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Mauritius – a brief overview
Mauritius’ Indian Ocean beaches are famous the world over for their sugar-white sands and limpid waters. Combine these with its rugged interior and elegant colonial-era architecture, and you’ve got a destination for all. A former British colony and trading hub, the island is peppered with old forts and rustic towns that date back to the 17th century.
Its capital, Port Louis, is no exception, and also has a vibrant mix of thoroughly modern bars, interesting museums and a veritable smorgasbord of places to sample the local seafood. Inland, there is the spectacular Black River Gorges National Park to explore, while offshore the picturesque Ile aux Aigrettes is thought to be the final resting place of the dodo.
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Top 10 sights in Mauritius
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Mahébourg
Mahébourg
Mauritius
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Mauritius
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Mauritius’ ancient capital, Mahébourg, is where Dutch settlers first landed in 1598. Today, this tranquil little city is a place of winding alleys, pretty seafront restaurants and traditional markets.
Parc national des gorges de Rivière Noire
B103 - Plaine Champagne Road
Mauritius
Tel: +230 464 4016
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Mauritius
Tel: +230 464 4016
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A vast stretch of thick and glistening tropical rainforest, the Black River Gorges National Park covers 2% of Mauritius and is home to several native animal and bird species, including the Mauritian flying fox. The park also has 60km of hiking trails and the natural crater lake Grand Bassin.
Maison Eureka
Eureka - La Maison Creole
Eureka Lane, Montagne Ory
Moka
Mauritius
Tel: +230 433 8477
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Eureka Lane, Montagne Ory
Moka
Mauritius
Tel: +230 433 8477
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Opening times:
For guided visits, Eureka is opened
Mon-Sat 0900-1700
Sun 0900-1530
Set within a beautiful nature reserve, the Eureka House was built in 1830 and housed a succession of French and British aristocrats during the colonial period. Now a museum, the displays chart the history of Mauritius under Anglo-French rule.
La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes
A cross between a zoo and a nature reserve, La Vanille is home to the largest number of captive giant tortoises in the world as well as a huge insectarium and a crocodile farm. Crocodile also dominates the menu at the on-site restaurant with everything from curry to burgers.
Île aux Aigrettes
Île aux Aigrettes
Mauritius
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Mauritius
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Guided tours only.
Boat leaves from Pointe Jérôme:
Mon-Sat 0930, 1000, 1030, 1330, 1400 and 1430
Sun 0930, 1000, 1030
Thought to be the place where the last dodo met its end, the Ile aux Aigrettes, a tiny coral atoll just off Pointe Jérôme, is now home to a large population of wild giant tortoises. Along with a number of endemic Mauritian species, the islet also has a large pink pigeon population.
L'Aventure du Sucre
Beau Plan B18
Pamplemousses
Mauritius
Tel: +230 243 7900
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Pamplemousses
Mauritius
Tel: +230 243 7900
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Opening times:
Daily 0900-1700
Housed within a former factory dating back to 1787, L’Aventure du Sucre is a quirky little museum that charts the history of Mauritius’ sugar industry from inception to present day. Displays also cover the island’s rum trade and touch on its history with slavery.
Le Souffleur
Grand Port
Mauritius
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Mauritius
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A natural grotto and ‘geyser’ perched on the south coast near Souillac, Le Souffleur explodes with impressive regularity – on average every 20 minutes. Getting there takes some effort – a hike to the cliffs is required – but the spectacular scenery and sea views are well worth it.
Domaine de L'Étoile
Sebastopol
B27
Mauritius
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B27
Mauritius
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A sugar plantation turned film set and then eco-park, the Domaine de L’Étoile is perched at the base of the Bambous Mountains and is home to a number of hiking trails as well as a lengthy zip wire. Horse riding and quad biking are both on offer as are guided walks.
Rhumerie de Chamarel
Route Royale, Chamarel
Mauritius
Tel: +230 483 7980
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Mauritius
Tel: +230 483 7980
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Opening times:
Mon-Sat 0930-1730
Nestled into a nook in the spectacular countryside surrounding Chamarel, La Rhumerie is a traditional working rum distillery that offers guided tours as well as the chance to sample the local brew in the on-site restaurant.
Fort Adelaide
Sebastopol St
Port Louis
Mauritius
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Port Louis
Mauritius
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Also known as La Citadelle, Fort Adelaide is one of four 18th-century fortifications built by the British in Port Louis, and the only one not in ruins. At 73m above sea level, visitors can wander at will and take in spectacular views of the sea and city below.
