The first to colonise the island were the Dutch, who took possession of the island in 1598. Enjoy activities including watersports, scuba diving, golf courses and fitness centres during your stay, Kids and teens clubs within hotels will be open and babysitting services are available, with sanitary protocols in place, You can explore our beautiful islands landscapes and attractions from day one of your holiday. The authorities in Mauritius set and enforce entry rules. Souillac, a small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne district. Boutique outfit LUX* is the last word in modern luxury hotels on Mauritius; with chic properties in pristine Belle Mare, striking Le Morne and Grand Gaube which overlooks the spectacular north islets the company still does well to minimise its environmental impact. Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved 2023, Due to the impact of COVID-19, you are recommended to check travel restrictions from your government sources and contact local venues to verify any new rules, the IDs1564Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius Meteorological Services updates, nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission, travel abroad and reducing spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic, guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health, how to reduce your risk fromterrorism while abroad, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority page, National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC), seek advice from the Mauritian High Commission, best practice when travelling abroad with medicines, National Travel Health Network and Centre. A boat leaves every other Wednesday. There are clear links between mental and physical health, so looking after yourself during travel and when abroad is important. Mauritius has one of the highest average annual incomes in Africa, at US$16,100 per capita. Mauritian borders are open. Symptoms last from one week up to several months depending how seriously you are affected. General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. Its not exactly a secret, but people recommend sundowners at The Bay in Tamarin for good reason; its one of the most romantic spots on the island. Take extra care when withdrawing cash. Roman Catholicism and Islam also have a significant following, accounting for 26.3% and 17.3% of the population respectively. In 1991 86% of the population had antibodies indicating that they had been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, following an epidemic of the disease in 1989. The beaches are, indeed, noteworthy of praise. No vaccine is available. In recent times, Mauritius has gained a wide popularity. If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should remain at home and call the Mauritian governments 24 hour hotline on 8924 for advice. You should follow advice issued by the local authorities. The fish eat the toxic algae that grows on the coral reefs. See the TravelHealthPro website for further advice on travel abroad and reducing spread of respiratory viruses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sylvain Grandadam/ Getty Images An Indian Ocean island blessed with paradise beaches and lush rainforests, Mauritius is as relaxing or as adventurous as you want it to be. The Mauritian national emblem is the dodo, which can be seen on the coat of arms, banknotes and postage stamps. Trains run every 10 minutes from 6 AM to 7 PM, taking around 40 minutes from end to end (Rs 50). Would you like to receive these? The turquoise waters, beautiful landscape, and amazing cultural heritage make this country unlike any other in the world. If you go to the south west corner of Mauritius, you will find Le Morne Brabant peninsula. The French colonial period led to the economic development of Mauritius. Best Time To Visit. Heres how I earned Gold Status with a major rew, When it comes to traveling, I hate having to choos, 10 Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travel, The Best Girlfriend Getaways Around the World, 10 European Destinations for Female Travelers, 10 Incredible Adventures to Have in North America, 10 Budget-Friendly Travel Destinations Around the World, What to Expect on a Luxury Galpagos Cruise, 7 Budget Travel Tips for Student Travelers, Ethical Animal Encounters Around the World, Why You Should Travel with Reef Safe Sunscreen, My Gender-Neutral Backyard Baby Shower in San Diego, The Best Babymoon Destinations in the United States, The Best Travel Products for Babies and Kids. NaTHNaC have also published guidance on best practice when travelling abroad with medicines. The local beer, Phoenix, costs around Rs30 for a pint. