Last update: Oct 23, 2026
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Mauritius Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
"Best for" scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
"Your personal" scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
"Suited for" badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travelers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Mauritius – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type G
Type C:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Mauritian Rupee (MUR) $1 ≈ MUR 47.27 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in Mauritius, especially in urban areas, resorts, and major businesses. Credit cards and mobile payment options are common in most tourist spots.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not compulsory in Mauritius, but a small tip (5-10%) for good service is appreciated in restaurants. It is common to leave small tips for hotel staff and taxi drivers. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in designated areas like beaches and bars. However, it is not common to drink in public spaces outside of tourist areas. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is allowed in designated areas, but smoking is banned in indoor public places like restaurants and cafes. Many places have non-smoking sections. |
| Independence Day (March 12) |
Celebrated with national pride, parades, and festivities |
|---|---|
| Diwali (variable) |
Hindu festival celebrated with fireworks and social gatherings |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 999 (Police), 114 (Ambulance), 115 (Fire) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | None, Taxis can be arranged through hotels or directly in popular areas |
| Other: | Mauritius offers beautiful beaches, cultural experiences, and diverse cuisine. It is important to note that healthcare is better in urban areas, and the public transportation system can be limited in rural regions. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Mauritius, Mauritius
Cyclone season December to April, most likely January to March, with heavy rain and possible hotel and flight disruption
Climate varies by coast: north and west are drier and sunnier, south-east gets trade winds and more rain, central plateau is cooler and wetter
Don't miss
- 🏝️ Relax on the turquoise shores of Trou-aux-Biches Beach
- 🥾 Hike to the summit of Le Morne Brabant
- 🐠 Snorkel among coral reefs in Blue Bay Marine Park
- 🌈 Marvel at the colorful sands of Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths
- 🌿 Take a scenic drive through lush Black River Gorges National Park
- 🏛️ Visit the historic Aapravasi Ghat and learn its heritage story
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Mauritius?
Mauritius is a beach holiday that doesn't have to stay on the beach. The lagoons inside the reef are calm and shallow and suit swimming and snorkeling. Le Morne in the southwest is a known spot for kitesurfing. Inland there are waterfalls, crater lakes and forest trails in Black River Gorges National Park. On the Chamarel plain, the Seven Coloured Earth is a patch of sand dunes in several shades with a waterfall nearby. The cultures are as much a reason to go. Indian, Creole, Chinese and European communities live side by side, so places of worship for several faiths are often a short drive apart. Ganga Talao is a crater lake in the center and the island's most important Hindu site. Pilgrims walk there from across the island for Maha Shivaratri in February or March. Port Louis has a large central market and a waterfront with shops and restaurants. Aapravasi Ghat there is a UNESCO-listed site linked to the arrival of indentured workers. Le Morne Brabant is also UNESCO-listed, as a symbol of resistance to slavery. A week is enough for a beach base and a few day trips. With ten days you can add a stay in a second region. The island is small, so a day trip rarely takes more than two hours each way.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Mauritius Carnival
-
Diwali Festival
-
Cavadee Festival
-
Chinese Spring Festival
-
Independence Day (March 12)
-
Festival Kreol
-
Porlwi Festival
-
Ganesh Chaturthi
-
Holi Celebrations
-
International Kreol Festival
Knowledge before you go
- Drive on the left and watch for unlit motorbikes after dark.
- Use accommodation registered with the Mauritius Tourism Authority and a water sports operator with a ministry permit.
- Cyclone season runs roughly from November to May, so check forecasts and your insurance if you travel then.
- Cigarette papers are illegal to import or possess, so check your bags carefully before you pack.
How to travel to Mauritius
Most visitors arrive by air at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) at Plaisance in the southeast. Air Mauritius is the national airline and flies from Europe, the Gulf, South Africa, India and Réunion. Other airlines add direct routes from several of these. Rodrigues has its own small airport, served by flights from the main island. From the airport it's about 31 mi to Port Louis and roughly 43 mi to the north coast around Grand Baie. Allow around an hour to an hour and a half by taxi or hire car, depending on traffic and your resort. Taxis and pre-booked transfers are the easy choice after a long flight. No scheduled ferries run from other countries, but cruise ships call at Port Louis. Many nationalities can enter without a visa for up to 60 days. An onward ticket and an online travel form are usually required. Check the current rules for your passport before you fly.
