Maldives - currency

The currency in the Maldives is the Rufiyaa (Rf).

• Cowry shells were the first currency used in the Maldives!

• You can only get rufiyaa in the Maldives, so you won’t be able to exchange your sterling before you fly.

• The Bank of Maldives counter in the airport arrival hall is the only dedicated foreign exchange in the islands. Or, you can exchange money at banks in Malé, but queues are common.

• As a rough guide, one rufiyaa is worth just less than 5p. So, if you bring £200, you will get about Rf4,400 in return.

• You’ll use notes most often, from Rf5 (worth just over 20p) to Rf500, just over £22. There are also one and two rufiyaa coins.

• One rufiyaa is made up of 100 laari and there are 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 laari coins. A 10 laari coin is worth less than half a penny.

• The US dollar is also legal tender throughout the Maldives. So, you could use up any USA currency you might have, or change your sterling into dollars before you leave the UK.

• You can also use pounds sterling or euros in some hotels.

• Credit cards are accepted in hotels but you’ll most likely need cash when you’re out and about.