Visiting Mauritius quickly? Right here’s what that you must know earlier than you go.
In the event you dig a gap straight via the earth’s middle from the west coast, you find yourself within the ocean simply south of Mauritius Island. Mauritius hadn’t been on our radar till just lately, and after reserving our journey, we realized there was a lot to study in regards to the island on the opposite aspect of the world. In the event you’re planning a visit to Mauritius Island, right here is every thing we discovered throughout our time right here that will help you profit from your go to.
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Final Up to date: February 23, 2023
The place is Mauritius?
Mauritius is off of the southeastern African coast within the Indian Ocean. Sixteen islands and islets comprise the Republic of Mauritius, together with Mauritius Island, together with Rodrigues, Agalega, St Brandon, and lots of others.
Time Distinction: It’s +4 hours Greenwich Imply Time (12-hour distinction from PST)
See Extra: 15 Finest Issues to Do in Mauritus + Methods to Plan the Good Trip
Issues You Should Know Earlier than Visiting Mauritius
1. English is the Official Language
The three major languages are English, French, and Creole. English is the official language, however the majority language used is French-Mauritius Creole, which was correct on our journey. Many lodge staff additionally communicate German, Italian, and Spanish. In the event you plan on venturing outdoors the resorts and fashionable vacationer points of interest, studying some primary French will assist you to.
Most Mauritians are bilingual, and lots of are expert in three or 4 languages, which makes them a preferred recruit for cruise ships. Additionally it is value noting that 70% of the inhabitants can communicate “Morisyen.” In addition they communicate Indian languages akin to Bhojpouri (31.4%), Tamil (3.5%), Hindi (2.8%), and Urdu (2.7%).
2. It’s Far! (From the US)
In the event you’re visiting Mauritius from the US, be ready for 2 twelve-hour flights, particularly from the west coast. Give your self an prolonged layover (at the very least 6 hours) to clear customs and stretch your legs. You can also make it even longer if you’d like a relaxation day or to go to a layover metropolis. We deliberate to stroll round Paris on our layover, however our flights bought delayed.
3. Who’s Visiting Mauritius
Due to Mauritius’ location, we observed most vacationers have been Europeans. France, the UK, Germany, and Spain carry probably the most vacationers, adopted by China.
After we visited, we bought a number of feedback asking if we have been from China. The borders have been closed due to the pandemic, so the Mauritians have been excited that we is perhaps among the many Chinese language vacationers beginning to go to once more.
4. Deliver your Benjamins
Mauritius isn’t thought of a funds vacation spot. Most individuals go to Mauritius for luxurious, and so they pay for it. Though you possibly can journey right here on a funds, there are higher locations for those who’re on the lookout for an reasonably priced seaside trip.

5. Their Forex is the Mauritian Rupee
They use the Mauritian Rupee, and roughly USD 1 = MUR 43.95.
We solely wanted money for ideas and avenue distributors. Different spots took bank cards. You may change currencies on the airport and most motels or withdraw from an ATM. In the event you withdraw from an ATM, we heard you need to restrict every transaction to MUR15,000. In any other case, the machines may get jammed.

6. Tipping Is Not Obligatory however APPRECIATED
Tipping is just not obligatory in Mauritius. Here’s a fast guideline in case you are seeking to tip for distinctive service: Spas (5-10%), Tour guides (10%), Taxis (100-200 Rps), Inns (100 MUR), and Eating places (10-15%).
7. Visiting Mauritius throughout Excessive and Low Seasons
Temperatures are heat all yr, making it a year-round vacation spot. The water temps keep between 71-80°F (22-27°C).
The excessive season is throughout their summers (October-April) and winters (Might-September). Throughout peak season, you need to e book motels three months prematurely and actions/eating places round one week earlier than. Shoulder season runs March-April and September-October.
- Summers (Oct-Apr) – The imply temperature in the summertime is 76°F (24.7°C). Dec to Mar are the wettest months. Thunderstorms are widespread however cross. Throughout our December go to, the waterfalls have been dry (normally late winter/early Summer time) however had been dryer than common. As soon as the rain begins in Dec/Jan, the rivers and falls fill again up.
- Winters (Might-Sep) – The imply temperature within the winter is 70°F (21°C). Winter is windier and the very best time to go to for those who like gentle temperatures and sports activities that require wind, like kitesurfing.
Native Tip: They normally get a cyclone every season, and each ten or so years, it is going to hit the island instantly. The final large one was in 1992, so locals have been anticipating one any time now.

