About Mauritius

Mauritius is famed for its beautiful beaches, warm hospitality and delicious cuisine. A melting pot of many cultures, there is an abundance of sights, sounds, tastes and experiences that will delight the senses. Mauritius is a popular tourist destination year around with something for everyone.

Mauritius is an island nation off the coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres east of Madagascar. In addition to the island of Mauritius, the republic includes the islands of St. Brandon, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands. Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Réunion 200 km to the southwest and the island of Rodrigues 570 km to the northeast.

History

Of volcanic origin and generally sheltered by barriers of coral reefs forming natural, safe, crystal clear lagoons, Mauritius has long been a dream destination. Known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century, but officially discovered in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, the island was occupied successively by the Dutch (1598-1712) and the French (1715-1810), and was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 through the Treaty of Paris. On 12 March 1968, Mauritius became Independent. Republic Day was proclaimed on 12 March 1992.

Climate

The temperature on the coastal areas varies between 22°C in winter and 34°C in summer. The sea temperature varies between 22°C and 27°C. In the central part of the island, the maximum daytime temperature varies from about 19°C in August to about 26°C in February. The western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.

Culture

Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions. The population consists of Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims and Europeans.

Language

The official language of Mauritius is English but Creole and French are the main languages spoken on an everyday basis. Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are fluent in English and French.

Government

Mauritius is a democratic state based on the Westminster model and enjoys political stability.

Population

1.2 million (Year 2007).

Visa & Entry Requirements

A visitor must be in possession of a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. 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. Visitors are strongly recommended to contact the Passport and Immigration Office in Mauritius or the nearest Mauritian Embassy or Consulate.

Health

No vaccinations are required. However a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age who arrive from areas where yellow fever cases are reported.

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

Currency

The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which is divided into 100 cents (cs). Credit cards are normally accepted by banks and most hotels, restaurants and tourist shops.

Shopping

Shopping hours in our main cities range from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm (Monday-Saturday). Some shops are open till noon on Sundays and public holidays. Many duty free shops and modern shopping centres (Caudan, Curepipe, Floréal Square, Happy World House, Orchard Centre) offer a wide choice of products.

Please note that for many parts of the island there are no shops open on Thursday afternoon.

VAT

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

Tipping

Tipping is not compulsory.

Electricity

220 volts.

Time & Telecommunications

Mauritius is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (5 in summer) and three hours ahead 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. The international calling code is +230.

TV Channels

Satellite TV and local TV and radio are available in most of the hotels.

What to Wear

Take your best beach and casual wear. In the winter months (June -September), carry some light woollen clothing for the cool evenings. Please show due respect when visiting religious places. Wear appropriate clothing (and remove leather shoes and belts) when entering the premises.

Nudism

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

Maritim Hotel

The Maritim Hotel, built in typical Mauritian style, is located in the middle of a park on Turtle Bay, the first national park for marine life on the fairytale island of Mauritius. The Indian Ocean glitters turqoise-green and a trip in a glass-bottomed boat is all that is needed to reveal the underwater world in all its multicoloured glory. A true paradise – and not just for scuba divers!