Tipping is an art that is rarely easy or simple. Most countries have their own rules, requirements, and expectations regarding the tipping culture. While some countries like the US are big on tipping, in some places, tipping is not expected. The Maldives has its own tipping etiquette as well. Read on to learn about tipping in the Maldives.
Should you tip in the Maldives?
Generally, all Maldivian hotels and resorts charge a 10% flat service charge for all transactions. This includes your hotel room, room service, restaurants, bars, and spa treatments. Tipping on top of this service charge is not a requirement or an expectation, however, it is appreciated. If you receive exceptional service, go ahead and offer a tip. The staff will be appreciative and pay extra attention to ensure that you have an extra special vacation.
Use this guide to calculate how much you should consider tipping. Note that these amounts are general reference only and you should feel free to tip as much as you can/wish to.
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Tipping in Maldives during transit
At the airport
Once you land in Male airport, you may have your hotel airport staff escort you from the arrivals area to a hotel lounge within the airport. This may involve a short ride as well. Once you reach your lounge, the hotel staff will treat you to a refreshing drink and some snacks. There is no expectation to tip here.
Luggage handler
However, if you have extra heavy luggage, you may want to tip the handler carrying your bags from point A to B a small amount. $10 for one traveler is sufficient.
On the seaplane or speedboat ride
Now, your next leg of travel would be to catch a seaplane or speedboat transfer from the Male airport to your hotel island. Here, you will interact with pilots and captains wearing shorts and flip flops, and luggage handlers who will take your luggage on the plane. While you are not expected to tip anyone, if a luggage handler helps heave an extra bag for you, tip them a small amount, about $1-2 per bag.
Tipping in Maldives resort
Once you arrive at your resort hotel, the opportunities to tip will be much more as you interact with more people and opportunities of service. Again, by no means are you required to tip. You also should not feel embarrassed or fear that you may be causing a faux pas if you don’t tip. Hotel staff members are trained to offer exceptional service either way.
Now, as you enjoy your days sipping cocktails under the warm sun, use the following information to figure out how much to tip at these locations.
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Concierge
The concierge will greet you once you reach the hotel, help you check in to your room. They also help you with making reservations for restaurants or activities. They truly make a difference in making your vacation good vs. freaking awesome! So, if your concierge was especially helpful to you, consider tipping them about $20-30 at the end of your trip.
The hotel valet will help you bring your luggage to your room. Consider tipping them $1-2 for each bag.
Restaurants and bars
As mentioned earlier, the restaurants will charge a 10% service charge on your bill. This would generally be enough to cover for regular service. But, for great service, where the servers make an effort to accommodate your requests, or greet you with your favorite drink, tipping is great! Generally, I would recommend adding another 5-10% to the bill or leaving an equivalent amount in cash on the table for the wait staff.
The same goes for your bartender too. For an extra complex or delicious drink, tip them about 5% of the cost of your drink.
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Housekeeping
Housekeeping is the department that cleans out your room every day (or on alternate days) and replenishes your refrigerator with knick knacks and drinks. In Maldives, they will also leave you with something sweet such as chocolate or dessert from time to time. They are truly the unseen heroes of your stay and elevate your experience to a luxe one. For tipping the housekeeping staff, leave a $10-15 weekly tip on your pillow.
Spa
Spa treatments on a vacation are an absolute must. In the Maldives, most hotels will have a spa of their own that you can book using your concierge or by calling the spa directly. Some spas have special offers like a rejuvenating drink prior to your treatment. In some Maldives hotels, the massage table looks over a glass floor so you can view marine life as you get a massage. Talk about an unbelievable experience, amirite? For an extra relaxing experience you receive, you can tip about 5-10% of total cost (in addition to the 10% charged automatically). There is, of course, no requirement to do so.
Water activities - snorkeling, diving instructor or guide
Obviously you must try a water activity when in the Maldives! The water activities are myriad and you will be spoiled for choice. If you pick one with a guide such as a snorkeling expedition, with a group, $5-10 per person tip is good. For one-on-one instruction, increase the amount as you see fit.
