The Maldivian rufiyaa: currency guide, notes and paying

• Name: rufiyaa, written MVR (price tags often show Rf or MVR).
• Smaller unit: 100 laari to one rufiyaa.
• Issuer: the Maldives Monetary Authority, the country’s central bank.
• Exchange rate: the MMA manages the rufiyaa against the US dollar. The official rate is around 15.42 MVR to 1 USD, within a band set in 2011, so the rate barely moves from week to week.
• Notes: a polymer (plastic) series called Ran Dhihafaheh.

For prices, taxes and what a trip costs overall, see our money, costs and taxes guide. This page is about the currency itself and how to pay day to day.

The Maldives replaced its old paper notes with a new polymer series, Ran Dhihafaheh, from 2015 to 2017. The 1,000 rufiyaa note came first in 2015, the main series went into circulation in January 2016, and a polymer 5 rufiyaa note followed in 2017.

Notes in the series:

• 5 rufiyaa
• 10 rufiyaa
• 20 rufiyaa
• 50 rufiyaa
• 100 rufiyaa
• 500 rufiyaa
• 1,000 rufiyaa

Each note shows Maldivian life and nature: boats, fishing, crafts, marine life and traditional dress. The 100 rufiyaa note, for example, shows the libaas, the traditional women’s dress (more in our traditional dress guide). Polymer notes are tough and water-resistant, which suits a country of boats and beaches. They don’t like heat, though, so don’t leave them on a hot boat deck or iron them flat.

Old paper notes

The older paper notes are no longer legal tender. Most stopped being valid on 1 August 2016, and old 5 rufiyaa notes from 1 January 2018. The MMA exchanged old notes until 31 July 2021, and that window has closed. If someone offers you old paper rufiyaa as change, politely ask for current notes instead.

Coins are less used than notes, but you will get them as change in shops and cafés. The coins in circulation are:

• 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 laari
• 1 and 2 rufiyaa

The 2 rufiyaa coin is bimetallic (two colours of metal). The smallest laari coins rarely change hands now. Shops often round to the nearest rufiyaa.

Coins are hard to change back into other currencies once you leave, so spend them before you fly or give them to a local cause.

You can use both, but each has its place.

Where US dollars work

• Accommodation, excursions and transfers. Guesthouses, dive and excursion trips and speedboat transfers usually quote in US dollars and often accept dollar cash or cards.
• Bigger bills. Tourism prices include Tourism GST (17% since 1 July 2025) and often a 10% service charge. Green tax is charged per guest per night. All of these are usually shown in dollars.
• The airport. Velana International Airport takes dollars and cards.

Bring clean, undamaged US notes. Torn, marked or very old notes are often refused. Smaller notes (1, 5, 10 and 20 dollars) are more useful than 100s, because change may be given in rufiyaa.

Where rufiyaa is better (or the only option)

• MTCC public ferries. Fares are paid in rufiyaa, usually cash. See our getting around guide and the route 308 ferry page.
• Local shops, bakeries and teashops. Prices are in rufiyaa. Some will take dollars, but at a rounded rate and with change in rufiyaa.
• Small purchases. A bottle of water, a short eat with tea, a snack from the island shop: rufiyaa is easier for everyone.
• Malé. Buses, taxis, markets and cafés in the capital work in rufiyaa.

Watch for rounded rates

When you pay in dollars for something priced in rufiyaa, the shop picks the rate. Many round to an easy figure, which can cost you a little. It is rarely a scam, just convenience. If it matters to you, pay in rufiyaa.

Cards

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted at guesthouses, dive centres, the airport and larger shops and restaurants in Malé and Hulhumalé. On smaller local islands, many cafés and shops are cash only, or take cards above a minimum spend. Some places add a surcharge for card payments, so ask first.

Carry two cards from different banks in case one is blocked.

ATMs

You will find ATMs at Velana International Airport, across Malé and Hulhumalé, and on many larger inhabited islands. Smaller islands may have none, and a single machine can run out of cash or go offline.

• Most ATMs give out rufiyaa only.
• Your own bank will usually charge a fee for foreign withdrawals, and the local bank may add one too.
• If the ATM offers to convert the amount into your home currency, decline. Choose to be charged in rufiyaa and let your card do the conversion. It is normally cheaper.

Dhiffushi, as an example: our island has a Bank of Maldives ATM that accepts foreign cards and pays out US dollars as well as rufiyaa. Even so, take some cash with you from Malé or the airport, in case the machine is empty or offline. Details of what’s on the island are on our plan your trip page and the island map.

• At the airport. You can change money at Velana International Airport when you land. It is handy for your first ferry fare or snack. See our airport arrival guide.
• At banks in Malé and Hulhumalé. Banks change major currencies. Bring your passport.
• On local islands. Formal exchange is limited. Guesthouses may help with small amounts, but don’t rely on it.

US dollars are by far the easiest foreign currency to bring. Rufiyaa is hard to buy abroad, and you don’t need to: get it on arrival.

Changing rufiyaa back into dollars before you leave is possible at the airport and banks, but rates and rules vary. The simplest plan is to change only what you need and spend the rest.

Large amounts of cash

Large amounts of cash, in any currency, must be declared to Maldives Customs when you arrive or leave; check the current threshold before you travel.

Small change is the one thing visitors run short of. A few habits help:

• Break big notes early. Use 500 and 1,000 rufiyaa notes at the airport, a bank or a larger shop in Malé, not at a small island café.
• Keep a stash of 10s, 20s and 50s for ferries, snacks and tips.
• Count your change while you are still at the counter. Mistakes happen, especially when two currencies are involved.
• Plan around Fridays and holidays. Shops close for Friday midday prayer. See our festivals and public holidays guide.

Tipping

The 10% service charge added to most tourism bills goes largely to staff. Extra tips for boat crews, guides and housekeeping are welcome but not expected. Rufiyaa or dollars are both fine. Our tipping guide explains what is usual.

There is no set amount, because it depends on how much you prepay. As a rough plan:

• Prepay your guesthouse and transfers where you can, by card or bank transfer.
• Bring enough US dollar cash for excursions and a buffer for emergencies.
• Get a modest amount of rufiyaa on arrival for the first days, then top up at an ATM if your island has one.

Our affordable Maldives trip guide has more ideas for keeping costs down on a local island.