Travel tips · Mauritius
Mauritius travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: "dronepicr", CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Mauritius had no native population; its people descend from Indian indentured labourers, enslaved Africans and Malagasy, French settlers and Chinese traders. Hindu temples, mosques, churches and pagodas stand side by side, public holidays mark Divali, Eid, Christmas and Chinese New Year, and Mauritian Creole is the language everyone shares.
Key facts
- Language
- Mauritian Creole, English and French
- Currency
- MUR
- Plugs
- Type C and Type G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but many visitors and residents drink bottled or…
- Emergency
- 999 (police), 114 (ambulance), 112 also works
Things to know
- Remove shoes before entering Hindu temples and mosques, and cover shoulders and knees.
- Topless sunbathing is not accepted on public beaches; keep swimwear for the beach.
- Greet shopkeepers with 'Bonzour' or 'Bonjour' before asking a question.
- Public beaches are busy with local families on Sundays and holidays; be respectful of their space.
- Ask before photographing people, especially at religious festivals and in markets.
- Book Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve ahead: Visits are by guided tour only, run by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation; book ahead in high season.
- Eat street food at lunch and save restaurant meals for dinner; a filling dholl puri lunch costs very little.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. About 10% in restaurants where service is not included, and a small amount for guides, boat crews and hotel staff, is generous.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bonzour | Hello / good morning (Creole) |
| Ki manyer? | How are you? |
| Mersi | Thank you |
| Kombien sa? | How much is it? |
| Pa gagn problem | No problem |
| Orevwar | Goodbye |
What to wear
Light, casual clothing with a light jacket for evenings in winter and for the central plateau, which is cooler and wetter. Cover shoulders and knees at temples and churches.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and Type G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is treated, but many visitors and residents drink bottled or filtered water, especially after heavy rain.
- Emergency number
- 999 (police), 114 (ambulance), 112 also works
- Phone and internet
- my.t (Mauritius Telecom) and Emtel sell tourist SIM cards at the airport; 4G coverage is good around the coast.
- Time zone
- Indian/Mauritius
Swim inside the lagoon and away from reef passes, where currents can be strong, and never swim off the unprotected south coast. Wear reef shoes against stonefish and urchins, and do not leave valuables on beaches or visible in parked cars.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Mauritius's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Mauritius?
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. About 10% in restaurants where service is not included, and a small amount for guides, boat crews and hotel staff, is generous.
+Can you drink the tap water in Mauritius?
Tap water is treated, but many visitors and residents drink bottled or filtered water, especially after heavy rain.
+What plugs are used in Mauritius?
Type C and Type G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Mauritius?
Mauritian Creole, English and French.