Update: The Maldives have reopened today. Will you travel there?
Originally posted on 6/24:
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Countries around the world are starting to reopen, but many will ban Americans, where coronavirus continues to spread unabatedly.
The Maldives on the other hand will open to everyone on July 15th. They ask that you not come within 14 days of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, but otherwise everyone is free to visit with no test required. Individual resorts may require their own testing.
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#HelloBeautiful #GoodMorning from #Paradise #StRegisMaldives #Mavic #Drone
It appears that Hyatt and Marriott resorts in the Maldives aren’t accepting reservations until October, but Hilton resorts, including the Conrad and Waldorf Astoria, are open.
Plus you can buy Hilton points on the cheap right now and stay in an overwater villa with a private pool at the Conrad for 76K points/night ($380 when buying points) on a 5 night stay or at the Waldorf for 96K points/night ($480 when buying points) on a 5 night stay.
You can get to the Maldives on Emirates via Dubai, plus you can even fly without fuel surcharges. You can also buy the Marriott points on sale today to transfer to JAL to do that. However, Emirates first class showers and business class bar are currently closed due to COVID-19.
You can also fly to the Maldives on Qatar via Doha, on Etihad via Abu Dhabi, or on Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.
Do you feel comfortable enough to travel yet? Will the Maldives be in your travel plans?
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86 Comments On "The Maldives Reopened Today Without Restrictions, Will You Travel?"
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If I have money I will travel anywhere
That’s what miles are for 😀
Miles are money
Who uses money to travel?
I would travel in a heartbeat. I wish I had the time in my schedule to go to the Maldives now.
Dan can you keep posting articles like this that provide updates on countries that are removing restrictions and permitting US tourists? Super useful!!
If people want them and let me know as you did, sure 🙂
Yes, can’t wait to leave, but not that far
Yes we do
plus 1 thank you in advance
I love them, please keep up the good work!
+1
I’d appreciate the updates too, thanks Dan!
Please please please keep them coming
Yes! Please send updated on countries, and travel to and from America
A friend just asked me this week about traveling to Hungary. He heard that you need to get a permit. If there would be a post (or thread on DDF) with details on which countries are open, would be greatly appreciated.
His flight will stop in FRA for a few hours, and he was thinking to go the kever Baal Shem of Michelstadt. No idea if Germany is open. A writeup with all this kind of info will be great!
TYIA
That would be epically helpful! Thanks so much
yes keep posting
I would like it too
Can you ender Dubai with Covid? Where do you recommend staying for shabbos ( a country that accepts US citizens during covid) if you don’t want to stay in the Maldives for shabbos?
Yes, as of July 7th, with a negative COVID test in advance or on the spot.
Where is the best place to spend Shabbos on the way in or out?
There is a shul in Dubai.
Not frum….
There’s Chabad there, but OK.
It’s hard to get to the chabad since he’s not legal. When you say shul most people will think of the place that’s all over the news and that you just posted a video of that they say the prayers for the king etc etc. this place: https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-the-first-time-dubais-jewish-community-steps-hesitantly-out-of-the-shadows/
I’ve davened in shuls in Canada, well for sure one in Montreal, that prays for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Queen of Canada. I’m not sure praying for King of the country you live in should be your argument for a non frum shul by your definition. The rest of your statement may be fair game however, buy I know nothing of the shul to comment on that.
In the Moroccan shul in Toronto, there is a huge sign on the wall thanking the king of Morocco for funding the shul in Toronto…
I don’t know what is doing with Corona there but assuming all is well, we spent Shabbos in Sri Lanka, there are two Chabad’s there one in Colombo and one further south by the beach.
We stayed near in the one in Colombo because we didn’t know about the beach one as had just opened. The shiluchim in Colombo are messichists but very sincere and nice. The problem is that the one in Colombo depending on the year may not always have a minyan. So we had one for Friday night but not Shabbos day. Though you can still spend Shabbos with the shiluchim as far as meals. The beach one is more happening as all the Israeli backpackers go there so a minyan pre-Corona was pretty much guaranteed, though we did hear that it is somewhat of a scene so may not be actually a shabbos atmosphere is that is what you are looking for. We went to Sri Lanka first so we bought food from them and they double wrapped it and then had it for our trip to the Maldives. Food was very good, plentiful and very cheap. This info is a few years old and of course with Cornona who knows what is going on so definitely double check before you go. If it does work and you have the time I would recommend going to Sri Lanka and spending a few days there as it is a real experience, it is a poor but beautiful country and most things are really cheap. You should also check out the political situation because there was some unrest at one point.
Yes a breakdown on current travel restrictions and reopening is very useful
They need the tourist’s money. Waiting on Israel to do the same…
Israel economy is much more developed and much less tourist dependant.
Any Minyan there?
At the overwater bungalow Unit B16
Hi Dan,
What are my best options for Shabbos?
https://www.dansdeals.com/more/coronavirus/maldives-will-reopen-july-15th-without-restrictions-will-travel/#comment-1478708
Nope. Don’t want to get sick. My 59 yo sister died of covid.
Baruch dayan haemes. I’m sorry for your loss.
Absolutely going! Dream vacation and now I can afford it
Is etihad flying again out of jfk and if i plan to go to Dubai in July will i be able to arrive in auh
Dan, wby is it when ever I search for availability on HH for the Waldorf Maldives I never find any available dates for 120k a night. What am I missing?!
There are sample dates in this post…
@dan have you posted a trip report on the STR?
Is there kosher food available in the Maldives?
Yes
Details?
