Forum
Analytics
Malé, Maldives 🇲🇻
#1216
,
Nomad Score:
50%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
21%
Weight: 150
Malé is one of the most expensive cities in Asia due to its island location and reliance on imports.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
18%
Weight: 80
Limited housing options with high prices, especially for long-term rentals.
🍎 Food & Groceries
25%
Weight: 40
Most food is imported, leading to high prices; local markets offer some affordable options.
🚌 Transportation Cost
74%
Weight: 20
Public transport is minimal but affordable; walking and ferries are common and low cost.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
30%
Weight: 15
Limited entertainment venues; nightlife and events tend to be pricey.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
42%
Weight: 10
Few gyms available with moderate to high membership fees.
💱 Currency Stability
79%
Weight: 30
Maldivian Rufiyaa is relatively stable with government controls.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
63%
Weight: 100
Decent broadband and 4G coverage, but occasional outages and slower speeds compared to major hubs.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
27%
Weight: 40
Very limited coworking spaces; most nomads rely on cafes or hotels.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
51%
Weight: 30
Several cafes offer WiFi but quality and reliability vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
34%
Weight: 30
Few cafes cater specifically to digital nomads; seating and power outlets can be limited.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
40%
Weight: 100
Growing interest but still a niche destination for digital nomads.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
83%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
76%
Weight: 30
Relaxed island lifestyle supports good work-life balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
88%
Weight: 15
Pristine ocean and natural environment, though urban Malé is crowded.
🧼 Cleanliness
65%
Weight: 10
Generally clean but urban congestion leads to some waste management challenges.
🗨️ Language Barrier
69%
Weight: 30
English widely spoken in tourism and business sectors, but Dhivehi is the local language.
💨 Air Quality
78%
Weight: 15
Good air quality due to ocean breezes and low industrial activity.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
54%
Weight: 25
Limited facilities for children but safe environment.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
50%
Weight: 20
Basic healthcare available; serious cases require evacuation to other countries.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
43%
Weight: 25
Healthcare can be expensive, especially private services.
🏥 Healthcare
52%
Weight: 20
Limited facilities; adequate for minor issues but lacks specialized care.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
91%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; some monsoon season rain.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
45%
Weight: 10
Low earthquake risk but vulnerable to sea level rise and occasional storms.
🏞️ Green Spaces
32%
Weight: 10
Urban Malé has limited green areas; natural beauty mostly on surrounding islands.
❄️ Air Conditioning
87%
Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations and public spaces due to tropical heat.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
10%
Weight: 10
Minimal seasonal variation; tropical climate remains warm and humid year-round.
🔊 Noise Pollution
47%
Weight: 10
Urban congestion causes moderate noise, especially in Malé.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
64%
Weight: 20
Rich local culture with Islamic traditions and island heritage.
🌃 Nightlife
29%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options; mostly low-key bars and hotel venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
93%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to beaches, coral reefs, and marine activities.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
31%
Weight: 10
Few formal language schools; some opportunities to learn Dhivehi informally.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
77%
Weight: 10
Good availability of island tours, snorkeling, diving, and cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
35%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; mostly hotel-based activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
54%
Weight: 25
Mix of local Maldivian cuisine and international options, but expensive.
🧠 Yoga Studios
40%
Weight: 10
Few dedicated yoga studios; some resorts offer classes.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
45%
Weight: 15
Limited gyms and fitness centers; mostly hotel-based.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
57%
Weight: 15
Fresh seafood and tropical fruits available; healthy options present but pricey.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
68%
Weight: 20
GMT+5; convenient for Asia and parts of Europe but less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
30%
Weight: 25
Few formal networking events; community still small.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
25%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most remote jobs come from outside.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
28%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; limited local support.
🏢 Coworking Quality
24%
Weight: 30
Few coworking spaces with basic facilities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
19%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem; focus is on tourism.
💳 Local Payment Services
56%
Weight: 10
Mobile payments growing but cash still dominant.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
32%
Weight: 15
Limited adoption; no significant local infrastructure.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
71%
Weight: 30
International airport with good connections to Asia and Middle East.
🚇 Public Transit
15%
Weight: 20
No formal public transit system; walking and boats are primary modes.
🚶 Walkability
67%
Weight: 20
Malé is compact and walkable but crowded.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
33%
Weight: 15
Limited ride-sharing; taxis are available but expensive.
🚲 Cycling
20%
Weight: 10
Not common due to traffic and infrastructure.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
48%
Weight: 15
Ferries and speedboats connect islands; air travel needed for distant atolls.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
37%
Weight: 10
Some scooter rentals available but limited.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
75%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage across Malé and nearby islands.
🔒 VPN Reliability
69%
Weight: 20
VPNs generally work well; no major restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
60%
Weight: 15
Occasional outages; infrastructure improving.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
44%
Weight: 10
Limited public WiFi; mostly available in hotels and cafes.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
85%
Weight: 40
Visa on arrival for many nationalities; straightforward process.
📊 Tax Friendliness
90%
Weight: 30
No personal income tax, attractive for digital nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
55%
Weight: 15
Moderate restrictions; criticism of government can be sensitive.
🏛️ Political Stability
62%
Weight: 20
Generally stable but occasional political tensions.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
38%
Weight: 15
Challenging for foreigners; strict documentation required.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
41%
Weight: 10
Moderate bureaucracy; possible but not streamlined for foreigners.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
42%
Weight: 50
Somewhat friendly but limited infrastructure and community.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
23%
Weight: 25
Very few organized events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
36%
Weight: 20
Small online presence for nomads in Malé.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
79%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low violent crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderate; cultural norms require some caution.
✊ Racial Tolerance
61%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but conservative society.