Getting Around in Male’

Even though Male’ is the commercial hub of Maldives, the island is only 1.7km long and 1.0km wide, which is very small. You can stroll around it in a relaxed couple of hours. For a such a small island, Male; is one of the extremely busy densest cities in the world.

The city has narrow streets, colourful houses, graffiti and a strong communal feeling. In this busy, packed city if you are too lazy to walk around (or due to health issues) you can always find public transportations, taxis, pick-ups and motorbikes. 

There are numerous taxies in the city which will offer you a few minutes of air-conditioned comfortable drive. The taxi drivers will always find any address in Male without any hassle. Even though Male’ city area is small, sometimes with traffic and small narrow roads, ride in a taxi will consume more time in reaching your destination. Many streets in Male’ are one way and others may be blocked by construction work and other vehicles, therefore taxies will take round routes.

The taxi fairs are cheap is Male’, for any distance they charge only 25 Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR 25). If you are using the trunk to put luggage, then the taxi will charge you extra MVR 10. Also, after midnight taxies will charge MVR 30. You don’t have to tip the driver. There a numerous taxi companies in Male’ where you can call them up and reserve one rather than waiting on the road to get one.

Taxies are mostly for the people who can’t ride a motorbike (just like me) or who doesn’t have motorbikes. Motorbikes are household vehicle in Male’. 99% of Maldivians use motorbikes, rather than driving a car or other vehicles. Motorbikes are very convenient vehicle to use in Male’, due to its narrow roads. Easy to park, not much of a space you need, and can squeeze in any traffic to reach your destination within few minutes. In Male’, they don’t wear helmets, so the safety is zero. Motorbikes are the cheapest transport you can find in Male’. You can call a motorbike for MVR 10 and they will take you to your destination within short period of time. You can pick whether you prefer male or female as your rider as well.

Pick-up is another transport facility you can get in Male’. Basically, pick-ups are using to transport goods and it cost MVR 50. If you fail to catch a taxi, you can always catch a pick-up if you are willing to pay extra MVR 25. In pick-ups only one person can sit in the front with the driver, the rest needs to get in to the back, the trunk. It’s fun to go around in Male’ like that, enjoying the hot breeze.

These are basically the common transport facilities which you can find in Male’ city. Other than that, you can always use public ferries, sea planes and internal flights to visit other islands. Since I’m talking about transport facilities in Male’, I will talk about those later.  But you are always welcome to inquire, if you have any doubts. 

 

So, if you ever decide to spend time in Male’, the city can easily be explored by walking. Otherwise, you can take a taxi or a motorbike to enjoy the sceneries in Male’.