Caddy Drivers
Now, if you are staying at a water villa, or a beach villa far from the crowds (aka the restaurants), you will likely be transported around in the caddy cars. They look like golf carts and are immensely handy in small spaces like the wooden planks leading to the water villas. During our stay in a water villa deep in the lagoon, we were transported daily by a wonderful caddy driver several times a day. To show your gratitude for timeliness and friendly service, you can tip the driver $5-10 weekly.
Tipping in Maldives summary
Here’s a summary table of tipping in Maldives.
As mentioned earlier, tipping is not necessary, but is a nice way to show appreciation for a service that was above and beyond.
Amount to tip (in USD) | Notes | |
Hotel airport staff | Not necessary | |
Luggage Handler | $10 per person | |
Seaplane/speedboat operator | Not necessary, but $1 to $2 for the luggage handler on the boat | It is not necessary to tip the operators |
Hotel Concierge | $20 to $30 for each bag | |
Valet/Bellhop | $1 to $2 for each bag | |
Bartender | Add 5% to 10% to the bill | For a bartender that went above and beyond to make you a good drink |
Waiter | Add 5% to 10% to the bill | |
Housekeeping | $10 to $15 weekly | Consider tipping in the first couple of days of your stay |
Spa Staff | 5% to 10% | |
Snorkeling/Diving Instructor | $5-10 per person in a group A little extra for one-on-one | For an exceptionally good experience |
Caddy Driver | $5 to $10 weekly |
Do you tip at all in Maldives’ all-inclusive resorts?
Now, what happens if you are at an all-inclusive resort? The idea of an all-inclusive resort is that everything is paid for upfront. This includes (nearly) all types of food, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and sometimes, activities too. So, should you tip at all?
The short answer is yes. Particularly, in restaurants and the bar, tipping is quite normal. However, know that you don’t need to tip. Especially, since there is going to be an added 10% service charge anyway. But, if you would like to show your appreciation for a job that is extra well done, or to reward a staff member who was able to procure something difficult for you, add a tip using this guide.
As you prepare for your Maldives trip, be sure to read this post on the packing essentials that you must carry with you on your dream beach vacation!
When to tip at the Maldives resorts?
While it goes without question that you would tip at the end of a meal at a restaurant, tipping other staff should be early on your stay. That way, you will catch the attention of the staff and they will appreciate your gesture. Further, they will make sure to take the very best care of you and ensure you have an extra special time.
In addition, there may be changes in staff during your stay. So, the member who attended to you early on in your stay might not work by the time you check out. Hence, it is better to tip in smaller amounts more frequently.
What currency should you use while tipping?
The local currency of the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa. So, you can tip in this currency as long as you have some exchanged early on in your trip. However, the US dollar is used for all transactions, including restaurant menus. As such, the US dollar is a widely accepted currency as well.
So, there you have it! Now that you are armed with this guide for tipping in Maldives, go ahead and have the time of your life there!
Other Maldives posts
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- How to plan the perfect trip to the Maldives: honeymooners, singles, and with kids
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We do not give much heed on tipping, but now it seems that tipping is one important issue in our life especially when we are travelling, we are at a hotel and so on. The write up above is a good instruction, may be taken as general, though it is specially for Maldives. We can have our idea on the issue at different locations we visit and take the services of staff. Thanks for enlightening on the issue of Tipping.
For most people holidaying in the Maldives as it’s so expensive it’s a once in a lifetime special occasion holiday that they have probably saved extra hard to take. As 10% is added to the cost of the holiday,it spoils the experience knowing even though your holiday is all inclusive you are still expected to tip for every service or feel like you are mean and don’t appreciate the service, it spoils a special holiday. It doesn’t mean you are less appreciative if you don’t tip or give less than they expect, the fact is some people have more money than others and holidaying in the Maldives is a regular normal holiday and not a special once in a lifetime experience. I want to leave with good memories not spoilt thinking have I offended someone by worrying I haven’t tipped enough or often enough. For many they’ve saved hard and long for this special trip and in the economic climate of today many don’t have an holiday at all. In 2023 my wife and myself will be visiting the Maldives for that once in a lifetime holiday and I already feel stressed on how many dollars do I need extra for tipping, it shouldn’t be like this.