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Browse and explore the best travel guides in Mauritius.
Mauritius is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean ringed almost entirely by coral reef, which is what gives it those calm turquoise lagoons and consistently good diving and kitesurfing. The interior is more mountainous and green than the beach brochures suggest, with the Black River Gorges rainforest, the sacred crater lake at Grand Bassin and the basalt monolith of Le Morne rising from the southwest coast. Successive waves of Dutch, French, British, Indian, African and Chinese settlement produced a genuinely creole culture, and the food is one of the island's great pleasures.
Capital
Port Louis
Population
~1.3 million
Area
2,040 km²
Time Zone
MUT (UTC+4), no daylight saving
Currency
Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
Languages
English and French official; Mauritian Creole is the everyday language
Main Airports
MRU (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International)
Visa
Visa-free on arrival for most nationalities, typically 60 to 90 days
Best For
Beaches and lagoons, diving, kitesurfing, hiking, creole food
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range to Expensive
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Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
Most nationalities receive a free visa on arrival, with EU and UK passport holders typically granted 90 days and US, Canadian, Australian and many others 60 days. You will need a passport valid for six months, a return ticket and proof of accommodation and sufficient funds. Immigration does check accommodation bookings on arrival, so have them printed or accessible offline.
May to December is the drier, cooler half of the year and generally the most comfortable, with September to December particularly good. January to March is hot and humid and falls within the cyclone season, when heavy rain is possible. Note the island has microclimates: the west and north coasts are drier and calmer, while the east and south are windier, which is exactly what kitesurfers want. Diving visibility is best from November to April.
No, the interior is genuinely worth exploring and many visitors underuse it. Black River Gorges National Park protects the last native forest and offers real hiking with endemic birds, Chamarel has the seven-coloured earths and a 100-metre waterfall, and Grand Bassin is a sacred crater lake and major Hindu pilgrimage site. Port Louis has the bustling central market and the UNESCO-listed Aapravasi Ghat. The rum distilleries and street food, particularly dholl puri, are highlights in their own right.
Renting a car is the best way to see the island, which is only about 65 km long, though be prepared for left-hand driving, narrow roads and enthusiastic local driving styles. Buses are very cheap and cover the island well but are slow and stop running early in the evening. The Metro Express light rail links Port Louis with Curepipe. Taxis are readily available but agree the fare before setting off, as meters are rarely used.
Mauritius is a safe and stable destination with low violent crime and a well-established tourism industry. Petty theft from beaches and hotel rooms is the main issue, so use safes and do not leave belongings unattended on the sand. In the water, be aware of strong currents where reef passes open to the ocean, and stonefish, which is why reef shoes are worth wearing. Tap water is generally safe in most areas, though many visitors prefer bottled.
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