MAURITIUS – by Etnika Travel

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MAURITIUS

Geography of Mauritius
History of Mauritius
Population/Languages
Weather in Mauritius
Beaches of Mauritius
Nature of Mauritius
Wildlife of Mauritius
What to wear
Shopping in Mauritius
Food and Drinks
Festivals in Mauritius
Driving in Mauritius
Practical info
Accommodations
Tours
Car rentals

Geography of Mauritius

Mauritius is located in the South west part of the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometres away from the southeast coast of Africa. Since it has plenty of natural and manmade attractions, Mauritius is considered to be one of the world’s most luxurious tourist destinations for its idyllic and picturesque views with white sands, crystal blue waters, a beautiful marine life and a tropical vegetation.

The island of Mauritius is 65 km long from North to South and 45 km wide from East to west with 330 km of coasts with a total surface area of 2,040 square kilometres.

Mauritius of volcanic origin, is quite a mountainous with its highest peak Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 meters, followed by Pieter Both at 823 meters and Le Pouce is the third highest mountain on the island at 812 meters.

The island of Mauritius is divided into 9 (nine) districts which consist of 1 city “Port louis” the capital, 4 towns which are Beau-Bassin Rose-Hill, Curepipe, Quatre Bornes and Vacoas-Phoenix sited in Plaines Wilhems District and 130 villages.

The 9 districts of Mauritius are:

1. Black River

Situated on the west of the island the district has an area of 259 square kilometres with an estimated population of over 90,000.

Place of interest: Flic en Flac and Wolmar Beach, Le Morne Brabant, Le Morne beach, Crystal Rock, Ile Aux Benitiers, Casela Nature Parks, Ebony Forest Reserve, Chamarel's Seven Coloured Earth, Chamarel waterfalls, Alexandra Falls, Black River Gorges, Albion Light House.

2. Flacq

Situated in the east of the island the district has an area of 297.9 km² and is the largest district of the island with an estimated population of over 140,000.

Place of interest: Belle Mare Beach, Palmar Beach, Ile Aux Cerfs, Grand Riviere South East Waterfalls, Flacq Market, Sagar Shiv Mandir Temple.

3. Grand Port

Situated in the South east of the island, the district has an area of 260.3 km² with an estimated population of over 113,000

Place of interest: Blue Bay, Pointe D’Esny Beach, Ile aux deux Cocos, Ile aux Phares and Ile aux Aigrettes (South East Islands), Domaine de l’Etoile, Blue Bay marine Park.

4. Moka

Situated in the central plateau of the island, the district has an area of 230.5 km² with an estimated population of over 84,000.

Place of interest: Bagatelle Mall, Le Pouce Mountain.

5. Pamplemousses

Situated in the north west of the island the district has an area of 178.7 Km2 with an estimated population of over 140,000.

Place of interest: Mont Choisy Beach, Trou Aux Biches Beach, Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.

6. Plaines Wilhems

Situated in the central plateau of Mauritius the district has an area of 203.3 km2 with an estimated population of 370,000.

Place of interest: The Volcano Trou Aux Cerfs, Domain Des Abineaux, Quatre Bornes Market.

7. Port Louis

Situated in the north west of Mauritius it is the smallest district of the island. Mostly covered by the capital city ‘Port Louis’ the district has an area of 42.7 km2 and an estimated population of over 120.000.

Place of interest: Le Caudan Waterfront, Blue Penny Museum, Fort Adelaide (La Citadel) Aapravasi Ghat, Champ de Mars Racecourse, Local Market, Le Caudan Waterfront Casinò.

8. Rivière du Rempart

Situated in the North-East of Mauritius, the district has an area of 147.6 km² with an estimated population of over 109,000.

Place of interest: Pereybere and Casita beach, La Cuvette Beach, Cap Malheureux (Red roof Church), La Croisette Mall, Gabriel Island and Flat Island (Northern Islands), Grand Baie Casinò, Night Clubs.

9. Savanne

Situated in the south of Mauritius, the district has an area of 244.8 km² with an estimated population of over 69,000. The southern part of the island is one of the most scenic and unspoilt.

Place of interest: Gris-Gris, Natural Bridge, Rochester falls, La Vanilla Nature Park, Riambel beach, Bois Cheri Tea Factory and Saint Aubin (Tea Route), La Vallée des Couleurs Park, Sacred Lake Grand Bassin, Baie Du Cap (Macondé).

Mauritius and Rodrigues are surrounded by 49 Islets out of which 7 has been proclaimed natural reserve and 8 as national reserve.

Mauritius mainland has a chain of small dependencies islands governed by the government of Mauritius: Rodrigues Island, Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos shoals also known as Saint Brandon and Chagos Archipelago.

History of Mauritius

The first historical evidence of the existence of an island now known as Mauritius is on a map produced by the Italian cartographer Alberto Cantino in 1502. As the map show an Arabic name `Dina Arobi', was probably visited by Arab sailors during the Middle Ages.

The Portuguese period (1507-1512)

The Portuguese sailor Domingo Fernandez Pereira was probably the first European to land on the island at around 1511. The island appears with a Portuguese name `Cirne' on early Portuguese maps, probably because of the presence of the Dodo, a flightless bird which was found in great numbers at that time.

It was another Portuguese sailor, Don Pedro Mascarenhas, who gave the name Mascarenes to the group of islands now known as Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion. The Portuguese did not stay long as they were not interested in these islands.

The Dutch period (1598-1710)

In 1598, a Dutch squadron, under the orders of Admiral Wybrand Van Warwyck, landed at Grand Port and named the island "Mauritius", in honour of Prince Maurice Van Nassau, "Stathouder" of Holland.

However, it was not until 1638 that there was a first attempt of Dutch settlement. It was from here that the famous Dutch navigator Tasman set out to discover the western part of Australia. The first Dutch settlement lasted only twenty years. Several attempts were subsequently made, but the settlements never developed enough to produce dividends and the Dutch finally left Mauritius in 1710. They are remembered for the introduction of sugar-cane, domestic animals and deer.

