Useful information

Flights from Europe

Air Mauritius operates over 25 weekly flights from several major European cities, mainly through France together with five direct weekly flights from the UK. British Airways operates three direct weekly flights from London and Emirates operates four weekly flights to Mauritius all travelling via Dubai.

Visa & Entry Requirements

Citizen of The European community do not need a visa to enter Mauritius. A visitor must be in possession of a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. All visitors must hold valid tickets and documents for their onward or return journey and adequate funds for their intended length of stay.

Customs

Passengers over 18 years of age may import the following duty-free items: 250 grams of tobacco (including cigars and cigarettes), 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine, ale or beer, one quarter litre of Eau de Toilette and perfume not exceeding 100 ml.

Duty-free goods can be bought at accredited shops and will be delivered to the customs desk at the airport or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s desk.

Visitors returning home can claim a VAT refund at the airport by showing a receipt and goods bought.

Language

English is the official language but most people in Mauritius are bilingual being equally fluent in English and French. Creole and French predominate everyday life and several oriental languages are also spoken. You will hear Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telegu, Marathi, Mandarin and Bojpoori.

Currency and Exchange Rates

The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which is divided into 100 cents (cs).  Notes are in denominations of MRs2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25. Coins are in denominations of Rs10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, and 5 cents.

Currency exchange : Available in banks and at bureaux de change. A better rate of exchange can be obtained on travellers cheques than on cash.

Travellers cheques : May be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorised dealers.

Credit Cards

Credit & debit cards : American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.  ATM availlable

Banking hours

Monday to Thursday : 9.15 am -3.15 pm, Friday: 9.15 am-3.30 pm, Saturday:9.15 am -11.15 am (Some banks only).
Banks are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport.

Climate

The temperature on the coastal areas varies between 22°C in winter and 34°C in summer. The sea temperature varies between 22°C and 27°C. In the central part of the island, the maximum daytime temperature varies from about 19°C in August to about 26°C in February. The western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.

Travel inland

There is a good network of paved roads covering the island. Traffic drives on the left. Bus: There are excellent and numerous bus services to all parts of the island. Taxi: These have white registration plates with black figures. Taxis are metered.

Driving

People in Mauritius drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way to the right. Foreigners with a driving licence issued by a Competent Authority in their respective countries are allowed to drive during their stay in Mauritius.

 Car Rentals in Mauritius

Rates of our car rentals in Mauritius

Cash deposit of  375 €, representing the excess in case of accident.

Email us if you wish to book  your car

Electricity:

Electricity : 220 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-type three-pin plugs are commonly used in hotels.

Emergency

Police(ambulance ) :999, Police : 208-7018/20
Fire : 995, Samu : 114

Health

No vaccinations are required. However a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age who arrive from areas where yellow fever cases are reported.

Medical services

Free public medical facilities are widely available. Private clinics provide medical services for a fee.

Newspapers

Besides a wide choice of local papers, the pick of the European and American press is available.

Nudism

Nudism and topless sunbathing are frowned upon on our public beaches. No hotel permits nude sunbathing on beaches. Topless sunbathing is sometimes tolerated.

Precautions

There are no poisonous reptiles or dangerous animals on the island. However, some little creatures can inflict very serious stings:

Sea Urchins
Avoid walking on them, they are very hard to remove once embedded in your foot and can be infectious.

Stone Fish
Lies motionless on the sandy bottom of the sea. If you walk on one, you should be treated urgently as the venom can be fatal.

Lionfish
This red and white slow moving fish has poisonous fins and should not be touched.

Public holidays

There are 15 public holidays every year. Seven of them are fixed holidays: January 1st & 2nd, 1st February, 12th March, 1st May, 2nd November and 25th December. The remaining public holidays are religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year. Please check the Diary for a list of public holidays

Time & Telecommunications

Mauritius is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and three hours ahead (2 hours in summer) of mid-European Time. Mauritius has international direct dialling facilities to most parts of the world as well as high speed fax and internet services.

TV channels

Satellite TV and local tv & radio are available in most of the hotels.

VAT

A value added tax of 15% is payable on goods and services including hotel and restaurant bills.

What to Wear

Take your best beach and casual wear. In the winter months (June -September), carry some light woollen
clothing for the cool evenings.

Please show due respect when visiting religious places. Wear appropriate clothing (and remove leather shoes and belts) when entering the premises.

Average Monthly Temperatures

Forecast

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