Mauritius is a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean archipelago.
Once dependent on sugar exports, the island has built up a strong outsourcing and financial services sector, as well as an important tourism industry, and now boasts one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes.
Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, in a dispute with Britain that saw hundreds of islanders deported to make way for a US military base on the island of Diego Garcia in the 1960s.
Facts about Mauritius:
Population 1.3 million
Area 2,040 sq km (788 sq miles)
Major languages English (official), Creole, French, Indian languages
Major religions Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
Life expectancy 71 years (men), 78 years (women)
Blog Posts
Mauritius: Southwest – a area of natural beauty
Mauritius: Ganga Talao Hindu Temples
Mauritius: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden
Mauritius: Port Louis – Aapravasi Ghat
USEFUL INFORMATION
Currency & banking
Current exchange rate:$1USD = 44.11 Mauritius Rupee
Banking Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9.15 am -3.15 pm
Friday: 9.15 am -3.30 pm
Saturday: 9.15 am -11.15 am (Some banks only)
Banks are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport.
Credit Cards
Credit and debit cards are the most convenient way to access your funds in Mauritius. Most international cards can be used to withdraw money at ATMs. Plastic can come in very handy for hotel bookings and for paying for more mainstream and upmarket tourist facilities and is essential for car rental. Visa and Mastercard are the cards most widely accepted in major cities.
ATM machines & Banks
ATMs are widely available throughout Mauritius.
Tipping
Tipping is not compulsory.
Electronic Devices
You can charge your cameras, phones and other electric items in most accommodations. If you bring more than a couple of chargeable items you might consider bringing an extension with extra outlets since the amount of outlets is often limited. We advise bringing extra batteries for your camera since many lodges generate power with solar or generators and power cuts might occur. Solar-generated lodges will often only have power available in the rooms at certain hours of the day, but you can always use the charging ports in the main lodge area.
Health advice
The US Center For Disease Control maintains an updated list of medical advice for those travelling to Mauritius
The CDC recommends being up to date with all your regular shots. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot
They also suggest being vaccinated for hepatitis A. There is also some advice about protection for hepatitis B and rabies – but this depends to some degree on where you are heading and what you are doing.
Insect-borne diseases
Insect-borne illnesses occur, particularly in the warmer months from October to May.
Disease risks include:
- dengue
- malaria
- chikungunya
Some cases of dengue have been reported in Mauritius. There have been some cases of malaria reported in the past.
To protect yourself from disease:
- make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
- use insect repellent
- wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
Get medical advice if you develop a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a bad headache.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is a risk. Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.
Health care
The standard of public medical facilities varies.
The public regional hospitals have modern equipment and can offer specialised care for most injuries and illnesses. However, you will have limited access to services in rural public clinics. All doctors speak English. Foreign patients will generally be charged minimal fees to cover consumables after treatment.
Mauritius also has several private hospitals and clinics that have modern equipment and can offer specialised care for most injuries and illnesses. All doctors speak English. These facilities will generally require upfront payment before treatment.
Private health care can be expensive, so make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment abroad and repatriation. We recommend World Nomads for your travel insurance, but there are many other options.
Food safety
Only eat food that is cooked and served hot. Eat fruits and vegetables that you have personally washed in clean water or peeled yourself. Never eat food sold by street vendors. Only drink boiled water that is sealed and has been filtered and disinfected. Prefer carbonated drinks, hot coffee or tea, and pasteurized milk.
Safety
Petty crime is common. Take care of bags and valuables in popular tourist areas including Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. Use a hotel safe, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, separately.
There have been reports of burglaries at villas where tourists have been staying. Make sure accommodation and hotel rooms are secure. Avoid renting accommodation that isn’t registered with the Mauritius Tourism Authority. You should read the Safety and Security Measures if you’re staying in rented accommodation.
Most crime is non-violent, but weapons have been used in some burglaries. Although uncommon, there have been some instances of sexual assault on tourists. Avoid walking alone at night on beaches or in poorly lit areas especially in the back streets of the business district of Port Louis.
There have been reports of street robberies near or at ATMs. Take extra care when withdrawing cash.
Getting around
Car
The best way of getting around Mauritius is by car as you’ll have more flexibility to explore at your own pace instead of being tied to schedules.
Some of the main tourist attractions in Mauritius like Chamarel Seven Colored Earth, Alexandra Falls viewpoint, or Black River Gorges aren’t accessible by public bus, so renting a car will be your best bet.
Public Bus
If you’re wondering how to get around Mauritius on a budget, the best option is to use the public bus.
The bus network in Mauritius is quite extensive and travels to almost all towns and villages, except for the places mentioned above.
Buses in Mauritius generally operate from 5.30 a.m to 8 p.m at 10-minute to 1-hour intervals.
Climate
Current Weather Forecasts
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Port Louis
Friday
 86°
broken clouds
 Clouds52%
 Humidity74%
 Wind9mph
Fri
Min79°
Max85°
Sat
Min78°
Max83°
Sun
Min77°
Max83°
Mon
Min78°
Max84°
Tue
Min77°
Max83°
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Mahebourg
Friday
83°
broken clouds
Clouds75%
Humidity83%
Wind11mph
Fri
Min79°
Max83°
Sat
Min78°
Max81°
Sun
Min78°
Max80°
Mon
Min78°
Max81°
Tue
Min77°
Max80°
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The best time to visit Mauritius is toward the end of the year, from October through to December, when temperatures are hottest. However, Mauritius has an enviable subtropical climate that normally brings sun, warmth, and blue skies, so expect perfect beach weather for most of the year.