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Country information
Country overview
A hypnotic blend of Indian, Chinese, African, French and British influences, Mauritius is a dazzling Indian Ocean island that enchants nearly all who visit. But while its famous white-sand beaches and luxurious hotels are its top attractions, Mauritius offers far more to do than most tropical islands, with superb hiking, mountain climbing, diving and ecotourism opportunities.
Off major shipping routes, Mauritius remained uninhabited until the 16th century, allowing it to develop into one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
It was favoured by pirates and occupied briefly by the Dutch before the French brought African slaves to work the sugar plantations. Captured by the British in 1810, Mauritius achieved independence in 1968.
Mauritius today is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, a successful, multicultural society where the friendly co-existence of peoples and religions expresses itself in croissants for breakfast and curry for dinner, and brightly painted Indian temples sitting alongside French colonial mansions.
Geography
Mauritius, a volcanic and mountainous island in the Indian Ocean, lies 2,000km (1,240 miles) off the southeastern coast of Africa, due east of Madagascar. The island state stands on what was once a land bridge between Asia and Africa called the Mascarene Archipelago. From the coast, the land rises to form a broad fertile plain on which sugar cane flourishes and beyond, crater edges form a mountainous backbone.
Some 500km (310 miles) east is Rodrigues Island, while northeast are the Cargados Carajos Shoals and 900km (560 miles) to the north is Agalega.
General knowledge
Key facts
Population: 1296303
Population Density (per sq km): 635
Capital: Port Louis
Language
The two official languages of Mauritius are English and French (with French being the most dominant). The most commonly used languages on the street are Creole (pidgin French with other languages added to the mix), Hindi and Bhojpuri. Urdu and Chinese are also spoken. All people speak either some English or some French.
Currency
Mauritian Rupee (MUR; symbol Rp) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Rp2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25. Coins are in denominations of Rp10, 5 and 1.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. British-style plugs with three square pins are commonly used in hotels; you can often find European-style sockets (two round pins) as well.
General business opening hours
Mon-Fri 0900-1600, Sat 0900-1200 (some offices only).
Public holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays from January 2019 – December 2020.
Note
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given below are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region.
(b) Hindu festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is not possible to forecast the date of their occurrence exactly.
2019
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2019
Thaipoosam Cavadee: 21 January 2019
Chinese New Year: 28 January 2019
Abolition of Slavery Day: 1 February 2019
Maha Shivaratri: 4 March 2019
Republic Day: 12 March 2019
Ougadi (South Indian New Year’s Eve): 6 April 2019
Labour Day: 1 May 2019
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): 5 June 2019
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 12 August 2019
Ganesh Chaturthi: 2 September 2019
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2019
Diwali (Festival of Lights): 31 October 2019
Anniversary of the Arrival of Indentured Labourers: 2 November 2019
Christmas Day: 25 December 2019
2020
New Year’s Day: 1 January 2020
Thaipoosam Cavadee: 25 January 2020
Abolition of Slavery Day: 1 February 2020
Chinese New Year: 5 February 2020
Maha Shivaratri: 21 February 2020
Republic Day: 12 March 2020
Ougadi (South Indian New Year’s Eve): 6 April 2020
Labour Day: 1 May 2020
Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan): 24 May 2020
Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice): 31 July and 1 August 2020
Ganesh Chaturthi: 22 August 2020
Diwali (Festival of Lights): 27 October 2020
All Saints’ Day: 1 November 2020
Anniversary of the Arrival of Indentured Labourers: 2 November 2018
Christmas Day: 25 December 2020
All information subject to change.
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Nightlife in Mauritius
Beach bars and sports pubs dominate the nightlife scene in Mauritius but there are also a couple of decent nightclubs and some upmarket cocktail bars in Port Louis.
C Beach Club
Domaine de Bel Ombre
B9
Bel Ombre 742CU001
Mauritius
Tel: +230 605 5400
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B9
Bel Ombre 742CU001
Mauritius
Tel: +230 605 5400
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This relaxed beachside spot turns into a nightclub at weekends and has a great Sunday brunch.
