Hulhumalé guide: getting around, the beach and living near the airport

Hulhumalé is the Maldives' newest city: a large island reclaimed from the sea next to the airport, built to ease overcrowding in Malé. Today it's home to tens of thousands of people, with modern apartment towers, wide streets, parks and a long public beach. Visitors know it as the convenient place to stay before or after a flight; residents value its space and calm. This guide covers getting around, the beach, and life in Hulhumalé.

Where it is

Hulhumalé sits northeast of Velana International Airport on Hulhulé island, joined to it by road. The Sinamalé Bridge links the airport island to Malé, so Hulhumalé is connected to the capital by road. It's part of the Greater Malé area.

Phase 1 and Phase 2

• Phase 1 is the older, established part, closer to the airport, with a mix of apartment blocks, hotels, shops, cafés and the main public beach.
• Phase 2 is the newer extension to the north, with large housing developments and continuing construction.

When booking accommodation or a taxi, always check which phase you need; taxi fares differ.

Getting around

Buses

RTL runs city buses in Hulhumalé and between Hulhumalé, the airport and Malé. Buses are air-conditioned and cheap. Payment options reported include exact cash and contactless cards on the reader, as well as the RTL app. Check RTL's route map for current routes and frequencies.

Taxis

Taxi fares are regulated. Under the schedule set by the Ministry of Transport effective 20 May 2024:

Check whether a newer schedule has been issued, as fares are revised from time to time.

Walking and cycling

Hulhumalé's wide, straight streets and lighter traffic make it much more pleasant than Malé for walking and cycling. Many residents cycle to the shops, the beach or the bus stop. Take water and shade breaks in the midday heat.

Scooters

Scooters are common, though less dominant than in Malé. Rules for foreigners getting licences and registering vehicles have been tightened; see our guide to driving licences and scooters.

The beach

Hulhumalé's long public beach, on the eastern side of Phase 1, is one of the best city beaches in the Maldives, with shallow water, shade trees and a waterfront lined with cafés. It's popular with local families, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

Because it's a public beach in a local community, local customs apply:

• swimwear should be modest; bikinis are not appropriate on the public beach;
• cover up when you leave the beach area;
• no alcohol; and
• keep the beach clean.

Some hotels offer guests access to areas or excursions where bikinis are allowed; ask your hotel.

Staying near the airport

Hulhumalé is the most convenient place to stay before an early flight or after a late arrival:

• it's only minutes from the airport by road;
• many small hotels and guesthouses offer airport pickups;
• you can relax on the beach and eat at local cafés; and
• it avoids the risk of missing a flight because of a delayed boat from a distant island.

Remember that the green tax applies to tourist accommodation here too: USD 6 per person per night at hotels and guesthouses with 50 or fewer rooms on inhabited islands, and USD 12 at larger ones. See our guide to the green tax.

Living in Hulhumalé

Many expatriate and Maldivian families choose Hulhumalé for:

• space: newer apartments, often larger than in Malé;
• open areas: parks, playgrounds and the beach;
• calmer streets and less traffic; and
• rents that are often lower than central Malé for comparable flats.

The trade-off is commuting time if you work in Malé, especially at peak hours on the bridge. See our guide to renting in Malé and Hulhumalé.

Getting to Hulhumalé from the airport

From the arrivals hall, Hulhumalé is a short drive. A regulated taxi costs MVR 80 to Phase 1 or MVR 85 to Phase 2 under the 2024 schedule, and RTL buses also connect the airport with Hulhumalé. Many hotels offer pickups, which are the easiest option after a long flight, especially late at night. See our guide to airport transfers.

Weather

Hulhumalé's open layout means more sun and less shade than narrow Malé streets. Carry water, wear a hat when walking or cycling in the middle of the day, and plan outdoor activities for the morning and evening. Sea breezes along the beachfront make evenings pleasant.

Services

Hulhumalé has supermarkets, local shops, cafés and restaurants, banks and ATMs, schools, mosques and a hospital, with more being built as the city grows. For some government offices and specialist services, you'll still need to go to Malé.

Eating out

The beachfront and the streets behind it have many cafés and restaurants, from local short eats and Maldivian fish dishes to international food. Evenings are the busiest time, when families come to the beach and cafés fill up. During Ramadan, most cafés close in the day and open after sunset. Prices are generally a little lower than at resorts, and there's no alcohol.

A day in Hulhumalé

• Morning: an early swim or walk along the beach before the heat builds.
• Midday: lunch at a local café, then shelter from the sun.
• Afternoon: cycle around Phase 1, or take the bus to Malé for sightseeing and shopping.
• Evening: back to the beachfront for sunset and dinner, when the city is at its liveliest.

For families

Hulhumalé is one of the most family-friendly places in the Greater Malé area, with parks, playgrounds, the shallow beach and space for children to ride bikes. Families moving to the Maldives often look here first for housing, and international and private schools serve the area and nearby Malé.

Day trips from Hulhumalé

From Hulhumalé, it's easy to reach Malé for sightseeing and shopping, or the airport jetty for speedboats to nearby islands and resorts. Some resorts near the airport sell day passes. See our guides to speedboat transfers and island hopping.

Tips

• Note whether your accommodation is in Phase 1 or Phase 2.
• Keep small rufiyaa notes for taxis and buses.
• Visit the beach in the early evening, when it's cooler and lively.
• Book airport pickups with your hotel for late arrivals.
• Allow extra time for trips to Malé at rush hour.

A city still growing

Hulhumalé continues to expand, with land reclamation, housing projects and new facilities. Expect construction in some areas, especially in Phase 2, and changes to roads and bus routes as the city develops. Check RTL's latest routes and ask locals about new facilities.