Trip to Mauritius - any advice for solo traveller?

[ForeverTheOptomist]

I'm travelling solo to Mauritius later in the year - very excited but a bit nervous. I'm staying on the NW cost, an hour or so's drive from Port Louis.

Does anyone have any safety tips or advice? What are the taxis like - are they plentiful? How is it generally for food intolerances?

Any tips or shares gratefully received!

Pretty safe to be honest. You might get a bit of hassle later evening as lone European (I assume) women aren't the norm but nothing too much in my experience. It is more that it is culturally not the norm out there.

If you are staying in a hotel they can organise transport there and back, and driving isn't too bad if you fancy hiring a car. People are generally pretty helpful.

Enjoy.

Sorry edited to add - if you have food intolerances I would eat at the hotel. Or buy direct from a supermarket.

How wonderful! It’s a beautiful place. I do recommend hiring a car if you can, so much more freedom. NW coast is amazing. Don’t bother with Port Louis, not fun.
I don’t know anything about food intolerances there, but restaurants and supermarkets are plentiful and easy.
Boat trips are also well worth getting up early for.
enjoy!

Good to know re: hassle and safety. Thank you!!

Thanks @UncannyToad !

I think that hiring a car might be a falling-off-a-bridge-too-far. I would cause havoc! Happy to book a driver for the day though to take me to some worthwhile sites.

Thanks for info re Port Louis. I'll cross it off the list!

I'm staying in a hotel, AI. I'll maybe contact them beforehand regarding food intolerance.

They drive on the correct side of the road! And nowhere near as crazy as some other countries. But I understand your reluctance, for sure.

I’ver never done that kind of holiday, but I assume they’ll have excursions? It’s really worth exploring the island.

Don’t waste time on the Seven Coloured Earth in the Chamarel Mountains, because they are, well, not (colourful, I mean).
I do recommend going to the sugar museum, though. Unexpectedly fascinating. And the rum distillery (I don’t drink, but friends said it was excellent).

a warning, though - there are lots of sad, stray dogs, which absolutely tug on your heartstrings.

Hi, It's just a normal hotel, on the beach. All inclusive covers the cost of food and drink. I don't think that they do excursions, but I guess they would be able to book a car for me.

Great list of suggestions! Many thanks. Aventure de Sucre sounds great, and not far.

What languages are spoken mostly? I'm fine if they speak English or French.

Went there with my daughter and we hired a taxi for the day and also transferred in taxis and all drivers were lovely and spoke English, very kind and went on longer routes round coast for same price and gave history of Mauritius. Felt very safe, not hassled at all nor was my daughter.

We went to Ile aux Aigrettes which was lovely. Have a great time.

I’m sure they will have a ‘pet’ tour company, you’ll have an amazing holiday.
Yes, French with English widely spoken.