If you bring your own then there will be kosher food there. Double wrap and they can store and heat it up for you.
Otherwise, ask your hotel if they can import any, though I would not count on it due to COVID19.
Okay thought so. Thank you very much for the promo response.
Do Israeli passports have an issue flying though these Arab countries?
What about Canadian that’s says Jerusalem as birth place?
Other destinations open / opening to US travelers from some research:
St. Lucia – Open. A negative test is required for entry.
Antigua and Barbuda – Open. Temp. checks and face coverings mandatory until September. No quarantine requirement.
Jamaica – Open
Bahamas – Opens July 1.
Aruba – Opens for Americans July 10.
Puerto Rico – Opens July 15
Turks and Caicos – Opens July 22
Tanzania – Open
Maldives – Opening July 15
French Polynesia / Bora Bora – Opening July 15. Will require negative test result within 3 days of travel, or proof of antibodies.
Sri Lanka – Opens Aug. 1. A negative test and minimum 5-night stay is required.
Also Cancun and Cabo in Mexico are open I believe.
Does anyone know about flying through these arab countries if my canadian passport says birthplace jerusalem on it
I don’t get why any frum Jew would want to visit the Maldives, where it’s illegal to practice any religion other than Islam. https://www.state.gov/reports/2018-report-on-international-religious-freedom/maldives/
I’ve been there twice, you tell me.
My plan for Maldives.
Leave JFK on a Thursday am flight Stopover in Moscow for shabbos,
and leave motza to MLE so I can have 5 full days there.
Keep in mind you will need to pay for a Visa to enter Russia
Plus you can buy Hilton points on the cheap right now and stay in an overwater villa with a private pool at the Conrad for 76K points/night ($380 when buying points) on a 5 night stay or at the Waldorf for 96K points/night ($380 when buying points) on a 5 night stay.
How are they both $380 if they’re different amount of points? did I miss something?
Typo, $480. Thanks.
@Dan how can we get the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi at the price like you explained and showed
I will go to places because they are open.
Can we make a vote?
I’m curious what people would do
costs too many miles to fly, otherwise would go.
Dan, can you make a list of Countries that are open/opening for US Citizens?
Thanks in advance.
Conrad or Waldorf Astoria ?
Keep them coming
I think it’s very unfair that you are writing “spread unabatedly ” the u.s. is number one country in the world in testing, and we are testing like crazy .
Try putting the testing numbers in China or Russia or Europe then we’ll see where it’s spreading unabatedly
Look at the US deaths.
Look at the positivity rate in the hot spots.
Look at the hospital beds/ICU beds available in the hot spots.
That’s if you believe all those numbers are accurate
So you say to look at the numbers, then you say the numbers lie.
Cool story.
No need to get so antsy , all I’m saying that the fact that people are getting tested by the masses (unlike any other country) that’s undeniable
But if they’re recounting people getting tested multiple times
Or if all the positive cases are actually positive I’m sure you heard a story what happened in Florida the other day
Or if the deaths are actually directly and primarily related to covid and not do any other pre-existing condition
All I’m saying is that the numbers are not black and white
Right, likely much worse than being reported: https://www.abcactionnews.com/rebound/excess-deaths-raise-concerns-about-pandemics-death-toll-in-florida
And firsthand from Doctors and nurses there, the hospitals are all jammed.
That’s an absolute lie Dan. Come on.
I have 2 family members working in ERs in south Florida. They are fine. Not worse than usual flu season. People are flocking to the hospitals because they are scared! They dont even need to be there but the hospitals are liable if they send someone home .
All this fear mongering is ridiculous
I also have 2 family members working a COVID ward in South Florida and they tell me you are dead wrong and spreading fake news.
Cheers.
So it’s fake news that if someone complains of shortness of breath from covid that the hospital wont automatically admit them?
Do you know what killed so many people when it first hit NY? Doctors has no idea how to treat it and they put people on the ventilator right away. Not happening anymore! Death rate is down.
You need to stop listening to CNN and the mainstream fear mongering media. You’re a smart guy, but you’re really not doing your own research responsibly.
Yup, like the 300 deaths in FL/TX today which have been climbing steadily.
156 deaths in Florida today.
You have a greater chance getting into a car accident than dying from Covid. Are you not leaving your house too?
No need to argue. I’m done pointing out the hypocrisy here
Just arriving with Emirates first class
No lounge at JFK no first class lounge in Dubai
But the new 777-300er very nice first class 6 suites only
Write a trip report for DDF 🙂
When I passed the airports you could just cry how the airports look JFK terminal 3 8pm 50 passengers at max
Dan what’s your take when will travel be back I asked Emirates they told me 5 to 6 months
Baller. Please please please write a TR.
1 shul in Dubai per yesterday news was closed by government
2 I am afraid to step into ANY Us airport or any airplane or even Macy’s
So no , would not travel anywhere now
Ppl still affected by virus
Long term cardiac and Lung issues noted by medical publications daily
I value health more than a thrill of a trip – anyone with me ?
No. If you can’t live your life, what’s the point of living? To be locked up in isolation just so you can tell yourself, oh great I’m alive? Why live the rest of your life in prison?
You can also fly via Moscow
Dying to go I just need 3 minyunim daily for kaddish and I’m in a plane there now
Nope. Not interested in getting on a plane until there’s a vaccine, which is months and months away, even if they find one soon, given the fact that production, distribution and administration will take more months.
For some, this is great news. For me? I’ll pass.
I have reservations booked on points for the end of September to early October at the Waldorf Astoria for five nights.
Any hotel deals at Maldives currently?