Holiday Tips For Mauritius

Even though the island of Mauritius may be radically different from the lifestyle of your home location, all it really takes is exercising an average degree of sensiblity in order to have a good, safe vacation. After you have the basic important information that you will need for your trip so that communication, entrance requirements, and other issues are well prepared for, all that will be left for you to do is plan the nicest trip that you have ever taken, and then have a great time!

There are a few points of note before setting off on your vacation to Mauritius. While the country is generally safe and pleasant you should be aware of the following:

Visas: Many countries including UK, USA and India have an agreement with Mauritius so their citizens do not require a visa. However, you should check with the Mauritius embassy in your home country to check if you need a visa for your stay. In order to be welcomed to Mauritius, you will need a valid passport, adequate traveller's insurance, and your travel ticket stating that you have your return destination. A visitor’s visa is normally granted for a period of two weeks to one month upon arrival, to almost all holders of a valid passport, with one or two exceptions. 

Customs: Travellers are allowed to bring in the following duty-free items: 250g cigars and cigarettes; 2L of wine, ale or beer; 1 litre of spirits; 250 ml of eau de toilette; a reasonable amount of perfume.

Travel Insurance: It’s always a good idea to take out some travel insurance before any trip. You can get hold of some reasonably cheap travel insurance deals online for single trips – you can choose the level of coverage but be sure to check out the finer details before accepting any policy. At the very least you will want to cover health costs should anything happen while you’re out there.

Vaccinations: You should check with your doctors clinic to see what the latest situation is with regard to getting covered for your holiday to Mauritius.

Medical services: Free public medical facilities are widely available. Private clinics provide medical services for a fee.

Electricity: 220 volts / 50 Hz

Newspapers: Besides a wide choice of local papers, the pick of the European and American press is available.

Nudism: Nudism and topless sunbathing are frowned upon on our public beaches. No hotel permits nude sunbathing on beaches. Topless sunbathing is sometimes tolerated.

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Metric System 
one important factor that will be handy to know about in advance is that the metric system is used for weights and measurements on the island. As this is something which many Americans are not overly familiar with, it would be a good idea to either brush up on skills or carry a metric converter, such as a small booklet which contains this information. It may seem like a very minor issue, but when you are on your trip you will see how frequently it will come in handy for everything from asking the distance in directions to purchasing food items while shopping.

What To Bring: Mauritius enjoys a beautiful sunny climate all year round, so it’s important to bring the correct clothes. If you intend to spend a lot of time at the beach then you should pack appropriate beachwear such as shorts and t-shirts. Sunglasses are also a must, and you should also bring sun-cream and mosquito repellent. Some of the bigger and more luxurious Mauritius holiday resorts do spray for mosquitos regularly, but if you’re on a budget trip at a small guest house then repellent is crucial.

Dressing Sensibly: Mauritius is a fairly reserved country, so be careful not to flaunt yourself when out and about. Bikini’s should be reserved for the beach only, and you may wish to dress conservatively when out and about in the streets. Generally, a smart casual approach is the way to go.

Money
As a first-time traveller to Mauritius, it will also be necessary for you to know that the island's monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee. If you wish to have the assistance of a currency converter, they are readily available and will be quite convenient for you. Credit cards are acceptable; and ATM machines are also available in many locations for your convenience.

Carrying Money: While you can get by on your credit card (visa and mastercard are widely accepted), travellers checks are also a very good option, as some card crime has been known to happen. The major Mauritius holiday resorts such as Hilton and co offer facilities to exchange travel checks (the most popular travel check currencies are Sterling, US Dollar and Euro). There are also a fair number of banks and ATMs in Mauritius so getting hold of your money should not be a major problem. As long as you take proper common-sense precautions, such as not carrying large amounts of cash and not walking alone at night, you will not have much to worry about in terms of your basic safety. 

Language
If you are wondering if there may be a language barrier, it is not likely that you will have a problem with this. Although most of the residents of Mauritius speak the dialect known as Creole, and basic French is also often used, the official language of the island is English, and many people are fluent in English regardless of which language they prefer to use in their everyday lives.

How To Shop: Good bargainers can pick up some good deals, especially in the Markets of Mauritius (such as Port Louis). You shouldn’t feel worried to knuckle down to some hard bargaining, especially when there are no clear prices marked on goods.

Driving
While driving on the island is done on the left-hand side of the road, you will be allowed to drive if you possess a valid driver's license and abide by the island's driving laws. Renting a car will not be difficult at all if you have your personal documentation.  

Diving, Surfing & Snorkelling: If you enjoy the odd bit of diving or snorkelling on holiday, you’ll have a good time in Mauritius. Most areas offer wonderful clear blue waters and some exciting marine life and corals. You should enquire with your Mauritius resort as to what your best options are – many of the top and mid range Mauritius holiday resorts offer good diving and snorkelling facilities, and there are independent diving areas also available at various locations. 

Travelling With Kids: Children are generally well received in most Mauritius holiday resorts. In fact many of the top and mid range holiday resorts have dedicated kids clubs with plenty of activities for the children. 

Making International Phone Calls: You should remember that making international phone calls from most hotels are sinfully expensive. There are many public payphones available throughout Mauritius so you should plan to call from outside your hotel resort if you’re on a budget. Alternatively, if you have a mobile and have a roaming account set-up you can also use your cell to make calls.

Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory.

Time & Telecommunications: Mauritius is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and three hours ahead (2 hours in summer) of mid-European Time. Mauritius has international direct dialling facilities to most parts of the world as well as high speed fax and internet services.

TV channels: Satellite TV and local tv & radio are available in most of the hotels.

VAT: A value added tax of 15% is payable on goods and services including hotel and restaurant bills in Mauritius.