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth since January 2017. Numerous car hire firms include major international and local car rental agencies. You cannot afford to miss this tiny island, delicately poised on the ocean, a real pearl in the Mauritian landscape. Stonefish stings are rare but can be fatal. Make sure accommodation and hotel rooms are secure. Village such as Petite Julie and Queen Victoria demonstrate the mixed Anglo-French heritage of the country, and it is in these sleepy outposts that you can hear sega music played in its most traditional form. For information on financial support you can access whilst abroad, visit our financial assistance guidance. But you dont need to break the bank to eat or sleep well, so make sure you get out and about. Consider changing the search query. They both sell sim card and E-sim at the airport from 700 MUR per month. Whether or not you require a visa depends on your nationality - see thisgovernment website for a full list of visa-exempt countries. Mauritius Hotel + Flights. travel experts. .mw-parser-output .oo-ui-icon-unesco{background-image:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/WorldHeritageBlanc.svg")}.mw-parser-output .oo-ui-icon-star{background-image:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Cscr-featured.svg")}.mw-parser-output .oo-ui-icon-ftt{background-image:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Writing_Circle.svg/25px-Writing_Circle.svg.png")}.mw-parser-output .oo-ui-icon-dotm{background-image:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Yes_Check_Circle.svg/25px-Yes_Check_Circle.svg.png")}.mw-parser-output .oo-ui-icon-otbp{background-image:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Right_turn_icon_blue.svg/25px-Right_turn_icon_blue.svg.png")} You should follow the advice of the local authorities. Here are the top things you must do in Mauritius! Most crime is non-violent, but weapons have been used in some burglaries. Plan your holiday to Mauritius, booking flights and your accommodation, You do not need to book a Covid-19 test before flying to Mauritius. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, escaped slaves sought shelter in the mountain's caves and it has become synonymous with their fight for freedom. Seek urgent medical attention if you are stung. So you must be wondering who plays at what time? It is important to check the visa requirements and eligibility criteria before applying. In 1710, the Dutch abandoned the island, leaving behind macaques, the java deer, sugarcane, fugitive slaves and, also, irreversible damage to the endemic and indigenous flora and fauna of the island. These links are signposted with an asterisk. From the ancient Dutch capital of Mahbourg to the sleepy fishing village of Baie du Cap, this stretch of coastline is Mauritiuss least developed, with a scattering of hip hotels, unusual rock formations and island-hopping trips that compensate for the lack of good swimming beaches. Mauritius Travel Guide. Discover two other, historically-significant islands. Explore the remote Indian Ocean island of Mauritius! One & Only Le Saint Geran* and Le Touessrok* (now a Shangri-La hotel) have been pulling in island visitors since they opened in the 1970s, as two of the most enduringly popular resorts in the Indian Ocean, but relative newcomers such as Maradiva*, Constance Prince Maurice* and Four Seasons Anahita* just pip them in the luxury stakes. It is important to use anti-mosquito protection at all times. Those looking to get away from it all need to head to beautiful Rodrigues, Mauritiuss tiny sister island. Please read ourprivacy policyfor more information. ATMs are widely available in most towns in the island and at large shopping centres. (All beaches in Mauritius are public.). Most car rental companies in Mauritius require 2 years of driving experience or drivers above 21 years. Here you will find all the relevant information for any visitor of the island, making sure you are well prepared when visiting our beautiful paradise Island. Please follow the Mauritius Meteorological Services updates. When it comes to accommodation, Mauritius has it all private islands, trendy glamping pods and everything in between. Keep in mind that the bus driver may skip some stops or change itinerary if the number of customers is too low. The island is remarkable for its interracial harmony. While both the hotels I stayed at in Mauritius impressed, there are some differences! UK passport holders dont need a visa to enter Mauritius. An island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is rich with dense forests, unique wildlife, pristine beaches, and many points of interest, making it a dream place for the newly married couples. Dal, a variety of lentil soup, are many and varied according to the type of lentil used; vegetables, beans, and pickles accompany the dishes. Mauritius Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Mauritius country guide for the best Mauritius travel tips. Mauritius has a population of 1 million inhabitants. Check with your airline before departing. For up-to-date exchange rates, use this online converter. Popular travel and lifestyle blog featuring travel tips, fashion, food and photography from around the world. There is no better place to start your discovery of