Free things to do · Mauritius
8 free things to do in Mauritius
Mauritius without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Condem at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Mauritius without paying an entry fee: Le Morne Brabant, Black River Gorges National Park, Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) and Port Louis Central Market are all free. Eat street food at lunch and save restaurant meals for dinner; a filling dholl puri lunch costs very little.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- June
Free sights and experiences
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Nature · Le Morne peninsula
1.Le Morne Brabant
Start at sunrise to avoid the midday heat; the upper section involves scrambling, so go with a local guide if you are unsure.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Active
- History
- Outdoors
Nature · Southwest
2.Black River Gorges National Park
Stop at the Gorges and Alexandra Falls viewpoints even if you are not hiking, and start walks early before cloud builds.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Active
- Views
Religious site · Savanne highlands
3.Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)
Remove shoes before entering the temples and dress modestly; monkeys around the lake will grab food.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Architecture
Market · Port Louis
4.Port Louis Central Market
Come in the morning on a weekday, eat dholl puri from a busy stall and bargain gently at the souvenir stands upstairs.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
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Historic site · Port Louis
5.Aapravasi Ghat
Start at the interpretation centre for context, then walk to the original stone steps that the labourers climbed on arrival.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Viewpoint · Curepipe
6.Trou aux Cerfs crater
Go early on a clear morning; the central plateau is cooler and cloudier than the coast.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
Nature · Souillac
7.Rochester Falls
Combine it with Gris Gris and the coastal gardens at Souillac on a south-coast drive.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Nature
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Souillac
8.Gris Gris cliffs
Admire the sea from the clifftop only; swimming here is dangerous because of strong currents and waves.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Le Morne peninsula | Le Morne Brabant | 3–4 hours |
| Southwest | Black River Gorges National Park | Half a day |
| Savanne highlands | Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) | 1 hour |
| Port Louis | Port Louis Central Market and Aapravasi Ghat | 1–1.5 hours + 1 hour |
| Curepipe | Trou aux Cerfs crater | 45 minutes |
| Souillac | Rochester Falls and Gris Gris cliffs | 45 minutes + 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
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Nature · Chamarel
Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths and waterfall
Visit in the late afternoon when the low sun brings out the colours, then stop at the rum distillery down the road.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Nature
Garden · Pamplemousses
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
Hire one of the licensed guides at the entrance; without one it is easy to miss the spice trees and rare palms.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
Museum · Port Louis
Blue Penny Museum
Pair it with lunch and a stroll around Le Caudan Waterfront next to the harbour.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
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Nature · Blue Bay and Mahébourg
Blue Bay Marine Park
Snorkel in the morning before the wind picks up, and choose a glass-bottom boat if you have young children.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
More ways to save
- Eat street food at lunch and save restaurant meals for dinner; a filling dholl puri lunch costs very little.
- Self-catering apartments in Pereybère, Flic en Flac and Grand Baie cost a fraction of resort prices.
- Compare half-board and all-inclusive resort deals carefully, as drinks and excursions add up.
- Hire a taxi driver for a full-day island tour rather than booking several separate excursions.
- Travel in May, June or September for lower prices with good weather.
- Supermarkets sell local rum, tea and spices at much lower prices than resort shops.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Mauritius expensive to visit?
Mauritius is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Mauritius?
Le Morne Brabant: Start at sunrise to avoid the midday heat; the upper section involves scrambling, so go with a local guide if you are unsure.