Visiting the Maldives soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Maldives SIM card.

Fortunately, Asia is one of the best places where you can buy a SIM card easily. You should be able to find a cheap SIM card pretty much anywhere in Asia. In fact, most data packages are affordable, which makes the whole thing easier!

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card in the Maldives in person. We’ll also discuss eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in the Maldives. If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants and hotels.

However, the Wifi in the Maldives, especially in the island resorts, is said to be unreliable and has weak signals.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Dhivehi – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in the Maldives.

The Maldives

Best SIM Cards In The Maldives

If you’re traveling in the Maldives, we recommend using a SIM card from Dhiraagu, Ooredoo, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In The Maldives

You can either buy a Maldives prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo.

The Maldives floating bungalows

Dhiraagu SIM Cards

Dhiraagu offers two different types of tourist plans:

  • 30 GB, valid for 20 days for USD $50
  • 17 GB, valid for 30 days for USD $35

Ooredoo SIM Cards

Ooredoo has three different prepaid plans available:

  • 17 GB, valid for 30 days for $35
  • 100 GB (70 GB are just for social media), valid for 30 days for $50

As you can see, it is similar to Dhiraagu, but with more data for social media. 

Overall, we think Ooredoo is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy An eSIM Card For The Maldives

eSIM is a new concept allowing you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in the Maldives.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. And I first tried it when visiting my family in Canada. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo. Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for the Maldives.

Airalo Maldives

If you want to buy an eSIM for the Maldives, you could purchase one on Airalo. This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and the Maldives.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.

Here are the options available:

  • Ooredoo: 17 GB, valid for 30 days for $30
  • Ooredoo: 30 GB, valid for 30 days for $50

Maldives Airalo eSIM plans

Holafly Maldives

Holafly recently launched an eSIM plan for the Maldives. You’ll get 6GB, valid for 15 days, for $44.

holafly maldives esim

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards Maldives

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in the Maldives or even an eSIM for your travels in the Maldives is pretty straightforward. 

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in the Maldives if you wish to have data upon your arrival.

This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card. Obviously, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling to Asia soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015. She is been living abroad since 2014. Originally Canadian, she has been living and working online in many destinations around the world. She is passionate about traveling, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit.

She has traveled extensively in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. She is now living in Thailand.


☑ Book your flight: Who said you won’t be able to find cheap flights? My top saving tip is flexibility. If you're flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight. Check out Skyscanner or Google Flights for the hottest deals.

☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.