Organize your stay Mauritius
Covid-19 : current situation Mauritius
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Mauritius. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information
Money Mauritius
The official currency is the Mauritian rupee (abbreviation: Rs), which is divided into 100 sous or cents - 1 Rs = 100 cents.
Coins are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1, 5 and 10 rupees. Banknotes are available in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 rupees.
1 € = 47.5 Rs (1 Rs = 0.021 €) at the current rate of 2023, which is variable.
Budget & Tips Mauritius
The destination is reputed to be upmarket (and therefore expensive) and is positioned as such. It is true that the coastline is mostly lined with luxury hotels and that you can hardly find a return flight for less than 800 € per person from Paris (taxes included). However, it is possible to benefit from exceptional discounts at certain times of the year, especially on hotel websites or online booking platforms, especially when looking for packages: flight + hotel stay. Generally speaking, prefer packages to direct reservations for 3 to 5 star establishments. Also avoid the Christmas period when rates go up.
Apart from the price of the flight, which is high, the cost of the vacation, contrary to popular belief, is not necessarily expensive on the spot: the cities abound with small Asian, Creole and Indian restaurants where you can get a decent meal for 6 € per person, or even less from street vendors; bungalows and small hotel residences welcome vacationers for 15 € per day per person; the bus network is well developed and you can find small cars to rent from 23 € per day all inclusive; cheap fruits and vegetables adorn the stalls of the markets and you can get fish directly from the fishermen.
On the other hand, international hotels are the same as everywhere else in the world, but with superior services overall. And the a la carte prices of the big restaurants are only slightly lower than in Europe. If you rent a villa and decide to live exclusively in the European style, the average price of a full tank of groceries will be the same as in France. But you will be able to benefit from the services of qualified personnel (cleaning lady, cook, gardener, nanny...) for three francs six pennies, which changes the quality of the vacations!
Small budget. Studios, bungalows, apartments and cheap villas from 15 € per day and per person for a minimum of 4 people sharing the same location (friends, family...). Overnight stay in a pension or a small hotel around 25 to 30 € per person. Meal in a local restaurant : 6 to 10 €. Average budget. Overnight stay in a 2 or 3 star hotel: between 40 and 75 € per person for half board. Meal in a decent restaurant: 15 € to 20 € on average excluding drinks. Comfort budget. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel: from 90 € per person with half board. Overnight stay in a 5-star hotel : from 160 €. Overnight stay in a 5-star luxury hotel : from 250 €. Please note that the above rates are lower when booking a full week (package). Meal in a gastronomic restaurant: from 35 € per person, much more for the great tables of luxury hotels.
Tipping. It is not generalized and remains a free gesture, at the discretion of the client.
Haggling. This practice is not systematically used in Mauritius, even if it is common in the markets, with cab drivers, trinket sellers and excursion vendors who roam the beaches..., and even with the owners of small hotels and villas for rent in low season.
Taxes. A 15% government tax is added to hotel and restaurant bills. Since 2016, it is normally included in the initial price of services and not added separately and after the fact. As this is not systematic in restaurants, consider checking at the bottom of the menu.
Passport and visas Mauritius
A valid passport and a return ticket are required to enter Mauritius. Citizens of European Union countries do not need a visa for a stay not exceeding 3 months. At the airport, you will be asked to fill out a form stipulating your place of stay (name of the hotel or villa).
Driver's license Mauritius
French, Belgian and Swiss driving licenses are accepted or, if necessary, an international driving license. You must be 21 years old to rent a car and have had your license for more than a year. Once you get used to driving on the left side of the road and the right side of the steering wheel, it is no more difficult than anywhere else to get around on Mauritian roads. A driver is neither necessary nor compulsory but this service is available from about 1 500 Rs per day.
