Immigration
Visas: Visas are not required for European tourists (maximum stay up to 6 months). Passports are required and must be valid a minimum of 6 months after date of entry.
For more information contact the government website:
http://passport.gov.mu/pro_appl.htm
Accommodation
Hotels/accommodation Accommodations ranking from 1 to 5 stars and varying from resorts to hotels, catamarans, beach houses, apartments etc. are available
Climate
Tropical
Seasons: 2 seasons, rainy and dry. February and March tend to be the rainiest months and, in combination with the hot weather, quite humid.
Temperature: Variable, between May and September 20 – 28 degrees Celsius and between October and April 25 – 35 degrees Celsius. Humidity is generally ranking between 70% and 80%.
Driving in Mauritius
Mauritius offers an attractive climate, practically 360 days per year, for a people who are planning their vacation. As in all tropical regions there are two seasons and since this is the Southern Hemisphere, they are reversed. This means that summertime in Mauritius reaches its peak around Christmas.
Winter: between May and September with about 20 degrees Celsius at night and 28 or more during the day.
Summer: between November and April with about 23 degrees Celsius at night 30 or more during the day.
February and March tend to be the rainiest months and, in combination with the hot weather tend to be quite humid (average of 80% humidity).
Cyclone season in the Southern Hemisphere is between mid December and mid April, which is advisable to inform clients, which means that a vacation can be affected for several days. On the other hand it can be an adventurous experience swimming or taking a walk in a cyclone warning class 1 or 2.
In order to demonstrate further this all-round season tourist destination I quote Kristina & Peter Stokkebro, who visited Mauritius in June 2005, when asked “if you could, what part of Mauritius would you like to take?” … “Your winter is better than our summer, so we wouldn’t mind taking your weather back home with us” was their answer.
The island’s micro-climate*, no matter where you travel in Mauritius, permits you to decide which part of the island your clients would like to stay i.e. Families with children or elderly people who wish to visit Mauritius in the peak summer season, but not to hot and humid, can choose the East or South coast. Whereas, those who prefer a hotter climate would then choose the North or West coast!
* (1) The local climate conditions, brought about by the modification of general climatic conditions by local differences in elevation and exposure. The detailed climate of a very small area of the earth’s surface. (2) Also, the localized climate conditions within an urban area or neighbourhood.
Activities
These are almost unlimited and embrace sports like deep-sea fishing, sailing, surfing, hiking, horse back riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, sea kayaking as well as wellness treatments in spas or clinics, cultural events like management or other seminars, or visits of the many historical and scenic places. Car/jeep as well as scooter and bicycle rentals enable access to the various sites.
Diving: A world diving spots, the island hosts a large number of diving schools which offer CMAS and PADI courses of all degrees. It is recommended for experience divers to visit Rodrigues.
Entertainment
Most hotels offer daily live entertainment.
Tourism hubs like Grand Bay and Flic-en-Flac offer a good night lift
Additional cultural event are generally open for tourist to view throughout the year
Health and Safety
Malaria has been exterminated on the island under the British. No vaccinations necessary, but it is advisable to drink bottled water.
Safety & security in Mauritius
Mauritius can be as dangerous or as safe as any other holiday destination.
Travelling
Wherever, you are travelling it is wise to take precautions against theft. Never leave luggage unattended at airport or even at hotels. Do not put any valuables in luggage to be checked-in on airlines.
When moving around the island, do not leave valuables in a vehicle or luggage visible in a car unless it is under constant supervision. It is better to leave valuables at home or use the hotel safe deposit boxes for passports, money and cameras and be careful with your bags.
All hotels have security staff who are manly a formality not a necessity.
In general, people are friendly and helpful in Mauritius. However, we recommend that you do not walk or drive along at night unless you know the area well. Leave enough time to arrive at your destination before dusk. These are no more than sensible precautions for travellers anywhere in the world.
Swimming in the sea
If you choose to swim, snorkel or dive, you must first check locally to ensure that the currents are safe and that there are no visible or unseen hazards. Always stay within your limit.
