Mauritius Travel Guide

Mauritius is an island paradise of white sandy beaches and translucent waters is a year round destination of unique charm.

Highlights
* The many resorts offer a wide range of activities including golf, non- and motorised water-sports and diving.

* Mauritius is a very special place to spend your honeymoon. Every hotel on the island offers extensive wedding and honeymoon packages.

* Pay a visit to some of the spas, where you can put yourself into the capable hands of experts and allow yourself to be carried away by your senses.

* What could be more pleasant than being on holiday on a dream island whilst having the opportunity to improve your golfing skills. Several of our hotels have excellent golf courses - three 18 holes, five 9 holesand two championship golf courses

* The island’s reputation as a shopping paradise is enhanced by the diversity and quality of shopping opportunities - and prices are very reasonable. The Flacq Market is the country’s largest open air market. This extremely colourful market attracts a large number of people.

* Mauritius is a paradise for deep sea fishing. Species include the blue or black marlin, all types of sharks, yellow tuna, the Bonitos, the ‘emperor’, the ‘pélerin’, the ‘bécune’ or the barracuda.

* Don't hesitate to go to the various local restaurants around the city. Although many of them advertise a specific ethnic cuisine, like everywhere around the world they have their own mix of traditional and local.

Population
1,230,602 

Capital
Port Louis

Language
English (official), Mauritian Creole (most commonly spoken language), French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri.

Time
UTC+4.

Electricity
230V/50Hz (European or UK plug).

Communications
There are no area codes. There are a limited number of public telephone booths, mainly at the airport and in major hotels.

There are Internet cafés in both main towns and tourist centres such as Grand Baie and Port Louis. Most hotels offer wireless Internet access.

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.

Visas
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals . All visitors must hold valid tickets and documents for their onward or return journey and adequate funds for their intended length of stay, as well as confirmed accommodation booking.

Visas for stays of up to three months are granted on arrival to most nationals, but you are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.

Please verify information with the relevant authorities as it is subject to change without notification.

Health and Vaccinations
Dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis B occur, and meningococcal meningitis is a risk from December to June. More common is dengue fever and precautionary measures should be taken, especially in summer (Oct to May).

It is important to use anti-mosquito protection at all times. Mosquitoes are more prevalent in rural areas but they can also inhabit the beach in the tourist zone and may lead to swollen joints and/or rashes.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas

Public medical facilities are numerous and of a high standard and there are several inexpensive private clinics, mostly staffed by doctors educated in the west.

Entry Points
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport at Plaisance in the southeast of the island is the major gateway for travelers coming from abroad. edit

Air Mauritius is the home carrier and operates a network of routes to the local islands and to international destinations in Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia.

Climate
Tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May);

Natural hazards: Tropical cyclones (November to April); but most cyclones usually occur from the end of December until March.

Mauritius has only two seasons, winter and summer. There is not much temperature differences between the two seasons of the year. The climate on the central plateau is cooler than on the coastal areas.

Clothing
Tropical lightweights, with warmer wear for evenings and winter months. Rainwear advisable all year round.

In the summer months, sun-care products and a hat are advisable and long sleeves and trousers to help prevent insect bites.

Driving
One major highway runs north to south, otherwise a good network of paved, if sometimes narrow, roads cover the island. Traffic drives on the left.

Several fairly good bus services cover the island and is the most economical way of travelling. Air-conditioned buses have been introduced on some routes.

Numerous car hire firms include major international and independent companies.

Money
The 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.

Banking hours:
Mon - Thurs 0915-1515, Fri 0915-1530 & Sat 0915-1115 (except for State Bank of Mauritius).
Banks are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport.

Credit cards:
MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted by most banks, hotels, restaurants and tourist shops followed by American Express and Diners Club. ATMs are widespread.