Africa · Eastern Africa

Mauritius

Republic of Mauritius

Flag of Mauritius
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+04:00
🏛️ Capital
Port Louis
👥 Population
1,243,741
📐 Area
2,040 km²
💱 Currency
Mauritian rupee (₨)
🗣️ Languages
English, French, Mauritian Creole
📞 Calling Code
+230
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+04:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Eastern Africa

About Mauritius

Mauritius is the Indian Ocean's jewel — a volcanic island nation of extraordinary natural beauty, remarkable cultural diversity, and an atmosphere of genuine warmth that goes well beyond the polished hospitality of its world-class resort industry. Risen from the sea some 8 million years ago, this compact island has been shaped by the trade winds that brought successive waves of settlers — Dutch, French, British, African, Indian, Chinese, and Creole — creating a society and culture of unique complexity and richness. Charles Darwin once called it one of the most beautiful places on earth, and it is hard to argue with him.

You will find Mauritius rewarding at every level. The resort beaches of the north and east — Grand Baie, Belle Mare, Trou aux Biches — are undeniably spectacular: white sand, turquoise lagoons protected by one of the world's longest coral reef systems, and water temperatures so perfect they feel like stepping into a warm bath. But venture inland and the landscape shifts dramatically — the dramatic peaks of the Moka Range, the Black River Gorges National Park with its ebony forests and endemic wildlife, the cascading Chamarel Waterfall, and the mystical Coloured Earth of Chamarel where volcanic dunes shift through seven distinct hues.

Port Louis, the capital, is a fascinating city of contrasts where Chinatown streets, bustling bazaars, colonial buildings, and a gleaming waterfront development create an urban experience worth dedicating real time to. The weekly markets overflow with tropical fruit, spices, and street food that reflects the island's culinary heritage. Mauritius is genuinely one of the Indian Ocean's finest all-round destinations, where luxury and authenticity coexist with remarkable ease.

History & Background

Mauritius was uninhabited when Arab sailors first recorded its existence in the 10th century, and it remained so until the Dutch established the first permanent settlement in 1638, naming the island after Prince Maurice of Nassau. The Dutch brought the island's most famous resident — the dodo — to extinction through hunting and introduced species within decades, a cautionary ecological tale that Mauritius now acknowledges solemnly. French colonists took control in 1715, naming it Île de France, and began developing sugar plantations powered by enslaved labour brought from Africa and Madagascar, fundamentally shaping the island's demographics and landscape.

Britain captured Mauritius in 1810 and, following the abolition of slavery in the 1830s, brought hundreds of thousands of indentured labourers from India to maintain the sugar economy — a migration that transformed the island's cultural character permanently. Mauritius gained independence on 12 March 1968 and became a republic in 1992. In the decades since independence, Mauritius has transformed from a sugar monoculture into one of Africa's most prosperous and stable economies, built on financial services, tourism, and technology, with a democratic governance record that stands among the continent's best.

Culture & People

Mauritius has been described as a "rainbow nation" — its population of just over 1.2 million people is a vibrant blend of Indo-Mauritian, Creole, Sino-Mauritian, and Franco-Mauritian communities, each preserving distinct traditions while contributing to an overarching Mauritian identity that celebrates plurality. Hinduism is practised by the largest segment of the population, and the island's Hindu temples, festivals, and traditions give Mauritius a spiritual character unlike any other Indian Ocean island. The spectacular Maha Shivaratree pilgrimage, when hundreds of thousands of devotees walk barefoot to the sacred crater lake of Grand Bassin, is one of the most moving religious spectacles in the Southern Hemisphere.

Creole culture — shaped by African, Malagasy, and European influences — finds expression in the seggae and sega music that fills the island's evenings, as musicians beat ravanne drums and dancers in colourful dresses tell stories of history and longing with their bodies. Mauritians are polyglots by necessity and pride, typically speaking Mauritian Creole at home, French in formal settings, and English in government and business, with many also fluent in Bhojpuri and Mandarin. This linguistic richness reflects a society that has always found unity in celebrating rather than suppressing difference.

Food & Cuisine

Mauritian cuisine is one of the world's most fascinating culinary fusions, bringing together Indian, Chinese, Creole, and French traditions into a distinctive island kitchen that is greater than the sum of its parts. Dholl puri — a thin flatbread made from ground yellow split peas — folded around curried vegetables, bean stew, and chutney, is the quintessential Mauritian street food, sold from roadside vendors across the island and consumed by people of every community. Mine bouilli (boiled noodles in broth with vegetables and meat), biryani, rougaille (Creole tomato-based sauce with meat or fish), and vindaye (a tangy spiced fish preparation) all feature prominently on family tables.

