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Have you been to Mauritius?

47 replies

23holi · 05/04/2023 20:47

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?

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Itsonlyagame · 05/04/2023 23:40

23holi · 05/04/2023 22:05

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?

You get waterproof key holders but I've just used one of those waterproof money holder thigs I hot at a water park 25 years ago.

greenlabeljar · 07/04/2023 01:00

I've been. I didn't even realise there was a conservative dress code?! Went to one of the top hotels on the island and freely went all over the island no problem in a beach dress and flip flops most days!

23holi · 12/04/2023 11:27

Thanks everyone! which side of the island would you recommend staying on in May?

Is car rental really about £20/day? I read somewhere to expect to pay £58/day avg. We just want a small but safe car. Travelsupermarket, skyscanner etc have small cars for £20/day.

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shivawn · 12/04/2023 14:34

We went a few years ago. Stayed in the Flic en Flac area and road tripped around the island. Never heard to needing to dress conservatively for Mauritius and most people we saw were dressed in light summer wear.

We went in March and the sea temperature was a little too cool to be comfortable but I like a warm sea. I don't think I could get in the sea there during the cooler months.

Some highlights from our trip were hiking Le Morne, swimming with wild dolphins and Casela Nature Park.

They drive on the left so it's very easy to drive there.

23holi · 15/04/2023 16:14

Oh wow, I didn't think the sea water could possibly be cold so close to the equator. We go in a couple of weeks and I'm hoping the sea is warm! (Also a fan of warm water).

Thanks everyone, think we will just bite the bullet and hire a car.

Any recommendations for unique stays? We quite like staying in interesting accom (eg previously stayed in a treehouse or a beach hut with outdoor showers). Or particularly good restaurant recommendations? Excursions even?

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uggmum · 15/04/2023 16:49

I got back from Mauritius last week. We stayed at Grand Baie.
It is not a conservative dress code in Mauritius.
Public transport is good. Taxis are also good and you can negotiate a price.
There are plenty of lovely public beaches. In fact all beaches are public.
There is a wide variety of food on offer everywhere you go.
You will need to complete the 'all in one' form before you go.

uggmum · 15/04/2023 18:11

@23holi
We went on October and I found the sea a bit cold at times.

However, we spent 12 nights there in March/April and the sea was so so warm. Like a bath.

We also went on a turtle tour beyond the reef and the sea was also very warm.

onefinemess · 15/04/2023 19:38

West Coast is better OP, Flic en Flac is amazing, gorgeous beach and there are lots of bars and restaurants in Flic, I'd recommend the Maifozzo Bar. Port Louis is very busy and not the prettiest of places, although Caudan Waterfront is gorgeous.

If I were you, I'd stay four nights in Flic, load of hotels, pic whichever takes your fancy, or air BnB it. Then I'd head to Grand Baie for a night or two, that's the tourist Mecca in the North of the Island, very expensive but very "western" if that's is more comfortable for you. After that I'd head down south to Le Mourne and get a few nights down that end of the island.

Driving is the same as the UK, but there are speed cameras everywhere and youll be amazed at the sheer number of police around, they do a lot of road checks so just watch your speed, which is in KPH for your info. Hiring a car is easy, PINGOU are based at the airport and are very reasonable, no hold on your card either, and their cars are in pretty good shape.

Don't stay on the East Coast, it's very windy, great for water sports but not for lounging by the pool.

Don't worry about dress code, just don't walk around in your swim wear and you'll be fine.

For currency, its usually cheaper to just use an MCB cash machine, honestly, the exchange rate from an MCB cash point is about as good as you'll get anywhere.

Have fun OP

23holi · 15/04/2023 21:53

@uggmum whats the all in one form? Will I get emailed something to fill?

Thanks both!

@onefinemess did you sort your car rental before you got there or when you were there? I can see skyscanner etc have options for £20-25/day for a small car.

Ok so west coast sounds better. I think we'll just sample Grand Baie for a night or 2 then spread the rest of our time at various points on the west coast (Troix-au-Biche/ Port louis / Flic-en-Flac / Le Morne).

In terms of cash, the internet seems to say not to exchange abroad, to bring cash to exchange at the airport on arrival?

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uggmum · 15/04/2023 23:14

@23holi
The all in one form is the on line form you need to fill in for immigration.

