All about Mauritius for tourists. Holidays in Mauritius

White beaches, turquoise water, sleeping volcanoes, exotic plants and rare animals - all this is the island of Mauritius. Revived fairy tale, waking dream!

Rest here will suit both fans of noisy parties with dancing until the morning, and families with children. Here you can enjoy excellent beaches, try yourself in extreme types of recreation, take part in exciting excursions and simply admire the incredibly beautiful landscapes.

Mauritius for a long time was a colony: belonged to the Portuguese, then the Dutch, then the French, after it was conquered by the British. Only in 1968 did Mauritius become independent. Therefore, on the island you can observe a real mixture of nationalities, cultures and languages.

Capital	Port louis
Population	1,294,000 people
Population density	603 people / km²
	English French
Religion	Hinduism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism
Form of government	parliamentary republic
	Mauritian rupee
Timezone
International dialing code
Electricity

Climate and weather

The island has a tropical maritime climate. From February to March, cyclones cause strong winds and rainstorms on the island, causing flooding.

Most the right time for holidays in Mauritius - it is May, October and November. During these months it is not as hot here as in the rest, and the water in the ocean is very warm - its temperature fluctuates between + 22 ... + 26 ° С.

There are heavy, but short-term tropical rains.

Nature

The island of Mauritius is of volcanic origin. Although volcanoes have not been active for a long time, the nature here is still beautiful: numerous plateaus are surrounded by mountains with many rivers and waterfalls. The largest rivers on the island are the Grand River North West and the Grand River South East.

It is difficult to convey all the beauty of mountain rivers and lakes on the slopes of extinct volcanoes - you need to see it with your own eyes!

The mountains here are distinguished by their funny names: Cat, Mouse, Thumb, Three Nipples.

The southwestern part of the island is covered with purple and red volcanic sands, Canadian pines and eucalyptus trees grow here. In the eastern part of Mauritius, mangroves have been preserved. Coconut groves stretch along the beaches.

There is a nature reserve in Mauritius - Black River Goge... Such rare species of birds as necklace parrots and pink pigeons live there.

sights

Most of the attractions of Mauritius are of natural origin. Excursions to them are offered everywhere on the island.

Port louis- the capital of Mauritius. This is the main port of the country. The city was founded by the French. On one side of the city stretches picturesque bay, on the other - mountains rise. Port Louis has survived fort Adelaide, erected by the colonialists, which is now used as observation deck and a venue for colorful shows.

Pay attention to the architecture of the city: in the center of the capital there is Arms Square and many colonial-style administrative buildings.

A visit to the Chinese and Muslim quarters will also be of interest.

Be sure to check out Natural History Museum, because only there you can see the only surviving effigy of the dodo destroyed in the 16th century - the famous Dodo birds.

In the northeast of Port Louis, you can see tomb of Peer Laval... He founded Catholicism on the island. They say touching the plaster statue of Laval brings good luck.

There is a village in the vicinity of the capital Pamplemousse, and in it - botanical gardens. An incredible number of rare plants are collected here.

You will surely be impressed by the local aquarium located near the mountains. Trou aux Beach and Point aux Piments... The aquarium is simply gigantic - 1 million liters of water! Here you can observe sponges, molluscs and over 200 species of exotic fish. A visit to the Crocodile Park in the city of Maeburg on the southeast coast of the island will also be fascinating.

In the south-west of the island is located Tamarin waterfall- the largest of the existing on the island.

Another attraction of the city is Lion mountain, which towers over the bay and really resembles a lion.

Nutrition

The mixing of peoples, their traditions and cultures could not but be reflected in the local cuisine. Mauritian cuisine is a unique fusion of French, Indian, Chinese and African cuisine.

The main feature of the local menu is its many spices. Very often, curry sauce and creole sauce, which is prepared on the basis of tomatoes, are added to dishes.

The national cuisine is rich in seafood. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the freshwater crayfish "Camaron".

Residence

It will not work on the island on a budget: Mauritius positions itself as a luxury vacation destination. Hotels are divided into three categories: Super Deluxe, Deluxe, Superior. The service level is very high. The resort has long been popular with wealthy people.

You can rent a villa on the coast. True, you will not find anything cheaper than $ 3000 per month. It is also worth considering that in holidays the rental price increases significantly.

