Eastern AfricaMauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 2,300 km from Africa. Visitors come for beaches, natural beauty, water sports and a mix of cultures. The capital is Port Louis.
Why go
White-sand beaches and clear lagoons.
Coral reefs, colourful fish and shipwrecks.
Mountain walks and Black River Gorges National Park.
Food with French, Indian, Chinese and Eastern African influences.
Rodrigues island for walking, diving and fishing.
Best time to go: May to November has warm, dry winter weather. October is the driest month, and June to August are the coolest. Cyclones can occur from November to April, especially from late December to March.
Getting there
By air
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is at Plaisance, in the southeast. Its airport code is MRU.
- Air Mauritius connects the island with destinations in Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia. Other regional and international airlines also serve Mauritius.
- Morning arrivals can be crowded when flights from Europe land. Immigration checks can be slow.
By sea
- Mauritius Pride and Mauritius Trochetia carry passengers and cargo on routes serving Réunion, Rodrigues and Madagascar.
- Coraline lists weekly sailings from Port Louis Harbour to Rodrigues and Réunion. Its telephone number is +230 208 5900.
Customs
- The source states that, from June 2023, arriving visitors must provide the Mauritius All in One form, accommodation details and return ticket details.
- Travellers arriving from countries where malaria is common may receive a government health visit. A blood sample for malaria screening may be required.
- Only limited amounts of liquids can be taken through passport control when leaving.
Getting around
Bus
Buses are the cheapest way to travel around the island. Some routes have air-conditioned buses. A conductor collects fares and gives tickets after you board. Most conductors can help visitors with directions. Try to pay with exact change. Deliberate overcharging of tourists is uncommon. Route information is available from the Ministry of Land Transport, Mauritius Buses and MoMove. Drivers may skip stops or change routes when there are few passengers.
Metro Express light rail
The line connects Port Louis and Curepipe through Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Vacoas-Phoenix. Trains run every 10 minutes from 6 AM to 7 PM. The full journey takes about 40 minutes and costs Rs 50.
Hire car
Drive on the left and give priority to vehicles coming from the right. Some roads are narrow. Choose a company with a tourism enterprise licence and full insurance. Licensed rental cars have yellow number plates; private cars have black plates. Drivers must be over 18. Most rental companies require two years of driving experience or an age above 21. Foreign driving licences are accepted if readable in English or French. A certified translation may be needed for other languages. Seat belts are compulsory. Speed limits are 110 km/h on motorways and 50 km/h in built-up areas. Leaving the airport car park in a hired car costs MUR 30, payable in cash.
Travel to Rodrigues
Air Mauritius operates daily flights between Plaisance Airport and Rodrigues. The flight takes about one hour and 15 minutes. Passenger ships also connect Mauritius and Rodrigues.
What to see and do
Black River Gorges National Park
Explore a 6,794-hectare forest with native plants, birds and other wildlife.
Le Pouce
This 812-metre mountain offers views of Port Louis and the north. The climb from Petit Verger takes about two hours.
Signal Mountain
See Port Louis and the north from the summit. A paved jogging track from Labourdonnais Street takes about 45 minutes to walk.
Northern beaches
Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy and Péreybère offer beaches and swimming spots.
Rodrigues
This small, rugged volcanic island lies 550 km northeast of Mauritius. Its capital, Port Mathurin, is only seven streets wide.
Dive or snorkel
Explore coral reefs, fish and shipwrecks, especially around Flic-en-Flac and the north. November to April offers very good underwater visibility.
Food and drink
Dholl puri
An Indian-origin dish that has become a very common local food.
Curries with rice or flatbread
Curries are served with rice, chapatti, roti or farata. Lentils, vegetables, beans and pickles often accompany meals.
Biryani
A dish of meat, spiced rice and potatoes, prepared by the Muslim community.
Street snacks
Try gateaux piments, or chilli cakes, vegetable or meat samosas, and octopus curry in bread.
Rougaille
A tomato-and-onion dish usually made with meat or seafood. Corned beef and salted snoek fish versions are popular.
Local sweets
Look for cakes, gulab jamun and rasgulla. Bengali rasagulas are especially popular.
Money
Mauritian rupee (MUR), written as Rs or ₨.
- Banknotes come in values of Rs 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000.
- Coins come in values of Rs 1, 5, 10 and 20.
- Exchange rates change. The source lists XE.com for current rates.
- Carry exact change for buses and cash for the airport car park charge.
Typical costs
- Bus: MUR 44 for a one-way trip, as listed for 2023.
- Metro Express: Rs 50 for the full journey.
- Car hire: around €25 a day on average.
- Phoenix beer: around Rs 30 for a pint.
- Airport mobile phone cards: from MUR 700 per month.
