The drinking water in the Maldives is different.
As the Maldives' scarce freshwater resources continue to deteriorate due to climate change, drinking water is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. Resorts in the area have devised a workaround, but it has some unintended implications that we discovered. During a recent trip to the Maldives, we discussed drinking water with the people of Kandohlu Island. The majority of the water you'll drink in the Maldives has been recycled, purified, and generated through reverse osmosis desalination. While this process makes the water completely safe to drink, it also removes all of the natural minerals from it, making it less helpful. (For the record, Kandohlu's water is remineralized).
What happens when you spend days and days on the beach, soaking up the tropical sun and sweating out the poisons of the city? You're also sweating out valuable salts and minerals, and because much of the water on the islands is demineralized, you might not feel completely satisfied; after a few days, you might even feel a little lethargic. Because "everyone here simply drinks energy drinks," rehydration and sports drinks are nearly impossible to come by, but if you're in a pinch or prone to dehydration, it might be worth picking up some rehydration salt packets at the main airport's pharmacy.