Entertainment and recreation

How to entertain yourself on the island, except for excursions and beaches? Here tourists are offered horse riding, tennis, parachuting, golf, cycling and, of course, all kinds of water sports!

There is a park in Mauritius water attractions Leisure Village... For gamblers, many hotels have casinos.

Diving is available throughout the year in Mauritius. And there is something to see underwater! Here you can find many species of tropical fish, see wrecks and swim with dolphins. Thrill seekers can go diving in the east of Mauritius and swim with sharks there.

And if you do not want to dive, but also want to see the underwater world, you can simply book an excursion on a boat with a glass bottom.

Purchases

The best place to shop is Craft Market in Port Louis. This is a real paradise for hand-made lovers! Many handcrafted souvenirs can be purchased here at reasonable prices.

As a souvenir of the trip, it is worth bringing from Mauritius an amazingly accurate model of a ship, handmade by local craftsmen.

Keychains with seven-colored sand can also be great souvenirs. In addition, all kinds of souvenirs in the form of the Dodo bird, the symbol of Mauritius, are popular.

Transport

The most convenient way to get around the island is by taxi. However, it is worth considering that you can and should bargain with local taxi drivers. You can also take a taxi here for the whole day if you decide to do some sightseeing.

There are buses, but they run rarely and irregularly.

You can rent a bike or scooter. And if you want to rent a car, then you must be at least 23 years old and you must have an international driving license. By the way, do not forget that driving on the left in Mauritius.

Connection

V modern world without mobile communications and the Internet is indispensable. Even on vacation. Roaming services in Mauritius are provided by Russian operators using the GSM 900 communication standard.

You can also purchase a SIM card from a local operator. Cards are sold everywhere in shops and you need a passport to buy them.

You can also make a call from a pay phone using a special card or small coins. The cards can be bought in shops, gas stations, cafes and restaurants, in the offices of Mauritius Telecom.

You can order a call at the telephone booth or at the hotel (in the latter it will be a little more expensive).

V large cities Mauritius has internet cafes and hotels have Wi-Fi.

Safety

Mauritius is one of the ten safest vacation spots with virtually no crime.

The only thing that can spoil your holiday on the island is ... marine life. In coastal areas, it is better to swim in special shoes - thorns sea ​​urchins and sharp corals can ruin your holiday. If you decide to swim outside the coastal reefs, then you should use the services of instructors so as not to get into strong currents.

Business climate

Have you decided to do business in Mauritius? This great idea! The economic activity of this country is one of the most successful in Africa. The government promotes business and encourages foreign investment.

In recent years, many economic reforms have been carried out here, which helped to avoid the impact of the global financial crisis.

The main directions are tourism, light industry, services. In recent years, ICT and real estate markets have been gaining popularity among investors.

Mauritius has free trade agreements with the United States, Pakistan, 33 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. The main trading partners are India, Great Britain, France and the USA.

The business climate of Mauritius can be summed up in a few words: favorable but highly competitive.

The property

The economy of Mauritius is constantly evolving. This affects the entire life of the island, including the real estate market. Real estate in Mauritius is a great investment! The dream of owning your own oceanfront villa is getting closer.

True, the prices here correspond to the level of the resort - very high. For example, the cost of a villa in coastal cities starts at € 500,000. There is no upper limit here. At the same time, real estate continues to rise in price.

Mauritius is not just a dwarf state, it is an archipelago of stunning beauty, lost in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean. The most large islands: Mauritius, Rodriguez, Agalega. The capital of Mauritius is the port city of Port Louis with a population of 157,000. It was named after the French king Louis XV. Several centuries ago, the island was a French colony, then a century and a half - British, as evidenced by the cities. The most large settlements: Maeburg, Curpipe, Rose Hill.

Where is Mauritius

The archipelago is located in East Africa, 900 kilometers from Madagascar. The tiny island is 65 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide. In terms of area, it can be compared with Moscow. If you set a goal, you can get around it in a day. You can get to the island from Russia and the CIS countries in an exceptional manner by plane. The journey takes approximately 11-12 hours. There is no time difference with Mauritius. This archipelago, despite its remote, very popular tourist destination, is distinguished not only by unique nature but also by the price range. Holidays in Mauritius in terms of cost can be compared with the Seychelles and Maldives.