The French period (1715-1810)

Abandoned by the Dutch, the island became a French colony when, in September 1715, Guillaume Dufresne D'Arsel landed and took possession of this precious port of call on the route to India. He named the island "Isle de France", but it was only in 1721 that the French started their occupation. However, it was only as from 1735, with the arrival of the most illustrious of French governor, Mahé de La Bourdonnais, that the "Isle de France" started developing effectively.

Mahé de La Bourdonnais established Port Louis as a naval base and a ship-building centre. Under his governorship, numerous buildings were built, a number of which are still standing today - part of Government House, the Chateau de Mon Plaisir at Pamplemousses, the Line Barracks. The island was under the administration of the French East India Company which maintained its presence until 1767.

From that year until 1810, the island was in charge of officials appointed by the French Government, except for a brief period during the French Revolution, when the inhabitants set up a government virtually independent of France.

During the Napoleonic wars, the "Isle de France" had become a base from which French corsairs organised successful raids on British commercial ships. The raids continued until 1810 when a strong British expedition was sent to capture the island. A preliminary attack was foiled at Grand Port in August 1810, but the main attack launched in December of the same year from Rodrigues, which had been captured a year earlier, was successful. The British landed in large numbers in the north of the island and rapidly overpowered the French, who capitulated. By the Treaty of Paris in 1814, the "Isle de France" which regained its former name `Mauritius' was ceded definitely to Great Britain, together with its dependencies which included Rodrigues and the Seychelles. In the act of capitulation, the British guaranteed that they would respect the language, the customs, the laws and the traditions of the inhabitants.

The British period (1810-1968)

The British administration, which began with Robert Farquhar as governor, was followed by rapid social and economic changes. One of the most important events was the abolition of slavery in 1835. The planters received a compensation of two million pounds sterling for the loss of their slaves which had been imported from Africa and Madagascar during the French occupation.

The abolition of slavery had important repercussions on the socio-economic and demographic fields. The planters turned to India, from where they brought a large number of indentured labourers to work in the sugar cane fields.

The Indian immigrants, who were of both Hindu and Muslim faith, were to change rapidly the fabric of the society. They were later joined by a small number of Chinese traders.

Cultivation of sugar cane was given a boost and the island flourished, especially with the export of sugar to England. Economic progress necessitated the extension and improvement of means of communication and gradually an adequate infrastructure was created.

Constitutional development

On the constitutional plane, the Council of Government which was first established in 1825, was enlarged in 1886 to make room for elected representatives. The new council included 10 members elected on a restricted franchise. It was not until 1933 that the Constitution was again amended in a significant respect. The proportion of nominated members of the Council not holding public office was raised to two-thirds. However, franchise was still restricted to persons within a certain income bracket and to proprietors. A major breakthrough occurred in 1948, when after years of protracted negotiations for a more liberal constitution, franchise was extended to all adults who could pass a simple literacy test.

The Council of Government was replaced by a Legislative Council composed of 19 elected members, 12 members nominated by the Governor and three ex-officio members. General elections were held in August 1948 and the first Legislative Council met on 1st September 1948.

Following constitutional conferences held in London in 1955 and 1957, the ministerial system was introduced and general elections were held on 9th March 1959. Voting took place for the first time on the basis of universal adult suffrage and the number of electors rose to 208,684. In 1961, a Constitutional Review Conference was held in London and a programme of further constitutional advance was established. It was followed in 1965 by the last constitutional conference which -paved the way for Mauritius to achieve independence. After general elections in 1967, Mauritius adopted a new constitution and independence was proclaimed on 12 March 1968. Mauritius achieved the status of Republic 24 years later on 12 March 1992.

The Flag of Mauritius

The flag of Mauritius was adopted upon independence on 12th March 1968 and is in the proportion of 6 to 4 and consists of four horizontal stripes Red, Blue, Yellow and Green of equal width.

RED represents the struggle for freedom and independence.

BLUE represents the Indian Ocean in the middle of which the Island is situated.

YELLOW represents the new light of independence shining over the island.

GREEN represents the agriculture of Mauritius and its color throughout the year.

Population & Languages of Mauritius

Population of Mauritius

Mauritians are nationals or natives of the Republic of Mauritius and their descendants. Majorities of Mauritians are of Indian descendants while the other minorities are from Africans, Chinese and Europeans descendants.

There is also a large number of foreign expatriates living in Mauritius, about 8000 are from France, 2000 from South Africa and others from all over the world.

The island of Mauritius with its multi-ethnic society has a population of approximately 1.3 million.

Mauritius has a stable and racial harmony where all the ethnic groups present live in peace and where all the ancestral cultures have been preserved for the future generation.

Mauritius is religiously diverse consisting of 49% of Hindus, followed by Christians (33%), Muslims (17%), and Buddhists (1%).

The people of Indian descent (Indo-Mauritian) follow mostly Hinduism and Islam.

The Franco-Mauritians, Christians and Sino-Mauritians follow Christianity.

A minority of Sino-Mauritians also follow Buddhism and other Chinese-related religions.

Language spoken in Mauritius

Mauritius is a mixture of different ethnic groups, British and French colonials, African slaves, Malagasy and Indian labourers, and Chinese business traders that have come together on the island.

The most prominent languages you’ll hear in Mauritius are Mauritian Creole, French and English.

The Mauritian Creole is considered the mother-tongue and is spoken by around 90% of the population. Based on French language, is a cultural heritage which emerges from past French colonisation of the island from 1715 to 1810. During the 19th century, Mauritian Creole enriched itself from terms derived from Hindi, used by Indian indentured laborers, from English language and also from Chinese language.

French is the second most popular language, taught in school along with English, as from the pre-primary level. Written media are basically in French whereas electronic media are split into French, English and Creole languages.

English is the official language of Mauritius, due to the British colonization from 1810 to 1968, and is used in businesses, Government and all official bureaucratic matters.

Other languages that you will hear are Hindi, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hakka, Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese and Italian.