Mauritius than on the Mauritius Attractions Guide. Other notable languages include Bhojpuri and French. Private Speed Boat Tour and Dolphin Encounter at Ile aux Benitier. Mauritians have a sweet tooth and make many types of 'gateaux', as they are called. It is also a good place to find unusual jewellery and handicrafts such as artificial flowers, model boats and wooden art. Go tailor-made! Avoid renting accommodation that isnt registered with the Mauritius Tourism Authority. My Mauritius travel guide covers the 7 days we spent in this island country travelling slowly from North to South. Bail is not usually granted for drug-related crimes, regardless of the type of drug. Surrounded by cerulean waters and fringed with beaches coated in. Almost four centuries of colonization have left the island with a rich multicultural mosaic of Indian, African, Chinese and French heritage. The island is also home to the pink pigeon and the Mauritian kestrel, both of which were brought back from the brink of extinction. It is one of the most popular and most visited places on the island. There have been reports of street robberies near or at ATMs. Further information is also available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC). Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favour of Mauritius in 2017, the British government does not accept the ruling has refused to hand the islands over to Mauritius. If you visit the west coast of Mauritius you will be transported to a spectacular coastline, amazing mountain peaks, and sugar cane fields. In the local Creole dialect, the conductors are called con-tro-lair (literally controller). Most visits are trouble free. This is generally not a problem at the big hotels as the designated swimming areas on the beaches are regularly cleaned of urchins and debris. They settled and established their main harbour on the northwestern side of the island, which was to become Port Louis, the present day capital of the country. If youre a British national and you have a question about travelling abroad that isnt covered in our foreign travel advice or elsewhere on GOV.UK, you can submit an enquiry, or contact us on Twitter or Facebook. Mauritius can be visited at any time. There is also a dedicated public beach between Dinarobin and Lux Le Morne. For a change of pace, look to nearby, quieter Cap Malheureux, the uninhabited northern islands, or head inland for a stroll through the lovely Pamplemousses Gardens. How expensive is Mauritius? Jump aboard a luxurious catamaran and enjoy a relaxing day cruising across the turquoise water. Mauritius tourism is the best choice you can go with on your next excursion. While there are no indigenous people on the island, its multiethnic society comprises a mix of Creoles, Chinese, Indians and French who are descendants of colonialism and labour. The SSR botanical garden, Pamplemousses, is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. You should read the Safety and Security Measures if youre staying in rented accommodation. For booking, kindly call on 468 8288. Heres how to decide which Constance Resort in Mauritius to stay at! It will generate a PDF document with a QR Code. Follow Kiersten on her adventures! The islands bustling capital, Port Louis, is arguably the real Mauritius, with historic buildings and the islands oldest market squeezed in alongside modern shopping complexes and offices. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, separately. Some 87 percent of Mauritians own their homes and all have access to free education and healthcare. Read guidance on how to look after your mental wellbeing and mental health. Safety: Mauritius is an extremely safe country, with the most dangerous acts being a mosquito bite or a bad sunburn. You can find a variety of cakes, including some that are very much like those in France and others similar to Indian sweets like gulab jamun and rasgulla. If you need to take a PCR test to travel home or onwards to a new destination, you must pay for this. Located about 1200 miles off the African coast in the Indian Ocean, the island nation is made up of Mauritius's main island and the smaller islands of Rodrigues, the Agalegas, and the Cargados Carajos Shoals. Take care of bags and valuables in popular tourist areas including Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. The Dutch settlers landed on a bay in the southeastern part of the island which was named Warwyck Haven after the commander Van Warwijck; the bay is now known as Grand Port. This page has information on travelling to Mauritius. See the Mauritius Now website for full details. Mauritius Travel Guide. This is also one of the best places to see Mauritian wildlife, either on a snorkeling trip in the pristine Blue Bay Marine Park or on le aux Aigrettes, where you can encounter giant Aldabra tortoises and the pink pigeon. Mauritius Meteorological Services distribute 5-stage landside warnings and local authorities may organise evacuations of threatened areas if necessary.