Holidays on the island of Mauritius

Tourism is one of the main sources of income for the budget of Mauritius. It occupied the niche of a rather expensive but popular resort. The island was able to reach this level thanks to the magnificent landscapes, delightful beaches with fine white sand, crystal clear azure waters Indian Ocean. By the way, all the beaches are kept in a perfectly clean condition, garbage is removed on them daily. The underwater world of Mauritius of rare beauty attracts divers from all over the world to observe the local marine life.

The infrastructure of the island is quite developed, there are very good hotels different categories, many cozy coastal restaurants, shops and souvenir shops. Among the entertainment, sea fishing is especially popular, since it is good to catch in coastal waters Mauritius has many interesting "seafood".

It is very fashionable now to hold wedding ceremonies on the islands. Mauritius is one of the most popular places in this regard, so every year a huge number of newlyweds take an oath of eternal love here. The pleasure, of course, is not cheap, but the impressions will be remembered for a lifetime.

The country's only airport, Plaisance, is located in the southeast of the island, not far from Maeburg. You do not need a visa to visit Mauritius, but airport tax will be charged on departure. It is around $ 20.

WITHOUT A VISA!

Tours and tours

about the country

– wonderful island with white sandy beaches and lush tropical vegetation, which is located in the southwestern Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. The coral reefs that surround the island on almost all sides protect its shores from storms and provide shelter for the most beautiful tropical fish.

Thanks to the excellent mild climate on the island of Mauritius, vacation is perfect at any time of the year. From November to April - summer on the island. Despite the temperature reaching 33C and humidity, the heat is easily tolerated, as it is softened by a pleasant wind, and the humidity is not as high as on other tropical islands. In summer, from December to March, it rains. However, continuous rains are rare in Mauritius. Typically, heavy rain subsides for a few minutes, after which hot, sunny weather returns. The winter season, when the air temperature is from 17 to 23 C, lasts from May to October. At this time, the air on the island is cooler, and the water in the ocean remains almost as warm as in summer.

A trip to the island can be the most enjoyable trip not only thanks to the gentle sun, beautiful sandy beaches, warm sea and tropical exoticism, but also the highest level of service for which Mauritius hotels are famous. It is no coincidence that it was Mauritius that was chosen by the most discerning clients of our time: members of royal families, businessmen, famous artists and filmmakers. Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Princess Sarah - Duchess of York, presidents of European powers love to relax here.

There are no random people here, not only among the guests, but also among the staff. All hotel employees undergo special training and acquire the skill to guess the wishes of the guests. Mauritius hotels are designed to provide the highest level of comfort, therefore tours to Mauritius are always classified as luxe.

Every hotel is like small town, with its green area and its bars, restaurants, spas, shops, golf courses, swimming pools, surf stations, beaches and lagoons. On the island of Mauritius, relaxation is all about relaxation, pleasant idleness in a teak deckchair by the ocean, or by the pool, or on the veranda of your own suite. Houses stand on stilts in shallow coral waters, at the edge of the ocean, or in mangroves tropical garden... Here you can retire, and the trees will completely hide from prying eyes.

All hotels on the island of Mauritius try to pleasantly surprise their guests and every year they expand or improve the menu of their services: either they open a new gastronomic restaurant, or they prepare a new gift for the arrival of guests, or they add new procedures in the spa centers. Here you can spend your entire vacation without leaving the hotel territory, or you can make many exciting trips around the island.

Tours to Mauritius often include deep sea marlin fishing, a trip to the distillery to taste pure and strong rum, to a sugarcane factory converted into a museum. You can go to the capital's Port Louis, where the unique, most expensive in the world, 18th century blue and orange Mauritius stamps are kept in the historic interactive Blue Penny Museum. If you want to get acquainted with the nature of the island of Mauritius, tours to the "colorful lands", to the sacred lake of the Hindus and the nearby uninhabited islands, to which you can go from Mauritius by catamaran, will not leave anyone indifferent.

Geography

An island state in the Mascarene Islands group, located in the western part of the Indian Ocean, 800 km. east of Madagascar. The country consists of the islands of Mauritius, Rodriguez, Agalega and Kargados Carajos. The relief of Mauritius is sublime.

