Quick answer. Velana is on Hulhulé island, joined to Malé by a bridge and to Hulhumálé by road. If you are going to a resort, its desk in arrivals walks you to a speedboat or seaplane already billed to your room, in US dollars, and you need no local money. If you are staying in Malé, Hulhumálé or a guesthouse on a local island, take rufiyaa from the Bank of Maldives machine in arrivals for buses, ferries and cafes. The $50 economy departure tax is in your ticket; the green tax of $6 or $12 a night is added to your accommodation bill. Skip the exchange counter.
Where to get rufiyaa at MLE
At MLE most visitors need no cash at all. For guesthouse and Malé stays, a Bank of Maldives machine is the cheapest source of rufiyaa. Figures assume the equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charging extras to the resort bill with a no-FX-fee card | Resort | Your card's network rate | ~$100 |
| Bank of Maldives ATM, in rufiyaa | Arrivals | Network rate; small fee | ~$101-103 |
| Exchange counter | Arrivals | 5-10% off plus fees | ~$105-110 |
| Paying a resort bill in your home currency | Check-out | +3-7% conversion markup | ~$103-107 |
Bank machines at Velana (MLE), and the resort desks
Velana is the gateway for almost every visitor to the Maldives, and its arrivals hall is built around the resort reception desks, where staff check your name and lead you to a speedboat at the jetty outside or a minibus to the seaplane terminal on the other side of the island. Transfers are priced in dollars and charged to your resort bill; seaplane transfers to distant atolls can cost several hundred dollars per person each way. Bank of Maldives machines in arrivals dispense rufiyaa, and many let you choose dollars. The exchange counters build 5 to 10 percent into their rates. Since 2025, resorts and hotels charge a green tax of $12 per person per night, and smaller guesthouses on inhabited islands $6, on top of the 17 percent tourism GST and a 10 percent service charge. The Maldives money guide explains how the dollar and the rufiyaa split the country.
International arrivals and resort desks
All international flights
After customs, the resort desks line the hall. Bank of Maldives machines and exchange counters are nearby. Use the machine if you need rufiyaa; choose rufiyaa or dollars on screen, and decline any conversion into your home currency.
Seaplane terminal
Trans Maldivian Airways and Manta Air seaplanes to resorts
On the far side of the airport island, reached by the resort's minibus. Seaplanes fly by daylight only, so evening arrivals may wait or overnight in Hulhumálé. There is a lounge for each resort, but little need for cash.
Speedboat jetty and ferry
Resort speedboats, the Malé ferry and public ferries to local islands
Directly outside arrivals. Resort speedboats leave from here. Public ferries to local islands are paid in rufiyaa, and services are infrequent; check the timetable before you land.
Do you actually need cash at Malé Velana (MLE)?
Not if you are going to a resort: the transfer is on your bill. For local islands and Malé, yes:
Resort speedboat transfer (roughly $100-300 per person return): Billed to the resort; for North and South Malé atolls.
Seaplane transfer (roughly $500-1,000+ per person return): Billed to the resort; daylight only.
Bus over the bridge to Malé (a few dollars, paid in rufiyaa or by card): About 20 minutes; Hulhumálé buses also run.
Taxi to Malé or Hulhumálé (roughly MVR 100-150): About 15 minutes over the bridge.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Malé Velana (MLE) to Malé?
Not for a resort: everything goes on the room bill in dollars. For Malé and local islands, take some rufiyaa for buses, ferries, cafes and guesthouse extras, and carry a few small dollar notes for tips at resorts.
Can I order rufiyaa before flying?
Not needed for a resort stay, which is billed in dollars. Bring small US dollar notes for tips. CEI Currency Exchange ships US dollars to a US address in 2-5 days if you want them in hand.
Do I need rufiyaa in the Maldives?
Only outside the resorts. Resorts price everything in US dollars and bill you at check-out. In Malé, Hulhumálé and on local islands with guesthouses, rufiyaa is used for buses, ferries, cafes and shops, and change for dollar payments is often given in rufiyaa.
What taxes are added to a Maldives hotel bill?
A 10 percent service charge, 17 percent tourism goods and services tax, and the green tax, which is 12 dollars per person per night at resorts and larger hotels and 6 dollars at smaller guesthouses on inhabited islands. Prices quoted by resorts are often before these are added.
Is the Maldives departure tax included in my ticket?
Yes. The departure charge, raised to 50 dollars for foreign economy passengers in December 2024 and 120 dollars in business class, is collected through the airline ticket, not at the airport.