Issues You Should Know Earlier than Visiting Mauritius

1. English is the Official Language

The three foremost languages are English, French, and Creole. English is the official language, however the majority language used is French-Mauritius Creole, which was correct on our journey. Many lodge staff additionally communicate German, Italian, and Spanish. In case you plan on venturing outdoors the resorts and in style vacationer points of interest, studying some fundamental French will aid you.

Most Mauritians are bilingual, and lots of are expert in three or 4 languages, making them in style cruise ship recruits. Additionally they communicate Mandarin, Bhojpouri, Tamil, Hindi, and Urdu.

3. Who’s Visiting Mauritius

Due to Mauritius’ location, we seen most vacationers had been Europeans. France, the UK, Germany, and Spain convey essentially the most vacationers, adopted by China.

Once we visited, we received a couple of feedback asking if we had been from China. The borders have been closed due to the pandemic, so the Mauritians had been excited that we could be among the many Chinese language vacationers beginning to go to once more.

4. Carry your Benjamins

Mauritius isn’t thought-about a funds vacation spot. Most individuals go to Mauritius for luxurious, they usually pay for it. Though you possibly can journey right here on a funds, there are higher locations if you happen to’re in search of an reasonably priced seashore trip.

5. Their Forex is the Mauritian Rupee

They use the Mauritian Rupee, and roughly USD 1 = MUR 43.95.

We solely wanted money for suggestions and road distributors. Different spots took bank cards. You’ll be able to trade currencies on the airport and most lodges or withdraw from an ATM. In case you withdraw from an ATM, we heard it is best to restrict every transaction to MUR15,000. In any other case, the machines would possibly get jammed.

6. Tipping Is Not Necessary however APPRECIATED

Tipping is just not necessary in Mauritius. Here’s a fast guideline in case you are trying to tip for distinctive service: Spas (5-10%), Tour guides (10%), Taxis (100-200 Rps), Lodges (100 MUR), and Eating places (10-15%).

7. Visiting Mauritius throughout Excessive and Low Seasons

Temperatures are heat all 12 months, making it a year-round vacation spot. The water temps keep between 71-80°F (22-27°C).

The excessive season is throughout their summers (October-April) and winters (Might-September). Throughout peak season, it is best to guide lodges three months prematurely and actions/eating places round one week earlier than. Shoulder season runs March-April and September-October.

• Summers (Oct-Apr) – The imply temperature in the summertime is 76°F (24.7°C). Dec to Mar are the wettest months. Thunderstorms are widespread however cross. Throughout our December go to, the waterfalls had been dry (normally late winter/early Summer time) however had been dryer than common. As soon as the rain begins in Dec/Jan, the rivers and falls fill again up.
• Winters (Might-Sep) – The imply temperature within the winter is 70°F (21°C). Winter is windier and the perfect time to go to if you happen to like gentle temperatures and sports activities that require wind, like kitesurfing.

Native Tip: They normally get a cyclone every season, and each ten or so years, it would hit the island instantly. The final massive one was in 1992, so locals have been anticipating one any time now.

8. Locations Shut Early

Many locations closed sooner than anticipated, and lots of companies closed for holidays and Sundays. Additionally, sure eating places have random days they aren’t open.

9. Renting a Automobile vs. Getting a Taxi

Renting an (automated) automotive is an choice on the island, and also you don’t want a world driver’s license. Simply bear in mind they drive on the left aspect of the street, which will be disorienting.

Roads outdoors town are simple to navigate and never too crowded, however driving in a metropolis will be annoying. Navigating through google maps labored properly going to in style points of interest, and the roads had been in good situation in comparison with different international locations we’ve explored. Velocity limits are normally round 40 kph (25 mph) in cities, 60 kph (40 mph) outdoors of them, and 110 kph (68 mph) on the freeway.

Taxi prices differ and are not regulated. For instance, from Port Louis to Flic n Flac, it might probably value between MUR 800 and MUR 1,000. Be cautious of taxi drivers, since some are affiliated with retailers they may attempt to take you to for “a very good deal” to obtain a lower of income. However now that I give it some thought, it’s much like some bloggers and influencers too.

10. Site visitors can get loopy

It may possibly take 1-2 hrs to get from one aspect of the island to the opposite. Hold that in thoughts if you plan actions or the place you’re visiting. We had a number of early days since we had so as to add within the journey time.

Site visitors on the island begins round 8 am and 4 pm. Though we didn’t see site visitors, they stored telling us how dangerous site visitors was, so we at all times left earlier or manner later to keep away from it.

Native Tip: In case you booked a lodge with breakfast however have an early exercise, you’ll almost certainly miss breakfast. Ask for a to-go bag.

11. Faucet Water is Technically Protected

Locals drink faucet water, however it isn’t advisable for guests. No matter secure ingesting water, we pack this self-cleaning water bottle on all our journeys to replenish on the lodge or airport.

12. Mauritius has a number of historical past, and Sugar is a Large a part of it

A lot of the fields in Mauritius are sugarcane fields, and sugarcane farms nonetheless dominate 70% of the land. The most effective locations to study extra concerning the historical past of sugarcane in Mauritius is Sugar World (L’Aventure de Sucre). Right here, it’s also possible to do a sugar tasting and a rum tasting.

As a result of sugar business, after slavery was abolished, the British examined out indentured labor and unfold it to the remainder of the world as a result of their success. You’ll be able to study extra about that at Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Web site, the stays of an Immigration Depot in-built 1849.

Do you know the now-extinct Dodo hen can also be from Mauritius? You’ll discover them on souvenirs and branding all around the island.

13. Souvenirs

• Sugar from L’Aventure du Sucre – we purchased a number of for mates again dwelling that love baking or ingesting espresso.
• Phoenix is the island’s hottest native beer. We by no means test our luggage, however you possibly can convey again some native beer or liquor if you happen to do.
• Native Rum or Fruit Wines – Most cocktails are made with rum since they supply from native rhumeries. There aren’t native grape wines, however yow will discover native fruit wines.

14. Afraid of Bats?

The fruit bats, aka Mauritian flying fox, are among the many largest bats and may attain a wingspan of 31 in (80 cm). We noticed them usually, flying round or on palm bushes. In case you’re frightened of bats, chances are you’ll need to look away. We’re not usually afraid of bats, however they had been the largest we’ve seen within the wild, so I can see them being intimidating.

15. World Class Diving Over Snorkeling

We weren’t impressed with the snorkeling on the reefs, however Mauritius has world-class diving. There are round 50 dive websites throughout the island. If we may have a do-over, we might have taken a PADI refresher course and booked some diving excursions as an alternative.

Native Tip: Don’t neglect coral-safe sunscreen. We had been dissatisfied by all of the bleached coral we noticed.

16. The underwater Waterfall can solely be Seen from a Helicopter

The underwater waterfall, an optical phantasm, is a well-known landmark you have to see whereas visiting Mauritius. It may possibly solely be seen through helicopter, which is at all times climate dependent. Plan your trip early in your go to in order that if it will get canceled, you’ll have loads of time to reschedule.

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