Mauritius - an island paradise you need to visit
- Fred Depraetere
- May 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 31, 2024
Mauritius is truly the fairy-tale paradise you want to visit. It sits in the middle of the Indian Ocean and is around 1,130 km east of Madagascar (Africa). The country covers about 2000 sq. km (larger than you would expect) and has a population of 1.3 million.
The island is in effect one natural wonder, featuring magical mountainous areas, beautiful waterfalls, it’s a diver’s dream if you want to encounter almost every magical sea creature imaginable, has an amazing culture, great food and friendly people.
The country also allows you to tailor your holiday type, you can choose to go for a fun filled sporty and adventurous holiday, just lie on the beach or a combination of both!
The overall landscape at the shoreline is not dissimilar to the coastal regions of Kenya or Tanzania, but once you go inland there’s quite some diversity. And if you are looking for a day out shopping for gifts and other items, then the old market at Port Luis comes highly recommended. You can follow this up with a drink by the waterside at the newly developed waterfront area nearby.
And if you have the chance, take a boat out to one of the smaller islands or atolls for a day away from the hustle and bustle of life.
Some fun facts about Mauritius
The long-extinct Dodo is the national symbol of Mauritius. The island was the only habitat in the world for the flightless bird.
The inhabitants of Mauritius speak three languages (many of them) which are French, English and a native Creole. But as you will discover, most people will speak to you in French if they can.
Most inhabitants of the island are of Indo-Pakistani descent who arrived on the island as indentured laborers. Around a quarter of the population is of a Creole descent, and therefore have a mixed French and African background.
There are three major religions in the country namely Hindu (48.5%), Roman Catholic (26%) and Muslims (17%).
Although it was first discovered by Arab sailors, the Dutch were the first to claim the island in 1638. It was officially uninhabited until then due to its remote location. This was followed by a take-over by the French in 1710 until the British invaded it 100 years later. It remained under their control until achieving independence in 1968.
The country is almost completely surrounded by coral reefs, making it one of the largest ecosystems in the world of its kind and protecting over 100 km of pristine sandy white beaches.
Mauritius is home to one of nature’s biggest illusions - an underwater waterfall in the ocean. You will find it off the coast of Le Morne but will need to hop on a plane to properly see its effect.
Although the country has its share of sharks and lion-fish in the ocean, its remote location means that few animals have made it to the island. In fact the country has no venomous snakes at all (it does have a few harmless ones).
The country is only one of four that has no conflicts with other nations and also has no standing army.
What are the best places to visit in Mauritius?
Most of the places that tourists are taken to are generally amazing! I did only a few but do recommend the following
Chamarel Waterfalls: It’s an amazing sight to see this waterfall disappear in a large circular hole. You can hike down to the bottom to get a better view! I was not so excited by the seven colored earth nearby, but if you are there it makes for an interesting visit. I can't really vouch for its authenticity to be honest.
Les 7 Cascades: It’s a very tough hike and I don't recommend it for kids but it's certainly worth doing. Take a dip in the many pools along the route created by these seven amazing waterfalls. A trained and insured guide is a must here! The path does pose risks.
Île aux Cerfs: Take a day out with a boat and visit this island off the eastern coast of Mauritius. The island is located in the country’s largest lagoon and provides 87 hectares of tropical vegetation and stunning sandy beaches.
Port Louis: Although this may not fill the day, it’s worth taking the time to browse through the hustle and bustle of the old market and surrounding areas. The new waterfront offers travelers a more modern and comfortable place to have a meal.
How to get around Mauritius?
There are no Ubers or Bolts on the island. Travel therefore needs to be organized via a recognized tour operator or with a taxi service if you do not have a rental car. To get a fair price with taxi’s, ensure you negotiate the fee before you leave. Quite a few hotels have taxi’s permanently stationed at the entrance and they often have set agreements with them.
Other modes of transportation include:
An extensive bus service (some busses are very old)
Use the Mauritius Metro Express (tram system) - however this is still under construction and only partially operational today. Once completed it will connect Curepipe, Vacoas, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and the capital Port Louis.
Car rental (a popular choice with tourists)
Bikes/e-bikes (often available at hotels)
Which hotels do I recommend in Mauritius?
I only visited Malta once and stayed at the Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa. You can find the review here.
What currency is used in Mauritius?
The Mauritian rupee is the currency used in Mauritius. One Rupee is around 0.02 cents (Euro/Dollar). Few countries trade this currency so you may need to exchange it on arrival.
Is Mauritius safe?
Overall, yes, Mauritius is a safe country to visit. One of its main incomes is tourism and you will find that most people on the island are friendly. It does have petty crime (as anywhere in the world), so keep your valuables close by. If you want to rent out a service or location, do so through officially registered organizations to avoid getting scammed. Some sites also advise not to go outside tourist areas at night.
Are hotels located in the same area in Mauritius?
No. There are some hotel districts but generally they are fairly spread out across the island. You can choose to be in one of these regions or, as I chose, to be a bit further away in a more quiet area. Read the description of the hotel about its location with care and review locations on google if needed.
Do you need a Visa to get into Mauritius?
Most travelers do not need a visa to enter the country, but in some cases a visa on arrival may be required. You can find more information and a country listing here. To avoid delays on entry you are encouraged to fill out the All-in-one travel form online. You will be required to carry a valid passport that is at least valid for six more months upon your entry date as well as proof of a return ticket that is within the 90 day stay limit.
Is Mauritius a family friendly destination?
Yes! Many hotels cater to families and as a result also offer extensive facilities for kids. You can also book family friendly tours and excursions. Overall the country is safe and thus a great choice for families.
Is tipping required in Mauritius?
Tipping is not customary in Mauritius but it is appreciated. The people are very friendly and will often go out of their way to help you. I found that I was happy to tip the staff at the hotel because they really made a big effort. I also used the same driver several times to visit different locations and he was great, so deserved a tip. If you do so around 10% is more than enough.
Is a day out hiking down Les 7 Cascades waterfalls good?
Yes, this comes highly recommended and make sure you are wearing your breathing suit if possible because you can swim in several of the pools. However, it is a very intense experience and requires some physical fitness, there are no real paths and you’ll be expected to climb, jump across streams and so forth. So put on some sturdy shoes (that will get dirty). It’s not suitable for young kids and you MUST have an experienced guide with you. Avoid hiring the guides last minute at the entry point of the hike, they are not insured or trained in first aid.
How can you book excursions in Mauritius?
You can book these pretty much anywhere. You can either use an app like Tripadvisor or GetYourGuide or you can book excursions via your travel agent or the hotel reception area. Prices may differ between them so shop around.
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