Mauritius, an Indian Ocean archipelago, is well known for its stunningly beautiful beaches, verdant rivers and striking reefs. The hilly interior features white-washed mountains, lush rainforests, wildlife such as the agile flying fox and rainforests. Capital Port Louis also has tourist sites like the Champs de Mars, Eureka, Victorian railway station and 18th century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Gardens. Famous Mauritius attractions include the underwater world famous coral reefs and sea turtle nesting site at Mauritius, which is popular among marine biologists and is protected reserve.
Mauritius Travel Guide is suggesting to have a good knowledge of the local language, because the majority of the people speak English. Even though English is widely spoken, most people still talk in Mango, Hindi, French, Tamil, Chinese and Hindi. A casual visitor to Mauritius will soon get to know the local dialect and learn more about the history, culture, festivals and events of Mauritius. There are several historical sites in Mauritius that can be explored by visiting the Grand Bassin and Tamarin national museums respectively. There are also some interesting water activities in Mauritius, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking and swimming. For mountain lovers there are mountain trekking tours, camping and nature watching.
There are several natural wonders in Mauritius, which draw visitors from all over the globe. Grand Bassin is Mauritius' most popular national park, which is widely accepted as one of the top destination destinations in Mauritius. The park houses more than a hundred bird species, including eagles, raptors, bats, crocodiles, monkeys and lemurs. Other attractions include Le Morne & Caudan National Parks, Flic en Flac, and Flic-flac villages. To experience the lush scenery and natural resources at its best, it is suggested that you visit the Grand Bassin national park during spring or fall.
Another popular attraction in Mauritius is the Casela Nature Park. This picturesque tourist attraction is located on the north coast, accessible by boat or airplane. The park has a variety of species of flora and fauna and is recommended for those interested in photography or watching wildlife. Other important things to know about Mauritius include the following:
The government has tried to combat the negative effects of tourist traps by erecting many anti-tourism police posts. Tourist traps are commonly set in order to lure visitors into illicit activities such as diving, swimming and fishing. To prevent the incidence of tourist traps, the government has restricted the number of foreign diving and fishing vessels within the national waters. As a result, the demand for dive and fishing equipment and services from local Mauritian companies have significantly reduced. The number of dive sites in Mauritius has also significantly reduced since the government imposed a ban on all new diving and fishing attempts. Another Mauritius Travel Guide must be aware of these restrictions:
Unfortunately, the ban on diving has not totally eliminated the practice of snorkeling and other adventure activities in the sea. Fortunately, there are still some great dive sites in Mauritius that offer an incredible opportunity for adventure enthusiasts. One of the best dive sites in Mauritius is Grand Caudan. It is located about halfway between Mauritius' capital Mauritius and St. Croix and is considered one of the best dive sites in the world. It provides beautiful underwater sights, which are very uncommon to the naked eye, making it a wonderful place for divers and non-divers alike.
Another good dive site is Le Morneux, which is located on Grand Caudan. This dive site offers exciting deep-sea adventures, including but not limited to, swimming with a shark and viewing the spectacular sunsets from its surface. A few dive sites in Mauritius may charge fees per individual, and tourists are recommended to research the prices before visiting the dive site. Another suggested reading for those looking for more information on diving in Mauritius is "Dive Times," which can be purchased at any bookshop. This article from the "rentice" series is a good place to start: "Diving in Mauritius What You Should Know Before Going Underwater."
Another suggested reading for those looking for more information on the island is "Mauritius Travel Guide: Destination and Access." This is a complete travel guide to the island, covering everything from lodging to activities available. The author, Robert Graves, has gone into great detail about how to get to Mauritius from the United States, what to do in Mauritius, where to stay, which diving sites are best, and much more. While diving may not be one of the activities covered in this book, it should not be forgotten when planning a trip to this island paradise.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Mauritius are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Mauritius
The best time to visit Mauritius is towards 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.
You don't need a visa to enter Mauritius. On arrival, your passport will be stamped allowing entry to the country for 60 days
See which forms you may need for entry into Mauritius.
The official currency of Mauritius is the Mauritius Rupee (MUR). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Mauritius you can grab amazing Mauritius Rupee deals via Wise.com (GBP to MUR).
The native mammalian fauna of Mauritius is limited to bats and marine mammals. The Mauritius flying fox and Rodrigues flying fox are large fruit bats endemic to the islands. A number of mammals have been introduced including rats, mice, tenrecs, mongooses, rusa deer and crab-eating macaques.
French food? The national dish of Mauritius that locals and travellers alike go gaga over. Dholl puri is a yellow split-pea pancake that is griddled on a tawa and filled with cari gros pois (bean curry) and Mauritius' famous rougaille (a spicy sauce of sweet tomatoes, thyme, garlic, and ginger).
You can typically expect to pay around £2.15p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
The most prominent languages you'll hear on an every day level are Mauritian Creole, French and English. Mauritian Creole is a French-based Creole and estimated to be spoken by around 90% of the population You can learn some basic French before you travel to Mauritius and really impress the locals!
The currency in Mauritius is the Mauritius Rupee (Gratuity is usually included on your receipt in Mauritius but if you are particularly satisfied with your meal, you should leave your waiter or waitress some change. For good service tip between 10% and 15% – this is usually standard for top end restaurants.).
The GMT time difference is 3 hours