Most Mauritians are bi-lingual if not tri-lingual therefore for travellers, this means it’s easy to communicate when on the island.

Speak Creole

Hello/Good Morning - Bonzour

Good evening - Bonswar

How are you? - Ki manier?

Please- Silvouple

No problem - Pena Problem

What are you doing? - Ki to pe fer

What is this? - Ki été sa

How much? – Komie sa

Everything is okay - Tou Korek

Very good - Mari bon

I love you – Mo contan twa

Sorry - Sori

Thank you – Mersi

I don’t understand – Mo pa compran

Weather in Mauritius

With a typical Tropic climate, Mauritius has two main seasons: summer, which runs from October to May and a very mild winter, from June to September.

This makes the destination very pleasant 365 days a year.

Summer in Mauritius, hot and tropical, reaches its peak between January and March, months considered to be the rainiest but as is typical of the tropics the rains occur mainly in the form of showers or thunderstorms and generally do not last long and leave place for Sun. The maximum temperature is around 29/30 degrees from December to March on the whole island therefore it remains an ideal period for diving, deep sea fishing and certainly for an enviable tan even if there is to keep in mind that during these months, the island may be affected by cyclone formations that rarely hit Mauritius due to its small size but, even if a cyclone reach the island, all the resorts have been designed to withstand strong winds.

Winter in Mauritius has a dry and mild climate, refreshed by the trade winds that blow particularly during the winter on the East, South-East coast where from June to September the temperature drops to 24/25°C and even showers are more frequent compared to the North, North-west coast, which, sheltered from wind, remains warmer and drier with temperatures around 26/27°C. Going up to the central plateau, the temperatures drop, generally by about 5°C.

Winter in Mauritius offers ideal conditions for kite-surfing and windsurfing.

Sea temperatures in Mauritius are generally pleasant all year round between 26-30 ° C in summer and 23-25 ° C in winter.

Beaches of Mauritius

TOP 10 BEACHES OF MAURITIUS

A pristine tropical paradise surrounded by the Indian Ocean where Sea lovers can relax among some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, swim in the warm crystal clear waters of the turquoise lagoons that, framed by the coral reefs, strongly contrast with the green background of the island.

Due to its volcanic origin, each region is unique and hides numerous treasures ready to be explored.

The North and North West with its stretches of sandy beaches impresses the visitor for the perfect weather conditions.

The East presents the spectacle of vast lagoons with green turquoise water and is windy especially during winter.

The South, with its steep and wild cliffs, is a part of the island that leaves you speechless and is a must to visit Gris Gris Beach, La Roche qui Pleure, Riviere Des Gallets, Le Souffleur but these locations are considered as ‘dangerous for bathing’ due to the absence of Reefs therefore make sure to keep track of any notice boards with warnings or restrictions regarding the sea before accessing the water.

The West and the South West are ideal for surfing, kitesurfing and along with the North west coast are the ideal spot to admire the fantastic colours of the Tropical Sunsets, in fact, if during the day wasn’t magical enough, wait to see what happens as the sun goes down. The Mauritian Sunsets are ideal for postcards, as the water provides beautiful reflections and palm trees add dimensional flare to the deep colours of the sky changing from yellow, orange, deep purples and vibrant pinks all together bathing the Indian ocean and producing some of the most romantic sunsets around the world.

Many public beaches offer facilities such as vendors selling local food, delicious exotic fruits including the coconut water, public toilets with open shower and parking.

A wide selection of unique Sea Activities and Sea Excursions are also available in Mauritius and offered by Etnika Travel: fulfil your dreams by booking one of our most unique tour Swim with Dolphins and discover these animals in their natural habitat or chill on board one of our Catamaran Cruises to discover some of the pristine Islands surrounding Mauritius. Sea lovers will always find something to do as Mauritius offers an extensive selection of other sea activities and Tours such as Undersea-walk, Sub-Scooters, Submarine, Snorkelling, Parasailing, and many more.

The ideal water temperature of around 27°C, is the perfect habitat of about 4,000 species of fish and shellfish making Mauritius renowned Worldwide for Diving activities with over 100 stunning diving sites where an incredible flourishing marine life, bright corals, ship wrecks dating back to the 18th and 19th Century, Sea Turtles, Whales, dolphins and many more encounters are waiting for you! The Island is also known for being one the best fishing destinations worldwide and hosts international Big Game Fishing competitions where competitors come for the legendary Blue Marlin.

Here are the Top 10 beaches not to be missed during your holiday in Mauritius:

NORTH COAST

1. Mont Choisy Beach

Located in the North West Coast, Mont Choisy offers you a paradisiac white-sand beach facing the turquoise Lagoon. Surrounded by lush green casuarinas trees is the ideal spot to relax and chill under the shade of these trees while in the evening you can admire beautiful sunsets.

The beach stretches almost 3 km from Trou aux Biches to Pointe aux Canonniers and is among the longest Beaches of Mauritius.

Mont Choisy beach is a boat free zone, it has a marine park which can be explored through a snorkeling boat tour and with some luck, among a variety of colorful corals and fish you can also swim with the turtles.

The Lagoon is also the base of submarine and underwater scooter. The beach offers several local snack stands, public toilets with open shower and parking are available.

Nearby: Etnika Travel office, Pizzeria Coral Azur, Money exchanger.

2. Trou aux Biches Beach

Located in the North West Coast, this idyllic white-sand beach lined with lush Coconuts trees, stretches almost 2 Km of turquoise waters and its perfect for swimming and snorkelling while in the evening you can admire beautiful sunsets.

Outside the coral reef, if you are a diver you can discover the diving spot ‘Stella Maru’, a former Japanese fishing boat that was intentionally sunk in the 1980s to create a coral reef.

The beach offers several local snack stands, public toilets with open shower and parking are available.

Nearby: Restaurants, ATM, Post Office, Supermarket and Pharmacy.

3. Pereybere

Located in the North, between Grand Baie and Cap Malheurex,Pereybere is an enchanting beach facing the Northern Island, with crystal clear sea and shallow waters look as natural swimming pool given the proximity of the coral reef, where you can swim among numerous colorful fish.