Seafood is exceptional — freshly caught red snapper, octopus, and prawns are prepared with delicacy and creativity across restaurant kitchens from humble beach shacks to luxury resort dining rooms. Street food culture is vibrant and safe to enjoy: gato pima (chilli fritters), samosas, and fresh sugar cane juice make for ideal snacking while exploring the markets. The island produces its own rum from home-grown sugar cane, and the pink Chamarel rhum agricole has earned international recognition. A rum distillery tour in the Chamarel highlands, ending with a sunset tasting, is one of Mauritius's most pleasurable experiences.

Top Attractions

  • Black River Gorges National Park — Wild interior highland park protecting endemic Mauritian wildlife, ebony forests, and dramatic waterfalls.
  • Chamarel Coloured Earth — Unique geological formation where volcanic dunes display seven distinct colours including red, brown, violet, and blue.
  • Blue Bay Marine Park — Protected lagoon with exceptional snorkelling over one of the Indian Ocean's most diverse and healthy coral reef systems.
  • Pamplemousses Botanical Garden — One of the Southern Hemisphere's oldest botanical gardens, famous for its giant Victoria amazonica water lilies.
  • Le Morne Brabant — UNESCO-listed volcanic peninsula and cultural landscape, historically significant as a refuge for escaped enslaved people.
  • Port Louis Waterfront and Central Market — The capital's vibrant harbour development and its bustling indoor market overflowing with tropical produce and spices.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Book accommodation early for the peak December–January period when prices are highest and availability tightest.
  • Rent a car for at least a few days — public buses cover the island but having your own transport allows spontaneous inland exploration.
  • Explore beyond the beach: the Black River Gorges, Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, and Chamarel highlands are essential inland experiences.
  • Bargain politely at the Port Louis central market for spices and crafts; fixed-price shops are common elsewhere.
  • Apply high-SPF sunscreen and reapply frequently — the equatorial sun is intensely strong even on overcast days.
  • Snorkel early in the morning for the clearest water and most active marine life on the reef.
  • Try dholl puri from a street vendor for an authentic taste of everyday Mauritian life far beyond resort dining.

Visa Overview

Mauritius offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 100 countries, including EU member states, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, India, and most African Union nations, for stays of up to 90 days. A valid passport, confirmed accommodation, onward ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds are required on arrival. Some nationalities may be granted shorter initial stays at immigration discretion, extendable at the Passport and Immigration Office. Always check the current visa requirements with the Mauritius Embassy or High Commission in your country, as policies are subject to review.

Getting Around

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport near Mahébourg handles all international flights, with direct connections to Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia via Air Mauritius and major international carriers. The island has no rail system. Buses are cheap, frequent, and cover most of the island, though timetables can be unpredictable. Car hire is widely available from the airport and major towns, and driving on the left makes it familiar for British, Australian, and Indian visitors. Taxis are metered in theory but negotiate fares in advance to avoid overcharging.

Safety Notes

Mauritius is one of the safest destinations in the Indian Ocean, with violent crime against tourists rare and political stability well-established. Petty theft can occasionally occur in crowded markets and on beaches, so keep valuables secured and avoid leaving items unattended. Ocean currents outside the lagoon can be very strong — always swim within designated safe areas and heed local warnings. The sun is extremely powerful; heat exhaustion is a genuine risk. Medical facilities in Port Louis are good, and comprehensive travel insurance is nonetheless recommended.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Mauritius.

