Discovering the Maldives: where to look for a true blue lagoon for a romantic getaway

The country’s capital, the city of Male, is located on the atoll of the same name. There are many attractions to visit here, such as:

Hukuru Miskiy Mosque (Good Friday Mosque): Built in 1656, made of coral stone and decorated with magnificent sculptures, it is considered one of the oldest mosques in the Maldives.

National Museum: Contains the rich history of the Maldives, including artifacts dating back to the royal period, as well as collections of local art.

Fish market: A lively place to watch local fishermen bring in their fresh catch and, of course, enjoy freshly caught delicacies.

Northern Malé is surrounded by coral reefs which are home to a variety of marine life. The reefs provide unique viewing opportunities for colorful fish, sea turtles and several species of sharks.

Visiting local villages will give you a better understanding of the culture and lifestyle of local residents. North Male hosts cultural festivals several times a year, providing an opportunity to experience traditional arts and customs. You should definitely try the local dishes – Maldivian cuisine is not as spicy and tangy as neighboring Sri Lankan cuisine and is based on fresh seafood.

The Maldives archipelago is like a paradise on Earth and the lagoons of the Indian Ocean are a special wonder. They protect the islands from strong waves, offer a special ecosystem to the delight of snorkeling enthusiasts and, of course, amaze with their beauty. One of the most beautiful lagoons in North Male is located near the miniature coral island of Baros (also sometimes called Baros).

Baros Island can be reached by boat from Velana Airport in just 25 minutes. Despite its proximity to Male, there are no air routes over the island, so no planes fly over it.

The Baros resort is located here – compact (350 by 300 meters), surrounded by lush exotic vegetation and greenery of coconut trees – 374 of which remain from the original plantation. The hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World association and for many years in a row remains a favorite place for lovers and newlyweds – the atmosphere is extremely romantic! There are few tourists in Baros and no young children, so the conditions are most conducive to peace and harmony.

The owners of the hotel (it has been welcoming guests since 1973 and was the third hotel to open in the Maldives) even before the start of construction decided to have minimal impact on the natural landscape and not interfere with the natural beauty and immaculate purity. of Baros. Now the complex operates according to an ecological concept and controls environmental emissions and waste recycling, and also takes care of the environment. The tropical garden therefore adds a special charm to the villas.

The beautiful turquoise lagoon is breathtaking and the coral reefs literally come close to the shore, so guests to the island don’t need to take a special boat to snorkel and admire the fish and manta rays – just bring along a mask and snorkel with you when you go. the beach (rocks and There are no sharp fragments of coral in the sand, you can go into the water without fear).

By the way, the hotel employs a qualified marine biologist and excursions led by him to the house reef are a great opportunity to understand the local underwater diversity.

Today, it is difficult to imagine that 50 years ago the Baros Hotel consisted of seven huts made of palm planks with a roof covered with coconut shingles. Now there are 74 villas, divided into seven categories – they differ in their location on the island, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe premises and their level of comfort. Each villa is designed for two people.

The design of the rooms is very simple, echoing the traditional Maldives style of decoration: natural materials are used in the interiors. All rooms, without exception, have air conditioning, capsule coffee makers or coffee machines and large TVs with a huge selection of satellite channels (there is content in Russian!)

Of course, every couple has their own romantic vacation schedule, but perhaps the universal point can be called a fulfilling spa vacation. The Serenity Spa center is located on the island – it specializes in treatments tailored to the individual wishes of guests. They offer relaxation and relaxation programs, rejuvenating and cosmetic treatments.

And in Baros you can practice daily yoga and pranayama, breathing exercises that relieve stress and tension. Group classes take place in a special air-conditioned pavilion, and an experienced yoga teacher will be happy to lead couples yoga sessions on the villa terrace or on the beach, at sunrise or sunset. An unusual experience of solitude and mutual understanding, which is worth experiencing in this beautiful place with a truly dear person.