Airalo sells one Maldives eSIM, the Maldives Tourist eSIM, and it runs on Dhiraagu. It comes as 20 GB for 30 days at $40, or $45 with 200 local minutes and 200 SMS. The 30-day validity is its big advantage over Dhiraagu's own $40 plan, which lasts 10 days.
Airalo or Dhiraagu direct?
Both put you on Dhiraagu. The differences are how long the plan lasts and what comes with it.
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| Airalo $40 | Airalo $45 | Dhiraagu Lite | Dhiraagu Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $40 | $45 | $40 | $50 |
| Data | 20 GB | 20 GB | 20 GB | 30 GB + 70 GB social |
| Lasts | 30 days | 30 days | 10 days | 30 days |
| Local calls | None | 200 min, 200 SMS | 150 min, 150 SMS | 300 min, 300 SMS |
| Top-ups | No | No | 100 GB add-ons | 100 GB add-ons |
For a trip of 10 days or less, Dhiraagu's Traveler Lite gives you the same data at the same price, plus local minutes and calling credit. Once your stay runs past 10 days, Airalo's $40 package keeps going for the whole month, which Dhiraagu only matches with its $50 plan.
The $45 package adds calls for $5 more. That's $5 less than Traveler Premium, though Premium includes more data, 70 GB of social data and more minutes.
The two Airalo Maldives plans
Airalo 20 GB data only
$40checked Oct 12, 2026
- Data
- 20 GB
- Lasts
- 30 days
- Local calls
- None (data only)
- Also included
- Not confirmed
- Network
- Dhiraagu
Airalo 20 GB with calls
$45checked Oct 12, 2026
- Data
- 20 GB
- Lasts
- 30 days
- Local calls
- 200 min200 local SMS
- Also included
- Local calls only; outgoing local SMS, incoming international SMS
- Network
- Dhiraagu
Before you buy: Airalo's ID check
Does Airalo's Maldives eSIM need ID?
Yes. Airalo's Maldives Tourist eSIM requires an identity check, called eKYC, before you can use it. You verify once, following Airalo's steps, by photographing your ID. Do it at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly, so you aren't stuck verifying at Velana with no data.
What to know about the Airalo Maldives eSIM
- It starts on first use. Install it at home; the 30 days start when you first connect in the Maldives.
- No data roaming needed. It's a local eSIM, so you can leave data roaming off.
- 4G service. Airalo lists the Dhiraagu network as 4G for this eSIM.
- No top-ups. Airalo lists these packages as not rechargeable.
- Local calls only. On the $45 package, minutes are for Maldivian numbers. Use WhatsApp or FaceTime to call home.
Coverage is the same as any eSIM on Dhiraagu: strong on inhabited islands and resorts, patchier at sea. See our Maldives eSIM coverage guide for what to expect on transfers and sandbanks.
Compare every plan on the Maldives eSIM comparison, read the full Dhiraagu tourist eSIM guide, or see how Holafly's unlimited Maldives eSIM compares.
Frequently asked questions
Which network does Airalo use in the Maldives?
Airalo's Maldives page lists Dhiraagu as the network for its Maldives Tourist eSIM, with 4G service. We haven't tested it ourselves yet, so this comes from Airalo's own plan details. Coverage is the same as any other eSIM on Dhiraagu.
Do I need to verify my ID for Airalo in the Maldives?
Yes. Airalo's Maldives packages require an identity check, called eKYC, before you can use them. Airalo's tips mention holding your ID in good light while you verify, so do it at home before you travel rather than at the airport.
Can I top up an Airalo Maldives eSIM?
Not these packages. Airalo lists its Maldives Tourist eSIM packages as not rechargeable. With 20 GB over 30 days, most visitors won't need more, but if you do, you'd buy another plan.
Does the Airalo Maldives eSIM include calls?
Only the $45 package. It adds 200 minutes and 200 SMS, and Airalo says calls are local only: you can ring Maldivian numbers, not numbers abroad. SMS covers outgoing local texts and incoming texts from abroad. The $40 package is data only.
Is Airalo cheaper than buying from Dhiraagu?
For a trip longer than 10 days, often yes. Airalo's $40 package gives 20 GB for 30 days, while Dhiraagu's own $40 Traveler Lite lasts 10 days but adds local minutes and calling credit. For a short trip with calls, Dhiraagu direct gives you more.
Does Airalo work in the Maldives without data roaming?
Yes. Airalo's Maldives eSIM is a local eSIM, and its plan details say data roaming doesn't need to be switched on. The plan starts the first time you use it, so you can install it at home before your flight.