorts cost 1.5–2.5 times as much.

What sets R-U apart is the combination of technology, access to the professional travel market and personal support.

Public booking sites mostly show the dynamic rates on open sale. R-U also works with offers from Russian tour operators, international B2B platforms, DMCs, hotels' direct partners and other professional suppliers.

The same hotel, room category and meal plan can come from different sources at different prices, with different payment and cancellation terms, perks and even availability.

R-U compares the options available and helps you choose not just a free room but the best offer for your particular trip.

In some cases the price can be up to 40% below the public rate. We compare the same dates, room category, meal plan and services. The saving depends on the particular offer.

And every trip keeps a personal manager and a team who look after you before, during and after it.

Yes. We work with both individuals and legal entities and provide a full set of documents.

Cancellation terms depend on the hotel and dates. Free cancellation is usually possible 21–30 days before arrival; in high season and over New Year, longer notice is required. We explain the exact terms before booking.