Mauritius - Info & Facts

Suggested Length of Stay

If you want a good overview of Mauritius, to experience the cultural and natural wonders of the country, a good length of stay is between 7-12 days. If you want to relax and enjoy the beaches, your stay is as long as you can spare.

Modes of transport

Road

Driving in Mauritius is on the left side of the road. Roads are in good condition with safety signs and a network to take you through the island. Driving at night, however, is not always advisable, Locals can tend not to use headlights or are not always in working condition. Cows also tend to use the roads for their means of travel as well.

Air

Air Mauritius operates daily flights connecting Plaisance Airport and Rodrigues. However, because of the size of the island, road transfers are the most common way of travel.

Bus

Several fairly good bus services serve the island. Taking the bus is the most economical way of travelling. Air-conditioned buses have been recently introduced on some routes.

Health Precautions

Mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue fever, malaria and chikungunya fever occur, particularly in the warmer months (October to May). The risk of malaria is low, but a small number of cases are reported. There is no risk of malaria on Rodrigues Island.

Food

Mauritius is a paradise for the senses, not only for the eyes with its beautiful landscape but also for the palate. Gastronomes will find a variety of flavours and aromas inherited from the different migrations through its history. Culinary traditions from France, India, China and Africa, the best-known and appreciated cuisines in the world, have been passed on through generations.

Depending on the region, rice or a variety of flatbread called chapattis or roti, called farata (paratha) by the local people, is eaten with curries. The extensive use of spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and herbs like thyme, basil, and curry leaves are the common ingredients that provide some powerful, yet subtle, savour. Dal, a variety of lentil soup, are many and varied according to which type of lentil is used; vegetables, beans, and pickles accompany the dishes. Dholl puri and roti, originally an Indian delicacy have become the fish and chips of Mauritians.

Money

The Mauritian unit of currency is the rupee (Rs), which is divided into 100 cents. While the Mauritian rupee is the island’s currency, almost all villas, guesthouses and hotels (and several high-end restaurants usually affiliated with hotels) tether their prices to the euro to counterbalance the rupee’s unstable fluctuations and it is possible (and sometimes required) to pay in euros at such places.

ATMs widespread on the main island, less common on Rodrigues. Major credit cards widely accepted by hotels, restaurants, shops and tour companies.

Time Zone

Mauritius Time (MUT) is (GMT/UTC + 4 hours) and 6.5 hours behind AEST. Mauritius does not observe daylight saving.

Visas

The Mauritian Government provides visas free of charge to tourists staying less than 60 days. On arrival, you’ll need to show immigration officials details of your accommodation.

Australian Embassy & Consulate contacts in Mauritius

Australian High Commission, Port Louis

2nd Floor, Rogers House

5 President John Kennedy Street

Port Louis, Mauritius

Telephone: +230 202 0160

Facsimile: +230 208 8878

Website: mauritius.highcommission.gov.au

Mauritius Embassy contacts in Australia

The Mauritius High Commission

2 Beale Crescent,

Deakin, ACT 2600

Tel: (02) 6281 1203

Tel: (02) 6282 4436

Fax: (02) 6282 3235

Email: canberrahc@govmu.org

Electricity

The power supply is 240 volts, and the power sockets use the British three-pin standard.

Getting there (stopovers)

Air Mauritius flies (Wed, Fri & Sun) via Perth directly to Mauritius, and Tue, Thu & Sat via Singapore.

A brief history

The island of Mauritius was first discovered by Arab sailors, at some time in the 9th century; the exact date is unknown. At that time the island was uninhabited and covered in a dense forest. The Arab sailors were not interested in settling on the island which they named Dina Arobi or Dinarobin. Diogo Fernandes Pereira, a Portuguese sailor, found the island in 1505 and decided to give it the name of Cerne. However, the Portuguese did not settle permanently on the island either.

The first to colonise the island were the Dutch. They took possession of the island in 1598. The Dutch settlers landed on a bay in the south-eastern part of the island.

The French settled on the island in 1713, also landing at the bay in the south-east. They renamed the bay Port Bourbon and renamed the island Ile de France. They settled on the north-western side of the island and established their main harbour there, Port Louis, the present-day capital of Mauritius.

On 12 Mar 1968, Mauritius became an independent nation within the Commonwealth led by Prime Minister Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, also known as the “Father of the Nation”, led the island to independence and did a lot to develop the country.

Tipping Guideline

Salaries are generally low in Mauritius, so tips are always appreciated. However, do not feel obliged. Mauritians seem to know that a tip must be earned, and they will naturally do their utmost to make you happy, whether it’s for service in a hotel, restaurant or taxi. For porters/bell boys who help carry your luggage, you should tip them a few rupees (100MUR) per bag and for housekeeping, about 100 rupees every few days is a sufficient tip. If you are still unsure of how much to tip, the best option is to find out the hotel policy, as some encourage using the common tip box.