Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Foreigners cannot own land; long-term leases (50 years) approx. $300k+ for guesthouse plots.
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A (Island is too small for 'outside city' distinction).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- N/A (Leasehold only, typically involves commercial development).
- Corporate Tax
- 15% (Income Tax Act on business profit).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% (For non-residents).
- Tax System
- Territorial (largely focused on local income and tourism GST).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15% (For income over MVR 200,000 per month).
- VAT
- 16% TGST (Tourism Goods and Services Tax) on most services.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None.
- Property Tax
- No land tax for residents; commercial rent tax applies to businesses.
- Property Transaction Tax
- N/A (Foreigners can't purchase, only lease/invest in tourism ventures).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, if working for foreign companies; Maldives doesn't tax foreign-sourced income of visitors.
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- N/A
Essentials
- City
- Thulusdhoo, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives
- Population
- Approximately 1,400
- Internet Speed
- 30-50 Mbps via 4G/5G; fiber optics available in major guesthouses.
- Currency & Banking
- Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR); 1 USD ≈ 15.42 MVR. USD is widely accepted.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; desalinated water. Use bottled or filtered water (approx. 10 MVR per 1.5L).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (British style) sockets.
- SIM Card
- Dhiraagu or Ooredoo; Tourist plans cost approx. $35 USD for 100GB (30 days).
- Banking for Expats
- Bank of Maldives (BML) ATM available on the island; Revolut/Wise work at high-end spots.
- Accommodation
- Boutique guesthouses and surf lodges; average $60-$120 USD/night.
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; major hotels and dive shops take cards, local cafes prefer cash (MVR).
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local guesthouses like Season Paradise or Akiri Surf Retreat.
- Budget Accommodation
- Batuta Maldives Surf View ($50-$70 USD/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- East side of the island for direct access to Cokes Surf Break.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Near the 'Bikini Beach' area (northwest) for better cafe and lounge access.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Canopus Retreat (offers dedicated work desks and balcony views for guests/visitors).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Indulge Thulusdhoo; great Wi-Fi, AC, and healthy bowls (Coffee approx. $4).
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at sunset on the Bikini Beach or at 'The Sand Deck'.
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekly BBQ nights at Season Paradise; surfing community meetups at Cokes View.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No ride apps; island is walkable (1.5km long). Speedboat transfers via 'Rivera' or 'Refcool'.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Most guesthouses provide free bikes; rental approx. $5-$10 USD/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Thulusdhoo Bikini Beach (white sand, turquoise water, designated for tourists).
- Top Regional Airline
- Maldivian (Regional carrier for outer atolls via Male).
- Top International Airline
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines fly to Velana International (MLE).
- Highway Access
- N/A - Accessible only by boat from Male (approx. 30 mins). $25 USD for speedboat.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Male's Velana International Airport (MLE) + Jetty No. 1 for speedboats.
- Public Transport Passes
- MTCC Public Ferry (Route 301) - very cheap ($2-3 USD) but slow (2.5 hours).
- Regional Travel
- Speedboats to Dhiffushi or Huraa for day trips (approx. $50-$100 for private hire).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Thulusdhoo Health Centre (Basic care); ADK Hospital in Male for emergencies.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Metta Yoga (Located at Canopus Retreat); classes approx. $20 USD.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The gym at Season Paradise (Accessible to non-guests for a daily fee).
- Laundry Services
- Most guesthouses offer laundry for $1-$2 USD per item; local shops charge by kg.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- N/A; Small island, most people call restaurants directly for pickup.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mas Huni (Tuna, coconut, and chili breakfast) served with Roshi.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fusion Restaurant; offers veggie burgers and quinoa salads ($12-$18 USD).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Short eats (hedhikaa) at local tea shops; Coconut cake at Santa Rosa.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Local grocery stores like 'A.S.A. Mart' for snacks and water.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited; locals use Facebook groups or Instagram for Male-based shops.
- Grocery Delivery
- Direct supply from Male via speedboat; ask guesthouse owners to order specific items.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- No alcohol on local islands. Nightlife consists of night fishing or 'Floating Bar' boats offshore.
- Local Brewery
- N/A (Alcohol is prohibited on inhabited islands; try the local 'Raa' palm juice).
- Wine Bars
- None (Dry island). Floating bars in the lagoon serve alcohol (approx. $10 per beer).
- Street Food Stalls
- Tea shops near the harbor selling 'Hedhikaa' (savory snacks) for 2-5 MVR each.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Contrabando (Mexican-inspired tacos and burritos) and Isola (Italian).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Coca-Cola Factory (the only one in the world using desalinated water).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Local craft workshops near the harbor specializing in 'Liyelaa Jehun' (lacquer work).
- Historical Sites
- Traditional coral stone houses (scattered throughout the older parts of the village).
- Religious Sites
- Thulusdhoo Friday Mosque (Respect dress codes - shoulders/knees covered nearby).
- Annual Events
- Eid Celebrations (local dancing and music); International Surf Competitions (dates vary).
- Cultural Districts
- The Southern residential area (to see authentic Maldivian island life).
- Theater Venues
- Boduberu performances (traditional drumming) often held in guesthouse gardens.
- Local Markets
- Small produce stands near the jetty appearing when the supply boat arrives.
- Music Scene
- Boduberu live music nights at various guesthouses on Fridays.
- Street Art
- Surf-themed murals along the main sandy paths leading to Bikini Beach.
- Cooking Classes
- Available upon request at Akiri Surf Retreat (Traditional Maldivian curries).
- Art Galleries
- Small gift shops like 'Oevaali Art Shop' (locally designed ocean-inspired art).
- Historic Buildings
- The Administrative Island Office (modern but central to local governance).
- Local Heritage
- The 'Dhoni' (traditional wooden boat) building heritage.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Chickens Surf Break (accessible via a short boat ride across the channel).
- National Parks Nearby
- Protected marine areas; snorkeling at the 'Coral Garden' reef.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The entire island perimeter is a sandy trail perfect for a 45-minute walk.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The Coke’s Surf Observation Deck for watching world-class waves.
- Birdwatching Locations
- The island's interior palms where Grey Herons are frequently spotted.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Organized beach BBQs (ask permission from guesthouse or local council).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Maldives Post via the local post office; delivery via speedboat from Male.
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; must send devices to 'Personal Computers' or 'Redwave' in Male.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Social area at Season Paradise.
- Language Classes
- Informal Dhivehi lessons from guesthouse staff.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Local school library (limited access); guesthouse lounges are the primary spots.
- Community Centers
- Youth Center near the football pitch.
- Gaming Lounges
- Small local 'gaming spots' near the harbor for youth.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Strictly prohibited in the Maldives).