These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Maldives, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Hoe het werkt: Malé taxis charge set flat fares rather than using a meter, but some drivers quote a higher price once they realise you are a visitor, especially for airport runs or late-night trips.
Hoe het te vermijden: Know the standard flat fares (a ride within Malé is only a couple of dollars), agree the price before getting in, or use a local ride-hailing app such as Avas Ride or PickMe, which fix the fare in advance and remove any argument.
Hoe het werkt: Many shops, taxis and cafes happily accept US dollars but apply a weak, rounded exchange rate, so paying in dollars for small local purchases often costs you noticeably more than paying in rufiyaa.
Hoe het te vermijden: Carry some Maldivian rufiyaa for taxis, teahouses, markets and ferries, ask whether a price is in dollars or rufiyaa, and pay in the local currency for the fairest rate on everyday spending.
Hoe het werkt: Around the harbour and ferry terminals, touts offer snorkelling trips, resort day-passes and transfers at inflated prices or with vague details that quietly change once you have paid.
Hoe het te vermijden: Book excursions through your guesthouse or an established operator, get exactly what is included and the total price in writing, and be wary of anyone pressuring you into paying cash on the spot.
Hoe het werkt: Gift shops near the main street and tourist areas often start well above a fair price, and some 'local handicrafts' are mass-produced imports rather than genuine Maldivian pieces.
Hoe het te vermijden: Compare a few shops, expect some room to negotiate, and buy distinctive local items like lacquerware or reed mats from reputable stores rather than the first stall you see.
Hoe het werkt: Some ATMs and card machines offer to charge you in your home currency (dynamic currency conversion) at a poor rate, and a few add surcharges, quietly inflating what you pay.
Hoe het te vermijden: Always choose to be charged in Maldivian rufiyaa rather than your home currency, use bank ATMs where possible, and check for any added fee before confirming a withdrawal.