With a pleasant walk on the left of the beach you can reach Casita Beach an ideal for sunbathing and a relaxing swim in his turquoise waters.

The beach offers several local snack stands, public toilets with open shower and parking are available.

Nearby: Restaurants, ATM, Money exchanger and Supermarket.

4. Northern Island Beaches (Gabriel & Flat Island)

Located at 20 km from the North coast of Mauritius the Northen Island beaches will fascinate you with the spectacular scenario of the 5 islands surrounded by the blue emerald waters.

Discover the pleasure of swimming in crystal clear waters, snorkel in an alive coral reef and then relax in the unspoilt white sand beach of Gabriel and Flat Island.

Here you will have the chance to make a tour through the paths of Gabriel Island, a declared nature reserve for its unique bird species in the world, visit the pristine beaches and the light house of Flat Island.

SOUTH COAST

5. Pointe d’Esny Beach

Located in the southeast part of Mauritius, Pointe d’Esny is a true gem of beach as it has the most beautiful stretch of beach on the entire island and is the favourite corner of many travellers.

Perhaps not the perfect spot for a full day out as you will not find any signs, public restrooms, snack stands, parking areas, or any other sort of facilities but you will find a good kilometre of fine white sand, shallow seafloor and absolutely crystal clear water.

6. Blue Bay

Located on the southeast coast, Blue Bay Beach with its beautiful white sandy beach offers an amazing emerald blue water of pure beauty which faces the private tropical resort island of Ile des Deux Cocos.

The tropical beach with its emerald waters and the frame of the casuarina trees enchants both the local and the tourists. The beach faces the Blue Bay Marine Park.

The beach offers several local snack stands, public toilets with open shower and parking facilities are available.

Nearby: Restaurants.

7. Le Morne Beach

Located in the southwestern of Mauritius at the feet of the magnificent Mountain of Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the white sandy Beach of Le Morne stretches almost 4 km and it is surrounded by a mesmerize lagoon with a fusion of waters colours from emerald to turquoise.

The Beach of Le Morne is surrounded by lush green casuarinas and palm trees and is the best spot for everyone, from families to couples looking for a relaxing holidays.

For Kitesurfs Lovers, Le Morne beach is the perfect location for kitesurfs, in fact it Is known as the Spot of One Eye, the name of the legendary world’s fastest and cleanest windsurf waves situated in front of the reef of the lagoon of le Morne.

Le Morne Beach is also famous for the underwater waterfall, an optical illusion caused by the variation in depth and the composition of the seabed that can be seen only from Helicopter or Sea Plane. The beach offers several local snack stands, public toilets with open shower and parking facilities are available.

Nearby: Restaurant

EAST COAST

8. Ile Aux Cerfs Beach

Located in the East coast, on the Island of Ile Aux Cerfs, this beach is one of the most appreciated by tourists visiting Mauritius.

Famous for its paradisiac lagoon with white sandy beach, tongues of sand, offers to its visitors transparent waters with incredible shades of turquoise surrounding the mangroves. A real natural pool, dotted with starfish and other marine life, in which to take a relaxing bath is a must.

The beach offers 2 main restaurants, 1 bar, Golf Course, a mini craft market, public toilets with open shower, water sport activities such as: Parasailing, Tube riding, undersea walking.

9. Belle Mare Beach

Located in the East coast, Belle Mare beach is one of the most popular spots on the island. Offering fine white sand, lush green casuarinas trees and turquoise waters Belle Mare beach is one of the ideal spot for snorkelling as you can admire many different fish and corals.

Whether you visit it alone, as a couple or with your family, this beautiful beach on the east coast is perfect for a beautiful day by the sea in an atmosphere of total relaxation.

The beach offers several local snack stands, public toilets with open shower and parking facilities are available.

Nearby: Restaurants, water sport activities such as: Parasailing, Tube riding, undersea walking.

WEST COAST

10. Flic en Flac & Wolmar Beach

Located on the west coast of Mauritius, Flic en Flac beach has come a long way from its origin as a fishing village. Flic en Flac together with Wolmar beach boasts one of the longest stretches of pristine white sand on the island with a coastline of about 13 km.

The beach of Flic en Flac is along the coastal road where you will find numerous local snack vendors, restaurants and habitation. Flic en Flac attracts local people and tourists throughout the year. Its lagoon is protected by the surrounding of coral reefs but the white sandy beach that has a fair bit of corals and sea urchins, therefore recommending you to always wear your beach shoes. There are marked areas for swimming as there are underwater currents.

The beach offers several local snack stands, shops, public toilets with open shower and parking facilities are available.

By the end of Flic en Flac, walking by the beach towards the south, you will discover Wolmar Beach, surrounded by resorts, with white fine sands offers scenic views over the Indian Ocean horizon and of Le Morne Brabant Peninsula and is among the best spot to watch a romantic sunset.

Nearby: Restaurants, clubs, Pharmacy, Supermarket, Money exchanger, Atm.

Nature of Mauritius

An oasis of unspoiled nature, full of parks, natural reserves and naturalistic attractions which will make you fall in love and make Nature Lovers come back again in this Paradise Island.

Starting in the south-west area of Mauritius, where over 6,574 hectares of forest, characterize the wonderful national Black River Gorges Park, a green forest that in the past covered the entire island of Mauritius, today replaced by infinite expanses of sugar cane, charming towns and numerous tourist attractions.

You will be fascinated by the wild green nature and breath-taking landscapes that the tropical Island of Mauritius offers, panoramic terraces will give you spectacular scenery on the lagoons immersed in the Indian Ocean, the suggestive Chamarel Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Mauritius at about 100m high which is also a spectacular showcase of millions of years of volcanic activity. In the middle of lush green vegetation, Red, brown, purple, green, blue, violet and yellow are the colours chosen by nature to colour the Mauritius Seven Colored Earths of Chamarel.

