If this is your first trip to Mauritius, you can easily lose yourself with all its sceneries, places to visit, accommodation and tourist services. Even if we will not cover everything about Mauritius, you will find a lot of info and tips in this article to make it easier and make your trip more enjoyable.
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Mauritius in a nutshell…
Mauritius is a small tropical island located not far from Madagascar in the middle of the Indian Ocean. The island offers gorgeous undulating landscapes of mountains and valleys covered with dense vegetation in addition to the postcard beaches adorning its 300 kilometres of coastline. Hotels in Mauritius are of world class, and the legendary Mauritian hospitality is always there. The island presents itself as a luxury destination for activities and excursions. At any time of the year you will have the opportunity to try big game fishing in rich waters, or try sensational water sports. You can do free-fall skydive for a really affordable price, as well as scuba diving trips which cost around 30 euros all inclusive. Everything is implemented for the well-being of the visitor and the warm welcome of locals is one of the most beautiful things that you will associate with Mauritius.
History and culture…
The island has a rich past history and has been colonized several times, notably by the French who occupied the island until 1810 when the English debarked. Maurice remained a British colony, but in 1968 the island obtained its independence and is now one of the most prosperous economies in Africa.
The Mauritian culture is characterized by different people originating from Africa, India, China, and France. Hinduism is the most important ethnic group on the island, but it is a true melting pot of traditions that the country has. The traditional music and dance of the island is the Sega which is a mix of African influences. The Sega Bhojpuri is the other variation keeping the same rhythm but with a change in language, the Bhojpuri a beautiful mix of creole and traditional Indian words.
You should definitely visit the capital Port Louis for bargains and at the same time make yourself a clear picture of the multicultural history of the island. The amazing botanical gardens of Pamplemousses, with its giant water lilies are quite famous amongst locals and tourists, a must-see attraction in Mauritius. Not far from the capital, in Mapou you will discover Le Chateau de Labourdonnais, a domain rich in history also home to one of the best restaurants on the island: La Table du Château.
Entertainment, food and beverage…
On the activities side, no time to get bored! Hotels in Mauritius offer activities for all ages. The most popular water activities are windsurfing, paddle-boarding, snorkeling and scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, deep-sea fishing, boat trips, catamaran sailing, parasailing and sailing.
Inside the island, hiking trails appear one after another. The National Park of the Gorges of the Black River is a real sanctuary cut off from the rest to discover the rich fauna and flora of the country. The other unavoidable of the region is the iridescent village of Chamarel. The multiple waterfalls, parks and the village’s main attraction; the Seven Coloured of Chamarel guarantees a vibrant day. Few kilometres away, you can visit the sacred lake of Ganga Talao also known as Grand Bassin, a place venerated by the Hindu community in Mauritius. For the best experience, we advise car rental in Mauritius and for a complete list of attractions and beaches, feel free to read our 2 articles:
Recommended articles: Places not to be missed in Mauritius
The most beautiful beaches in Mauritius
Mauritius has almost 100 beaches, most of which are protected by a coral reef which is the third largest in the world. The placid lagoons blend perfectly with the white sandy coastline. The most famous resorts are Grand Baie and Flic en Flac, where it is ideal for sunbathing, swimming, diving and also sea trips to discover the neighbouring islets. All beaches are public in Mauritius and there are bathrooms and toilets on most public beaches. Here are some well-known beaches:
The beaches of the north:
- Grand Bay
- La Cuvette
- Pereybere
- Mont Choisy
- Trou aux Biches
- Pointe aux Piments
The beaches of the west:
- Balaclava
- Albion
- Flic en Flac
- Tamarin
- The Preneuse
- Le Morne
The beaches of the south:
- Rivière of the Gallets
- Saint Felix
- Gris-Gris
- Bel Ombre
- The Cambuse
- Pomponette
The beaches of the east:
- Poste La Fayette
- Belle Mare
- Palmar
- Trou d’Eau Douce
- Ile aux Cerfs
- Pointe d’Esny
Tips and travel info
Documents and other entry formalities:
- No need for VISA for Mauritius, a valid passport is enough.
- You will need a reservation of accommodation to present at the airport
- Sufficient funds for daily expenses (currency, travellers checks, credit card, bank account)
- Presentation of the return flight reservation
- The maximum length of stay is 3 months, but you can apply to the Mauritian immigration office for an extension of stay.
- There is a duty-free shop at the airport where you can buy 250 grams of tobacco, 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, soda or beer, 250 millilitres of toilet water per person.
- For pets, a health certificate from the country of origin is required.
Things to be careful about:
- Use the hotel room safe and avoid going out with a lot of money in the busy places like the beach or in the cities.
- Never leave your documents or passport as a guarantee.
- Driving is left in Mauritius.
- Avoid parking under fruit trees and coconut trees and always lock your vehicle.
- If you take the bus, keep your ticket until you’ve reached the destination.
- The TV is refundable in more than 1000 registered stores. Details here
- The local currency is the Mauritian rupee. (1 Euro ≈ 38 rupees)
We hope that this little guide will serve you during your next visit to Mauritius. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to write us a comment. Enjoy your holidays on the island.