Health Mauritius
There is no specific risk of disease in Mauritius, an easy destination where hygiene standards are generally satisfactory. Pharmacies are well-stocked and the island has private clinics capable of providing first aid and various treatments. No vaccinations are required to visit the island. Mosquitoes do not carry malaria and the wildlife is harmless. The water is drinkable in the hotels in principle, you can brush your teeth without any problem, but it is not recommended to drink it (Mauritius remains an African country and the water can contain certain bacteria to which our European immune systems are not accustomed).
Medical tourism. Interesting information to know before leaving, we have been witnessing for a few years the development, often through French or Belgian doctors, of a certain form of medical tourism - a way to combine a stay in the sun with care that you don't have the time or the desire to receive in Europe. Some local clinics are organized for this purpose and the savings often made can cover part or all of the trip. This is valid for a multitude of general treatments and especially for cosmetic surgery and so-called "comfort" treatments not covered by social security. For equivalent services, the costs of surgery are less expensive in Mauritius than in Europe. This is the case, for example, for certain dental treatments (notably procedures that are not or are poorly reimbursed such as teeth whitening, implants, etc.) or cosmetic treatments such as baldness treatment, wrinkle filling, peeling, liposuction, etc. Among the European standard clinics that offer these services, we recommend the Centre esthétique de l'océan Indien (www.esthetique.mu) and Dentcare (www.dentcaremauritius.com).
Security Mauritius
On the whole, and provided that basic security standards are respected, Mauritius is a rather safe and quiet destination, even if there has been an increase in thefts in recent years. Thefts mainly take place in private homes and, when they affect tourists, in bungalows and rental villas, very rarely in hotels where guards are on duty... The more touristy the cities, the higher the risks incurred. Thus, Grand Bay and its surroundings seem to be the most concerned by the problems of racketeering, prostitution, drugs and theft. Be extra vigilant in these places, especially at night, because during the day the problems are minor. As everywhere else in the world, avoid tempting thieves by leaving valuable objects lying around.
Time difference Mauritius
3 hours more in Mauritius during our European winter (Mauritian summer), 2 hours more during our summer (Mauritian winter). In January, when it is 7pm in Mauritius, it is 4pm in France.
Spoken languages Mauritius
Everything administrative is in English. It is the official language, the language of instruction. It is used alongside French, which remains the most widely spoken language, especially in the press. Most of the time, however, Mauritians speak Creole, a language whose roots are close to French. Several languages of Indian origin are also spoken: Bhojupuri, Hindi, Urdu, Telegu, Marathi and Sanskrit. At home, the Chinese minority speaks Cantonese or Hakka. Overall, Mauritians are fluent in two languages (Creole and their native language), and often three or four. They switch from one to the other with an ease that leaves many Europeans amazed!
Communication Mauritius
The phone coverage is generally good in the whole island, and even at sea provided you don't go too far from the coast. As far as wifi is concerned, finding a connection is not a problem. The airport, hotels, cafes, bars, restaurants, cultural and/or leisure places, etc., are generally equipped with wifi, which is free most of the time. Some hotels, but it is increasingly rare, charge for the service, especially for a higher and faster speed.
Electricity and measurements Mauritius
220 volts. Remember to bring an adapter for English-style plugs. In hotels, you can get one at the reception when the rooms are completely devoid of French plugs.
Weights and measures : grams and meters.
Luggage Mauritius
Bring very light clothes... which can be bought locally at lower prices than in Europe. As in any season it can happen to be surprised by a tropical shower, think of taking a raincoat. Essential: bathing suit, high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat or cap, sandals to walk in the water without scratching the corals or stinging yourself on the sea urchins. Also bring light walking shoes or trainers as Mauritius offers a wide range of outdoor sports (hiking, quad biking, zip lining, horse riding, etc.). In winter, one or two woollens may be useful for the cooler evenings. Residents of 3, 4 or 5-star hotels should remember to bring smart and casual clothes for the evening - most establishments play the romantic card, so it is forbidden to wander around the bars and restaurants in flip-flops and shorts after sunset!