Language
- English is the official language and is spoken by tourism workers and government staff.
- French is widely spoken and commonly used in formal and professional settings.
- Mauritian Creole is commonly used in everyday conversations between locals.
- Other languages include Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri, Mandarin and Tamil.
Staying safe
- Stay alert to suspicious behaviour, even though the source describes Mauritius as relatively safe for visitors.
- Tourism Police and Coast Guards regularly patrol tourist areas.
- Most cities, beaches and major attractions have camera surveillance.
- Cyclones can occur between November and April, especially from late December to March.
Staying healthy
- Use protection against mosquito bites at all times. Mosquitoes can spread dengue and chikungunya, including in tourist beach areas.
- Some mosquitoes that spread chikungunya are active during the day. They are more common in rural areas but also occur near beaches.
- Wear water shoes in the sea. Sea urchins and broken glass can be present, including where hotel swimming areas are cleaned.
- Reef fish can contain toxins. The source warns against eating their intestines or testes, and against combining reef fish with peanuts or alcohol.
Phone and internet
- Emtel and My.t sell mobile phone cards at the airport.
- Both also sell eSIMs, which are digital phone cards.
- Prices start at MUR 700 per month. A passport is required.
Where to stay
- International hotel brands operate on the island.
- Some luxury hotels are owned by Mauritian companies.
- Self-catering bungalows and apartments are available, many directly on the beach.
Trips to Mauritius
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in Mauritius
Mauritius offers forest walks, mountain hikes, coral reefs and sandy beaches. You can also explore lagoons by kayak, take a wildlife safari or try guided climbing and canyoning. Winter runs from May to November and is generally warm and dry; summer is hotter and wetter.
Black River Gorges National Park
HikeBlack River Gorges
Start at the Pétrin information centre and follow the trail towards native plants and a conservation area.
- Use mosquito protection in rural areas.
Le Pouce
HikeNear St. Pierrenear St. Pierre
Easy About 2 hours to climb; another 2 hours to walk into Port LouisBegin the climb in Petit Verger village, near St. Pierre.
Signal Mountain
HikePort Louisnear Port Louis
About 45 minutes to the top from Labourdonnais StreetFollow the paved jogging track from Labourdonnais Street. Starting from Saint Louis is also possible.
Black River Peak Trail
HikeBlack River Gorges National Park
Take the Black River Peak Trail in Black River Gorges National Park.
- Use mosquito protection in rural areas.
Maccabee Trail
HikeBlack River Gorges National Park
The trail starts near the Black River Peak route and descends into the gorge towards Black River.
- Use mosquito protection in rural areas.
Tamarind Falls hiking and canyoning
More to doTamarind Falls, also called the Seven Cascades
Beginner canyoning includes about 20 minutes of walking back uphill; total time is not givenJoin a canyoning tour starting at the top of the seven waterfalls. Beginner tours descend the first two or three falls, then walk back up. A hiking path also follows the waterfalls.
- The hiking path is challenging.
- Canyoning uses ropes and equipment to descend steep canyon walls.
Reef and wreck diving: Cathedral, Whale Rock, Roche Zozo and Ile Ronde
Scuba divingWest coast, northern Mauritius and offshore islandsnear Flic-en-Flac
November to April, with very good underwater visibilityChoose a dive trip around Flic-en-Flac, Trou aux Biches or the Northern Islands. Cathedral is off Flic-en-Flac; other named sites include Whale Rock, Roche Zozo and a submerged crater near Ile Ronde.
Yemen Nature Reserve jeep and quad safaris
SafariWest coast
Take a jeep safari or quad bike outing through the reserve.
Ile aux Cerfs beaches and water sports
BeacheOff Trou d'Eau Doucenear Trou d'Eau Douce
Take a regular boat from Trou d'Eau Douce. Options include speedboats, catamarans, yachts and themed pirate ships.
- Wear water shoes because sea urchins and broken glass can occur on beaches and in the water.
Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy and Péreybère
BeacheNorthern coast
Visit these northern beaches for swimming. Mont Choisy curves north from Trou aux Biches; Péreybère lies between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux.
- Wear water shoes because sea urchins and broken glass can occur on beaches and in the water.
- Use mosquito protection, including at the beach.
La Cuvette sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing
SailingNorthern coastnear Grand Baie
Head to La Cuvette beach between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux for sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing.
- Wear water shoes when entering the water.
Grand Baie parasailing and underwater walks
More to doNorthern coastnear Grand Baie
Head to Grand Baie for water sports, including parasailing and underwater walks. Parasailing starts with a safety briefing and a boat ride to the launch platform.
- Parasailing begins with a safety briefing.
