Mauritius makes for a perfect destination so if you’re thinking of visiting, this guide will help you plan your trip and point you in the right direction.
I travel solo most times and Mauritius had always been on my radar.
But I had never been so far until on this trip since I was a little hesitant about its reputation as a honeymooners’ destination.
So some time late last month when plans for a South America tour fell off (thanks to a super sloooooowwww visa process for most countries in this continent), I made some pretty impromptu change in plans and that’s how I landed in this beautiful island country of Mauritius where I had the time of my life.
It was worth every bit of my travel coins – except for the nasty experience at customs (more on that in my next post).
It never at any point felt awkward being unaccompanied neither did I feel self conscious at all.
I also met other several solo travelers happily in their own little world.
Plus the couples weren’t really focused what everyone else was doing. Of course apart from when they had their little ‘fights’ and turned to us solos for some breath of fresh air…. if you know what I mean….
All in all, Mauritius makes for a perfect destination so whether you’re thinking of visiting Mauritius for a #baecation, a girls (or boys) getaway trip or solo travel, this easy guide will help you plan your trip and point you in the right direction.
What's Covered in This Article
About Mauritius
“What’s your country’s current population?”
About 1.2 million, I think 😊
“What!!! like Nairobi could host twice of the entire country”
Yeah, our country’s so tiny, like its just a dot on the map of Africa… it’s actually smaller than London 😊. He added shyly…
Well, I had an inkling of how tiny Mauritius was but It didn’t really sink home to me how Mauritius was until Nabil – my now most favorite driver in the world – took me through a short Geography class.
Mauritius, Maurice en Français, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 1,200 miles off the southeast coast of Africa.
The country is famous for its varied flora and fauna, over 150 km of flawless white-sandy beaches, and water that beams in every shade of turquoise blue.
Port Louis is the capital city of Mauritius.
Oh, and the people of Mauritius have the biggest hearts… and her men very handsome if I may add…😉
When is the best time to visit Mauritius?
Short answer: yesterday
Long answer: it depends
Mauritius is your classic tropical climate destination with warm weather all year-round and also one of those destinations that is increasingly becoming ‘famous’ especially among travelers from Africa as well as from without Africa.
Hence why I said the best time to visit is yesterday before it becomes overrun by tourists and it loses its charm.
Mauritius has both winter/balmy weather season (from May to October) and summer/hot and humid season (from November to April).
I visited in mid-December – shoulder season just before Christmas time. A time when there were fewer tourists.
January to March is the the wet cyclone season and most appropriate if you plan to spend most of your time indoors – like on a honeymoon or something perhaps????
In July and August, the wind is at its strongest and felt the most in the east coast hence it makes more sense to stay in other parts of the island.
Planning your trip to Mauritius
Flying into Mauritius
Your airline of choice depends on your city of departure.
A direct flight from Nairobi to Mauritius on Kenya Airways costs about US $900 and you get there in about 4 hours 20 minutes. The same flight from Dar-e-salaam to Mauritius costs US $450 with a 40 minute layover in Nairobi.
I decided to fly from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam ($250) then caught this flight to Mauritius.
Other airlines that fly to Mauritius include Air Mauritius, South African Airlines, and Emirates.
There are only two airports in Mauritius: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in the east of the island, and Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (formerly Plaine Corail Airport) in Rodrigues – an autonomous outer island of the Republic of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
Visa for Mauritius
If you hold a Kenyan passport, you are allowed into Mauritius visa-free for tourism purposes for up to 30 days.
I traveled on a Kenyan passport so I didn’t need a visa to Mauritius.
Click on this link here to confirm if you need a visa for Mauritius.
Currency and Money in Mauritius
The Mauritian Rupee (MUR) is the currency of Mauritius
1 MUR is about 3 Kenya Shillings as at the writing of this article.
Since Kenya shillings are not accepted in Mauritius, I carried with me a few dollars which I changed at the airport. Later during my stay on the island, I took out some cash from the ATM.
This was mostly to pay for taxi, purchase of snacks, pay for excursions, etc.
Credit cards and debit cards though widely accepted in big resorts and restaurants, I opted to pay for my accommodation online while still in Kenya.
Some excursion providers also do accept cards but others will claim that their machines are down and insist on cash – USD, Euro, or MUR – story of my life for the catamaran day trip to ile aux Cerfs…
Budget for your Mauritius trip
How much you spend on your Mauritius trip pretty much depends on your spending habits and preferences.
I was in Mauritius for 5 days total and chose to go budget on accommodation for the first 3 days (so I could spend the savings on excursions) and then splurge on the remaining 2 days.
I used Booking.com to book both affordable accommodation options in Mauritius as well as for the high end luxury resort I stayed at on my last 2 days on the island.
For food, the first 3 days I stayed at a furnished apartment and went for a mix of self-catering and restaurant food which was pretty affordable – about US $15 for a good meal plus a drink.
For the next 2 days, I went half board so it was more on the steep side – about US $300 a day.
Moving around in Mauritius
Is there Uber in Mauritius?
Well, as at the time I visited, there was no Uber service in Mauritius.
So I relied mostly on taxis, and catamarans – yeah baibe!!!
Chicken buses are another option. Unfortunately I wasn’t lucky to experience them so I have no opinion.
You can also rent your car if you want to be independent, but just bear in mind that the roads are very narrow and some areas super steep.
