Alo. Ki Manier? Korek?
That is Creole, a language spoken in Mauritius and in English means—Hi, how’s it going?
Mauritius is a popular travel destination in the Indian Ocean and is a subtropical island country. It is over 1,130 kilometres east of Madagascar and off the south-eastern coast of Africa. It boasts an array of the finest luxury hotels, and the best part—Indian visitors do not need a visa to visit it!
Mauritius is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The interiors of its mountainous landscape feature Black River Gorges National Park, rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife, including the endemic Mauritian flying fox or fruit bat. But, first things first…
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Things you Must Do on your Mauritius Vacation this Summer!
As the summer heat increases, so does the urge to run off to a beach or a pool and never leave! So what better place to visit than the picturesque country of Mauritius!
The signature tropical haven, Mauritius has much more to offer than just that though, so given below is a list of everything you can and MUST do on your visit to Mauritius.
Go for a Swim or Enjoy the Waters Any Which Way
Being in a tropical country known for its white-sand beaches and clear blue waters, taking full advantage of the beach is a no brainer. However, if swimming is a bit too mundane for you, Mauritius has an exciting range of water sports to choose from. With a reef protecting most of its beaches, the waters are calm and perfect for snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking and any other water sport that comes to mind!
The sky is the limit and the possibilities are endless. Heritage Le Telfair is the best place to try it out and don’t forget to board a glass-bottom boat. You can catch sight of plenty of local fish life, turtles and if you’re lucky, even dolphins!
Get off the Beaches too
As the beaches are the main attraction of this place, most tourists make the mistake of spending every single waking hour beside a pool or on the sand. If that’s what you’re into then good for you!
However, there are so many more interesting things to discover in Mauritius than just its beaches. To really get to know Mauritius, you should take a trip to its vibrant capital Port Louis. Here you can witness the culture first hand with shopping areas, souvenir shops, local street food stands and so much more.
Eat, Drink and even Cook if you’re feeling Spicy
Speaking of local street food, Mauritanian cuisine will have your taste buds coming back for more. It is an incredible melting pot of Indian and Chinese food, with some of the tastiest meals being available right on the streets.
If you’re still exploring Port Louis try out the faratas, dholl puri, peanuts, fried vegetable dumplings, and sticky rice with peanut salt. From fresh coconut water and sugarcane juice to the friendly tea stand at every corner, you will never not feel refreshed if you’re vacationing in Mauritius. There are also cooking classes available if you want to take some of the cuisines back home with you. Mauritius is also pretty well known for its rum production. To the south of the island is the Rhumerie de Chamarel – one of the island’s newest distilleries. They make high-quality rums, with a mix of flavours, many incorporating the island’s abundant spices. Apart from picking up a few bottles, you can also tour the distillery and sample some of their collection.
Discover the Natural Wonders
Very few speak of the forests, hills and nature reserves this country has to serve. From rivers and rapids to waterfalls, Mauritius has so much more in addition to its pristine beaches. Visit Chamarel and witness most of these beauties first-hand! The Chamarel waterfall is one such majestic and charming site, however, it isn’t even the best thing Chamarel has to offer. The best natural phenomenon to witness here is definitely The Seven Coloured Earth. It is a natural phenomenon where the colours of the land have evolved with weather conditions and soil composition.
As a result, the earth is coloured red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow- every colour in the rainbow! It’s something you can only see in Mauritius and something that should be on the itinerary of every person visiting this country.
Honestly, a comprehensive list is never the most ideal, as every tourist has their own journey, their own taste for adventure and their own way of letting a place capture their heart. However, no matter if you are one to laze around the pool all day or one to hike the obscurest forest trails, Mauritius has a little something for everyone! So pack your bags, book your flight tickets, slippers, bathing suit and trekking gear and head over to Mauritius today!
FAQs
What language is spoken in Mauritius?
The main languages spoken here are English, Creole, and French.
What currency is used throughout Mauritius?
The currency used throughout the country is the Mauritian Rupee.
Do I need a visa and passport to travel to Mauritius?
A visa is not required when travelling as a tourist from Canada or the United States for up to 90 and 60 days, respectively. A valid passport is mandatory for travel.
When is the best time to travel to Mauritius?
The best time to travel to Mauritius is between the months of May and December. One should beware of cyclones from January to March.
What are the modes of transportation available within Mauritius?
The best way of getting around the island is via bus. You can also rent a car or bike to explore the island.
Mauritius a family-friendly destination?
Mauritius is a great destination for a family vacation with several activities available throughout the country for all age groups.
Is Mauritius a honeymoon destination?
Yes! Most tourists visiting Mauritius are couples and it is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations.
How welcoming is Mauritius to LGBTQ travellers?
Mauritius is not very accepting of LGBTQ rights yet. Homosexual acts are still illegal here and conservative beliefs are popular. Tourists and business visitors alike are requested to maintain an understanding of cultural sensitivity concerning this issue.
What is wifi like there and will my cell phone work in Mauritius?
Most properties, restaurants and bars offer WiFi. This may not be available to you using trekking or on remote beaches. Your cell phone will work in Mauritius as long as you are set to make and receive calls while travelling internationally. There may, however, be potential roaming charges.
What are the best souvenirs to bring home from Mauritius?
Mauritius Rum is always recommended and you are allowed up to 2 litres. Other than that various local blends of Tea is available as well as the Ravanne, a percussion instrument.
What are the main festivals and/or events held in Mauritius?
Chinese New Year, Thaipoosum Cavadee, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Diwali, International Kreol Festival
