Africa › Mauritius

Mauritius

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Tropical Bliss in the Indian Ocean

Mauritius presents a landscape shaped by volcanic origins and coral reefs. The island features flat coastal plains surrounding central highlands, with mountains like Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire reaching over 800 meters. Clear waters surround the shores, supporting diverse marine life including sea turtles and colorful fish. Inland valleys contain sugarcane fields and tropical forests home to rare birds such as the Mauritius kestrel. The climate remains warm year-round with trade winds moderating temperatures along beaches popular for swimming and water sports.

Country
Climate zone: Tropical rainforest

Tropical rainforest: Equatorial climates with year-round high temperatures and heavy rainfall, supporting dense evergreen forests and rich biodiversity.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury

Note: There can be large regional differences in price levels within a country. Be sure to check the price data of individual cities or regions to get a more detailed view.

See price details
Safety: 6.1
General Safety:7
Health & medical:5
Accessibility:3
Tap water:6
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken in Mauritius, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and businesses. Most locals also speak French and Creole, adding to the island's multicultural vibe.
Last update: 22 Oct 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 travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Great for tropical beaches and water sports. Swim in lagoons, snorkel coral reefs, hike green mountains and enjoy island cuisine.
Place score
8.6
Best at:
Islands
9
Sea
9
Beaches
9
Romantic
9
Luxury
8
Personal score
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Log in to see how this place matches your personal travel interests.
Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 6
Seniors
❤️ 9
Couples
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
Mauritius – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type G
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type G:
Diagram of a Type G power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
£1 ≈ MUR 62.93
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
(12 March)
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 transport 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 colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour 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 grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Mauritius, Mauritius
🌦️
Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
High season: July - Dec.
Shoulder season: Jan., April - June
Crowdedness: 7 (Many tourists)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
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

Why travel to Mauritius?

Mauritius offers a perfect mix of relaxation and adventure. The beaches are postcard-perfect and the underwater world is a diver's paradise. Plus, the culture is rich and diverse, with influences from Africa, India and Europe. The island's natural beauty extends beyond its shores, with lush forests, waterfalls and wildlife to discover.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Ganga Talao Parking
  • 2 Aapravasi Ghat
  • 3 Blue Penny Museum
  • 4 Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
  • 5 Ile aux Cerfs
  • 6 L'Aventure du Sucre
  • 7 Happy House Bagatelle
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Casela Nature Parks
  • 2 Flic en Flac
  • 3 Heritage Golf Club
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Parc national des gorges de Rivière Noire
  • 2 Île aux Aigrettes
  • 3 Rochester Falls
  • 4 Trou-aux-Cerfs
  • 5 Le Morne Brabant
  • 6 Chamarel Waterfalls
  • 7 Tamarind Falls
  • 8 Pieter Both
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Caudan Waterfront
  • 2 Bagatelle Mall
  • 3 Flacq New Market Fair Road
  • 4 Central Market
  • 5 Ruisseau Creole
  • 6 Phoenix Mall
  • 7 Quatre Bornes Market
🎈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 side. Renting a car offers flexibility.
  • Best beaches on east and south coasts; north busier with resorts and watersports.
  • Sample street food like dholl puri and visit local markets for authentic flavors.
  • Hike Black River Gorges National Park for stunning waterfalls and endemic wildlife sightings.

How to travel to Mauritius

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is the main gateway, with flights from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Ferry connections are also available from nearby islands.

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.

Where to stay in Mauritius

Mauritius offers a range of accommodations, from luxury beach resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses. Coastal areas like Grand Baie and Flic en Flac are popular for beachfront stays.

How to get around Mauritius

Buses are affordable and widely available, with major routes connecting Port Louis, Grand Baie and the airport. Taxis are common but negotiate fares upfront. Car rentals provide flexibility, especially for exploring more remote areas.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling 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 customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-48 %
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.

-10 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to MUR) is 10% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling 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.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£55
£120
£319
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£38
£83
£188
🍝 Food per day
£14
£30
£91
🚕 Transportation per day
£3
£7
£40
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£13
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£3.50
🍟 Fast food combo
£4.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£5
☕ Cappuccino
£2
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£2.10
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.65
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£26
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£1.05
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£4.80
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£20
🤧 Cold medication
£5
💇 Basic haircut
£8

Safety information overview

General safety
7
Mauritius is generally safe, but petty theft can occur in busy areas. Use common sense, avoid isolated beaches at night and keep valuables secure.
Health & Medical
5
Mauritius has good healthcare facilities, particularly in private clinics. No specific vaccinations are required, but mosquito repellent is recommended to avoid bites.
Accessi­bility
3
Many hotels and public areas are wheelchair accessible. However, some natural attractions and older buildings might pose challenges for those with mobility issues.
Tap water
6
Tap water is generally safe to drink in Mauritius, but bottled water is recommended for those with sensitive stomachs. Many hotels provide complimentary bottled water.

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.

🥾
Walking boots
📷
Camera
🌞
Sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🪰
Insect repellent
🩱
Swimwear
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
Show more

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