There’s nothing like up-to-date, relevant travel information direct from the experts – get Africa joy tours essential Mauritius travel advice before you go.
Money & Spending
The local currency is the Mauritian Rupee and you’ll find that your hotel or resort will exchange cash or travellers cheques without any problems. (As a general rule, travellers cheques get a better rate than cash.) Many visitors however tend to pay for any extras with their credit cards as both Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted throughout the island.
Hotel rates generally include breakfast, dinner, all non-motorized water sports and unlimited waterskiing. You can sometimes opt for an all-inclusive rate which also covers lunch and drinks (except imported beers and spirits). Although it’s obviously a slightly higher rate, paying the all-inclusive price upfront means that apart from apart from souvenirs, tips and taxi fares, you won’t have to worry about money on your Mauritius holiday.
Tipping
Although it is not compulsory, tipping is highly appreciated in Mauritius. For good service we recommend a tip of between 10% and 15%, which is the charge that top-end hotels and restaurants will sometimes add to a bill.
For in-depth tipping guidelines, enquire with one of our Africa Safari Experts – they’d be happy to share their knowledge with you.
Climate
Average year-round temperatures: 17°C to 30°C
Rainy season: December to April
Refer to “best time to visit Mauritius” for climate charts and more detailed advice.
What to Pack
As most of your Mauritius holiday will likely be spent on the beach, light beach wear and cotton clothing will be most comfortable during the day: shorts and t-shirts, swimming costumes, sun hats, sunglasses and sandals are essential. A pair of walking shoes will come in useful too, and include a few slightly more formal outfits for the evenings.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport: set in the south of the island 4km from the coastal town of Mahebourg, it takes approximately a hour to get to your resort or hotel, regardless of what coast it is on. Fly in direct from Europe or Dubai as well as from Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Nairobi.
Road transfers whisk you from door to door but the manageable size of Mauritius makes it easy to explore the island under your own steam – hire a scooter, car or even a bicycle. If you’d prefer to let someone else do the driving, take one of the many taxis available but be aware that although they all have meters they are seldom switched on. Agree on a price before you start your journey.
Visa & Passport Requirements
Visas to enter Mauritius are not required for citizens of the USA, EU, Canada and Japan, among others. Initial entry is granted for one month but extensions for a further three months are available at Port Louis. Visitors from most other countries can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport for a period of up to 60 days – for a full list of visa requirements, visit the Mauritius Embassy website.
All visitors to Mauritius require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.