17 Issues You Should Know Earlier than Visiting Mauritius Journey Ideas

Issues You Should Know Earlier than Visiting Mauritius

1. English is the Official Language

The three fundamental languages are English, French, and Creole. English is the official language, however the majority language used is French-Mauritius Creole, which was correct on our journey. Many lodge staff additionally converse German, Italian, and Spanish. Should you plan on venturing outdoors the resorts and fashionable vacationer sights, studying some primary French will assist you to.

Most Mauritians are bilingual, and lots of are expert in three or 4 languages, making them fashionable cruise ship recruits. In addition they converse Mandarin, Bhojpouri, Tamil, Hindi, and Urdu.

3. Who’s Visiting Mauritius

Due to Mauritius’ location, we observed most vacationers have been Europeans. France, the UK, Germany, and Spain carry probably the most vacationers, adopted by China.

Once we visited, we obtained just a few feedback asking if we have been from China. The borders have been closed due to the pandemic, so the Mauritians have been excited that we may be among the many Chinese language vacationers beginning to go to once more.

4. Carry your Benjamins

Mauritius isn’t thought of a finances vacation spot. Most individuals go to Mauritius for luxurious, and so they pay for it. Though you possibly can journey right here on a finances, there are higher locations in case you’re on the lookout for an inexpensive seashore trip.

5. Their Forex is the Mauritian Rupee

They use the Mauritian Rupee, and roughly USD 1 = MUR 43.95.

We solely wanted money for suggestions and avenue distributors. Different spots took bank cards. You possibly can alternate currencies on the airport and most motels or withdraw from an ATM. Should you withdraw from an ATM, we heard you need to restrict every transaction to MUR15,000. In any other case, the machines would possibly get jammed.

6. Tipping Is Not Obligatory however APPRECIATED

Tipping isn’t obligatory in Mauritius. Here’s a fast guideline in case you are seeking to tip for distinctive service: Spas (5-10%), Tour guides (10%), Taxis (100-200 Rps), Motels (100 MUR), and Eating places (10-15%).

7. Visiting Mauritius throughout Excessive and Low Seasons

Temperatures are heat all yr, making it a year-round vacation spot. The water temps keep between 71-80°F (22-27°C).

The excessive season is throughout their summers (October-April) and winters (Could-September). Throughout peak season, you need to e book motels three months upfront and actions/eating places round one week earlier than. Shoulder season runs March-April and September-October.

• Summers (Oct-Apr) – The imply temperature in the summertime is 76°F (24.7°C). Dec to Mar are the wettest months. Thunderstorms are widespread however go. Throughout our December go to, the waterfalls have been dry (often late winter/early Summer time) however had been dryer than common. As soon as the rain begins in Dec/Jan, the rivers and falls fill again up.
• Winters (Could-Sep) – The imply temperature within the winter is 70°F (21°C). Winter is windier and the most effective time to go to in case you like gentle temperatures and sports activities that require wind, like kitesurfing.

Native Tip: They often get a cyclone every season, and each ten or so years, it’ll hit the island immediately. The final massive one was in 1992, so locals have been anticipating one any time now.

8. Locations Shut Early

Many locations closed sooner than anticipated, and lots of companies closed for holidays and Sundays. Additionally, sure eating places have random days they aren’t open.

9. Renting a Automotive vs. Getting a Taxi

Renting an (automated) automobile is an choice on the island, and also you don’t want a world driver’s license. Simply keep in mind they drive on the left aspect of the street, which may be disorienting.

Roads outdoors the town are straightforward to navigate and never too crowded, however driving in a metropolis may be irritating. Navigating by way of google maps labored effectively going to fashionable sights, and the roads have been in good situation in comparison with different international locations we’ve explored. Velocity limits are often round 40 kph (25 mph) in cities, 60 kph (40 mph) outdoors of them, and 110 kph (68 mph) on the freeway.

Taxi prices differ and are not regulated. For instance, from Port Louis to Flic n Flac, it could actually price between MUR 800 and MUR 1,000. Be cautious of taxi drivers, since some are affiliated with outlets they’ll attempt to take you to for “a great deal” to obtain a minimize of income. However now that I give it some thought, it’s just like some bloggers and influencers too.

10. Visitors can get loopy

It may take 1-2 hrs to get from one aspect of the island to the opposite. Maintain that in thoughts once you plan actions or the place you’re visiting. We had a variety of early days since we had so as to add within the journey time.

Visitors on the island begins round 8 am and 4 pm. Though we didn’t see visitors, they saved telling us how unhealthy visitors was, so we at all times left earlier or approach later to keep away from it.

Native Tip: Should you booked a lodge with breakfast however have an early exercise, you’ll almost definitely miss breakfast. Ask for a to-go bag.

11. Faucet Water is Technically Protected

Locals drink faucet water, nevertheless it isn’t really helpful for guests. No matter protected ingesting water, we pack this self-cleaning water bottle on all our journeys to replenish on the lodge or airport.

12. Mauritius has a variety of historical past, and Sugar is a Massive a part of it

A lot of the fields in Mauritius are sugarcane fields, and sugarcane farms nonetheless dominate 70% of the land. Top-of-the-line locations to be taught extra concerning the historical past of sugarcane in Mauritius is Sugar World (L’Aventure de Sucre). Right here, you may also do a sugar tasting and a rum tasting.

Because of the sugar business, after slavery was abolished, the British examined out indentured labor and unfold it to the remainder of the world as a consequence of their success. You possibly can be taught extra about that at Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Web site, the stays of an Immigration Depot inbuilt 1849.

Do you know the now-extinct Dodo hen can be from Mauritius? You’ll discover them on souvenirs and branding everywhere in the island.

13. Souvenirs

• Sugar from L’Aventure du Sucre – we purchased a number of for pals again residence that love baking or ingesting espresso.
• Phoenix is the island’s hottest native beer. We by no means examine our luggage, however you possibly can carry again some native beer or liquor in case you do.
• Native Rum or Fruit Wines – Most cocktails are made with rum since they supply from native rhumeries. There aren’t native grape wines, however you will discover native fruit wines.

14. Fearful of Bats?

The fruit bats, aka Mauritian flying fox, are among the many largest bats and may attain a wingspan of 31 in (80 cm). We noticed them typically, flying round or on palm timber. Should you’re petrified of bats, you could wish to look away. We’re not sometimes afraid of bats, however they have been the largest we’ve seen within the wild, so I can see them being intimidating.

15. World Class Diving Over Snorkeling

We weren’t impressed with the snorkeling on the reefs, however Mauritius has world-class diving. There are round 50 dive websites throughout the island. If we might have a do-over, we’d have taken a PADI refresher course and booked some diving excursions as a substitute.

Native Tip: Don’t overlook coral-safe sunscreen. We have been disillusioned by all of the bleached coral we noticed.

16. The underwater Waterfall can solely be Seen from a Helicopter

The underwater waterfall, an optical phantasm, is a well-known landmark it’s essential to see whereas visiting Mauritius. It may solely be seen by way of helicopter, which is at all times climate dependent. Plan your trip early in your go to in order that if it will get canceled, you’ll have loads of time to reschedule.

Pin