Have you been to Mauritius?

[23holi]

We have just booked a last minute trip for a sort of honeymoon. Have you been? any tips? A quick bit of googling/youtube suggests its a conservative dress code. What did you wear? We havent booked accom yet as would like to travel around and not just be in 1 area/resort. Did you feel safe? Is there anything you wish you knew before you went?

I have been and didn't dress conservatively and was never advised to, that was 15 years ago though. I felt very safe. Beautiful place enjoy.

Yes, we honeymooned there. Absolutely loved it, great choice. If you're in an all inclusive resort, don't worry about what you're wearing at all. We had a few day trips out and about, I just wore 3/4 length trousers and a t shirt and was fine. Port Louis Market is definitely somewhere to go, just be aware that if you obviously look like a tourist, every market seller will be shouting at you to come and buy something. Really put me off browsing but still worth going to!

Yes for our honeymoon last year. You definitely don’t need to be conservative!

Felt very safe, we did bike rides and walks on our own.

Similarly to pp, I was there about 15 or so years ago. I didn’t dress conservatively either and don’t remember having any issues.
I stayed in one place, on the east side, but travelled over the whole island doing lots of trips. It’s quite small so it’s very doable with one base. I had a brilliant time, enjoy!

Oh actually it was the west I stayed on!

Thanks everyone! Where do you recommend staying? We normally split ourselves over 2-3 places, would you recommend that in Mauritius or is it too small and best to stay in one place? Eg. Port Louis for 3-4 nts, perhaps a beach location or 2. We are going for 2 weeks.

Did you hire a car? Is public transport good?
Do I need to do all my holiday shopping before I go or is it the kind of place you can pick stuff up? (as i say, its last min!)

If you enjoy hiking, climb Le Pouce just outside Port Louis. Easy climb but v dramatic and incredible views. Tamarind Falls were a wonderful hike too. Thumbs up for turtle swim and dolphins. Don't bother with the Seven Coloured Earth place though.
Mauritius was all very easy - good roads, nice people, felt very safe. A lot of activities need paying by cash not card, so take a credit card with you that won't charge you a fortune at an ATM. And buy a SIM card when you get there.
Have a great time!

How much would you budget a day?

My parents are Mauritian. I've been there many times. It's stunning. If you stay in a beach resort.
Mont Choisy beach in particular is beautiful.
I've been both as a native and stayed in my family village and also as a tourist and stayed in a beach resort. I felt safe at all times.
I would highly recommend Beachcomber Cannonier as a hotel, it's amazing and the staff were world class.

We hired a car and were glad of it.
Good supermarket a short drive from our hotel, and plenty of pharmacies etc. Not sure about fashion type shopping if that's what you mean.

Yes, Mont Choisy was my favourite beach too.

Also no to dressing conservatively but I personally wouldn't reveal too much skin when shopping in the towns or super markets.. I.e.. Wearing swimwear.

Yes! We went in 2019 for our honeymoon. Congrats on your wedding! We stayed at Sugar Beach hotel in Flic en Flac and used that as our base to go on day trips. We would alternate day at hotel with day out. One day to Port Louis, one day into the national park, one day out whale watching, one day out rum tasting. We had an amazing time.

I dont recall anything in terms of dress code, but im a midi sundress kind of girl anyway.

Have a brilliant time!

Been a few times and have family there. My female relatives wear shorts and vest tops if they are hanging out or at the beach. Never felt unsafe, I use the public bus, wonder round the capital etc.

Yes for honeymoon! Dress code was never an issue.

Stayed in a resort and did day trips to Port Louis and ile aux cerfs (private island).

Me too, we went for our honeymoon a few years ago. Beautiful place

Hello OP

my dh is Mauritian! Been lots of times. Very safe country, no need for conservative dress in hotels. the country has several religions and everyone is welcomed and respected.

what other posters have said about market sellers is correct, if you look like a tourist then they will try and sell to you.

I would recommend eating the local food from beach huts, markets etc, join the queue with the most locals! There is some delicious things to be had… curried fish in wraps, samosas etc. Also the fresh fruit and coconut water sold in huts near/on the beach is wonderful. The price of these will vary depending on how touristy/upmarket the beach nearest you is!

There are spiky sea urchins in the water at certain times of the year, the spikes are extremely painful and will need removal from a pharmacist, if you are unlucky and step on One! please buy the cheap rubber surf shoes available! Nothing else in the sea you need to worry about!

I would highly recommend Grand Bassin - a Hindu temple sight, really beautiful.

another great day out is visiting a Rum distillery, Chamarel is the best one I’ve been to, would highly recommend the restaurant there for lunch.

Another wonderful day out is to the giant tortoise breeding centre ( I forget the name!) they really are humongous! You can get quite close and feed them.

the Mauritians are extremely friendly people and very very laid back! Service can be a little slow and this is normal.

Mauritius was previously owned by the French, as a result you may find some delicious French patisserie around!

If you are travelling soon your Holiday may coincide with the Eid celebrations! You may find there is a slight party feel!

There is some extreme poverty in small pockets - think shanty town style housing. This is mainly where the Chagossians live after being forcibly removed from the Chagos islands by the British in 1960.

We have been and loved it. Just so you know that in many parts of the island eating out is limited to hotels. We went half board and hired a car and drove around a lot of the island, it's not very big. The whale watching your was good, so was the il Les cerfs (think that's the spelling) catamaran trip. Other good spots are the seven coloured earths, the botanical gardens and Le Mon Brabant - beautiful beach. I wouldn't say people were dressed conservatively x

Also forgot about the little zoo there's the giant tortoise are amazing but I can't think what it's called x

Are the roads safe to drive for Brits (used to British driving)? Is it like Thailand/India (where we did not feel comfortable renting a car) but have done in western Europe. Mauritius sounds so exciting! Which part of the island would you base yourself? Or split yourself up between a few places then do day trips?
And is it easy to organise taxis/transport for day trips once there? How much does this cost? Also, how expensive is snorkelling, diving etc there?

I drove and was ok - London driver though!
I Personally love Flic en Flack.
Would be nice to move around the island and see different places. Le Morne is very neaitiful and a lovely beach.

Sorry if stupid question. If you hire a car and drive around to different beaches, where do you leave the car keys when you go in the sea?

I'm not a London driver. I have found London (and Spain/Italy/Turkey) much more stressful to drive in than Mauritius. When we went, it was cheap to hire a car, and the cost of taxis added up quite quickly. Would defo recommend car hire. (Don't remember much about buses, sorry.)
For car keys while swimming, you can always get a waterproof pouch for round your neck or waist if you don't want to leave unattended on the beach. A few days around Mont Choisy, a day in Port Louis on your way south, and a few days around Le Morne might work well.

The giant tortoise place is Vanilla Park!