Mauritius Travel Guide

Language and Communications

While there is no official language in Mauritius, English and French-based Creole are widely spoken everywhere. French is also commonly spoken by almost all the population.

There is usually a small fee for using the WiFi in your hotel room. In general, internet connectivity is quite good in Mauritius and this applies to mobile internet as well. SIM cards are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at kiosks that are found everywhere.

Getting Around

In Mauritius, cars travel of the left side of the road. Being a small nation, the traffic is relatively less. Buses are the most popular means of transport with terminals in all major cities. If you wish to travel to a destination that is not on the bus route, it is easiest to call a taxi. Make sure to negotiate the fare before you set out: check with your hotel for a reasonable rate or ask the staff to call you a taxi.

Cash and Credit Cards

The official currency of Mauritius is the Rupee (MUR), and 1 Rupee is equal to 100 cents. You can exchange money at the airport or at your hotel, although we don’t recommend the latter due to poor exchange rates. ATMs are easily available at all popular destinations. while credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and shops, we recommend carrying some cash with you as well.

Health Information

Mauritius has a tropical climate with an even distribution of rainfall and few fluctuations in the temperature through the year. There are two main seasons in the country. For more information on the best time to travel to Mauritius, click on the following link.

Tipping

Tipping is not common in Mauritius and tips are generally included in the bill at most restaurants. Most travelers still choose to tip, which is welcome. While traveling by taxi, it is common to simply round off the price.

History

It is thought that Mauritius was completely uninhabited until 1638! Dutch settlers, with its Dutch East India Company, were the first to try and colonize the island, naming it after the Danish prince, Maurice of Nassau. The Dutch brought African slaves and tried to farm sugarcane, but they were unable to maintain the settlements.

The French, who had already settled on the neighbouring island of Réunion, took control and many more plantations developed. After a war, the British fought with the French and took over did not make any changes to the already French-rooted culture. When slavery was abolished in 1835, the freed slaves stayed and created their own towns.

Over the centuries many settlers from European traders from China, laborers from India and slaves and creoles from Africa, came to make up what Mauritius is today. Mauritius gained full independence from the British in 1968. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the leader of the free movement, was appointed the first prime minister. Today, people from all over the world go on Mauritius tours to enjoy its blissful beaches and the laid-back life on the islands.

Culture

With its pride as a diverse and peaceful nation, the country boasts a harmonic vibe and Mauritius Island holidays are typically very peaceful. Kreol Morisyen, or Mauritian Creole, is the most spoken language yet you can also find literature in French, English and even Hindi. During your Mauritius vacation, you will see no one official religion but there are practising Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Buddhists who all mutually respect one another.

The national sport of Mauritius is horse racing, although football and rugby are equally popular. The country is known for its renowned Sega music, which is usually sung in Creole with a basic orchestra of a goat-skin drum called a ravann, the triangle, and the maravann. In recent decades, Sega music has evolved into Seggae, taking on the reggae beats from the Rastafarian movement of the 1980s and 1990s.

Cuisine

The food in Mauritius is a marvellous fusion of European, Indian, Creole and Chinese styles – and it is not unusual to combine them all into one meal! Some of the dishes are very similar to what you can find in the Seychelles. With its French ties, you can expect some classic French dishes on the island, such as bouillon, coq au vin, and tuna salad, and not just at the resorts of your Mauritius tours. Naturally, wine is also an integral part of the dining culture.

North and South Indian food adaptations of curry, chutney and pickle preparations can also be found using local, fresh ingredients. Your Mauritius vacation will be brimming with rice and fried/steamed noodles, as well as a heavy use of Oyster or black bean sauce from the Chinese, are also popular.

Try some unique Mauritian specialities:

• Hakien: a spring roll that had been battered in flour
• Crispy squid
• The local rum! There are three well-known distilleries on the island, Grays, Medine and St Aubin
• Arrack: made from sugarcane was the origin of today’s rum

Our destination experts are happy to share their personal Mauritius travel tips with you. Discover the best Mauritius hotels and travel to the best beaches of Mauritius. Contact us today for you tailor-made Mauritius holiday.