Les Enfants Terribles
Royal Road
Pointe aux Canonniers
Pampelmousses
Mauritius
Tel: +230 526 31076
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Pointe aux Canonniers
Pampelmousses
Mauritius
Tel: +230 526 31076
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Hugely popular with locals, Les Enfants Terribles is one of Mauritius’s top nightclubs.
The Flying Dodo
1, Mall of Mauritius
Bagatelle
Mauritius
Tel: +230 468 8810
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Bagatelle
Mauritius
Tel: +230 468 8810
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The Flying Dodo is a microbrewery and does some of the best beer in Mauritius. Don’t let its mall location put you off.
Banana Beach Club
Route Royale
Grand Baie
Mauritius
Tel: +230 263 0326
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Grand Baie
Mauritius
Tel: +230 263 0326
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A long-term favourite with locals and tourists alike, the relaxed open-air Banana Beach Club has lovely sea views.
Big Willy’s
Le Barachois
Tamarin Bay, Tamarin
Mauritius
Tel: +230 483 7400
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Tamarin Bay, Tamarin
Mauritius
Tel: +230 483 7400
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Popular with sports fans thanks to its big screens, expect a lively atmosphere and cheap beer.
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Restaurants in Mauritius
From sophisticated French dishes served in a chateau to simple seaside shacks, Mauritius is a foodie paradise – and one that doesn’t cost the earth.
Le Château de Bel Ombre
Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort
Bel Ombre
Mauritius
Tel: +230 266 9777
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Bel Ombre
Mauritius
Tel: +230 266 9777
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Price: Expensive
Housed in a romantic 18th-century chateau, the restaurant serves Mauritian classics with a modern twist.
Le Courtyard
Rue Chevreau, Saint Louis St Louis St
Port Louis
Mauritius
Tel: +230 210 0810
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Port Louis
Mauritius
Tel: +230 210 0810
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Price: Expensive
One of the capital’s most high-end restaurants, Le Courtyard is famous for sophisticated French fare.
La Case du Pecheur
B 28
Mahébourg
Mauritius
Tel: +230 5422 3937
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Mahébourg
Mauritius
Tel: +230 5422 3937
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Price: Moderate
This thatched open-air restaurant specialises in local seafood including lobster.
La Toque Blanche
Royal Road
Pointe aux Cannoniers
Mauritius
Tel: +230 5 910 29 89
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Pointe aux Cannoniers
Mauritius
Tel: +230 5 910 29 89
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Price: Moderate
The tasty seafood at this tiny Creole restaurant tucked down an alley makes the effort involved in finding it completely worthwhile.
Le Palais de Barbizon
Chamarel
Mauritius
Tel: +230 483 5078
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Mauritius
Tel: +230 483 5078
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Price: Cheap
A cheap and tasty family-run restaurant, Le Palais de Barbizon serves a set-menu comprised of hearty local dishes.
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Calendar of events
Thaipoosam Cavadee
21 January 2019
Venue: Mauritius
During this Hindu festival, worshippers of Murugan journey to nearby Tamil temples following 10 days of fasting and praying. Beautiful flower- and fruit-laden cavadees – heavy wooden structures carried on shoulders – are a spectacular sight, but don’t let the thin needles piercing the repenters’ bodies alarm you. The rituals continue with fire walking and sword climbing.
Maha Shivaratri (Shivaratree)
4 February 2019
Venue: Mauritius, Grand Bassin
Dressed in pure white, Hindu worshippers of the Lord Shiva head to the holy lake Grand Bassin during this sacred festival. Processors carry intricately built bamboo structures decorated with flowers. Once at the lake, worshippers make food sacrifices and collect holy water before chanting and meditating.
Chinese Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)
5 February 2019
Venue: Mauritius
The Chinese New Year is welcomed with open arms during Mauritius’ Chinese Spring Festival, when red decorations symbolising happiness fill the streets. Soaring firecrackers fend off lurking evil, there’s no end to the delicious food, and the crowning glory is the Dragon Feast, when Chinese dancers and musicians perform alongside an extravagant swaying Dragon.
Holi Festival
21 March 2019
Venue: Mauritius
Vibrant colours fly as the people of Mauritius throw paint at each other to promote good fortune and celebrate spring. This Hindu festival recognises the triumph of good over evil and kicks off the night before with a bonfire. The next day brings plenty of singing, dancing and tasty sweets.