At 605 meters above sea level, in the center of the island a tropical green forest surrounds the dormant Volcano Trou Aux Cerfs with a well-defined cone and crater offer the majestic view of the Rempart Mountain, Trois Mamelles, and the Port-Louis - Moka mountain range.

Thanks to the volcanic origin, age and geographic isolation, the island is blessed with a diversity of flora and fauna not usually found in such a small area. Mauritius has more than 670 species of indigenous plants, of which a high percentage occurring nowhere else in the world and Nature lovers will be stunned visiting Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden that nestled in the north- west area of the island spreads across 60 acres and hosts 500 different species of plants, 80 of which are palms. The garden is also known for its large lilies and the Talipot Palms which flourishes every 60 years and then they die. There is also an abundance of tropical fruits in Mauritius, including bananas, papayas, mangoes, lychees, watermelons and coconuts.

The island of Mauritius offer you several breath-taking summits and valleys to explore on foot. Mountain lovers can experience various hiking trail, starting from Mauritius-Le Morne Brabant, located in the extreme South-West part of the island and have the chance to enjoy the most magnificent panoramic views of Mauritius at about 556 meters above sea level and the possibility to encounter two rare endemic plants, the Hibiscus fragilis and the Trochetia boutoniana. This imposing mountain is a declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO to commemorate the runaway slaves in Mauritius.

Wildlife of Mauritius

The remoteness of Mauritius had limited opportunities for natural colonisation of animals and there are only a few endemic species including birds and reptiles. There are no native mammals except for bats and there are no amphibians in Mauritius. Over 100 species of bird have been recorded in Mauritius and in the main island there are seven or eight surviving endemic species such as The Mauritius grey white-eye, The Mauritius Kestrel, Mauritius Parakeet and Pink Pigeon all came close to extinction but are now increasing thanks to intensive conservation efforts. Seabird colonies are present on many of the smaller islands of the country including two further endemic species the Warbler and Rodrigues Fody visible in Rodrigues island. A wide variety of birds and other animals have been introduced into Mauritius such as myna, red fody, red-whiskered bulbul, and zebra dove which are some of the most common and conspicuous birds of the islands.

You will also discover the Seychelles' Aldabra Tortoise and other species in various natural site of the island. Visiting a park nested in the Deep South of Mauritius you can encounter the Giant Tortoise living in Semi-liberty, where you can also meet Domino, the centenarian tortoise, who tips the scale at 275 kgs. Among this lush green setting, you will discover an exuberant fauna with over 100 Nile crocodiles that are raised in the park, iguanas, monkeys, lemurs, deer, wild boar, Japanese carp, Mauritian bats, Radiata Tortoises, fresh water turtles, geckos, eels, chameleons and more.

In the west part of Mauritius, a stopover at Casela Nature Parks will give you a chance to connect with nature and to interact with a wide variety of animal species. The Park has a population of over 1,800 animals and Animal lovers can have a taste of Africa in Mauritius with a unique chance to encounter antelopes, white rhinos, zebras, ostriches, Kudus, camels, Impalas, Oryx, Nyalas, Waterbucks and many more. Here you can also have the chance to interact and walk with Lion and other big cats such as Cheetah, Serval and Caracal.

Recommended clothing in Mauritius

For your holiday in Mauritius we recommend informal and sporty clothing, sports and comfortable shoes necessary for all land excursions, headwear for women for access to places of worship. Then equip yourself with light clothes, flip flops, good quality sunglasses, high protection sunscreen and many costumes to enjoy boat excursions and the fantastic sea.

We also recommend you to bring formal and elegant garments for evening parties, or dinner as some hotels requires long pants (generally for men) to access restaurants.

Synthetic fabrics should be avoided. In the winter months, light jackets or pullovers are recommended for cooler evenings.

A light rain jacket is also recommended as a shower could take you by surprise.

Do not forget to bring: mask, fins and shoes from rocks, insect repellent and a small travel pharmacy.

Shopping in Mauritius

No trip is ever complete in the real sense unless you pick a bunch of souvenirs from Mauritius to carry back to your home. The most known tourist products made in Mauritius are: Rum, Tea, Sugar, Chili Paste, Braided bags and hats and handmade wooden ship models.

From the typical marketplace and street shopping, to the high-end store, in Mauritius you can find something for everyone.

You can shop tax free in any shop marked with a tax refund logo. Enjoy savings up to 15% when you shop across the island in over 1000 registered stores marked with a tax refund logo.

You can claim the VAT/Duty Paid on your purchases made in registered shops displaying the logos and make sure you to receive the receipt and the Tax Refund form from your vendor.

The form shall be presented at MRA Counter at the airport before check in and you will receive your

immediate cash refunds in Euro (EUR), British Pound (GBP), US Dollar (USD) and South African Rand (ZAR) after the check in.

Cruise ship visitors should inquire with their Captain whether Tax Refund facilities will be provided on departure from Mauritius.

5 Helpful tips in Mauritius Market place

To get the really good deals you need to take out your communication skills as basic bargaining can be fun. Just know when to stop pressing the vendors, and don’t try to bargain at shopping malls.
Browse the entire market before buying anything so that you can compare the prices and get your best deal.
Be ready for heavy foot traffic, and prepare to say pardon (sorry) a lot as you bump into busy shoppers.
Don’t trust the brand names, use your instincts before buying as some shops sells Fake products.
Pickpockets do exist in Market Place, so use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

Mauritius Markets

Markets are an important part of Mauritian culture where visitors can shop among the locals and taste the famous street-food of Mauritius.

Find the market list below:

Port Louis Central Market

Nested in the capital Port Louis, known as the oldest Market in the island, is specialized in vegetable and fruits, textiles, casual wear, sportswear, T-shirts, Souvenirs, Hand Crafts, Meat & Fish and many more.

When to visit: Everyday (except Sunday) from 08:00 am to 04:00 pm

Quatre-Bornes Market

Nestled in the centre of Quatre-Bornes, this market specializes in textiles, casual wear, traditional Indian clothes, sportswear, T-shirts, Souvenirs and many more.

