Useful information : When to go, Getting around...

ID card
When to go
Formalities and useful addresses
Money and budget
Health and safety
Practical info
Getting around

ID card

Capital:

Port Louis

Official languages:

English, French

Currency:

Mauritian Rupee

When to go

When to go:

The best times to visit Mauritius are from April to June and from September to November, which are the transition periods between the southern summer and winter. The temperatures are mild all year long, although it can rain at any time.
The southern winter, from May to October is the coolest season (particularly in August) and the driest. Surfers are particularly keen on June and August, the latter being the most crowded.
Conversely, the southern summer,from November to April, is hot and humid. It rains most along the eastern and southern coasts and in the centre of the island. Cyclones hit the island between December and March. You may do well to remember that prices can rise quite spectacularly at the end of the year during the holiday season.

Formalities and useful addresses

Formalities:

A 60 day visa is issued upon arrival.
Travellers will need to produce a valid passport, onward/return ticket and provide proof of sufficent funds.

Useful addresses UK:

High Commission of Mauritius – 32/33 Elvaston Pl - London SW7 5NW - [TEL] (0207) 581 0294 - www1.govmu.org

Useful addresses USA:

Embassy of Mauritius – 1709 N St NW - Washington, DC 20036 - [TEL] (202) 244 1491 - www1.govmu.org

Useful addresses Internet:

Mauritius Tourism Board – www.tourism-mauritius.mu/

Useful addresses:

British High Comission – 7th floor, Cascades Building - Edith Cavell Street - Port Louis - [TEL] (202) 9400 - www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high-commission-port-l...
U.S. Embassy – Rogers House, 4th Floor - President John Kennedy St - Port Louis - [TEL] (202) 4400 - www.mauritius.usembassy.gov

Money and budget

Good to know:

The Mauritian Rupee can only be bought on the island.

Banks and currency:

Banks are open Mon-Fri, from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Closed Saturdays.

Bank cards:

All the main hotels, shops and restaurants accept credit cards.

Budget:

"Car rental per day (category A): MUR 1 000/1 800 (£20-35).
1 double room in a mid-range hotel: MUR 1 400/2 000 (£30/50).
1 meal at a small local restaurant: MUR 325/400 (£6/8).
1 meal in a mid-range restaurant: MUR 600/1 000 (£12/20).
1 museum ticket: MUR 150/350 (£3.15/7).
1 scuba diving session: 1 MUR 800/2 400 (£35/50). "

Health and safety

Health

Miscellaneous info:

To prevent chikungunya, use mosquito-repellent lotion, wear long sleeved garments in the mornings and evenings and sleep under mosquito netting.
The tap water is supposed to be drinkable but it is better to drink mineral water if you want to play it safe.

Security:

Before leaving, be sure to consult the British or U.S Foreign Office websites for any last-minute information. -www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/travel-abroad -https://travel.state.gov
Robberies have been reported in some villas for rent without custodians, mostly in the Grand Baie region. Don't leave your valuables in the car or on the beach.

Emergencies:

Police: [TEL] 999 or 112
Fire Brigade: [TEL] 995 or 115
Medical Emergencies: [TEL] 114

Practical info

Electricity:

Current is 220 V and the plugs have 2 round or flat (British style) pins. An adaptor may be necessary.

Public holidays:

"Fixed Dates
January 1 and 2
Jan-Feb – Thaipoosam Cavadee; Chinese New Year
February 1 – Abolition of Slavery
Feb-Mar – Maha Shivaratree
March 12 – National Day
March – Ougadi (Hindu New Year)
May 1
Aug-Sep – Ganesh Chaturthi
Oct-Nov – Diwali
November 1
December 25 - Christmas
Moveable – Aïd-el-Fitr, end of Ramadan (according to the Muslim lunar calendar) "

Eating

Bills and tipping:

As service is generally included in the check, tipping isn't customary. More and more Mauritians are however beginning to expect a tip.

Good to know:

Street-vendors abound, offering you samosas, dholl puri, fried mine, fritters and caris. This enables you to eat like the locals for a frankly ridiculous price.

Shopping

Hours:

In Port Louis, shops are open from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays, and from 9am to 12noon on Saturdays.
In the centre and in the main villages, they are open from 10am to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays and from 10am to 12noon on Sundays.
Markets are open from 7am to 5pm Mondays to Saturdays and from 6-11.30am on Sundays.

Practices:

Bargaining is a national sport in Mauritius.

Visits and activities

Hours:

National museums are usually open from 9am to 4pm during the week and from 9am until noon on weekends. Opening hours tend to vary at private sites.

Post office:

Post offices are open Mon-Fri from 8.15-11.15am and then from 12-4pm.

Call

Country code:

230

Getting around

Access:

SSR International Airport (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam) – http://mauritius-airport.atol.aero

Public transports

Network:

Bus – An extensive network crisscrosses the island although all the tourist sites aren't covered. Normal buses stop everywhere and are therefore extremely slow. Express buses are more direct and twice as fast. Info: www.mauritius-buses.com

Night transport:

A night service runs between Port Louis and the towns in the centre of the island up until 11pm.

Taxis:

Taxis are identifiable by their their licence plates, written in black on a white background, not to mistake with the ones from private vehicles which are written in white on a black background. An insignia on the car door indicates the town or hotel to which they are affiliated.

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