Festival Culinaire Bernard Loiseau
March 2019
Website
Venue: Constance Hotel and Resorts
In this friendly food competition hosted by Constance Hotels and Resorts, top Indian Ocean islands chefs pair with Michelin-starred European chefs to create a unique two-dish meal. World-renowned chefs and foodies then judge the signature creations. Guests and attendees can indulge in a six-star meal created by the contestants and witness the anticipated competition results.
Kiteival Mauritius
July 2019
Venue: Mauritius
Adventurous kitesurfers take to the waves at some of Mauritius’s most beautiful beaches during this annual, week-long competition. A rainbow of kites fills the skies as participants travel the coast and battle in the freestyle, race and wave categories. Back on sand, spectators celebrate summer with plenty of food and drink.
Festival International Kreol
November 2019
Website
Venue: Port Louis
Since 2006, this three-day festival has been drawing crowds from all over to celebrate Creole culture in Mauritius. Spend the weekend crooning to traditional Creole tunes and attending discussions and literary readings. Delight in Mauritius fare and desserts, and enjoy traditional dance performances. Events around the area promise parties all night long.
All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.
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Hotels in Mauritius
Mauritius has no shortage of spacious luxury resorts, but there are also plenty of charming boutique hotels and smaller city centre lodgings.
LUX* Belle Mare
Coastal Road
Quatre Cocos 742CU001
Mauritius
Tel: +230 402 2000
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Quatre Cocos 742CU001
Mauritius
Tel: +230 402 2000
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Category: Expensive
A stylish eco-resort set in lush tropical gardens on the eastern coast of Mauritius.
Sofitel So Mauritius
Royal Road
Beau Champs
Bel Ombre
Mauritius
Tel: +230 605 5800
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Beau Champs
Bel Ombre
Mauritius
Tel: +230 605 5800
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Category: Expensive
The tropical south coast of Mauritius is the perfect setting for the five-star resort Sofitel So Mauritius. Enticing room or exclusive suite, whatever your preference, modern architecture and exceptional interior design make for elegance and creature comforts amid intact nature.
Villa Narmada
Aquamarine Lane
Grand Bay 2726CB
Mauritius
Tel: +230 263 5757
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Grand Bay 2726CB
Mauritius
Tel: +230 263 5757
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Category: Moderate
Perfect for families, Villa Narmada offers clean and spacious apartments at affordable prices, and within easy reach of shops, restaurants and the beach. There is also a swimming pool on site.
Hotel Des 2 Mondes
Coastal Road Mont Choisy
Mont Choisy
Mauritius
Tel: +27 86 771 2272
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Mont Choisy
Mauritius
Tel: +27 86 771 2272
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Category: Moderate
Set amid a tropical coconut grove, Hotel des 2 Mondes is a charming and intimate boutique hotel.
Hotel Le Grand Bleu
Pres de Troux aux Beach, Route Coastale
Trou aux Biches
Mauritius
Tel: +230 265 5812
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Trou aux Biches
Mauritius
Tel: +230 265 5812
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Category: Cheap
Like to spend some magical days on Mauritius that won’t cost you a fortune? At the three-star hotel Le Grand Bleu, located just steps from the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and a white sandy beach, you can do just that. From the beach, you can experience a magnificent sunset almost every night.