When to visit: Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm

Flacq Market

Nestled at Flacq, is the the largest outdoor market on the island. This colorful market specializes in textiles, Indian wear, spices, local fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and seafood, Vanilla, herbal tea souvenirs and many more.

When to visit: Wednesday and Sunday from 07:00 am to 04:00 pm

Mahebourg Market

Nestled at Mahebourg, this colorful and busy market specializes in textiles, Indian wear, spices, local fruit and vegetables, fresh fish and seafood, Vanilla, herbal tea souvenirs and many more.

When to visit: Monday from 07:00 am to 04:00 pm

Mauritius Street Shopping

All around the island, you will find more than one little shop such as vegetable shop, small supermarket, meat shop, snacks, clothes and accessories, small bazaar and many more where you can find something for your needs.

Opening Hours (Approximately)
Normal day: 9:30 to 05:00
On Thursdays: 9:00 to 13:00 (Applicable for every town except Port-Louis)
Weekends: 9:00 to 13:00
Public holidays: 9:30 to 13:00 (some are closed)

Mauritius Shopping Malls

Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius

Known as the country’s leading shopping and retail destination, the Mall with over 150 shops, supermarket and restaurants offers the most comprehensive and compelling lifestyle shopping experience on the island.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday & Public Holiday: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm

Phoenix Mall

Located at Phoenix, in the center of the island, this mall boasts over 75 shops, supermarket and restaurants, with a mix of renowned local and international brands.

Opening hours
Monday to Thursday: 09:30 am to 08:30 pm
Friday to Saturday: 09:30 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday & Public Holidays: 09:30 am to 03:00 pm

Plaisance Mall

Located in the south of the island, this mall boasts 130 shops, supermarket and restaurants, with a mix of renowned local and international brands.

Opening hours
Monday to Thursday: 09:30 am to 08:30 pm
Friday to Saturday: 09:30 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: 9:30 am to 03:00 pm

Caudan Waterfront

With over 170 shops ranging from jewelry to swim wear, this shopping center is conveniently located in the water front of Port Louis and offers a unique shopping experience for both tourists and locals alike.

Opening hours
Monday to Saturday: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: Closed

La Croisette Mall

Located in the North of the island at Grand Baie, La Croisette Mall is renowned for a totally new lifestyle for both tourists and local with over 100 shops, supermarket and restaurants.

Opening hours
Monday to Thursday: 09:30 am to 07.30 pm
Friday to Saturday: 09:30 am to 08.30 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: 09:30 am – 04.00 pm

Super U – Grand Bay

Located in the village of Grand Bay is the mall where locals and tourists can find anything they need in over 70 shops, supermarket, fast food corners, restaurants, a bowling club and a casino.

Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 09:00 am to 20:30 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: 09:00 to 03:00 pm

Super U – Flacq

Situated in the East of Mauritius you will discover the shopping mall with over 70 shops, supermarket, fast food corners, Chinese and Indian restaurants.

Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday: 09:00 am to 20:30 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: 09:00 am to 03:00 pm

Cascavelle Mall

This one stop shop of the West of Mauritius offers unique and pleasant shopping experience with over 70 outlets including supermarket, clothing, footwear, jewellery, childcare, sports and home decoration.

Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am to 07:00 pm
Friday to Saturday: 10:00 am to 09:00 pm
Sunday & Public Holiday: 10:00 am to 03:00 pm

Bo'Valon Mall

Located in Grand Port close to the airport. The mall has 46 shops, supermarket, fashion outlets, health, beauty stores and sports outlets.

Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 09.30 am to 08.00 pm
Friday to Saturday: 09.30 am – 08:00 pm
Sunday & Public holidays: 09.30 am – 02:00 pm

Riche Terre Mall

Located in the North of the Island, this mall offers an enjoyable lifestyle shopping experience with over 62 shops, food courts and supermarket.

Opening hours
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm
Sunday and Public Holidays: 10:00 am to 03:00 pm

Food & Drinks in Mauritius

One of the best ways to experience Mauritius is through its food as the Island offers a wide variety of food from different cuisines.

From street food to fine dining in luxury restaurants or colonial house, Mauritius is a place of melting pot for its unique combination of African, Indian, Chinese, French, and European flavors.

The island has plenty of dining options, multitude of international restaurants are found at hotels, resorts and all around the island some of which feature celebrity chefs and Michelin stars, where you can try the varied and delicious local Mauritian cuisine but locals and tourist go gaga over the street foods available in each corner of the Island.

If you are in Mauritius, do not hesitate to try some of the delicious food and drinks listed below:

1. Dholl Puri

The national dish is a yellow split-pea pancake that is cooked on a griddle and filled with cari gros pois (bean curry) and Mauritius’ famous rougaille (a spicy sauce of sweet tomatoes, thyme, garlic, and ginger) together with achard (pickled vegetables) and coriander chutney.

2. Gato piments

Known as Chilli ball, it is crispy outside and soft as snow inside, these tiny balls are an iconic street food of Mauritius. Split peas is mixed with spring onion, turmeric, and chilly and served on a warm baguette with a drizzle of hot sauce. These are great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

3. Boulettes

Prepared by using chayote, chicken, seafood or vegetables and served in a broth infused with chilly and spring onion, this Mauritian-style steamed dumplings can be found at most market stalls and in all restaurants across the island and is made in various ways.

4. Tropical fruit salad

Fruit salad in Mauritius is the usual mix of tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, lychee, guava, apple, and even a bit of cucumber, but the Mauritian twist is lashings of zesty tamarind sauce and a sprinkling of chilly salt. It may sound weird, but it is delicious.

5. Samosa

The samosa is filled with boiled potatoes, tuna or mince, spices, herbs and curry powder in a small triangular shaped ‘pastry’ which is then deep fried until light brown and is very much appreciated by the locals and foreigners. Simply dip this triangular shaped savory into a chilly sauce and appease your taste.