Northern Islands catamaran trip
SailingGabriel Island, Flat Island and Gunner's Quoin
Take a catamaran trip to the Northern Islands.
Sea kayaking and Ile D'Ambre
KayakingCoastal lagoons and offshore islets
Options range from shorter outings to several daysChoose a sea kayaking trip through a lagoon, on open water or to a small islet such as Ile D'Ambre.
- Routes range from calmer lagoon water to deep open-ocean water.
Belle Vue Cliffs rock climbing
ClimbingNear Albion and La Pointe aux Cavesnear Albion
Climb at Belle Vue Cliffs near Albion lighthouse. Guides are available to teach basic techniques.
- Guides can teach knots, safe climbing and how to move on rock.
Domaine Les Pailles mountain outings
More to doMoka mountains
Explore the nature park by quad bike, horse or four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Domaine du Chasseur hillside hike and wildlife
WildlifeAnse Jonchée hills
Walk uphill from the car park towards the restaurant. A four-wheel-drive taxi is also available.
- Cost: Optional 5-minute taxi: Rs230 per person for visitors only buying tea or dessert; free with a meal. This price dates from July 2016.
- The walk from the car park is steep.
Bel Ombre Nature Reserve
HikeBel Ombrenear Bel Ombre
Visit the reserve for hiking, four-wheel-drive safaris and trips to hidden waterfalls.
- Use mosquito protection in rural areas.
Bel Ombre beaches, lagoon and southern trails
BeacheBel Ombrenear Bel Ombre
Visit the beaches for swimming, explore marine life by diving or snorkelling, or take a boat excursion through the lagoon and nearby islets. Southern trails offer hiking and mountain biking.
- Wear water shoes when entering the water.
- Use mosquito protection.
Rodrigues walking and water sports
More to doRodrigues Islandnear Port Mathurin
On Rodrigues, choose from walking, diving, kitesurfing and deep-sea fishing.
West coast deep-sea fishing
More to doWest coast, around Le Morne
Half-day or full-day tripsTake a game-fishing boat trip. Boats usually carry up to five anglers.
- Most game-fishing boats carry life jackets, medical kits and communication equipment.
West coast dolphin watching
WildlifeWest coast
2 hours, half a day or a full dayTake a speedboat trip to watch dolphins in the open sea.
Tandem skydiving
More to do
Take a scenic flight followed by a jump from about 3,000 m, attached by a harness to an instructor.
- The instructor controls the jump, parachute flight and landing.
- You receive instruction before jumping.
Blue Safari submarine
Wildlife
Take a submarine excursion to a depth of 35 m to view a shipwreck, coral reefs and tropical fish.
Underwater submarine scooter adventure
More to donear Grand Baie
Try an underwater scooter alone or as a pair. Grand Baie offers these trips. You receive a control briefing and a diving suit before going to a depth of 3–4 m.
- A briefing explains how to control the scooter.
Airports, metros and trains in Mauritius
Airports with scheduled flights
- MRUSir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International AirportPlaine MagnienMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 30 km
- Electrified
- 30 km
People and safety in Mauritius
Religion
Most people are Hindu. Mixed.
- Hindu56%
- Christian25%
- Muslim17%
- Folk religions<1%
- No religion<1%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #94 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
53% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 182 of 198 countries can visit Mauritius easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required118
- Visa on arrival64
- Visa required16
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Oceania14 of 14 countries
- Europe45 of 46 countries
- Americas34 of 35 countries
- Africa48 of 53 countries
- Asia41 of 50 countries
Questions
When is the driest time to visit?
Winter, from May to November, is warm and dry. October is the driest month.
Which airport will I arrive at?
The main international airport is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport at Plaisance, in the southeast. Its code is MRU.
What is the cheapest way to get around?
Local buses are the cheapest option. A conductor collects your fare after you board, and exact change is helpful.
What money does Mauritius use?
Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee. Prices may be written with MUR, Rs or ₨.
Can I communicate in English?
English is the official language, and tourism workers generally speak it. French and Mauritian Creole are widely used.
What local food can I try?
Try dholl puri, biryani, rougaille and curries with rice or flatbread. Street snacks include chilli cakes and samosas.
Can I drink tap water?
Tap water is generally considered drinkable, and most locals drink it. Bottled water is recommended for visitors who are not used to it.
Where can I stay?
Options include international hotels, locally owned luxury hotels, and self-catering bungalows and apartments. Many self-catering properties are on the beach.
Can I buy a phone card on arrival?
Emtel and My.t sell phone cards and digital eSIMs at the airport from MUR 700 per month. Bring your passport.
When is a good time for diving?
November to April offers very good underwater visibility. Many dive sites are around Flic-en-Flac, Trou aux Biches and the Northern Islands.
Reviewed by @snuck