Mauritius – An Indian Ocean Paradise Part 1
In the second of our two-part feature, learn more about Mauritius and what you can expect from your Indian Ocean holiday. Missed Part 1? Read it here.
What is the currency in Mauritius?
The currency is Mauritian Rupees (‘MUR’) and it usually ranges from 50-60 rupees per pound, depending on the strength of sterling at the time of exchange. Xe is a good currency converter that gives up-to-the-minute exchange rates.
One of the best places to exchange currency is at the airport. There are several booths in the airside section of the airport, just before passengers move through to the arrivals hall. They’re widely acknowledged as having the best currency conversion rates on the island, usually better than the UK and significantly better than the ATMs network – though they only accept cash.
Are there ATMs in Mauritius?
Mauritius has a good network of ATMs across the country with larger villages and towns usually having at least one. Most banks have ATMs at shopping centres and by large supermarkets. Similar to the UK, each national bank has their own network of ATMs and you might find a queue for one ATM while the one to its side is available for use. There’s a charge for locals to use other bank’s ATMs, so they generally stick to their own network.
There’s a 20,000 rupee maximum daily withdrawal limit per card (only recently increased from 10,000 rupees per day) and a maximum of four ATM withdrawals can be made per day, per card, up to the 20,000 rupee limit to help prevent card fraud.
SBM Group ATMs usually have the best exchange rate for tourists using ATMS in comparison with other banks.
It’s also best to avoid withdrawing cash on a weekend, if possible, as the conversion rate is fixed to account for currency fluctuations and is usually a lower rate than through the week.
‘Touch and pay’ and chip and pin transactions are available in nearly all shops, bars and restaurants. Sometimes smaller businesses and garages will levy a charge for paying by card – anywhere from 1% to 3% of the total value. Some of the older and more ‘local’ shops don’t accept cards, so it’s always worth checking first. Apple and Google Pay operate in some stores, but it’s not the norm.
What plugs are used in Mauritius??
In most hotels and private homes in Mauritius, you’ll find a mixture of 220-volt plugs (‘European style’) and 3-pin plugs that we use in the UK. A standard adaptor that you’d use on holiday in Europe is worthwhile bringing, but there is usually a split of around 50-50 of the two types of plug sockets. Most appliances bought in Mauritius have the 220-volt European style plugs.
What time is it in Mauritius compared to the UK?
Times zones across the Indian Ocean vary, but during British summer time (late March to late October), Mauritius is three hours ahead of the UK. During the UK’s winter months, it’s four hours ahead of the UK.
What activities are available in Mauritius?
The Indian Ocean is well known for pristine, powdery beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters. The country’s coastline is dotted with some of the world’s most beautiful beaches including Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Le Morne, Blue Bay and Belle Mare. Perfect for lounging and soaking up the sun, they also offer an fantastic choice of water sports. From snorkelling and scuba diving to water skiing, kitesurfing, parasailing, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing, there’s no shortage of options for those wanting to indulge in their passion for the ocean.
For those that prefer to stay on land, the island is a hiker’s paradise, with trails that lead through lush forests and up to panoramic viewpoints. Black River Gorges National Park offers extensive hiking opportunities, where trekkers can explore waterfalls, spot rare endemic birds and diverse flora. A must-visit natural landmark is the Chamarel Waterfall, which cascades down a 100-metre cliff.
La Vallée des Couleurs offers visitors a fantastic day out with lots of activities including quad-biking and zip-lining, as well as some exceptional photographic opportunities. This National Park is a unique geological formation of 23-coloured earth and beautiful waterfalls, providing visitors the chance of capturing stunning stills and videos.
Does Mauritius have golf courses?
This Indian Ocean gem has 12 courses, including championship courses designed by Bernhard Langer and Ernie Els.
The only course in the north of the island is Mont Choisy Le Golf and it’s considered to be a great course for set up and quality, with challenging greens and brutal rough! The course is well laid out, very well maintained and the staff are friendly and professional.
Ile Aux Cerfs golf course, designed by Bernhard Langer, is an island course with a boat ride to the jetty to start your round. The course is challenging with some spectacular views, particularly on the 11th. Suitable for more experienced golfers, it’s not recommended for novices.
Tamarina Golf Club, in the west, has a course suitable for all abilities. It’s generally quite fast and runs true, with a beautiful backdrop of mountains and stunning scenery. The staff are professional and extremely friendly, offering a great experience for all.
Mauritius is small enough that, wherever you’re staying on the island, it’s easy enough to reach your course of choice.
What is the food like in Mauritius?
The cultural diversity of Mauritius can definitely be experienced through its cuisine and the island’s food scene is an eclectic mix, with Creole, Indian, Chinese and European influences.
Street food includes dholl puri – probably the closest thing to a national dish – which is an Indian pancake-style flatbread that’s filled with yellow split peas with bean curry, pickles and chutney. You can find dholl puri on every street corner, food shack and even mobile vendors who travel up and down roads on their mopeds selling their wares for about 20 rupees from glass boxes behind their seat.
The term ‘gajack’ loosely translates to snacks, which are generally deep fried. Gato piments – Mauritian chilli cakes – samosas and Gato arouille are all common and can be picked up for a few rupees.
Mauritian food is heavily influenced by both Indian and Chinese cuisines, so it’s ‘fusion’ in the real sense of the word. The islanders love chilli and add it to almost all of their food. They also have a mischievous sense of humour and like to tempt tourists into trying their chilli paste or oil – but be warned, it’s usually HOT!
Seafood is common with some excellent ‘cabanes’ on the side of the road. Often the husband is the fisherman and the wife is the chef, so fish is freshly caught and varied, changing from day to day. Most cabanes are featured on Trip Advisor, so it’s worth doing a little research for options in your area if you want to sample some really fresh seafood.
The French occupied the country for nearly 100 years and there are lots of nods to French culture, language and cuisine. In every town you’ll find at least one boulangerie/pâtisserie, with French style baguettes being a staple in every household. There are some superb pâtissiers on the island, so always worth stopping in for a treat. Pains & Moulins has several shops around the island and always has a mouthwatering display of pâtisserie on show.
There are also some excellent food tours available, particularly in Port Louis, and worth a trip if you have a few hours spare. Many islanders also sell food in glass cabinets from outside their homes and there’s nothing like immersing in Mauritian culture by trying some of their dishes.
So, in summary, Mauritius is an Indian Ocean island paradise that caters to all types of travellers. Its stunning natural beauty and incredible diversity make it an ideal destination for solo adventurers, couples and families alike. This fusion of cultures, colours, cuisines and languages promises an unforgettable experience that goes way beyond the conventional image of a honeymoon getaway.
If you’re considering the Indian Ocean as the destination for your next holiday, please contact Emma who’ll be delighted to help you.