6. Mauritian Biryani

Definitely one of the signature dishes brought to Mauritius by the Muslim community, the Mauritian biryani is a very tasty meal made with basmati rice, lots of herbs and spices for the flavor, potatoes and beef, chicken or seafood. You will always see this delicious menu on table especially when there are festivals like Eid Ul Fitr in Mauritius.

7. Mine (Noodles)

Mine or Noodles is among the most popular Street Food/Snack and quick grab of the day meal in Mauritius.
There are so many ways to enjoy noodles; boiled or fried you can have with vegetables, meat or seafood! If you would like it to be spicy and hot then you can add the accompanying garlic sauce and chilli paste.

Local Drinks of Mauritius

1. Alouda

One of the popular drinks in Mauritius is the Alouda which is a pink sweet milky beverage with basil seeds, flavored with syrup and sometimes you can find ice cream in it. The best place to have it is at the Central Market of Port Louis.

2. Coconut Water

Mauritius is full of coconut trees, and obviously you can’t leave the island without drinking the refreshing coconut water which you can find on most beaches. After drinking it you can ask your vendor to cut it into half so that you can eat the white flesh.

3. Phoenix Beer

This beer is locally produced with a nice light taste and available all around the Island. Do not forget to try the chilled Phoenix Beer.

4. Mauritian Rum

This list would not have been complete without Mauritian rum. Obtained by distillation of sugar cane juice or that of molasses, you can enjoy it on the rock, in punch or cocktail as it is also available in different flavors such as lychee, lemon and chilly.

9 main festivals in Mauritius

The 9 main festivals and religious events celebrated in Mauritius are Cavadee, Chinese Spring Festival, Christmas, Divali, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ganesh Chathurti, Holi, MahaShivaratree and Père Laval Pilgrimage. These traditional and religious festivals speak volumes of the rich cultural diversity of Mauritius. If you have the chance to attend any of the festivals while being in Mauritius, don’t miss this opportunity to experience it!

Cavadee

Cavadee is celebrated in the month of January/February in devotion to Lord Muruga. Along with the fire-walking and sword-climbing ceremonies, Cavadee is among the most spectacular Tamil events in Mauritius. The body pierced with needles and the tongue and cheeks with skewers, the devotee trance-like and in penance walks in procession to the temple bearing the "Cavadee", a wooden arch covered with flowers with a pot of milk at each end of its base which he or she places before the deity.

Chinese Spring Festival

The Spring Festival, which is the Chinese New Year, is celebrated in January/February, depending on the adjustment of lunar days. Streets and lanes are decorated with vibrant red lanterns and colourful lights representing a symbol of happiness. Traditional foods eaten during the Spring festival are fish as it is believed to bring a surplus of money and good luck, Chinese dumplings as their shape is said to be like that of silver ingots, which were used as money in ancient Chinese, spring rolls, rice cakes and rice balls. Food is piled up to ensure abundance during the year and the traditional wax cake is distributed to relatives and friends. Firecrackers are lit to ward off evil spirits and we have the cultural dragon and Lion dance.

Christmas

Christmas is primarily a Christian celebration which is celebrated in various ways in Mauritius' multi-ethnical society. Considered as a national celebration, Christmas brings families and friends back together for a good and enjoyable meal at home or at the beach. Dishes normally depend on religions, cultures and tastes.

During your stay in the hotels or villas or while visiting the island or shopping malls, you will come across Christmas decorations, Christmas trees from natural pine and spruce trees to artificial ones, animations and shows attracting crowds during the day and late night shopping.

Each street corner is occupied by hawkers selling Christmas cards, toys, balloons, firecrackers, gifts and clothes.

Christmas shopping is done for people for all ages. The gifts are placed under the warmly decorated christmas tree and are opened in the morning on Christmas day as most kids still believe in Father Christmas.

Divali - Public Holiday

Divali is the most jovial of all Hindu festivals. Celebrated in October/November it marks the victory of righteousness over evil in the Hindu mythology. Traditionally, clay oil lamps are placed in front of every home turning the island into a fairyland of flickering lights which nowadays have been replaced mostly by decorative electric lights. On this pious day, the Hindu community prepares a variety of sweets/cakes (gato Patate,laddoo,barfi) to offer to the goddess Luxmi, which is later distributed in the neighborhoods and among friends and family.

Eid-ul-Fitr - Public Holiday

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the sighting of the moon as there is a variation in the exact date to mark the end of Ramadhan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. It is a day of thanks giving and rejoicing for Muslims. Prayers are offered at mosques during the morning. Other key elements of the Eid celebrations are giving money to the poor known as 'Zakat al-Fitr', sending Eid greetings and feasting Briani with families.

Ganesh Chathurti - Public Holiday

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated sometime in September, on the 4th day of the lunar month of the Hindu calendar by mostly the Marathi community. It marks the birthday of Ganesha, the God of wisdom,prosperity and remover of all obstacles according to Hindu mythology. The festivities start ten days before the final ritual with the installation of the Ganesha statue, usually made out of clay, in the house and the final one is marked by the immersion of the statue in the rivers and sea around the country.

Holi

Holi is the festival of colours. It celebrates the beginning of spring and people of the Hindu faith enjoy themselves by squirting coloured water and powder on one another. It is a time for rejoicing and exchanging greetings.

The festival primarily celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil, though it also has a religious significance, symbolised by the legend of Holika. It’s said that Holika, who was the evil sister of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, perished in a fire whilst trying to despatch her own nephew, Prahlada. Now, the traditional burning of bonfires on the eve of Holi itself is known as Holika Dahan, featuring straw-and-bamboo effigies of Holika on top of the pyre.

Maha Shivaratree

Mahashivratree, known as "The Great Night of Shiva" is a hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the Lord Shiva. About one week prior to the day of the festival, devotees dressed in white clothes, carrying their Kanwars set on for pilgrimage from all over the island to 'Grand Bassin' (Ganga Talao) to fetch holy water to offer it to Lord Shiva.

