Officially
known as the Republic of Mauritius, Mauritius is basically an island located
in the southwest India Ocean. Port Louis is the island's capital, while
other important towns are Vacoas, Phoenix, Curepipe, Quatre Bornes, Beau-
Bassin and Rose Hill. Apart from the island of Mauritius, the Republic of
Mauritius includes the islands of Rodrigues, St. Brandon and the Agalega
Islands. Mauritius is well known for its natural beauty, in fact Mark Twain
has defined its exceptional beauty as "You gather the idea that
Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after
Mauritius." Earlier the islands of Ocean was not popular as a tourist
destination, but today the scenario is totally different, Mauritius has made
a name for itself as the most accessible island in the region. The picture
perfect destination boasts of more than thousand miles of good roads lined
with bougainvillea and flame trees, lovely beaches, moonscaped mountains,
deep craters, wild waterfalls, small villages, plateau towns, flowers and
trees growing out of the red earth and the green and golden mantle of
sugarcane. Travel to the beautiful island that spreads over 2040 sq. km and has a
population of 1,245,000. English is the main language of the country.
Climate & Clothing
The climate of Mauritius is tropical with humid summers and dry winters.
During summer months of November to May, the average temperature remains
around 34°C, while in winters (May to October), the temperature
averages about 22°C. In the coastal areas the temperature varies
between 22°C-34°C, while in central part of the island, the
temperature varies from 19°C to 26°C. The western and northern
regions of the island are warmer and relatively drier than the eastern and
the southern regions. Cyclone season affects the island from November to
April. Mauritius can be visited any time of the year. Light cottons are
recommended for summers, for winter months of June-October carry some light
woollens.
Accommodation in Mauritius
Stay during your travel in some of the most popular hotels and resorts in Mauritius that include One &
Only Le Saint Geran Beach Resort Mauritius (5 Star, Poste de Flacq
Mauritius), Beau Rivage Resort Belle Mare Mauritius (5 Star, Belle Mare
Island), Dinarobin Hotel Golf and Spa Mauritius (5 Star, Le Morne
Peninsula), Paradise Cove Hotel Mauritius (5 Star, Coastal Road, Anse La
Raie), Le Meridien Ile Maurice Mauritius (5 Star, Village Hall Lane, Pointe
Aux Piments), Royal Palm Resort Mauritius (5 Star, Grand Baie), Berjaya Le
Morne Beach Resort Le Morne (4 Star, Le Morne Case Noyale), Belle Mare Plage
Resort Mauritius (4 Star, Poste de Flacq), Heritage Golf and Spa Resort
Mauritius (4 Star, Coastal Road , Bel Ombre), Marina Resort Anse La Raie
Mauritius (4 Star, Coastal Road Anse la Raie) etc.
Tourist Attractions of Mauritius
»
Grand Bay : Grand Bay a shopping and leisure paradise, is an area which
is mostly visited by Mauritians who want a fun-filled night out. The La
Cuvette beach is truly worth a visit.
» Pereybere : Travel to the wonderful beach which is famous for its
shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.
» Balaclava Ruins : Located a few metres away from
Baie aux Tortues, Balaclava is known for housing the ruins of the old
Balaclava estate. One can see the the sea walls, whose foundations were laid
down by Mahé de Labourdonnais.
» The Triolet Shivala : The longest village in
Mauritius, Triolet houses the biggest Hindu Temple the Maheswarnath. It was
built in 1819 in houour of the Gods, Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma
and Ganesha.
» Flacq Market : Flacq is among the most popular
villages in the island. The village is famous for country's largest open
market. The colourful market is a huge draw for tourists.
» Ile aux Cerfs : A tiny island in Mauritius, Ile
aux Cerfs is a paradise for water sports. A real jewel in the Mauritian
landscape, Ile aur Cerfs boasts of most beautiful beaches in Mauritius.
» Dutch Ruins : Situated at Vieux Grand Port, the
oldest settlements in Mauritius, one can see the ruins of the first Dutch
fortifications.
» Black River Gorges : The national
park sprawls over 6,574 hectares. It was created in 1994 to protect the
native forests of Mauritius. The park is home to various endemic plants and
rare bird species.
Airports
Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam International Airport is the main airport in
Mauritius. Situated at Plaisance, the airport is 3 kms from Mahebourg, 48
kms from Port Louis, 50 kms from Belle Mare and 80 kms from Grand Baie. Air
Mauritius is the national airline, which links the country with major
European, African and Asian cities and Australia. Several other
international airlines also connect the country with different international
destinations.
Local Modes of Transport
Buses
are the main form of local transport in Mauritius. Cars, motorcycles and
autocycles are other modes of local transport. Self-driven and guided cars
can be hired from local agents.
Entertainment Options
Mauritius offers a wide array of entertainment options to suit varied
tastes. Entertainment options are available in restaurants, bars, cinemas
and nightclubs. Regular concert shows and plays are organized in the
theaters and stadiums in the towns. Most of the beach hotels in Mauritius
provide entertainment facilities such as water sports, casinos and
nightclubs. These hotels also organize regular dance and music shows at
night to entertain their guests. Indigenous singers and dancers perform the
traditional Mauritian dance, the Sega in these hotels. To feel the heat and
energy of Mauritian tropical nights one can assist and even participate in
the Sega shows.
Adventure Activities in Mauritius
Deep sea fishing is the most popular adventure option on the island. Mt
Malartic and Mt Limon offer good opportunities for hiking and mountain
biking. For nature lovers, bird watching is a good option here. In addition
to these, Mauritius also offers adventure options like windsurfing,
kayaking, boating, undersea walking, horse riding, sailing etc.
Shopping
Shopping in Mauritius is not just an affair of buying products, but it is a
journey in the civilization and cultures of the island. Colourful sarees,
ready-made suits, sculptures and drums of African origin are the proof of
the diversity of the region. Most of the shopping centres and arcades in all
the towns and beach resorts deal in traditional Mauritian Arts and Crafts.
You can also buy clothes, fabrics, jewelleries, books and other products in
these shopping centres/ arcades. There are also a number of duty free shops
in Mauritius, offering attractive prices. You can really experience the
Mauritian way of life in these traditional and colourful markets.
Tourist Office
Mauritius Tourist Information Office
11th Floor, Air Mauritius Centre,
John Kennedy Street,
Port Louis,
Mauritius
Phone: +230 210 1545
Fax: +230 212 5142
