17 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Mauritius Travel Tips

Issues You Should Know Earlier than Visiting Mauritius

1. English is the Official Language

The three important languages are English, French, and Creole. English is the official language, however the majority language used is French-Mauritius Creole, which was correct on our journey. Many resort staff additionally converse German, Italian, and Spanish. If you happen to plan on venturing outdoors the resorts and fashionable vacationer points of interest, studying some fundamental French will assist you to.

Most Mauritians are bilingual, and lots of are expert in three or 4 languages, which makes them a preferred recruit for cruise ships. It is usually value noting that 70% of the inhabitants can converse “Morisyen.” Additionally they converse Indian languages corresponding to Bhojpouri (31.4%), Tamil (3.5%), Hindi (2.8%), and Urdu (2.7%).

3. Who’s Visiting Mauritius

Due to Mauritius’ location, we seen most vacationers had been Europeans. France, the UK, Germany, and Spain convey probably the most vacationers, adopted by China.

After we visited, we obtained just a few feedback asking if we had been from China. The borders have been closed due to the pandemic, so the Mauritians had been excited that we could be among the many Chinese language vacationers beginning to go to once more.

4. Carry your Benjamins

Mauritius isn’t thought of a price range vacation spot. Most individuals go to Mauritius for luxurious, they usually pay for it. Though you may journey right here on a price range, there are higher locations should you’re in search of an inexpensive seaside trip.

5. Their Forex is the Mauritian Rupee

They use the Mauritian Rupee, and roughly USD 1 = MUR 43.95.

We solely wanted money for ideas and avenue distributors. Different spots took bank cards. You’ll be able to change currencies on the airport and most lodges or withdraw from an ATM. If you happen to withdraw from an ATM, we heard you must restrict every transaction to MUR15,000. In any other case, the machines would possibly get jammed.

6. Tipping Is Not Necessary however APPRECIATED

Tipping will not be obligatory in Mauritius. Here’s a fast guideline if you’re seeking to tip for distinctive service: Spas (5-10%), Tour guides (10%), Taxis (100-200 Rps), Lodges (100 MUR), and Eating places (10-15%).

7. Visiting Mauritius throughout Excessive and Low Seasons

Temperatures are heat all 12 months, making it a year-round vacation spot. The water temps keep between 71-80°F (22-27°C).

The excessive season is throughout their summers (October-April) and winters (Could-September). Throughout peak season, you must e book lodges three months prematurely and actions/eating places round one week earlier than. Shoulder season runs March-April and September-October.

• Summers (Oct-Apr) – The imply temperature in the summertime is 76°F (24.7°C). Dec to Mar are the wettest months. Thunderstorms are widespread however go. Throughout our December go to, the waterfalls had been dry (normally late winter/early Summer season) however had been dryer than common. As soon as the rain begins in Dec/Jan, the rivers and falls fill again up.
• Winters (Could-Sep) – The imply temperature within the winter is 70°F (21°C). Winter is windier and one of the best time to go to should you like delicate temperatures and sports activities that require wind, like kitesurfing.

Native Tip: They normally get a cyclone every season, and each ten or so years, it would hit the island straight. The final massive one was in 1992, so locals have been anticipating one any time now.

8. Locations Shut Early

Many locations closed sooner than anticipated, and lots of companies closed for holidays and Sundays. Additionally, sure eating places have random days they aren’t open.

9. Renting a Automobile vs. Getting a Taxi

Renting an (automated) automobile is an possibility on the island, and also you don’t want a world driver’s license. Simply keep in mind they drive on the left facet of the highway, which will be disorienting.

Roads outdoors the town are simple to navigate and never too crowded, however driving in a metropolis will be irritating. Navigating through google maps labored properly going to fashionable points of interest, and the roads had been in good situation in comparison with different nations we’ve explored. Pace limits are normally round 40 kph (25 mph) in cities, 90 kph (50 mph) outdoors of them, and 110 kph (68 mph) on the freeway.

Taxi prices range and are not regulated. For instance, from Port Louis to Flic n Flac, it will possibly value between MUR 800 and MUR 1,000. Be cautious of taxi drivers, since some are affiliated with outlets they are going to attempt to take you to for “a superb deal” to obtain a reduce of income. However now that I give it some thought, it’s just like some bloggers and influencers too.

10. Visitors can get loopy

It will probably take 1-2 hrs to get from one facet of the island to the opposite. Maintain that in thoughts once you plan actions or the place you’re visiting. We had a whole lot of early days since we had so as to add within the journey time.

Visitors on the island begins round 8 am and 4 pm. Though we didn’t see visitors, they stored telling us how dangerous visitors was, so we at all times left earlier or manner later to keep away from it.

Native Tip: If you happen to booked a resort with breakfast however have an early exercise, you’ll most certainly miss breakfast. Ask for a to-go bag.

11. Faucet Water is Technically Protected

Locals drink faucet water, nevertheless it isn’t advisable for guests. No matter protected consuming water, we pack this self-cleaning water bottle on all our journeys to refill on the resort or airport.

12. Mauritius has a whole lot of historical past, and Sugar is a Massive a part of it

Many of the fields in Mauritius are sugarcane fields, and sugarcane farms nonetheless dominate 70% of the land. The most effective locations to study extra concerning the historical past of sugarcane in Mauritius is Sugar World (L’Aventure de Sucre). Right here, you may as well do a sugar tasting and a rum tasting.

As a result of sugar trade, after slavery was abolished, the British examined out indentured labor and unfold it to the remainder of the world on account of their success. You’ll be able to study extra about that at Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Website, the stays of an Immigration Depot in-built 1849.

Do you know the now-extinct Dodo fowl can also be from Mauritius? You’ll discover them on souvenirs and branding everywhere in the island.

13. Souvenirs

• Sugar from L’Aventure du Sucre – we purchased a number of for mates again house that love baking or consuming espresso.
• Phoenix is the island’s hottest native beer. We by no means examine our baggage, however you may convey again some native beer or liquor should you do.
• Native Rum or Fruit Wines – Most cocktails are made with rum since they supply from native rhumeries. There aren’t native grape wines, however you will discover native fruit wines.

14. If you happen to Love Golf, You’ll Love Mauritius

{Golfing} may be very fashionable in Mauritius. There are ten 18-hole programs and 4 9-hole programs, some designed by Gary Participant and Ernie Els. Mauritius was house to the primary golf course within the southern hemisphere.

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15. World Class Diving Over Snorkeling

We weren’t impressed with the snorkeling on the reefs, however Mauritius has world-class diving. There are round 50 dive websites throughout the island. If we might have a do-over, we’d have taken a PADI refresher course and booked some diving excursions as an alternative.

Native Tip: Don’t overlook coral-safe sunscreen. We had been disenchanted by all of the bleached coral we noticed.

16. The underwater Waterfall can solely be Seen from a Helicopter

The underwater waterfall, an optical phantasm, is a well-known landmark you need to see whereas visiting Mauritius. It will probably solely be seen through helicopter, which is at all times climate dependent. Plan your journey early in your go to in order that if it will get canceled, you’ll have loads of time to reschedule.

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