Père Laval Pilgrimage

In September, people of all faiths flock to the shrine of Father Jacques Désiré Laval, a 19th century French missionary, in Sainte Croix, Port Louis. One can almost catch a glimpse of Lourdes in the fervour of the crowd who attributes miraculous healing powers to this holy man and is also recognized by the Vatican.

Driving in Mauritius

Self-driving in Mauritius is an ideal way to feel at home on your vacation island. What's more, you'll have the freedom to explore the island natural beauty on your own schedule.

To rent a car in Mauritius, you have to be 18 years old or more and have a valid driving license issued since one year minimum. Driving is English style; that is cars drive on the left-hand side of the road.

For the most part, public roads on the islands are in good shape. Mauritius has two types of roads: motorway and side roads. The motorway is divided into two parts: the first one links the southern part from the Airport to Grand-Baie the Northern part passing through the busy capital city Port Louis, the second one, links the center of the Island from Ebène to Terre-Rouge avoiding the traffic jam of Port Louis. Side roads are found everywhere which interlink the main cities, villages and attractions.

About traffic Jam, from Monday to Friday, areas such as Port Louis, Ebene, Quatre Bornes are overcrowded during Peak hours especially between 07:30 and 09:00 am and between 04:30 and 06:00 pm.

Mauritius has its own particular driving laws, for your safety, be aware of the following general driving rules:

Fastening your seatbelt is compulsory wherever you sit;
No use of Mobile phone is allowed while driving;
Smoking is forbidden with minimum 2 passengers in the car – including the driver;
The blood-alcohol level in Mauritius is “0” therefore zero tolerance.

Speed limit varies between 30 and 50 km/h in town and on secondary roads and between 60 and 110 km/h on the motorway, depending on the area. We strongly advise you to be extra vigilant on road as many speed cameras have been set up all around the Island and even if you are driving with a foreign license, the car rental agency can send you the bill in case of a fine.

The fuel goes from Rupees 38 to Rs 45 per litre which is equal to approx. 1,00€ while the diesel goes from Rupees 34 to Rs 40 per litre which is equal to approx. 0,80 €. Filling stations are located all around the island Indian Oil, Shells, Total and some like Engen are open 24/7.

Practical info about Mauritius

Electricity

The voltage is 220V, British-style three-pin sockets (type G) and the Continental two-pin variety (type C) are commonly used. Most accommodation in Mauritius has a minimum of French outlet plug. It is recommended that you bring a travel adapter even if you will be able to find them in most hotels.

Telephone

Mauritius has international direct dialling facilities to most parts of the world as well as high speed fax and Internet services. The island also offers some of the cheapest mobile-phone services in the world and the Coverage on Mauritius and Rodrigues is generally excellent.

If you have a GSM phone and it has been unlocked, you can keep costs down buying a local SIM CARD where you can also add a Data Package and roam around the island with peace of mind. When buying a SIM card you need to bring along your passport. To top up your credit you can buy prepaid cards almost anywhere.
When phoning Mauritius from abroad, you'll need to dial the international code for Mauritius (230), followed by the seven-digit local number (unless it's a mobile phone, which has eight digits and begins with '5').

Health and Vaccinations

In Mauritius, free public medical facilities are available in all the government hospitals whereas
Private clinics also provide medical services but for a fee unless you have stipulate your travel insurance.

Vaccination: Most visitors (especially EU Nationals) do not require any vaccinations prior to coming to Mauritius, and there are no major health concerns. A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for visitors who have lived more than 1 year in a contaminated area.

Medication: It is recommended to bring your own travel pharmacy kit even if most medicines are available in Mauritius. Pharmacies are available all around the island. Don't forget your sunscreen and your mosquito repellant as in some areas, during summer season, you may encounter them even if mosquitoes in Mauritius do not generally carry diseases. There are no venomous animals or other dangerous species on the island.

Time difference

Mauritian time is GMT +4Hours. We must add three hours to the Italian time during winter (austral summer) and two hours in summer (southern winter). The sun rises at about 05:30 am and sets at 07:00 pm from November to April. From May to October, it rises at 06:45 am and sets at 05:45 pm.

Currency

While many travellers may want to use their Euro or dollars (or another type of foreign currency) while being on holiday, we recommend to convert it in the local Mauritian currency, the Mauritian Rupee (Rs).
The currency consists of coins and notes and is available in the following denominations:
Notes: ₨ 25, ₨ 50, ₨ 100, ₨ 200, ₨ 500, ₨ 1,000, ₨ 2,000.
Coins: ₨ 1, ₨ 5, ₨ 10, ₨ 20.

For those who would like to exchange their money in local currency, this can be done at the arrival at the international airport, otherwise, all around the island are also present money exchanger offices and banks.
In addition, international credit cards such as: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are also accepted in most of hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and shops. It is possible to withdraw money at any ATM.
Valid passport is required for almost any transaction made in any of the banks, including: money withdrawals, money transfers, money exchange.

Approximate rates of exchange:
USD 1.00 = Rs 38.00
EUR 1.00 = Rs 45.00

Passport, Visa and Customs

Passport:
A valid Passport where the expiry date is beyond the intended period of stay is required.

Visa:
Citizens of most countries do not need a visa or may obtain a visa on arrival to Mauritius for tourism purpose. A tourist visa valid for three months will be issued on arrival. You only need to present to the immigration authorities a return ticket (or tickets to another destination) and a confirmed booking for accommodation – for example, a booking at a hotel or villa.

If the person travelling is being sponsored by a Mauritian citizen, they will need to produce evidence of sponsorship, stating their name, address, profession, relationship, national identity card number and telephone number. They may also ask you (in the extreme case) to prove that you have the financial means for the duration of your stay in Mauritius.

Customs:
When entering in Mauritius, passengers over 18 years old are allowed to the following duty-free :
• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigares or 250 g of tobacco;
• 1 litre of spirits over 22% or 2 litres for spirit under 22%, 2 litres of wine or beer;

Please note that all animals, fruits, vegetables, seeds and meat products are considered as restricted goods and are prohibited from entering the island.

Casuarina Resort & Spa

North West

From €