Maafushi, Maldives 🇲🇻
#1217
,
Nomad Score:
48%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
32%
Weight: 150
Maafushi is relatively expensive compared to many Asian destinations due to its island location and reliance on imports.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
35%
Weight: 80
Guesthouses and budget hotels are available but prices are higher than mainland Asia; limited long-term rental options.
🍎 Food & Groceries
38%
Weight: 40
Local food is affordable, but imported groceries and dining out can be pricey.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Limited to walking and boat transfers; no public transport costs on the island itself.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
40%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are limited and tend to be tourist-focused, with moderate pricing.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
21%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available; memberships are expensive relative to local income.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Maldivian Rufiyaa is relatively stable with limited volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
63%
Weight: 100
Decent 4G coverage and some fiber-optic connections, but speeds can be inconsistent.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
15%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking infrastructure; most work is done from guesthouses or cafes.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
50%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi, but quality and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
42%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; quiet workspaces are scarce.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
30%
Weight: 100
Maafushi is emerging but not yet a popular digital nomad hub.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
71%
Weight: 30
Relaxed island lifestyle supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
85%
Weight: 15
Pristine beaches and marine environment with low pollution.
🧼 Cleanliness
78%
Weight: 10
Generally clean, though some waste management challenges exist.
🗨️ Language Barrier
60%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in tourism but less so in local communities.
💨 Air Quality
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent air quality due to ocean breezes and low industrial activity.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
40%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; serious cases require transfer to Malé or abroad.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
55%
Weight: 25
Affordable for basic care but limited options increase costs for specialized treatment.
🏥 Healthcare
43%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities on Maafushi; adequate for minor issues but not emergencies.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
87%
Weight: 80
Warm tropical climate with mostly sunny days; some monsoon season rain.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
50%
Weight: 10
Low earthquake risk but vulnerable to sea-level rise and occasional storms.
🏞️ Green Spaces
30%
Weight: 10
Limited vegetation and green parks due to small island size.
❄️ Air Conditioning
70%
Weight: 15
Most accommodations and cafes have air conditioning.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
20%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with minimal seasonal variation.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
65%
Weight: 20
Rich Maldivian culture with Islamic influences; tourism shapes local culture.
🌃 Nightlife
25%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and guesthouse gatherings.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
92%
Weight: 15
Excellent for beach activities, snorkeling, and marine exploration.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
30%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; some opportunities to learn Dhivehi informally.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
75%
Weight: 10
Good availability of island tours, fishing trips, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
20%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
50%
Weight: 25
Basic local and tourist-oriented food options; limited variety.
🧠 Yoga Studios
35%
Weight: 10
Few yoga classes available, mostly in resorts or guesthouses.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
25%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
40%
Weight: 15
Some healthy options available but limited variety.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
GMT+5 is convenient for Asia and Europe but less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
20%
Weight: 25
Few formal networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
30%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most rely on remote work from abroad.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
25%
Weight: 20
Minimal local freelance community.
🏢 Coworking Quality
10%
Weight: 30
No dedicated coworking spaces with professional amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
10%
Weight: 15
Very limited startup ecosystem on the island.
💳 Local Payment Services
45%
Weight: 10
Basic mobile payment options exist but limited compared to major cities.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
20%
Weight: 15
Low adoption and limited infrastructure for crypto use.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
55%
Weight: 30
Accessible via Malé International Airport with a 1-hour ferry ride.
🚇 Public Transit
10%
Weight: 20
No public transit on the island; walking is primary mode.
🚶 Walkability
89%
Weight: 20
Small island size makes it highly walkable.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
10%
Weight: 15
No ride-sharing apps available.
🚲 Cycling
30%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure; possible but uncommon.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
40%
Weight: 15
Boat transfers to Malé and other islands; limited frequency.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
35%
Weight: 10
Some scooter and bike rentals available for tourists.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
70%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage on the island.
🔒 VPN Reliability
65%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
60%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages but generally stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
45%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in hotels and cafes.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
78%
Weight: 40
Visa on arrival for many nationalities; straightforward process.
📊 Tax Friendliness
80%
Weight: 30
No income tax in the Maldives.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
50%
Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions; criticism of government can be sensitive.
🏛️ Political Stability
60%
Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional political tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
30%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; strict documentation required.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
40%
Weight: 10
Possible but bureaucratic and requires local partnerships.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
40%
Weight: 50
Somewhat friendly but limited infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
10%
Weight: 25
Very few or no regular digital nomad meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
35%
Weight: 20
Small online presence; mostly travel forums rather than nomad-specific.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
80%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate; cultural norms require some caution for solo female travelers.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but conservative cultural context.