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Best time to visit
Today: Friday, 13.12.2019 06:00 UTC
sunny
temperature
31°C
wind direction
northwind speed
13.75 mph7 days forecast
Saturday
14.12.2019
31°C / 26°C
Sunday
15.12.2019
32°C / 26°C
Monday
16.12.2019
31°C / 26°C
Tuesday
17.12.2019
31°C / 25°C
Wednesday
18.12.2019
30°C / 26°C
Thursday
19.12.2019
30°C / 26°C
Friday
20.12.2019
29°C / 26°C
Climate & best time to visit Mauritius
Mauritius has a tropical maritime climate, with relatively little seasonal variation in temperatures, and generally pleasant and sunny on the coast year round. Winter, from May to October is warm and dry. Summer from November to April is hot, humid and rainy. Cyclones occur between January and March. Sea breezes blow all year, especially on the east coast, and the inland central plateau around Curepipe is cooler and rainy year round.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| absolute max | absolute min | Ø absolute max | Ø absolute min | relative humidity | Ø precipitation | days with deposit > 1mm | sunshine duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35 °C | 17 °C | 29 °C | 22 °C | 82 % | 251 mm | 16 | 8.0 h |
| Feb | 33 °C | 17 °C | 29 °C | 22 °C | 84 % | 246 mm | 16 | 7.6 h |
| Mar | 32 °C | 15 °C | 29 °C | 22 °C | 84 % | 217 mm | 17 | 7.0 h |
| Apr | 32 °C | 15 °C | 28 °C | 21 °C | 83 % | 221 mm | 17 | 6.2 h |
| May | 30 °C | 12 °C | 26 °C | 19 °C | 81 % | 148 mm | 14 | 6.2 h |
| Jun | 30 °C | 9 °C | 25 °C | 18 °C | 79 % | 101 mm | 14 | 5.9 h |
| Jul | 29 °C | 11 °C | 24 °C | 17 °C | 78 % | 113 mm | 18 | 5.8 h |
| Aug | 28 °C | 8 °C | 23 °C | 17 °C | 78 % | 89 mm | 14 | 6.1 h |
| Sep | 30 °C | 7 °C | 24 °C | 17 °C | 78 % | 61 mm | 10 | 6.6 h |
| Oct | 30 °C | 10 °C | 26 °C | 18 °C | 78 % | 67 mm | 11 | 7.5 h |
| Nov | 32 °C | 12 °C | 27 °C | 20 °C | 79 % | 89 mm | 9 | 8.1 h |
| Dec | 33 °C | 16 °C | 29 °C | 21 °C | 81 % | 190 mm | 13 | 7.9 h |
| year | 35 °C | 7 °C | 26 °C | 20 °C | 81 % | 1793 mm | 169 | 6.9 h |
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Good to know
Phone calls & Internet
Telephone/Mobile Telephone
Dialing code: +230
Telephone
There are no area codes. There are a limited number of public telephone booths, mainly at the airport and in major hotels. Mauritius Telecom (www.mauritiustelecom.com) offers a good, reliable service and payphones are found in their customer service centres in towns around the island.
Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements with international mobile phone companies are available and coverage extends over the entire island. Local mobile calls are the same as the price of landline calls, so it’s worth buying a local SIM card for your handset if you plan to make more than a few phone calls on the island.
Internet
There are Internet cafés in both main towns and tourist centres such as Grand Baie and Port Louis. Most hotels offer wireless Internet access.
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Shopping in Mauritius
Key Areas
Although small shopping areas and markets are found in villages up and down Mauritius, most of the retail action happens in the capital, Port Louis, and tourist hubs such as Grand Baie. In the latter, the central Sunset Boulevard is where most of the shops are to be found, although the Grand Bazaar, an open-air market, is more interesting. Port Louis is home to the island’s largest shopping mall, Le Caudan Waterfront, which houses a more upmarket selection of shops as well as a smattering of artisan-run stalls.
Markets
Most towns and villages have small markets, but the best and most varied are the daily markets in Grand Baie and Port Louis.
Shopping Centres
Le Caudan Waterfront and Happy World House are the main malls in Port Louis, while the huge Mall of Mauritius is in Moka. Elsewhere, there’s the VIP Centre in Flacq and Grand Bay Plaza in Grand Baie.
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Traveller etiquette
Social Conventions
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Visitors should respect the traditions of their hosts, particularly when visiting a private house. The type of hospitality the visitor receives is determined by the religion and social customs of the host, which are closely related.
It is appropriate to give a gift as a small token of appreciation if invited for a meal. Dress is normally informal although men will need to wear a suit for particularly formal occasions.
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Health
Main emergency number: 114
Food & Drink
Water for drinking should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water is readily available. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other Risks
Dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis B occur, and meningococcal meningitis is a risk from December to June. More common is dengue fever and around 5,000 cases of chikungunya virus have been reported – precautionary measures should be taken, especially in summer (Oct to May). Stonefish stings are uncommon but can be fatal.
Contractual physician of Lufthansa
Dr. Madeleine, Louis Pierre Jean-FrancoisFortis Clinique Darne – Medical and Surgical Centre
Guibert Street
Floreal
Mauritius
Tel. +230-601-2300
Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment.
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Visa & Immigration
IATA Travel Centre
The IATA Travel Centre delivers accurate passport, visa and health requirement information at a glance. It is a trusted, centralized source for the latest international travel requirements. The IATA Travel Centre is the most accurate source available because it is based on a comprehensive database used by virtually every airline, and information is gathered from official sources worldwide, such as immigration and police authorities.