The promise of enticing beaches, reefs, and lagoons set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop in the island nation of Mauritius will make you want to board the first plane to the island; the good news is it's easy! You can take this international holiday at a moment's notice because Mauritius does not require a Visa.
If you merely take care of this list of things when you plan a visit to Mauritius, you are good to go. Here are few Travel Tips to Mauritius.
1. Documents Required to Visit Mauritius
A passport that must be valid for least six months from the date of departure. The Visa will be valid for sixty days from the date of issue.
Proof of sufficient funds. You will be required to show a credit card with a limit of minimum INR 75,000 or USD 600 for a couple.
Evidence of onward or return travel.
WHO card with yellow fever vaccination is required to be produced if you're travelling from a yellow fever endemic country.
The list of countries is available on the website of the Mauritius Ministry of Health.
You can breeze through customs if you are carrying the permissible amount of tobacco products. If it exceeds the limit, then it will lead to confiscation. Drug trafficking laws are severe, and sentences are heavy.
Exchanging a significant amount of currency before travelling to Mauritius is not only handy but lucrative as well. If for some reason you are unable to exchange the currency in India, you can do so on arrival at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport of Mauritius.
Additionally there some banks like HSBC Bank, Bank of Baroda, Standard Chartered Bank, Deutsche Bank to name a few, where you can exchange your currency to Mauritius currency MUR. The banks work from 9:15 AM - 3:15 PM from Monday to Friday and 9:15 AM - 11:15 PM on Saturdays.
The currency notes of Mauritius are in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 whereas the coins are in denominations of 5, 20 and 50 cents. Currency usage is hassle-free as credit cards like Visa, American Express, and MasterCard are widely accepted in Mauritius and so are US dollars.
Updating your insurance before travelling to Mauritius is a good measure. Although Mauritius offers good health care facilities, it is expensive. Make sure the travel health insurance plan is adequate to cover any medical treatment or illness.
Carry mosquito repellents as the wilderness in Mauritius attracts the insects.
As Mauritius has a lot of water activities, chances of being stung by stonefish are likely. The sting can be fatal, so make sure the anti-venom serum is close at hand; either at a nearby pharmacy or the hotel, you are staying in.
The emergency numbers for medical and hospital assistance are 999 and 114. Ambulance service is provided 24/7.
4. Travelling in Mauritius
Google Maps are yet to be optimised in Mauritius. It is better to have a guide to take you around. Be sure to hire one if you're planning to Trek through the Nature trails in Mauritius. The forests are quite dense, and chances of losing your way and being stranded are high.
If you're planning to drive around, drive to the left as per Mauritius road rules. There are cars on rent which are easily available at cheap rates. Do not park on the double yellow lines as it will warrant a parking ticket. If you plan on public transport, avoid going out after 6:00 PM as the place gets quite deserted.
5. Food in Mauritius - Indulge Yourself in Some Delicacies
Mauritius exhibits a diverse food culture possibly owing to its mixed crowd of inhabitants. The fact that the produce is from the rich and fertile soil of the island makes you savour the food right from the first taste.
The street food has an incredible variety to suit every taste bud. You will not be disappointed if you set out to explore the astounding varieties that includes everything from fresh coconut water, buttery bread, Chinese fried noodles to hot and spicy curries.
Seafood is at its tempting best in Mauritius. And why not, it is a tropical country! Crab curries, fried squid, octopus and fish dishes cater to every sea foodie's taste buds.
Vegetarians also do have a good number of restaurants offering impressive menus to go to.
Mauritius also has excellent diners, local eateries, and high-end gourmet restaurants. So if you avoid watching the scales when in Mauritius, it is not your fault!
Shopping and bargain go together, but not in excess, especially in Mauritius. While shopkeepers indulge you with a reasonable amount of bargaining, going overboard is not appreciated. Factory outlets in Mauritius do not offer discounts as it is the norm. They stock up the same products for the same price as retail stores. So it is best to avoid them. Local supermarkets offer better prices and goods than the Central Market. You can shop for spices, curios, and souvenirs in the local markets. Shopping for branded goods in Mauritius is best avoided as many turn out to be fake. You can try the duty-free bargain shops instead.
7. Activities In Mauritius To Pump Up Your Adrenaline
Mauritius is a dare devil's delight. There are a host of adventure and water sports to try here:
Underwater sea walk: Visit places like Port Louis and Trou d'eau Douce for the surreal experience of walking underwater. The visions will remain etched in your memory.
Skydiving: This activity is possible only if there are favourable winds. Skydive Austral Mauritius is the place to go and try it out.
Parasailing: Ile Aux Cerfs, Belle Mare, and Grand Bay are the places offering the ecstatic experience of parasailing. The activity can be booked for a 20-minute duration.
Ziplining: Ever wanted to be a bird flying high in the sky? Try zip-lining at Rodrigues or River Gates or Casela Nature.
Water skiing: You cannot leave Mauritius without trying out this activity. Grand Baie is one of the best places to water ski.
Cave Sea Kayaking: Beginning from Pointe Aux Sable, Cave Sea Kayaking is a visual delight.
Windsurfing: This is another favourite activity most people want to try out when in Mauritius. That is the reason many places offer it, Manawa, Le Morne Peninsula and Small Reef being a few among them.
8. Backpacking - Travel Light For Your Next Flight
Owing to the tropical climate your baggage for a trip to Mauritius will undoubtedly be well within the weight limits. Some must-haves in your suitcase are:
Pack light cotton clothes and give synthetic fabrics a complete miss. The humidity of Mauritius will make you very uncomfortable in synthetics. As temperatures dip slightly in the evenings, you can pack woollens too.
Swimwear is a must. Pack some extra small bags to carry your swimsuits and wet towels to and from the beach.
For sudden rain showers be equipped with raincoats and umbrellas.
Carry flip flops as well as walking shoes as you will be frequenting both the beach and nature parks in Mauritius.
Travelling to any country will involve lists and some essential planning. These guidelines that are exclusive to Mauritius will make your trip that much more easy and fun.
