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Mauritius overview
Destination: Mauritius (Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, ~1.3M people). Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Capital: Port Louis. Main airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport (MRU) in the south-east. People of Indian origin are the majority; most tourists come from France and South Africa. The island is known for weddings, waterfalls, mountains and sugar-cane fields. Main areas: Grand Baie (north), Flic en Flac (west), Belle Mare (east), Le Morne (south). Languages: English (official), French and Mauritian Creole. Standard Russian spellings: Mauritius = Маврикий, Port Louis = Порт-Луи, Grand Baie = Гран-Бе, Flic en Flac = Флик-ан-Флак.
Official source Entry and visa
Entry: visa-free for most nationalities (EU, UK, US, Russia, etc.); Russians get 60 days by default, extendable at the Port Louis immigration office (bring passport, bank statement, accommodation proof, return ticket). On arrival you fill two forms: a migration/arrival card (where you stay, when you leave) and a health card. There is no Uber on the island. Always verify current rules for your passport before travelling.
Climate and when to visit
Climate: tropical maritime, warm year-round (~24–30°C). Summer (November–April): hotter, humid, cyclone season peaks January–March. Winter (May–October): cooler, drier, south-east trade winds — the east coast is windier. Best times: October–December and April–June (good weather, fewer crowds).
Getting around (car, taxi, bus)
Car: the island is small (one end to the other in ~1.5–2 h), so a rental car is the best option — roughly $25–50/day (a good price is ~$30), with a ~$200 deposit and your driving licence; driving is on the LEFT. Taxi: each taxi is tied to a specific area/hotel and cannot pick up clients from other areas, so fares can be surprisingly high — always agree the price first. Buses: very cheap but slow and dated, taking the longest routes. Scooters: not recommended (fast highway traffic, up to 110 km/h). Some 5-star resorts have helicopter transfers (~$300 for sightseeing flights).
Beaches by area
Beaches: north (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy) — sheltered, calm, family-friendly. West (Flic en Flac, Tamarin) — calm, good swimming, sunsets; Tamarin for surfing and dolphin trips. East (Belle Mare, Île aux Cerfs) — long white beaches, windier in winter. South (Le Morne) — dramatic scenery, kite surfing. North and west are the classic first-visit choices.
What to see and do
What to do: Chamarel (Seven Coloured Earth + Chamarel waterfall), Trou aux Cerfs dormant volcano, Tamarind Falls (7 cascades), Pieter Both / Black River Gorges hiking, Blue Bay Marine Park (snorkelling/diving at 5–6 m depth), Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, Eureka Creole House, Casela nature park, the Hindu temple and sacred lake Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin), Mauritian tea plantations, Île aux Cerfs island day trip, and swimming with wild dolphins off the west coast.
Money and prices
Money: Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Mauritius is an expensive destination. Cards (Visa/Mastercard) work in shops, restaurants and for agency excursions, but NOT on beaches, at roadside fruit stalls or in taxis — carry cash. There is no Uber. Negotiate prices, especially at fruit/vegetable stalls and for airport taxis. Approximate (verify current): car rental ~$30/day; a short taxi can be surprisingly expensive.
SIM cards and internet
Mobile internet: two main operators — my.t (Mauritius Telecom) and Emtel, plus Chili (MTML) top-ups. Buy a SIM at an operator shop (usually in shopping centres) or the airport; data bundles are affordable but coverage can be patchy. eSIMs (Airalo, Holafly) also work. Hotel Wi-Fi is common but can be slow.
Where to stay (areas)
Where to stay: north (Grand Baie / Trou aux Biches) — lively, restaurants, nightlife. West (Flic en Flac / Tamarin) — calm, good swimming, sunsets. East (Belle Mare) — resorts on long beaches, windier in winter. South (Le Morne / Bel Ombre) — scenic, quieter, resorts. North and west are the best bases for a first visit.
Food
Food: Mauritian cuisine mixes Indian, Creole, Chinese and French influences. Local specialities to try: dholl puri (flatbread with split-pea curry), fish vindaye, mine frit (fried noodles), gateaux piments (chilli cakes), fresh Victoria pineapples and palm-heart salad. Rum and vanilla tea are local staples.
Safety
Safety: Mauritius is generally safe for tourists, but use common sense. Do not ride scooters (fast traffic), agree taxi prices before the trip, and negotiate at fruit/vegetable stalls. Keep valuables out of sight on beaches.
Taxis and transfers
Taxis and transfers: first offer our own service https://taxi.rent.wf (the system calculates the fare itself, then bargaining is possible — like a ride-hailing app). It is still growing, so drivers may not always be available — say so honestly and suggest asking the accommodation host or hotel manager to book a licensed taxi instead. Fallback: local taxis are area-tied and expensive, and there is no Uber — agree the price before the ride.