The center of the island occupies an elevated plateau with a number of low mountains (the highest point is the Riviere Noir peak - 828 m) and three similar low mountain ranges. Most of the island is flat, with agricultural crops in the north and east. A wide strip of whites stretches along the coast sandy beaches, indented by small bays. The total area of ​​the country is 2045 sq. km., of which 1865 sq. km. falls on the island of Mauritius, 105.7 sq. km. - to the island of Rodriguez.

The climate on the island is tropical maritime, hot, but easily tolerated due to the abundant moisture brought by the trade winds from the ocean. Summer (from November to April) is hot and humid - +25 C at night, +30 C and higher during the day, humidity reaches 80%. Winter (from May to October) is cooler - +17 C at night, +23 C during the day, and drier. The weather can change several times during the day, but it is never cold. Precipitation falls from 1500 (western and northern parts of the island) to 5000 ( East End) mm. per year, mainly from December to March.

The best time to visit Mauritius - September-November and April-June.
The period of cyclones lasts from December to mid-April, but they usually do not have a destructive force.

Square- 2040 km
Population- 1 294 million people
Official language- English and French. All the inhabitants of the island are also fluent in Creole.
Religion- Hindus 48%, Catholics 23.6%, Muslims 16.6%
Head of State and Government- the president
Capital- Port Louis
Currency unit- Mauritian rupee

Transport

Roads and driving rules

Driving in Mauritius is left-hand, so for independent trip a certain habit is required. In cities, the speed is limited to 50 km \ 134 h., On other roads - 80 km \ 134 h. At the same time, traffic jams are frequent on the roads leading to the capital. On the eve of weekends and around 4 pm on weekdays, hundreds of employees leave their offices and head to neighboring towns, creating real traffic jams on the roads.

Bus service in Mauritius

The island is small, so most of the traffic is carried out by road.
Regular buses cover the entire territory of the island with a fairly dense network of routes. There are bus stations in all cities of the island. Usually, there is no route map, no signs and timetable signs, so the easiest way is to ask local residents about the specifics of a particular route.

Taxi

Taxis can be taken at the airport or near the hotel. The cost of the trip should be negotiated in advance, since most taxis do not have meters, and they also receive a certain percentage from the owners of those places where they supposedly bring tourists "on the way". The average cost of a trip is about 15-20 MUR per kilometer, long-distance travel is somewhat cheaper. Bargaining when discussing the cost of a trip is not only appropriate, but also necessary.

Car rental in Mauritius

Car rental on the island is carried out by branches of large international companies and small local companies. Private companies have lower prices, but a rather weak technical assistance service, often no insurance is issued and a relatively outdated fleet of cars. To rent a car, you must be over 23 years old and have an international driving license issued at least one year before the start of the rental period. Some companies lower the age limit to 21 and adopt national laws. You should take a car with an "age" not older than 4 years (the last two digits of the number are usually indicated for the year of manufacture) and with yellow numbers. It is recommended to stock up on gas in advance, as it is paid for at gas stations only in cash (plastic cards are not accepted).

Water and food

The sanitary and epidemiological situation in Mauritius is calm. The water can also be drunk from the tap, it undergoes a fairly thorough purification, but it is still recommended to use bottled drinks. Products can also be bought in the markets - most often they are quite safe (except for the abundance of spices in dishes local cuisine), but it is still recommended to have gastric remedies with you, since even the mineral composition of water and food is quite different from the usual European stomach.

Natural hazards

There are no poisonous animals or insects on the island, but the bites of many representatives of the local fauna are painful and can cause allergic reactions. Care should be taken in the sea - although there are practically no large predators, the thorns and thorns of many marine life leave very painful wounds. There are strong currents beyond the outer edges of the reefs, so diving outside the lagoons should only be done with local instructors.

On the high seas only fishing for large fish from specially equipped boats is allowed. Spearfishing and lifting items from the seabed are prohibited or only performed with special permission from local authorities. Collecting and breaking off corals is severely punished. The same applies to buying them from local merchants.