For distances of about 1 hour I paid MUR 1,500 (about 40 US$).
For airport transfer pickup in Mauritius, I would strongly advise against getting a taxi service from the airport if you want to save.
My hotel shuttle service quoted US $60 for airport transfer, the organized airport taxi at the arrivals terminal quoted US$75, I ended up negotiating for US$45 with a driver just outside the arrivals terminal.
For ‘safety’ reasons, most people prefer to arrange for hotel shuttles from the hotel.
Having lived in Afghanistan for 2.5 years in early 2000 during the Taliban times, you can guess where I’m at on the risk quantum.
I guess what I’m saying is that you go with your gut…
I had a driver called Nabil for the 5 days I was on the island and I would strongly recommend him.
He is also a great tour guide.
If ever you’re visiting Mauritius and have serious inquiries, contact me and I will connect you to him.
Where to stay in Mauritius
Just like how much to budget for a trip to Mauritius, where to stay in Mauritius too pretty much depends on your budget and your preferences.
Accommodation options in North Coast of Mauritius
If you are looking for glorious never-to-be-forgotten blinding yellow sunrises, phenomenal beaches and lots of amazing places to eat and drink, get accommodation in the more touristy north coast of Mauritius.
Specifically in the North coast of Mauritius, head to Grand Baie for its happening nightlife and bustling center; to Pereybere for pristine beaches, catamaran day trips and glass bottom boat rides – if you don’t mind the crowds; to Mont Choisy for one of the longest beaches in Mauritius and away from the crowds; and to Trou aux Biches for its powder-white beaches, for romantic hideaways, and the quickest to explore Port Louis from.
Accommodation options in South Coast of Mauritius
Accommodation in the South coast of Mauritius is perfect especially for those who’re into all-inclusive resorts.
It is hugely popular and attracts avid water sports enthusiasts, sun rise fanatics, as well as those looking to maximize on Mauritius’ stunning tropical weather and beautiful beaches.
Like the east cost, it also gets really crowded hence best enjoyed off-season or in the shoulder season.
Accommodation options in West Coast of Mauritius
Commonly referred to as the sunset coast of Mauritius, the West coast is perfect especially for those who’re into all-inclusive resorts.
Accommodation options of all budgets line the three kilometer long Flic-en-Flac beach in the west coast.
Accommodation options in East Coast of Mauritius
For water sports enthusiasts, as well as suckers for sunrises (guilty ✋🏽), beautiful powder sandy beaches, fishing and diving excursions, accommodation in the East coast of Mauritius is your perfect option.
Belle Mare specifically is the place to be if you don’t mind the crowds and is often full all year round.
Best hotel in Mauritius
For me, I stayed at two places: Azuri Apartment Beach and Pool(click here to check it out) in Roches Noires, and LUX* Grand Gaube (click here to check it out) in Grand Gaube.
Both hotels absolutely remarkable.
Azuri Apartment Beach and Pool
The three-Bedroom apartment I stayed at cost € 400 for 3 nights. It was located on the 2nd floor and had amazing sea views right from my bed.
This apartment was fully furnished with a kitchen, lounge area and had 3 separate balconies – in the master bedroom, the lounge area, and the kitchen area.
I enjoyed watching spectacular sun rises from my bed every morning.
LUX* Grand Gaube
I have no words – literary – to describe how over the top LUX* Grand Gaube is. Click here to check it out.
I will do a separate blog post review of the hotel as well as a YouTube video, so stay on the look out.
Things to do in Mauritius
Spoiler alert!
There is more to Mauritius than its emerald waters and flawless beaches.
Mauritius has so much to offer than its beaches.
In my 5 days on the island, I trans versed nearly the entire country – North, South, East, and Center except Port Louis – shame! But I guess this is a great reason to go back.
In no specific order:
Explore the impeccable beaches in Mauritius
View this post on Instagram
Full-Day Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch Included
View this post on Instagram
Mauritius: Private Tour of the South West with Lunch
Go Parasailing
View this post on Instagram
Unwind at the best 5* resort in Mauritius
Chill at the holy grounds of Ganga Talao
Is it safe to go to Mauritius as a solo female traveler?
Almost every time I travel to a destination outside of Kenya, the same question crops up, especially among the ladies: I want to visit Mauritius, but is it safe if I go alone?
Yes it is safe to visit Mauritius.
Never at any point did I feel my safety threatened.
Nabil my taxi guy however cautioned that should I visit Port Louis, I should be on the look-out for pick pockets and the like. This didn’t surprise me at all.
Tell me which major city in the world isn’t susceptible to this?
However, I believe that with the right attitude and basic common sense like not moving alone in dark alleys in the night, or flashing around expensive jewelry, a solo female can travel safely on her own to any corner of the world.
And that applies to Mauritius as well.
Conclusion
I hope you found this Mauritius first timer’s guide immensely useful for your individual circumstances.
As always, the real conversations begin in the comments below and I look forward to joining in.
Where am I off to next?
Keep up with my escapades by subscribing here. You’ll also be the first to know about new posts on the blog as well as upcoming adventures.
You can also follow me on my various Social Media channels for more travel inspiration:
- Twitter: @EvaMtalii
- Facebook: EvaMtalii
- Instagram: EvaMtalii
Thank you for reading up to this far.
Are you on Pinterest? Pin this for later!
Until next time,
Love you,
EvaMtalii