The Chamarel Mountains in the south can get rain at any time of year, which provides them with a luxuriant green covering, but the rest of the island generally only sees prolonged rain in January and February, when cyclones roll in from the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius – Month-by-Month
Early January is very popular due to the Christmas holidays and escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter. However, this time of year is prone to cyclones and rain so is not a reliable time to travel.
February is affected by cyclones, so we would advise against traveling at this time.
Events & Festivals- Holi festival (end of February or March): Celebrating the beginning of spring, it’s also known as the Festival of Colours due to the brightly coloured powder and water that is thrown around the streets, covering everyone in its path.
- Holi festival (end of February or March): Celebrating the beginning of spring, it’s also known as the Festival of Colours due to the brightly coloured powder and water that is thrown around the streets, covering everyone in its path.
- Ganesh Chaturthi festival (August or September): This Hindu festival honoring the elephant-headed god Ganesh is a public holiday in Mauritius. Colorful Ganesh statues are displayed publicly and at home before being immersed in a body of water.
- Ganesh Chaturthi festival (August or September): This Hindu festival honoring the elephant-headed god Ganesh is a public holiday in Mauritius. Colorful Ganesh statues are displayed publicly and at home before being immersed in a body of water.
- Diwali (October/November): With its significant Indian/Hindu population, Mauritius sees enthusiastic Diwali celebrations, with twinkling candles and lamps lit across the island to mark the Festival of Lights.
- Diwali (October/November): With its significant Indian/Hindu population, Mauritius sees enthusiastic Diwali celebrations, with twinkling candles and lamps lit across the island to mark the Festival of Lights.
Tourist Visas for Mauritius
Visa Eligibility Criteria
- A valid passport, where the expiry date is beyond the intended period of stay.
- A valid return or onward ticket to the country of origin or residence.
- A confirmed booking for accommodation – for example, a booking at a hotel. If the person travelling is being sponsored by a Mauritian citizen, they will need to produce evidence of sponsorship, stating their name, address, profession, relationship, national identity card number and telephone number.
- Sufficient funds to meet the costs of stay (US$100 per night).
- A pledge not to engage in any profit-making activities.
Application Procedure
- Duly filled and signed application forms are available at http://passport.govmu.org
- The following documents must be provided:
- Two recent passport-sized photographs;
- A photocopy of data pages within the traveller’s passport; and a photocopy of the residence/re-Entry visa with three months validity, where applicable.
An average of five working days is required for processing applications and for a visa to be issued, provided all relevant documents are submitted.
Citizens of most contries do not need a visa or may obtain a visa on arrival to Mauritius for tourism purpose.
In Mauritius, the power plug sockets are of type C and G. Check out the following pictures.
- Type C: also known as the standard “Euro” plug. This socket also works with plug E and plug F.
- Type G: this type is of British origin. This socket only works with plug G.
Type C: This socket also works with plug E and F Type G: This socket has no alternative plugs
March is a popular time to visit Mauritius. The weather is hot, but it can also be humid with occasional rainfall.
Events & Festivals
April is hot, with temperatures hitting 86°F.
May is one of the best months to travel to Mauritius. The temperatures are warm, but the humidity has lifted, making for a more comfortable climate. There are also some fantastic offers to take advantage of at this time of year, and it’s a good time to travel if you prefer to have more space to yourself.
June is very pleasant, offering warm, sunny days. Those who prefer hotter weather may find it a bit cooler, with average highs of 75°F, and you may need to wear warm layers for alfresco evenings.
July is a popular time of year due to the summer vacations in the Northern Hemisphere. The trade winds pick up, making some of the less sheltered beaches breezy and bringing temperatures down. In general, average highs are around 73°F.
August follows the pattern of July, with warm days that are perfect for sheltered beaches, but you will appreciate a jumper or coat in the evenings.
Events & Festivals
The trade winds die down during September and the temperatures start to rise once again.
Events & Festivals
October tends to be the driest month, with comfortable average highs of 77°F. It can be quite popular; particularly around half term dates for family vacations.
Events & Festivals
In November the temperatures start to rise, as does the humidity. Gearing up for tropical summer rains, this month can be a real mixture. Some days may be more humid than others, but overall it’s still a good time to visit Mauritius.
Events & Festivals
December is one of the busiest months for visitors to Mauritius; especially over the festive period. Humidity builds throughout the month and it is likely to rain; particularly around Christmas and New Year. However, the rain is normally a heavy shower and helps lower the humidity. Afterwards, the sun usually shines through and it dries up quickly.
Visa requirements
Electrical
In Mauritius, the power plug sockets are of type D, M and N. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
Which power plugs and sockets in Mauritius?
Mexico
Are you planning to visit Mexico? Check if you need a power plug adapter or voltage converter for the power sockets (outlets) used in Mexico.
The following information is for travellers living in the United States of America. I live in another country.
You don’t need a power plug adapter in Mexico when living in the United States of America.
Electricity in Mexico
In Mexico the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. The standard voltage is 127 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz.
Power plug adapter needed in Mexico?
In Mexico the power plugs and sockets are of type A and B. When living in the United States of America you don’t need a power plug adapter in Mexico. Your power plugs fit.
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| Type A: This socket has no alternative plugs | Type B: This socket also works with plug A |