Traditions

Mauritians are very welcoming and friendly towards tourists. The island is often called the "Japan of the Indian Ocean" for the reluctance of local residents to say "no" even on the most trivial issue. Therefore, in order not to put the Mauritian in an uncomfortable position, questions should be asked clearly and unequivocally in order to avoid the "wrong" answer. It is not officially forbidden to photograph temples, but it is better to ask permission from the clergy before shooting. You should also be careful about photographing local residents - not all of them will take such an attempt calmly.
In the country, lunch is quite early - already at 11.00 most of the offices are closed for a break until 12.15.

Clothing and appearance

Before visiting mosques and Hindu temples, dress modestly and be sure to remove your shoes before entering the temple. You should not talk or laugh loudly near places of worship.

Drugs

In Mauritius, a special narcotic herb grows and is almost uncontrollably sold on the beaches (allegedly by sellers of shells). It is a serious violation of the law to consume and carry it with you, for which the police can impose a heavy fine or even expel from the country, regardless of whether it concerns a foreigner or a local resident.

Safety

There are many police officers on the streets, and the crime rate is very low. Pickpocketing and petty theft are almost exclusively found in large tourist areas, and most often - because of the obvious carelessness of the "victim".

The island produces fairly cheap and high-quality jewelry and clothing, as well as many original national-style souvenirs, which are considered excellent souvenirs. Also "purely Mauritian" souvenirs are considered luxurious models of ships produced by local craftsmen at the highest level. Bargaining in most places is not only possible but necessary.

Payment for services is usually included in the total price or indicated separately, but usually the size of the tip depends only on the client's wishes.

Mauritius does not have a five-star hotel classification system. The hotel categories are determined conditionally, in accordance with the standards of the Swiss Hotel Association, but meet the highest demands. Even in bungalows and small, inexpensive studios, living conditions are very comfortable. Public and hotel beaches are removed every day not only from garbage, but also from fragments of coral and algae, and in some places the sand is even sifted daily.

Electricity

The voltage in the mains is 220 V., 50 Hz. Three-pin electrical sockets.

Island Map

reference Information

Difference with Moscow- +1 hour
Telephone code - +230
Currency unit- Mauritian rupee (international designation - MUR, within the country - Rs), equal to 100 sous. 1 USD = ~ 30 MUR, 1 EUR = ~ 40 MUR
Visa- need not
Passport validity- 6 months from the date of the end of the trip
Cost of a typical dinner for two- from 20 EUR (without drinks)
Estimated flight time- 10-11 hours

Mauritius Island is located in Indian Ocean, on the map it is indicated by a point just below and to the right of Madagascar. The time is just an hour longer than in Moscow. Immigrants from India make up the national majority, and the flow of foreign tourists mainly comes from France and South Africa... Mauritius is known for fabulous weddings, waterfalls and wild nature... The vegetation mainly spreads over sugarcane fields along the roads and around the mountains. If you want to understand a little about the island, then I would suggest a colony metaphor. Despite the fact that slavery was abolished a long time ago, both in the mentality and in the way of life one can feel how they lived on the island and conquered it in the middle of the 16th century. And rest here implies some chic and scope. Everything breathes with prosperity, I often hear phrases like if fishing, then for two hundred kilogram marlin; if a walk on the sea, then with dolphins; if in the mountains, then I would like the clouds to play along and gather in a filmstrip about the life of the dodo bird.

I think that those who wanted to travel dearly in Africa, on good tracks and with delicious varied cuisine.

Visa and border crossing

There is a visa-free regime for Russian citizens. With an entry stamp on the island, you can live by default for 60 days, and if you, like me, want to stay for a longer period, then you will need to appear at the immigration office in the capital of the island of Mauritius - Port Louis. You will need to take with you:

• the passport,
• bank statement,
• confirmation of rental housing (booking or contract),
• return ticket.

In general, in the presence of all required documents, the procedure for extending the "visa" will take about ten minutes. You will be put another stamp in your passport next to the old one indicating the new expected date of departure and will be released.

The initial border crossing will take longer due to paperwork and queues.

Here you will be asked to fill out two forms (yellow and green and white). The green and white - arrival card, or migration card - contains information about where you will stay, when you are going to leave and how to contact you during your vacation. And in the second, yellow, health card, you must tick the boxes that you are not sick with anything.

From interesting facts about customs officers: here they have a love for other people's suitcases. They may ask to look inside. It is important to know here that the importation of sex toys is prohibited in Mauritius. That is, one can be for oneself, but the second one can already be withdrawn and shamed.