Wild animals
Mauritius is not considered a home for dangerous animals inland or in water. However, there are always some animals that can hurt humans if one is not careful. Follow the advice of your guides; keep a safe distance from monkeys; do not touch plants or animals. When going SCUBA diving “take only pictures and leave only bubbles”.
Important Dates
With its host of cultures and multinational residents, it comes as no surprise that Mauritius celebrates an equally high number of holidays and special events.
Tamils celebrate Thaipoosam Cavadee in January or February with long processions throughout the island. Around the same time, the end of the harvest season is marked by feeding rice pudding to decorated cows in the festival of Pongal.
Tamil fire-walking ceremonies take place throughout the year.
The abolishment of Slavery is Celebration of joy and sadness by the Creole.
Chinese Spring Festival is celebrated generally in February with the standard barrage of fireworks and foodstuffs.
Maha Shivaratree lasts 3 days at the end of February and into March. It is the largest and most important Hindu festival outside of India. Most of the island's Hindus embark on a pilgrimage to the holy volcanic lake Grand Bassin, to sacrifice food and flowers and stockpile vessels of the holy water.
Independence/Republic Day is celebrated on the 12 March.
Père Laval Day in September marks the anniversary of the Catholic doctor and healers’ death. Mauritian expatriates from all over the world gather at his shrine in Ste-Croix to pray.
The Hindu light-festival Divali and the Muslim Eid-ul-Fitr feast after the fasting month Ramadan mark the end of the year and usually occur shortly before Christmas.
Language
English is taught at schools and represents the main government language. French and Creole, however, are most widely spoken. Other languages are Hindi, Urdu & Cantonese.
Money Matters
Most currency can be exchange at banks or currency exchange companies
Mauritius Rupees is the national currency. However, Euros, SU Dollars, Pound Sterling are generally accepted by most vendors and shops (the exchange rate will be lower).
International Credit Cards i.e. Visa and Master Card is generally accepted by tourist shops and restaurants.
Population
More than half the population of Mauritius originates from indentured labourers, brought in from India by the British, to work in the sugar cane fields. Some of the resident Sino-Mauritians were also brought in as labourers, but most of them came to Mauritius as entrepreneurs, and many still control the lion's share of village-based commerce. The remaining population mainly consists of Creoles, descendants of African slaves. The whites or Franco-Mauritians, original settlers of the island, represent a minority.
One of many highlights during a visit to Mauritius is certainly the experience of its magnificent culinary diversity. The main cuisines are Creole, European, Chinese and Indian, with seafood often served as a specialty on the side. Common dishes include a variety of kari (curry), rougaille (tomatoes, onions, garlic and any kind of meat or fish) and daube, a local stew. Favourite local beverages include lassi, a refreshing yoghurt and ice-water drink, and alouda, a syrupy brew of agar, milk and flavourings which are sold by local vendors everywhere.
Services and Utilities
Electricity: 220V mainly
Weights & measures: Metric plus old English & French
Shopping
Mauritius likes its reputation of being a "shopping paradise" with duty-free shops selling international as well as local name. In the last few years a large development of so call factory shops have blacken the name a bit with fake brands and practiced prices with high commission to taxi drivers.
This does not mean that there are not attractive deals and quality products but that you need to be careful – it the price is too good to be true it usually is and a corner shop selling brand names can be a fake.
Most know shopping areas is; Caudan Waterfront especially the Arts and Crafts Market
Grand Bay, Curepipe - Florial and Duty Free Shop at the Airport Of Mauritius
Most sort of shopping items; Handicraft; Ship models especially those of the 19th century.
Other handicraft; Basketwork in vacoas, aloe, vetiver, sugar cane leaves, raphia and bamboo, glass items from the glass gallery and silk painting.
Cuisine; Spices, pickled vegetables and dried octopuses
Jeweller; Gold, silver, cut diamonds Jeweller (Duty Free) some 100% Mauritian handicraft.
Time Zone
GMT plus 4 hours