About Mauritius
Being the star and key of the Indian Ocean, where turquoise coloured water meets with splendid white sandy beaches, Mauritius will enchant you, uplift your soul and make you feel that you have reach paradise.It is one of the most exotic destinations in the world
Mauritius is an oasis of peace where you will find a melting pot of races, cultures and traditions which contributes to the legendary Mauritian hospitality.
Find out why people fall in love with Mauritius
The Destination
Mauritius occupies the most beautiful section of the Indian Ocean. It covers an area of about 1,860 square km (720 square miles) and situated some 2,000 km (1242 miles) off the south East coast of Africa. The 330 km long coastline of Mauritius with white sandy beaches and transparent lagoon is entirely surrounded by the world’s largest unbroken coral reef.
Population
Population of Mauritius is estimated at 1.2 million with a density of 589.0 people per sq km. It comprises of different races, cultures and religions. Mauritians are descendants of immigrants from the Indian sub-continent, Africa, Europe and China.
Language
Official language in Mauritius is English. But most Mauritians are multilingual, being fluent in French and local dialect, Creole. Mauritians also speak their native language such as Hindi, Chinese, Urdu, etc .
Climate
The temperature varies between 22°C in Winter(April to Sept) & 34°C in Summer ( Nov to March).The western & northern regions are warmer & drier than the East & the South..
Currency
The monetary unit is the mauritian Rupee (Rs) which is divided into 100 cents (cs).
Health
No vaccinations are required. However a yellow fever vaccinatioin certificate is required for travellers who arrive from areas where yellow fever cases are reported.Govt Hospitals & pharmacies are free while we must pay in private clinics. Free medical & health centers are available in most villages.
Shopping
Shopping hours range from 9 a.m to 7 p.m.on weekdays. On Thursdays & Sundays they close at noon
What to wear
Bring your best beach & casual wear. In winter (June to Sept) carry some light woollen clothing for the cool evenings.
Please show due respect when visiting religious places. Wear appropriate clothing & remove shoes when entering the premises.
Nudism
Nudism and monokini are not welcome along our public beaches. No hotel allows nudism on beaches. Monokini is sometimes tolerated.
When to go
Mauritius is a year round destination. Mauritius receives maximum tourists during Christmas to New Year period. Though Mauritius doesn’t have a strict high or low season the period between December and March is considered best for diving in the clearest waters; period between June and August is best for surfing; and October to April is excellent for big game fishing.
How to Get there
The island is easily accessible as it is well connected by many international airlines and shipping companies. Many private and public carriers operate weekly flights connecting Mauritius to major European cities. The national carrier, Air Mauritius, operates 30 weekly flights to European cities, while Air France, Emirates and British Airways operate weekly flights from London, Paris and the Middle Eastern Gulf Countries.
Buses and slow moving taxis are easily available for getting around and seeing the many beautiful sceneries of the place.
Most Mauritians get around the island using public transport, so you shouldn’t have a problem if you choose to use it. Buses are plentiful and inexpensive and connect every part of the island. However, some attractions are not accessible by public transport, especially in the Black River Canyon area. Taxis are numerous and all have meters, but these are rarely switched on. It is therefore advisable to agree on a price before starting a journey. There are no operational railways in Mauritius.
FACTS
The Mauritius Kestrel, once the world's rarest bird : It is the only bird of prey in Mauritius and still the rarest falcon in the world.
The Pink Pigeon [World's rarest pigeon.] :The Pink Pigeon was once found all over the island. It is now restricted to the wet upland forests in the south-west corner of Mauritius.
The Echo Parakeet [World's rarest parrot.] : the world's rarest parrot, the only parrot which is endemic to Mauritius.
Rodrigues has three endangered species of vertebrates: the Fruit Bat, the Fody and the Warbler. The island ihas a surface area of 109 sq. Kms, situated at 600 kms to the east of Mauritius.