Mauritian rupee (MUR) ₨
Updated: 2026-07-07
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.296559
AAVE 0.000232
ADA 0.117534
AED 0.078028
AFN 1.351674
AGIX 0.278826
AKT 0.034048
ALGO 0.246234
ALL 1.746431
AMD 7.804877
AMP 48.042648
ANG 0.038225
AOA 19.493475
APE 0.156732
APT 0.034276
AR 0.010645
ARB 0.272052
ARS 31.566539
ATOM 0.013333
ATS 0.255623
AUD 0.030594
AVAX 0.003129
AWG 0.038031
AXS 0.021226
AZM 180.595382
AZN 0.036119
BAKE 28.400748
BAM 0.036333
BAT 0.242866
BBD 0.042493
BCH 0.000089
BDT 2.615351
BEF 0.749390
BGN 0.036333
BHD 0.007989
BIF 63.201805
BMD 0.021247
BNB 0.000037
BND 0.027449
BOB 0.147055
BRL 0.109181
BSD 0.021247
BSV 0.001499
BSW 63.095403
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.404780
BTG 0.061741
BTN 2.025687
BTT 79,406.660326
BUSD 0.021240
BWP 0.286517
BYN 0.061447
BYR 416.548456
BZD 0.042745
CAD 0.030209
CAKE 0.014879
CDF 49.021026
CELO 0.299733
CFX 0.481838
CHF 0.017116
CHZ 1.194401
CLP 19.694685
CNH 0.144382
CNY 0.144336
COMP 0.001235
COP 71.298079
CRC 9.674183
CRO 0.367013
CRV 0.102374
CSPR 11.193759
CUC 0.021252
CUP 0.563191
CVE 2.048473
CVX 0.016812
CYP 0.010873
CZK 0.449015
DAI 0.021259
DASH 0.000612
DCR 0.001928
DEM 0.036333
DFI 29.024076
DJF 3.780652
DKK 0.138860
DOGE 0.283242
DOP 1.254662
DOT 0.024777
DYDX 0.166216
DZD 2.829832
EEK 0.290666
EGLD 0.007554
EGP 1.037892
ENJ 0.711031
EOS 0.284535
ERN 0.318698
ESP 3.090933
ETB 3.411644
ETC 0.003028
ETH 0.000012
EUR 0.018577
EURC 0.018589
FEI 0.021261
FIL 0.027319
FIM 0.110453
FJD 0.047550
FKP 0.015867
FLOW 0.765416
FLR 3.128200
FRAX 0.021470
FRF 0.121856
FTT 0.091650
GALA 9.488375
GBP 0.015867
GEL 0.055943
GGP 0.015867
GHC 2,421.081128
GHS 0.242108
GIP 0.015867
GMD 1.570690
GMX 0.003636
GNF 186.282176
GNO 0.000202
GRD 6.330072
GRT 1.177432
GT 0.003166
GTQ 0.162008
GUSD 0.021289
GYD 4.436818
HBAR 0.294503
HKD 0.166639
HNL 0.568280
HNT 0.089800
HOT 61.551606
HRK 0.139968
HT 0.614830
HTG 2.771827
HUF 6.572769
ICP 0.009745
IDR 382.176635
IEP 0.014630
ILS 0.063587
IMP 0.015867
IMX 0.153157
INJ 0.004483
INR 2.025687
IQD 27.791628
IRR 29,237.026096
ISK 2.675178
ITL 35.969857
JEP 0.015867
JMD 3.354530
JOD 0.015064
JPY 3.439240
KAS 0.713380
KAVA 0.471232
KCS 0.003035
KDA 3.403230
KES 2.747331
KGS 1.858376
KHR 85.135739
KLAY 0.611790
KMF 9.139226
KNC 0.191166
KPW 19.127232
KRW 32.353432
KSM 0.006189
KWD 0.006591
KYD 0.017669
KZT 10.034130
LAK 479.322935
LBP 1,901.627828
LDO 0.076327
LEO 0.002262
LINK 0.002698
LKR 7.104126
LRC 1.695989
LRD 3.849424
LSL 0.344869
LTC 0.000482
LTL 0.064142
LUF 0.749390
LUNA 0.430148
LUNC 348.438358
LVL 0.013056
LYD 0.136094
MAD 0.198924
MANA 0.305152
MBX 0.830321
MDL 0.373920
MGA 90.103233
MGF 450.516166
MINA 0.428719
MKD 1.144954
MKR 0.000015
MMK 44.613402
MNT 76.115084
MOP 0.171638
MRO 8.464837
MRU 0.846484
MTL 0.007975
MVR 0.328461
MWK 36.773554
MXN 0.369570
MXV 0.042153
MYR 0.086600
MZM 1,356.987821
MZN 1.356988
NAD 0.344869
NEAR 0.010527
NEO 0.010823
NEXO 0.028449
NFT 80,222.512756
NGN 29.063141
NIO 0.781225
NLG 0.040938
NOK 0.208202
NPR 3.242618
NZD 0.037282
OKB 0.000268
OMR 0.008177
ONE 17.218397
OP 0.201775
ORDI 0.006138
PAB 0.021247
PAXG 0.000005
PEN 0.072235
PEPE 7,952.041796
PGK 0.093247
PHP 1.304665
PI 0.189861
PKR 5.897819
PLN 0.079686
POL 0.286179
PTE 3.724330
PYG 128.548780
QAR 0.077337
QNT 0.000324
QTUM 0.030452
ROL 971.542648
RON 0.097154
RPL 0.011660
RSD 2.180009
RUB 1.638530
RUNE 0.053661
RVN 5.603677
RWF 31.135241
SAND 0.430614
SAR 0.079674
SBD 0.171930
SCR 0.310375
SDD 1,275.182440
SDG 12.751824
SEK 0.204709
SGD 0.027449
SHIB 4,906.494009
SHP 0.015867
SIT 4.451764
SKK 0.559647
SLE 0.487960
SLL 487.960482
SNX 0.095992
SOL 0.000262
SOS 12.111245
SPL 0.003541
SRD 0.802814
SRG 802.813867
SSP 100.965391
STD 458.076589
STN 0.458077
STX 0.127354
SUI 0.028944
SVC 0.185907
SYP 2.349080
SZL 0.344869
THB 0.707974
THETA 0.148805
TJS 0.196303
TMM 371.817210
TMT 0.074363
TND 0.062633
TOP 0.051171
TRL 995,078.932147
TRX 0.064473
TRY 0.995079
TTD 0.143985
TUSD 0.021288
TVD 0.030594
TWD 0.681599
TWT 0.061399
TZS 55.795553
UAH 0.947640
UGX 77.528251
UNI 0.006795
USD 0.021247
USDC 0.021257
USDD 0.021289
USDP 0.021316
USDT 0.021269
UYU 0.853312
UZS 255.612645
VAL 35.969857
VEB 1,421,975,933.9790
VED 14.220767
VEF 1,422,076.685234
VES 14.220767
VET 4.312416
VND 558.820431
VUV 2.556701
WAVES 0.081237
WEMIX 0.080185
WOO 1.795075
WST 0.058806
XAF 12.185635
XAG 0.000348
XAU 0.000005
XAUT 0.000005
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.057532
XCG 0.038225
XCH 0.013248
XDC 0.769873
XDR 0.015651
XEC 4,055.310009
XEM 50.647131
XLM 0.108516
XMR 0.000065
XOF 12.185635
XPD 0.000017
XPF 2.216812
XPT 0.000013
XRP 0.018854
XTZ 0.086355
YER 5.037207
ZAR 0.344869
ZEC 0.000047
ZIL 6.955286
ZMK 389.859362
ZMW 0.389859
ZWD 7.689115
ZWG 0.571442
ZWL 1,427.876645