If you fill it in before you travel it's much quicker at the airport.

safemauritius.govmu.org/

uggmum · 15/04/2023 23:19

@23holi
If you are heading to Grand Baie. The best public beach is slightly out of town.
If you head to the yacht club it is right next to it.
There is a nice restaurant at the beach and some food huts which sell local food and drinks.
I think you can hire loungers.
There are decent toilets as well.

iwasthereason · 15/04/2023 23:21

Please research the murder of Michaela McAreavey before you book. It has been handled terribly by authorities.

LegArmpits · 15/04/2023 23:47

No, but I have been to Barry Island.

Neverhappyalwayshopeful · 15/04/2023 23:54

We went to Mauritius a few years ago. It was amazing! The people were very friendly and the island felt safe. We stayed in belle mare, hired a car and toured the island. It's very doable with one base but if you want to break it up, you can by staying on two ends of the island. Have a wonderful trip!

Jenpeg · 16/04/2023 00:10

Been a few times as my husband is half Mauritian, as people say there are no issues with dress and it's always felt safe and friendly for me, but as with most places pickpocketing does happen, especially at the races but it's an experience I wouldn't miss - usually Saturdays in port Louis, brilliant fun but guard your valuables. Grand bassin is a must see but the monkeys are fierce one took a can of fanta out of my daughters hand, all part of the fun and amazing to see them so close, especially the babies. Ile aux cerf is a must, just heaven, you can usually do a catamaran day trip that takes it in, totally worth it. We went out on a whale watching boat trip and saw a mother and calf around our boat for ages, we got to swim near them, just stunning. Eat the street food, the local dish is gateax piment, chilli cakes a bit like falafel absolutely delicious. There is a Chinese community and the Chinese food is fabulous. Buses are fine and you'll be able to criss cross the island by car no probs the driving is a bit more hectic but ok and you do need to watch out for police, we've been done for speeding, we gave them cash for a 'fine', plenty of villas and beautiful hotels, many beachfront villas which are gorgeous but also compounds/resorts with pools. It's a very special and beautiful place.

greenplantspinkflowers · 16/04/2023 00:21

Im half Mauritian and just got back from a trip there. This company will sort you out with taxis and tours at a very reasonable price - https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionReview-g1905319-d12956689-Reviews-CoteeDAzurrTravel_Tours-Pereybere.html

Deffo recommend a trip to Ill Aux cerf! The above company do a boat trip there and back for around £40!

Your plan to stay in flic en flak and then go up to the north - belle mare is good, the sunset is beautiful! Make sure you spend the day at mon choisey beach! Sooo beautiful!

Buy lots of dhal puri from the street food stalls and gateau pimas, roti etc - street food is delicious and cheap!

The water should be fairly warm now and weather is hot - enjoy!

origilante · 16/04/2023 01:03

Congratulations on your marriage! we hired a car for a fortnight and explored. Outstanding : the Astroea Mahébourg, pretty, clean, spacious and beautiful food, beach and reef outside your door. Also The Bay Hotel La Preneuse for a différent but v stylish few nights to visit the south eg La Morne. Enjoy.

23holi · 17/04/2023 13:33

Did you need to get any additional insurance for car hire in mauritius? Did you book hire car before going?

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turtlemurtle1982 · 17/04/2023 13:44

I'd also have a look at the iplayer documentary about Michaela mcareavey. The authorities were shocking and her killer has never been found. Suppose this can happen anywhere but more so in a poorer country where 'rich' holiday makers go.

23holi · 17/04/2023 14:52

I had a quick read re: Mcareavey and unsurprisingly found it chilling. My flights etc is booked so I dont really want to read about this more atm.

I live in a major city in the UK and we've had our fair share of crimes too but doesnt stop me living here. So thanks everyone for suggesting looking into that but I'd rather not. I guess it would be no different to any other holiday destination.

We won't be staying in a resort nor 'look rich', just look like your average couple next door.

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iwasthereason · 18/04/2023 15:19

Unfortunately they were also just an 'average couple'. Crime can happen anywhere as you say, it's more the shocking way that authorities tried to deal with it in order to preserve their tourism industry.

23holi · 18/04/2023 20:21

@iwasthereason Yes, fair enough but what exactly do you want me to do? Not go? Be careful?

There are crimes in my UK city too, what do I do about that? Genuine question. Horrible things happen everywhere (just this week I saw a really horrible car crash, do I stop driving?)

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