good to know

Practical information about Mauritius island

Knowing basic facts about the country always comes handy, especially when you travel to a new place. It won’t take much time to learn some basic facts, but we still recommend that you buy or borrow a travel guidebook, it has a potential to save you precious time and money.

Let’s check out what questions people usually ask about Mauritius island:

Q. What is the official currency used in Mauritius island?

The official currency is Mauritian Rupee also refred as “Rs” or “MUR”. You can check the current exchange rates online to have the most accurate budget planning.

Q. Where is Mauritius located and is it an independant country?

Mauritius is a volcanic island located in the middle of the Indian ocean. To simplify, it is in between Madagascar and Australia and is considered part of the African continent. The island used to be a British colony but is now independent since the 12th of March 1968 (National Day).

Q. How to get to Mauritius island?

By plane to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (also known as Plaisance or SSR Airport). The national airline “Air Mauritius” operates many daily flights towards & from Europe, Africa and Asia. There are many more airlines flying to Mauritius on a daily basis. Don’t hesitate to compare prices online.

Q. What’s the time zone in Mauritius island?

The island is located in the GMT +4 time zone (Abu Dhabi).

Q. How is the internet connection in Mauritius island?

The connection speed in Mauritius is relatively good and you can surf and stream videos generally without any lag. WiFi is accessible mainly in hotels and cafes. The government is putting a lot of effort in upgrading the connectivity and internet around the island with additionnal submarine cables. A couple of 4G mobile phone networks are available on the island and they support roaming.

Q. What is the official language in Mauritius island?

The official language in Mauritius is English but most of the spoken conversations are in local Creole. Most of the population is fluent in French and English and many hotels also have team members that master extra languages like German or Italian.

Q. Do you need a visa to enter Mauritius island?

When it comes to visa, the best would be to check details with your embassy. European and South African countries don’t need visa, while other countries need a pre-arranged visa for Mauritius. Check with your embassy the process and documentation needed to obtain your visa on time.

Q. Can you drink the water in Mauritius (or other health concerns)?

According to official tourism sources, tap water is drinkable, but the government generally advises tourists to drink bottled water. The island has many sources of water that locals use to drink without any reported health complications. It’s advisable to avoid drinking tap water during cyclone season. There is no mandatory vaccine needed for visiting the island and also, there is not any reported case of malaria. For your safety, take essential medicine and a first-aid kit.

Q. How to get around Mauritius island?

There are many options including local buses, cars, taxi and motorbike. Local buses are a very cheap and convenient way to explore the island but be prepared to share it with sometimes too many people. There are taxis, cars and motorcycles for rent at hotels and guest houses and the price hugely depends on the place. Driving in Mauritius can be a little tricky to not say dangerous in some places. If you don’t feel confident driving on the island, day excursions can be organized with taxis or tour operators that will know where to take you and how to avoid traffic hours. A convenient way to relax and just enjoy the ride.

Q. What is the weather like in Mauritius island?

There are two seasons in Mauritius: Winter (May to October) and Summer (November to April). Tempratures during the winter are around 23-28 C during the day and can drop down to 18-19C at night. The Summer is hot and hummid and temperatures are between 30-35C. Be aware that this is the most popular period but is also the time of cyclones, especially during January and February. The water temperature averages at 24C over the whole year. For kitesurfing and hiking prefer winter months. For swimming, diving & tanning in the strong sun, prefer the summer months.

Take care of yourself

Relax with our Wellness Center

The Be Wellness is a small wellness center ideally located in Trou aux Biches at the Be Cosy Apart Hotel, close to shops and to the beach. In a refined decor, relax during a massage, a manicure/pedicure or discover our “Homemade” scrubs are all based on Mauritian products, a real pleasure for your skin!