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Cities in Mauritius 110
Browse all cities and towns
Arsenal Baie du Cap Baie du Tombeau Baie Malgache Bambous Beau Bassin-Rose Hill Bel Air Bel Air Rivière Sèche Bel Ombre Benares Bois Cheri Bon Accueil Brisee Verdiere Britannia Calebasses Camp de Masque Camp de Masque Pave Camp Diable Camp Ithier Camp Thorel Central Flacq Centre de Flacq Chamouny Chemin Grenier Clemencia Congomah Coromandel-Graviers Creve Coeur Curepipe D'Epinay Dagotiere Dubreuil Ecroignard Esperance Floreal Fond du Sac Goodlands Grand Baie Grand Baie VCA, East Grand Baie VCA, West Grand Baie-Montagne Goyaves Grand Bois Grand River South East L'Avenir L’Avenir VCA L’Escalier VCA, East L’Escalier VCA, West La Ferme La Laura-Malenga La Tour Koenig Lalmatie Lataniers-Mont Lubin Laventure Le Hochet Long Mountain Mahébourg Mangues-Quatre Vents Mare d’Albert VCA Mare La Chaux Medine-Camp de Masque Melrose Moka Montagne Blanche Morcellement Saint Andre Notre Dame Olivia Oyster Bay Pailles Pamplemousse Petit Gabriel Petit Raffray VCA Piments-Baie Topaze Plaine Corail-La Fouche Corail Plaines des Papayes Pointe aux Piments Port Louis Port Mathurin Port Sud-Est Poste de Flacq Providence Quartier Militaire Quatre Bornes Quatre Cocos Quatre Soeurs Quatre Soeurs VCA Queen Victoria Richelieu VCA, East Ripailles Riviere Cocos Riviere des Anguilles Rivière du Rempart Roche Bon Dieu-Trefles Rose Belle Saint Aubin Saint Julien Saint Julien d'Hotman Saint Pierre Sebastopol Souillac St. Julien d’Hotman VCA, East St. Julien VCA, East St. Julien VCA, West Surinam Terre Rouge Triolet Trou d'Eau Douce Trou d’Eau Douce VCA Vacoas-Phoenix Verdun Villebague

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Mauritius needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Mauritius?
The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis.
What currency does Mauritius use?
Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee (₨) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Mauritius?
The official language(s) of Mauritius include English, French, Mauritian Creole.
What is the population of Mauritius?
Mauritius has a population of approximately 1,243,741 people.
What region is Mauritius in?
Mauritius is located in Africa, specifically in the Eastern Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Mauritius?
The international dialing code for Mauritius is +230.
What time zones does Mauritius observe?
Mauritius observes the following time zone(s): UTC+04:00.
What is the current time in Mauritius?
The local time in Mauritius is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Mauritius?
Mauritius covers a total area of 2,040 km².
How many states or provinces does Mauritius have?
Mauritius is divided into 13 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Mauritius in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Mauritius in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Mauritius?
Visa requirements for citizens of Mauritius vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.