Page 9 - Indian Ocean 2020

TRAVEL TIPS

WHEN TO GO CURRENCY
Experience the Maldives between November and Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR)
April when the seas are warm and calm making for Mauritius: Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
great snorkelling. May to October sees more rainfall Seychelles: Seychelles Rupee (SCR)
and wind but provides good conditions for surfing. Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
Mauritius offers beautiful weather year round with LANGUAGE
over 300 days of sunshine. October to May is hot,
tropical and the best time for scuba diving, while Maldives: Dhivehi is the official language however
June to September is cool and dry. English is widely spoken.
Mauritius: English is the official language, however
Seychelles enjoys a blissful tropical climate year French and Creole are widely spoken.
round. April to May and October to November are Seychelles: Creole, English and French are the
calm, warm and wind-free – perfect for swimming, official languages.
snorkelling and diving. Sri Lanka: Sinhala is the official language however
Sri Lanka’s climate is mostly tropical, but it can English is widely spoken.
vary between regions. The lowlands are pleasant
year round, while the highlands can be colder. The ELECTRICITY
ideal period for a round island visit is late January Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles: 220-240V 50Hz
to early April. Sri Lanka: 230V 50Hz
An international adapter is required.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VISAS & PASSPORTS TIPPING
A valid passport is required with at least six months Tipping is not compulsory but is appreciated for
validity beyond the intended stay. For travel to the good service.
Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles, New Zealand
passport holders do not require a visa for visits of
India RELIGION
up to 30 days. An electronic visa is required before The holy month of Ramadan is observed throughout
departing to Sri Lanka. Travel advice is available from the Indian Ocean. Ramadan commences on 23 April
the New Zealand Government Ministry of Foreign and concludes on 23 May (Eid al-Fitr). Sri Lanka
Affairs and Trade at www.safetravel.govt.nz.
has a large Buddhist population and Poya Day is
celebrated monthly on the day of the full moon. Many
TIME banks, shops and restaurants may be closed on this
The Maldives is 7 hours behind New Zealand
SRI LANKA Standard Time (NZST). Mauritius and Seychelles day and alcohol cannot be purchased or consumed
in public. We recommend you make yourself aware
Africa • Colombo  are 8 hours behind NZST. Sri Lanka is 6 hours and of how your holiday plans may be affected.
30 minutes behind NZST.

MALDIVES TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL
• Malé 
Malé, Maldives J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 30 30 32 33 32 31 30 30 30 31 31 31
Average rainfall (mm) 75 50 73 132 216 172 147 188 243 222 201 232
Port Louis, Mauritius J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 28 28 28 27 26 24 23 23 24 25 27 28
Average rainfall (mm) 228 228 178 178 101 76 76 76 50 50 50 152
Victoria, Seychelles J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 30 30 31 31 30 29 28 29 30 30 30 30
Average rainfall (mm) 290 250 190 170 150 140 110 120 130 160 170 270
INDIAN OCEAN Colombo, Sri Lanka J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 31 31 32 32 31 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
Average rainfall (mm) 62 69 130 253 382 186 125 114 236 369 310 168

• Victoria 

SEYCHELLES

Madagascar
 Port Louis • MAURITIUS

Reunion
Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort 9