Language
English, French, Mauritian Creole
Although the official language of Mauritius is English, in practice French is by far the most commonly spoken language, and is widely used in professional and formal settings.
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Africa · Eastern AfricaOutline guideIsland country in the Indian Ocean
Photo: Simisa (talk · contribs), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mauritius (French: Maurice, Mauritian Creole: Moris) is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2300 km from the African continent. Mauritius is mostly appreciated by visitors for its natural beauty and man-made attractions, multi-ethnic and cultural diversity, tropical climate, beautiful beaches and water sports.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Mauritius.
English, French, Mauritian Creole
Although the official language of Mauritius is English, in practice French is by far the most commonly spoken language, and is widely used in professional and formal settings.
Mobile networks
The tap water is generally considered potable and most Mauritians drink it, but for visitors who aren't used to it, bottled water is recommended.
Mauritius is a risk area for infection with dengue fever, also known as "breakbone fever" from the muscular convulsions it causes. No vaccine is available.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius, and with around 150,000 inhabitants the island nation's most populous city. Sitting in a bay surrounded by mountains, Port Louis is a lively and modern city also with charming districts from colonial times.
Curepipe is a sprawling town in the centre of Mauritius. At an altitude of 561 m, it marks the top of the ridge on the road between Port Louis and Vieux Grand Port, and the name may indicate that travellers rested here for long enough to smoke then clean out their clay pipes.
Quatre Bornes (French: La Ville des Fleurs) is a town in Mauritius.
Vacoas-Phoenix or Phoenix is one of the major towns found in the island nation of Mauritius.
Blue Bay is a town in the island country of Mauritius.
Chamarel is a city in Mauritius.
Grand Bay (Grand-Baie) is a city in Mauritius.
Flic en Flac is in Mauritius.
Mahebourg is a city in Mauritius.
Pamplemousses is a village and a district in Mauritius.
Souillac is a small seaside resort and village in Mauritius along the rugged coast of the Savanne district.
Tamarin is a village on the western coast of Mauritius.
Triolet is in Mauritius.
In the east, visitors may easily visit L'Ile aux Cerf from there
A village in Savanne District.
Places in Mauritius on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Public transport and paid services in Mauritius.
By boat
By train
The modern Metro Express light rail links Port Louis and Curepipe, stopping at Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Vacoas-Phoenix along the way.
By bus
Several fairly good bus services ply the island. Taking the bus is the most economical way of travelling. As of 2023 one way fare costs MUR 44.
By taxi
Taxis are the best way to tour the island.
By car
One major highway runs north to south, otherwise a good network of paved, if sometimes narrow, roads covers the island. Traffic drives on the left and priority is for vehicles coming from the right.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Mauritius.
Finding apps for Mauritius…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Plaine Magnien · International · MRU
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Port Louis
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 28° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 27° |
| Avg. low | 26° | 27° | 27° | 26° | 25° | 23° | 22° | 22° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 26° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 128 | 116 | 122 | 67 | 41 | 29 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 29 | 29 | 44 |
| Humidity | 79% | 79% | 78% | 78% | 75% | 73% | 73% | 73% | 73% | 75% | 75% | 76% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$45
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$125
Per person, per day
Luxury
$335
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $25 | $70 | $195 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $30 |
| Activities | $5 | $20 | $50 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Mauritius due to crime. Crime Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity. This includes pickpocketing, purse snatchings, and petty thefts. Petty crime occurs in crowded outdoor shopping areas, beaches, and other tourist spots. It also happens near ATMs. Other serious crimes in Mauritius include: Break-ins Violent crimes (serious assaults, murder, rape) Verbal harassment and other crimes towards women traveling alone Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Localised demonstrations and community unrest Localised demonstrations and community unrest have occurred in parts of Mauritius following a police shooting incident on 9 October 2026, and may continue. This may result in road closures, transport disruption and interruptions to public services. The Government of Mauritius has introduced temporary curfews during the evenings and overnight, covering most areas of the main island. The next curfews are currently scheduled to take place from 10pm to 4.30am during the nights of Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, ending at 4.30am on Monday 19 October. Follow guidance from local authorities to stay up to date on timings. Avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings, stay indoors during curfew and follow the advice of local authorities. You can still contact our consular teams via telephone or email. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Mauritius.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
6 min read
Nature & adventureThere are many opportunities for hiking and trekking in Mauritius with breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, and forests. There are hikes through fields and treks on a zip line or on a bike.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyHinduism is the world's third most prolific religion after Christianity and Islam. With a history spanning many thousands of years, it is the dominant religion in South Asia and has been very influential in Southeast…
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAirfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureCycling allows you to see places close up and at a slower pace. It keeps you aware of your surroundings and you get to experience a place more intimately than you would as a bus or taxi passenger.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAirline alliances are formed when different airlines agree to substantially cooperate with each other. Advantages for customers include more destinations and more convenient connections, while the airlines benefit by…
Wikivoyage
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