All-Inclusive in the Maldives – what package to choose

The Maldives has a rather specific food system. Often, All-Inclusive does not mean that everything is really inclusive and vice versa. When planning a trip, many questions arise: is alcohol prohibited? Are there shops and markets on the islands? What is the difference between an a la carte menu and a buffet? The site for booking hotels on exotic islands – wiotto.com will help you answer these and other questions.

Features of food in the Maldives

The Maldives really differ in the food system from many other resort countries. This is primarily due to their location, because the Maldives is an island nation. Over 1,000 islands are scattered across atolls in the Indian Ocean. All the islands are flat, there are no mountains, no hills, no rivers. Also, religion plays an important role – this is a Muslim country.

• In the Maldives, it is forbidden to drink alcohol. This law applies to all territories except resort islands. Accordingly, on the local islands where the local population lives, you will not find alcohol anywhere. Moreover, for the import of alcohol into the country, there are serious fines. But at private resorts, where, in fact, most of the tourists come, alcohol is in abundance and is often included in the All Inclusive package.
• On resort islands there are no grocery stores and markets, only restaurants, cafes and bars. This should be taken into account when planning a trip budget and choosing a meal system.
• The restaurants are dominated by seafood: a lot of fish, shrimp, lobster, etc. A special place is given to tuna – you will meet it in various dishes and variations.
• The Maldives has expanded meal systems, which includes not only food and alcohol, but also additional bonuses: free spa sessions, excursions, lessons in various sports, yoga, butler services, premium alcohol and much more. Each hotel may call such a food system differently. As a rule, to All inclusive add the word Ultra, Premium, and others.
• Premium alcohol, as a rule, is not included in the All inclusive and must be paid at the bar. However, premium alcohol is often included in the extended version of All inclusive, which we mentioned above.
• Premium class hotels, where a day for two costs $2,000 and more, often do not work on the inclusive system. They generally offer “Breakfast Only” or “Half Board” packages. Visitors order other meals in a la carte restaurants.
• A la carte restaurants serve a la carte, not a buffet. It is not uncommon for meals in such restaurants to be included in the selected package.
• Often in the Maldives, restaurants have a children’s menu.
• The average resort island has 3-5 restaurants and 2-3 bars. Most likely, it will be international and Mediterranean cuisine in the main restaurant, as well as restaurants of Italian, Japanese and Arabic cuisine. Less often – Maldivian, Spanish, French, Turkish, Arabic.
• In the Maldives, almost any resort can organize a private dinner on the beach.
• Small resort islands (about 200 by 200 meters) may have only one restaurant. Large islands (approximately 400 by 900 meters) offer 10-15 restaurants, cafes and bars to visit.

What are the food systems in the Maldives?

Everything can be very individual, but we will try to summarize and highlight the main ones.

• Only Breakfasts. Typically, each resort has one main restaurant serving buffet or a la carte meals. The rest of the meals are ordered by visitors in the main or other restaurants on the island. Alcohol is usually not included.
• Half Board. The price includes two meals as a rule, without alcohol and maybe even without soft drinks.
• Full Board. You will be offered three full meals at the buffet or a la carte. As a rule, alcohol is not included in the price. It happens that non-alcoholic drinks also need to be paid separately.
• Half Board Plus and Full Board Plus. This is the same as regular Half Board and Full Board, but it also includes non-alcoholic drinks and alcohol.
• All inclusive. Three full meals are included, as well as snacks at the bar, soft drinks and alcohol. Premium spirits are generally not included.
• Premium All inclusive. This is the maximum package in the Maldives: three full meals in a la carte restaurants and buffets, snacks and soft drinks in bars, premium alcohol. In addition, the package may include free excursions, water sports, spa massages, butler services, a bar in the room, as well as discounts on various services.

It is important to note that there are hotels that offer only one or a few food systems. There are also resorts where you can choose almost any of the systems listed here.

When choosing a meal package, focus on:

1. Budget. If your goal is to save money, it is best to take a Full Board or All Inclusive. Often, the only difference is whether you drink alcohol or not. If the budget is unlimited, choose Only Breakfasts. Restaurant chefs will definitely surprise you.
2. Your activity. If you like excursions, master classes, various sports, you should choose the extended system All inclusive. So you will definitely save on additional services.
3. Children. If you are traveling with children, you should take the All-inclusive package. Please note that the hotel has a children’s menu in the restaurants and it is included in the price.

Each of the listed food systems may differ from hotel to hotel, so it is important to familiarize yourself in advance with what exactly is included in a particular package. Booking a villa in the Maldives directory on wiotto.com, contact the online chat on the site and the managers will be happy to answer all your questions – they will help you decide on the hotel and the food system.