Access summary
- Fly into MRU from Africa, Europe, Asia, Middle East; hotel shuttles, taxis.
- From nearby islands (Réunion, Rodrigues, Seychelles): regional flights into MRU, occasional ferries.
- Air Mauritius hub at MRU; non-allied carrier with broad interline partnerships.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Mauritius
Beach resorts are the main type of accommodation on Mauritius, from large all-inclusive hotels to small boutique places, with guesthouses and holiday villas as cheaper options. The island is small, so the main choice is which coast suits you, since you can reach most sights from any of them. The north around Grand Baie and Pereybère has the most restaurants, shops and nightlife. The west around Flic en Flac and Le Morne is drier and sunny with calmer water and good sunsets. The east around Belle Mare has long beaches and large resorts. It's windier here than on the west coast. The south around Mahébourg and Bel Ombre has a wilder coast that's quieter and less suited to swimming. The central plateau around Curepipe is cooler and wetter and mostly suits a stop for sights. Rooms can book up early around Christmas and New Year, so reserve ahead for those weeks.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Mauritius
Mauritius is about 37 mi long, so most journeys take under two hours. Buses cover nearly every town and village. The Metro Express light rail runs between Port Louis and Curepipe. Taxis or a hire car fill the gaps. Rodrigues, the outer island, needs a flight.
Buses:
Public buses are cheap and go almost everywhere. They suit short hops between towns more than a day with a tight plan.
Metro Express:
The light rail links Port Louis with Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Curepipe in the central towns. It's useful for day trips to the capital if you're staying in the plateau area. It's less useful for the beach coasts.
Taxis:
Taxis aren't metered, so agree the fare before you get in. Many hotels can arrange a driver for a full day, which is often easier than a hire car if you don't want to drive.
Car:
Traffic drives on the left and the main roads are good. Accidents are common. Motorbikes often ride without headlights at night and pedestrians use main roads. A car helps most in the south and west where buses are sparser.
Flights to Rodrigues:
Air Mauritius flies from the main airport to Rodrigues in under two hours. Book ahead in busy periods.
Food in Mauritius
Mauritian food mixes Indian, Creole, Chinese and French cooking. A single meal can include a curry, a stir-fry and a baguette. Street food is a big part of daily eating, especially in Port Louis. Vegetarian dishes are easy to find in Indian-style cafés. Supermarkets and markets sell fresh fruit and fish if you're self-catering.
Dholl puri:
A soft flatbread filled with ground split peas, served with curry and a chilli paste. It's the classic street snack and often a quick breakfast or lunch.
Gateaux piments:
Small crispy fritters made from split peas and chilli. They're sold hot from stalls and are usually eaten as an afternoon snack with chutney.
Cari and rougaille:
Cari is a curry, often made with chicken or fish. Rougaille is a tomato stew served with fish, sausages or eggs. Both are eaten with rice and are staples of Creole home cooking.
Alouda:
A cold milk drink with basil seeds and syrup, sold from street carts and cafés. It's a popular way to cool down in the heat.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Mauritius are around 48% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (USD to MUR) is 7% better than in recent years. That means traveling now is cheaper compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal |
Other
| 🎞️ Movie ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Mauritius is generally safe. Most crime is non-violent, such as petty theft and burglaries in tourist areas like Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. Avoid poorly lit areas and empty beaches at night. Keep valuables in a hotel safe.
Health & Medical
Private healthcare is good and many staff speak English, but it can be costly. Complex cases may need evacuation to Réunion or South Africa, so insurance with evacuation cover matters. Dengue and chikungunya are mosquito risks. Stonefish stings are rare but need urgent care.
Accessibility
Access varies between resorts, so ask about ramps and step-free rooms before booking. Streets in Port Louis and villages can be crowded and some roads have no pavements. Forest trails and Le Morne involve uneven ground. A private driver is usually the easiest option.
Tap water
Tap water is treated, but advice on drinking it straight from the tap differs and older pipes can affect taste and quality. A safe choice is bottled or filtered water, which is easy to buy. Boil water if you're unsure, especially after heavy rain.
Packing recommendations for Mauritius
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
🥾
Hiking boots
📷
Camera
🌞
Sunscreen
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal power adapter
🩺
Prescription medication
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
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