Many plan for holidays with family and friends thus the possibility of holidaying alone may seem rather daunting. Often when travelling alone, budgets and time are top priorities. Solo travel is often on the bucket list of many people and it’s never too early to strike off an item! Certain things are absolute necessities when traveling, especially safety.
When going to an unknown country, it’s better to be safe than sorry- picking out countries without political instability, affordable health care and low crime rate is a must. The islands in the Indian Ocean make perfect destinations for the lonely traveler. Mauritius, Reunion Island and the Seychelles are beatific places in that respect.
1. Always have a Plan!
While some of the beauty of traveling alone is the unpredictability of exploration, it is important to have at least a rudimentary plan. Assuming you are visiting the islands, the beaches are wonderful for the solitary wanderer. The Northern coasts especially are very striking and moderately populated on the average weekday. It may as well be desolate outside of holiday season summer. Given the tropical climate, it is far from a hardship to swim during the day if you are used to lower temperatures. If you like a peaceful environment, it would be best to make alternate plans for the weekend, especially Sundays. The beaches tend to be packed with families having a good time. It does have a beauty of its own though!
2. Know where you are…
Modern technology has made all of us lazy when it comes to get by on our own. Google Map is the new Holy Book for the traveler and unfortunately… Mauritius and many of the Seychelles are inaccurately or incompletely mapped. It is strongly recommended to invest in a real map despite the lack of nifty features such as zooming in!
In Mauritius, getting lost somewhere is not that much of a worry. Muggings are quasi inexistent and there are buses practically everywhere to take you back. Nearly all the locals can speak and understand French and most have acceptable oratory English skills, they will not hesitate to help.
However, in Seychelles, this implies a huge taxi/cab fare as the inflation rate is much higher over there. So, keep to the tracks if you wish to keep your wallet!
3. Precautions reduce the risk of bankruptcy
In prime place of importance is Medical Expenses.
In Mauritius, medical care is free for everyone, irrespective of nationality or any other status. Still, it is advised to get medical insurance in case of any mishap which will require further treatment.
In the Seychelles, there are many requirements to qualify for free health care and going there without previous arrangements is advised against.
4. Reach out to fellow travelers
Like you, there are definitely other travelers who are alone but would not mind a companion for a few hours or maybe more. The internet is full of forums with tourists reaching out when their visit to a country coincides with the other. During the holidays like Christmas, this is an unquestionable plus for both. Making new friends in a strange country creates great bonds which last a long time for certain people. Or you may roam the beaches, talk with the fisherman- the local guys always have the best stories to tell. Even the concierge at the hotel wouldn’t refuse a chat. This is all a lesson in however much solitude is lovely, one shouldn’t forget that the outside world exists and it is full of great individuals.
5. Food!
Mauritius, Reunion Island and the Seychelles all have a diverse cuisine. They have had, throughout the years, African, Asian, Indian and European influences creating at the end assorted menus. They satisfy the palates of everyone, whether you are a street food junkie or a gourmet food addict, there is a place for you on the Vanilla Islands!
Mauritius in particular offers quite the treat for the rum aficionado. The is an entire tour dedicated to rum tasting in Chamarel’s distillery- undeniably worth checking out if you are a fan of rum or even liquor.
** If you are looking to rent accommodations for your holidays, check out these exclusive villas in Mauritius!
