Mauritius
Mauritius pairs turquoise lagoons and coral-fringed beaches with a mountainous interior of gorges, waterfalls and tea estates, and a culture blending Indian, African, French and Chinese roots. Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO-listed refuge for escaped enslaved people, towers over the south-west, and neighbouring Réunion is a short flight away.
Overview
Mauritius is small — about 65km from north to south — but each coast has a distinct character. The north around Grand Baie is lively and built-up, the east has long beaches, big resorts and boat trips to Île aux Cerfs, and the south-west combines Le Morne's kitesurfing lagoon with the Black River Gorges, Chamarel and the island's best hiking. Most visitors choose one or two bases and explore by hired car or driver, adding Port Louis's markets and the botanical garden at Pamplemousses. With more time, a flight to quiet Rodrigues or a hop to Réunion's volcanic peaks makes a natural extension.
Mauritius is often sold as a honeymoon resort island, but independent travel is easy and can be good value: guesthouses, self-catering apartments and roadside dholl puri stalls cost far less than five-star hotels. English is the language of government, while French and Creole are spoken everywhere, so getting by is simple. The island's mix of Hindu temples, mosques, Chinese temples and Catholic shrines is one of its surprises, as is how cool and wet the central plateau can be. Prices peak at Christmas and New Year, and cyclones are possible from about November to April.
Map of Mauritius
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Le Morne Brabant
This 556m basalt mountain sheltered escaped enslaved people in the 18th and early 19th centuries and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hike to the summit with a guide, then cool off in the lagoon, one of the world's top kitesurfing spots.
- 2Nature
Black River Gorges National Park
Mauritius's largest national park protects much of its remaining native forest, home to the pink pigeon and echo parakeet, both saved from near-extinction. Trails lead to Alexandra Falls, the Macchabée forest and the island's highest point, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire.
- 3Nature
Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth
Near the hill village of Chamarel, sand dunes in shades from red and brown to violet and blue-green have formed from weathered volcanic rock. Combine them with the 100m Chamarel waterfall, a rum distillery and lunch in the hills.
- 4Beach
Blue Bay Marine Park
A protected lagoon on the south-east coast with some of the island's best snorkelling over coral gardens. Glass-bottomed boats leave from the public beach, and nearby Mahébourg has a Monday market and a history museum.
- 5Nature
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
Officially the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, this 18th-century garden north of Port Louis is famous for its pond of giant Amazon water lilies, towering talipot palms and resident giant tortoises.
Biggest cities
Port Louis
The harbourside capital is busy by day and quiet at night; visit for the Central Market, the UNESCO-listed Aapravasi Ghat immigration depot, the Blue Penny Museum and Caudan Waterfront.
Vacoas-Phoenix
A sprawling residential town on the cool central plateau, home to the Phoenix beer brewery and large shopping malls; few visitors stop, though Mare aux Vacoas, the island's largest reservoir, lies just south.
Beau Bassin-Rose Hill
This twin commuter town has Balfour Garden, with views into the Grand River North West gorge, and Rose Hill's busy market streets; worth a brief stop rather than a stay.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Mauritius
Best time: May–Dec.
Average climate in Port Louis
Festivals & events
- Jan–FebThaipoosam Cavadee
Tamil devotees fast, pierce their cheeks and tongues with needles and carry ornate cavadee arches in procession to temples across the island; the day is a public holiday.
- Feb–MarMaha Shivaratri
Hundreds of thousands of Hindu pilgrims, many walking from home dressed in white, carry decorated kanwars to the sacred lake of Grand Bassin to make offerings to Shiva.
- Oct–NovDivali
The festival of lights sees homes and streets lined with clay lamps and fairy lights, and neighbours of every faith swap plates of Indian sweets; it is a public holiday.
How much does Mauritius cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Dholl puri
Soft flatbreads made with ground yellow split peas, wrapped around butter-bean curry, rougaille and chutney; sold in pairs from street stalls as the island's favourite snack.
Rougaille
A Creole tomato sauce with onion, garlic, ginger, thyme and chilli, cooked with salted fish, sausages or prawns and served with rice.
Gâteaux piments
Crisp fried balls of split-pea batter spiked with chilli and herbs, eaten hot from roadside vendors, often stuffed into a buttered baguette.
Getting around
The Metro Express light rail links Port Louis with Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Curepipe, and cheap buses reach most villages, though slowly. Most visitors hire a car (driving is on the left) or book a taxi or driver by the day; taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare first. Air Mauritius flies to Rodrigues, and catamarans run day trips to offshore islets.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CG230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +230
- Time zone
- UTC+4 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Not obligatory, and some upmarket restaurants add a service charge. Leaving around 5–10% in restaurants, or a little for drivers and guides, is appreciated.
- Etiquette
- Mauritius is religiously diverse and fairly conservative: remove shoes and cover shoulders and legs at temples and mosques, keep swimwear for the beach, and note that topless sunbathing is frowned upon.
- Main airports
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), Plaine Magnien
Visas & entry for Mauritius
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Mauritius without a visa for up to 60 days. When you arrive, a border official will stamp your passport to show the end-date for your permitted stay.
You must be able to show proof of onward or return travel.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BBat LyssavirusTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Mauritius
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 2 Nov 2026 | Arrival of Indentured Labourers |
| Sun 8 Nov 2026 | Diwali |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan 2027 | Day after New Year's Day |
| Fri 22 Jan 2027 | Thaipusam |
| Mon 1 Feb 2027 | Abolition of Slavery |
| Sat 6 Feb 2027 | Chinese Spring Festival |
| Sat 6 Mar 2027 | Maha Shivaratri |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Fri 12 Mar 2027 | Independence and Republic Day |
| Wed 7 Apr 2027 | Ugadi |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sat 4 Sep 2027 | Ganesh Chaturthi |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Mauritian Creole
| English | Mauritian Creole | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonzour | bon-ZOOR |
| Thank you | Mersi | mair-SEE |
| Please | Silvouple | seel-voo-PLAY |
| Excuse me | Eskiz mwa | es-KEEZ mwah |
| How much is this? | Konbien sa kout? | kom-BYEN sah koot? |
Know before you go
- Réunion is under an hour's flight away and makes an easy add-on for hikers; it uses the euro and has a very different, mountainous feel.
- Cyclone season runs roughly November to April, peaking January to March; buy travel insurance that covers weather disruption, and follow local cyclone-warning classes if one approaches.
- Winds shape the coasts: in the southern winter (June–September) the south-east trade winds make the east and south breezy, so the sheltered west and north are calmer then.
Mauritius travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Mauritius?
The best time to visit Mauritius is generally May–Dec. Average highs in Port Louis range from 24°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Mauritius cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £110 mid-range and £280+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Mauritius?
Mauritian rupee (MUR).
What plug type does Mauritius use?
Type C and G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Mauritius?
Traffic drives on the left in Mauritius — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Mauritius?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Mauritius?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Mauritius without a visa for up to 60 days. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Mauritius before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mauritius/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Mauritius?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Bat Lyssavirus and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