And never settle for the first bid for an airport taxi. It will be high, given that there is no Uber here.

How to get there

There is only one decent way to get to the island - by plane. A hundred years ago it would have been on a motor ship, two hundred years ago it would have been a galley slave. They say that even now some illegal immigrants are trying to enter through on a freight ferry. There is information on the Internet that you can use it to sail to the Rodrigues and Reunion islands, the prices on the website do not hang, but it will definitely not be cheaper than 300 euros, while a flight from Mauritius to Mauritius will cost about 200 euros.

By plane

Flights from Russia are essentially carried out by three air carriers, so you can fly to the island every day. Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Air France.

The shortest (about 15 hours) and cheapest flights are via Turkey.

In general, the answer to the question of how long to fly to Mauritius directly depends on the airline. When the late Transaero flew, the duration direct flight was 10 hours. The memory remained, but the airline is no longer there.

Now sometimes it is possible to get on air ticket sales and buy a ticket - Mauritius - at a price of 650 - 900 dollars (price as of May 2016). Current prices can be found in search engines or in the TravelAsk section.

If we go back to today's realities, then I would place these three airlines in the following rating:

1. Emirates - cost around $ 1200, duration 16-17 hours (about 4 hours transfer). Emirates is well fed, they have a good choice films, which is important on a long flight, comfortable seats and sufficient distance between the seats for long-legged passengers. However, this is not the cheapest flight.
2. Turkish airlines - the cost is in the region of 900 - 1000 dollars, the duration of the flight is 15 hours (about 1 hour transfer). The price, of course, is more attractive, although it cannot be said that it is low. There is one caveat with this option. You may miss your flight due to a short connection. However, this is a plus, you can spend the night in Turkey and then they will send you to Paris and from there, possibly with an upgrade to Mauritius.
3. Air France - the cost is in the region of 1100 - 1300 dollars, the duration of the flight is about 18 hours. Almost everything is bad with this flight. For example, the first part of the flight is performed by Aeroflot, and therefore, if there is an overweight, you will have to pay both for Aeroflot space fares and for cheaper, but not low, Air France fares.

For some reason, the Internet writes that there are several airports in Mauritius or that the airport is not far from the capital, Port Louis. This is actually a mistake. There is only one airport on the island, which is located in the southeastern part of the island, near the city of Mayeburg, and the capital is in the opposite - northwest side.

By ferry

There is a ferry to the Rodrigues Islands (Mauritius) and () from Port Louis. None of my friends used this type of transport, perhaps because it is more expensive than air travel. For example, if a round-trip flight to Reunion will cost 200 - 250 euros, then the only ferry that I could find costs about 400 one way.

Tourist regions

If we consider the island as a circle, then historically it happened so that all hotels and main entertainment places are located along the circumference, along the ocean. Closer to the center of the circle, in the depths of the country, lives indigenous population... Accordingly, it turns out that in large cities, the most important of which is Port Louis with a population of about 100 thousand people, there is almost nothing to do. The same applies to Kurpip and Mayeneburg.

There is some life going on in densely populated cities. It starts around 8 a.m. and finally dies around 4 p.m., when there are still 2 hours before sunset, which, regardless of the time of year, will come at about 6 p.m.

In fact, no specifically tourist place or district. The entire coast is inhabited by expats and built up with hotels. On Saturdays and Sundays, locals come to the beaches with tents, children, barbecues and arrange drama sets, dance shoga. I really love to walk on the beach at this time.

If we talk about my own preferences, then I would say that I like the southwestern part of the island from Tamarin to La Gaulette much more.

First, there is less population density than in the north. There is more space around and fewer places with a slurred audience and animation.

Secondly, in this part, developed aquatic species sports: surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing. There is also a kite lagoon.

Thirdly, it is in this part of the island that Russian-speaking expats have settled, and the life of the Russian-speaking community is supported. In the north, there is a small group of Russian speakers who also stick together. But in bare numbers, it would be 20:80 in favor of the south.

The location of hotels (West, North, South or East coast) and the cost of package tours can be viewed at.

You can book a hotel on Booking - and compare prices from different sites - in the Trevelask section.

Rent a Car- also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?