8. Locations Shut Early
Many locations closed sooner than anticipated, and lots of companies closed for holidays and Sundays. Additionally, sure eating places have random days they aren’t open.
9. Renting a Automotive vs. Getting a Taxi
Renting an (computerized) automobile is an possibility on the island, and also you don’t want a world driver’s license. Simply bear in mind they drive on the left aspect of the street, which may be disorienting.
Roads outdoors town are straightforward to navigate and never too crowded, however driving in a metropolis may be tense. Navigating through google maps labored properly going to fashionable points of interest, and the roads have been in good situation in comparison with different nations we’ve explored. Velocity limits are normally round 40 kph (25 mph) in cities, 90 kph (50 mph) outdoors of them, and 110 kph (68 mph) on the freeway.
Taxi prices differ and are not regulated. For instance, from Port Louis to Flic n Flac, it will probably price between MUR 800 and MUR 1,000. Be cautious of taxi drivers, since some are affiliated with outlets they may attempt to take you to for “an excellent deal” to obtain a lower of earnings. However now that I give it some thought, it’s just like some bloggers and influencers too.
10. Site visitors can get loopy
It might take 1-2 hrs to get from one aspect of the island to the opposite. Hold that in thoughts once you plan actions or the place you’re visiting. We had a whole lot of early days since we had so as to add within the journey time.
Site visitors on the island begins round 8 am and 4 pm. Though we didn’t see site visitors, they saved telling us how dangerous site visitors was, so we at all times left earlier or means later to keep away from it.
Native Tip: In the event you booked a lodge with breakfast however have an early exercise, you’ll probably miss breakfast. Ask for a to-go bag.
11. Faucet Water is Technically Protected
Locals drink faucet water, however it isn’t really useful for guests. No matter secure consuming water, we pack this self-cleaning water bottle on all our journeys to replenish on the lodge or airport.

12. Mauritius has a whole lot of historical past, and Sugar is a Large a part of it
Many of the fields in Mauritius are sugarcane fields, and sugarcane farms nonetheless dominate 70% of the land. Among the best locations to study extra in regards to the historical past of sugarcane in Mauritius is Sugar World (L’Aventure de Sucre). Right here, you may also do a sugar tasting and a rum tasting.
Because of the sugar business, after slavery was abolished, the British examined out indentured labor and unfold it to the remainder of the world on account of their success. You may study extra about that at Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Website, the stays of an Immigration Depot inbuilt 1849.
Do you know the now-extinct Dodo hen can also be from Mauritius? You’ll discover them on souvenirs and branding everywhere in the island.
13. Souvenirs
- Sugar from L’Aventure du Sucre – we purchased a number of for pals again residence that love baking or consuming espresso.
- Phoenix is the island’s hottest native beer. We by no means verify our luggage, however you possibly can carry again some native beer or liquor for those who do.
- Native Rum or Fruit Wines – Most cocktails are made with rum since they supply from native rhumeries. There aren’t native grape wines, however yow will discover native fruit wines.
14. In the event you Love Golf, You’ll Love Mauritius
{Golfing} may be very fashionable in Mauritius. There are ten 18-hole programs and 4 9-hole programs, some designed by Gary Participant and Ernie Els. Mauritius was residence to the primary golf course within the southern hemisphere.

15. World Class Diving Over Snorkeling
We weren’t impressed with the snorkeling on the reefs, however Mauritius has world-class diving. There are round 50 dive websites throughout the island. If we might have a do-over, we might have taken a PADI refresher course and booked some diving excursions as a substitute.
Native Tip: Don’t neglect coral-safe sunscreen. We have been disenchanted by all of the bleached coral we noticed.

16. The underwater Waterfall can solely be Seen from a Helicopter
The underwater waterfall, an optical phantasm, is a well-known landmark you could see whereas visiting Mauritius. It might solely be seen through helicopter, which is at all times climate dependent. Plan your trip early in your go to in order that if it will get canceled, you’ll have loads of time to reschedule.

The place to Keep in Mauritius
We cut up our keep between two completely different areas on the island to maximise our keep. Typically,
- The northern shore is extra touristy,
- the south aspect is wilder,
- the west aspect is nearer to fashionable points of interest,
- and the east aspect is quieter, with extra luxurious resorts.
Native Tip: There are over 100 seashores alongside the coast. Most pristine ones in images are non-public seashores for resorts and motels.
Are you planning on visiting Mauritius within the close to future? Have you ever been already? Are there any ideas that we have to add?
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Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Native Adventurer, one of many prime 5 journey blogs within the US. They consider that journey may be discovered close to and much and hope to encourage others to discover domestically. They discover a brand new metropolis in depth yearly and presently base themselves in Las Vegas.
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