Is cash still widely used?
It depends on where you stay. Resort islands are almost entirely cashless — cards are used for everything from dining to water sports. On local islands and in Malé (the capital), cash is much more commonly used for daily transactions.
USD is widely accepted at resorts and tourist-facing businesses.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are available in Malé and on some larger local islands. Bank of Maldives ATMs accept foreign cards.
- Fees are around 50 MVR per withdrawal for foreign cards
- Resort islands typically have no ATMs — settle bills by card
- Withdraw rufiyaa in Malé if you plan to spend time on local islands
Card acceptance
Excellent at resorts — Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are all widely accepted. On local islands and in Malé, card acceptance is moderate; many smaller shops and eateries prefer cash.
Tips for travelers
- Resort stays are almost entirely card-based — cards are more useful than cash here
- Local island visits require rufiyaa or USD in cash for food, transport, and guesthouses
- Tipping at resorts is common and can be done by card or cash
- USD is the most practical foreign currency to carry