Maldives souvenirs and shopping: what to buy, what to leave

Lacquerware (liyelaa jehun)

Lacquered wood is the best-known Maldivian handicraft. In Dhivehi it is called liyelaa jehun. *Liyun* means carving or shaping the wood, and *laa jehun* means applying the lacquer.

According to the Maldives Department of Heritage, craftsmen turn a strong local wood, most often *funa* (Alexander laurel), then build up layers of coloured lacquer. They carve through the top layer so the colours beneath show, usually in flowing floral patterns, and polish the piece with dried coconut palm leaf. The traditional colours are red, black and yellow. Brighter mixes are common now.

Look for small lidded boxes, vases and containers. The heritage department’s record also mentions lacquered *boduberu* drums and models of the traditional dhoni boat. The craft once ran across the country. Today it survives mainly on Thulhaadhoo in Baa Atoll, where a few families still work it. A good piece takes days to weeks of hand work, so expect to pay more than for a mass-made trinket.

Woven reed mats (thundu kunaa)

*Thundu kunaa* are fine mats woven from a local reed. They were once everyday items, used for sleeping and for prayer. The craft is strongest in the southern atolls, and the mats woven by women on Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll are the best known, according to the Maldives Mission to the UN and other craft records.

The reeds are sun-dried and dyed with plant-based colours, then woven on a low wooden loom into symmetrical patterns passed down through families. A full mat is a serious purchase. Weavers now also make smaller framed pieces, and some use the patterns on bags and accessories. These travel more easily.

Coir rope (roanu)

*Roanu* is rope made by hand from coconut husk fibre. The husks are soaked for weeks or months, beaten to loosen the fibre, dried, then twisted by hand. Coir rope once held Maldivian boats and houses together. Kulhudhuffushi in the north is especially known for it.

Look for small coir pieces such as coasters, mats or rope-wrapped items. It is a humble craft, but one of the oldest on the islands.

Dhoni models

The dhoni is the traditional Maldivian boat, still seen in every harbour. Wooden dhoni models are a classic souvenir, and some are finished with lacquer. Quality varies a lot. A well-made model shows the curved prow and the shape of the hull clearly. Ask who made it and on which island, because cheaper models may be imported.

Food gifts: Maldive fish and rihaakuru

Food is often the most Maldivian gift you can buy. Two staples stand out:

• Maldive fish (*valhoa mas*): tuna that is boiled, then smoked and dried until hard. Maldivians grate or flake it into curries, rice and the breakfast dish *mas huni*.
• Rihaakuru: a thick, dark, salty paste made by slowly cooking down the liquid left from boiling tuna. It is an acquired taste, but deeply part of home cooking.

Both are sold in local shops and at the market in Malé, usually in sealed packs. Before you buy, check your home country’s rules on bringing in fish products. Some countries restrict or ban them, and the rules differ for dried, smoked and paste products. Keep them sealed and declare them if your home customs asks. Read more about these flavours in our guide to Maldivian food and dishes to try.

Local art, photography and books

Maldivian artists and photographers sell prints, paintings and cards in Malé and on some local islands. Original art is easy to pack flat and money goes straight to the maker. Books on Maldivian history, culture and language make a lasting souvenir too.

You may also find pieces featuring Thaana, the right-to-left script used to write Dhivehi. A name or a short phrase written in Thaana is a personal keepsake. Ask the artist what the words say before you buy. For background on the language and script, see our guide to Maldives culture, people and language.

Plenty of souvenirs sold across the Maldives are made elsewhere and shipped in. If you want something genuinely local, you have to ask.

• Ask directly. “Who made this, and on which island?” A shop that stocks real local work will usually be proud to tell you.
• Meet the maker if you can. Some artists and craftspeople sell their own work. Buying from them is the surest route.
• Look for small differences. Handmade lacquerware, mats and models vary from piece to piece. Rows of identical items are a clue.
• Read labels. Packaged goods, sarongs and printed T-shirts usually say where they were made.

Some souvenirs harm the reefs, are illegal, or will be taken from you at the airport. Leave all of these alone.

The Maldives Customs passenger guide (December 2024) says many marine products need a permit to leave the country. The simplest rule is: do not buy or collect them at all. Even if a shop is selling them, you may not be allowed to take them out, and your home country may not let them in.

Sand and beach finds

Leave sand, shells and dead coral on the beach. Small island beaches are fragile, and we could not confirm any official rule allowing visitors to take sand home. For more on travelling lightly, see our responsible travel guide, and learn about protected species in our guide to Maldives marine life.

Malé

The capital has the widest choice. The local market area near the waterfront is good for food gifts such as Maldive fish and rihaakuru, plus fresh fruit and snacks. Several central streets are lined with souvenir shops selling handicrafts, sarongs, T-shirts and gifts. Our Malé city guide covers how to get around.

Local islands

Most inhabited islands that host guests have at least one souvenir shop, and many have small grocery shops selling local snacks. Choice is smaller than in Malé, but you may meet makers selling their own work. On Dhiffushi, for example, the island’s shops sell souvenirs, beachwear and everyday goods; see our Dhiffushi shopping page. Remember that many shops close for a while at Friday midday prayer.

The airport

Velana International Airport has shops after security for departing passengers. It is convenient for last-minute gifts, but choice of local handicrafts is limited and prices are higher. Buy anything special earlier in your trip.

• Currency. The Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) is the local currency. US dollars are widely accepted in tourism, but small shops and markets often prefer rufiyaa, especially for small amounts. Carry some small notes.
• Cards. Larger shops in Malé and at the airport usually take cards. Small island shops may be cash only, so ask before you choose.
• Prices. Treat shop prices as fixed. Asking politely if there is a better price when you buy several items is fine, but hard bargaining is not the norm.

Our guide to Maldives money, costs and taxes explains rufiyaa, dollars, ATMs and cards in more detail.

• Marine products: many need a permit to leave the country, as above. Don’t carry them.
• Food gifts: check your home country’s rules on fish and other food before you pack.
• Alcohol: the duty-free alcohol rule works on arrival, not departure. Alcohol bought on the way into the Maldives is held by customs, because alcohol is a prohibited import. It is not something you need to worry about when leaving.
• Home allowances: your own country sets the limits on what you can bring back duty-free. Check before you fly.

For arrival rules and prohibited imports, see our Maldives visa and entry requirements guide. For the bigger picture, start with our Maldives travel guide.