Quick Facts

A foreign national wishing to enter Mauritius must obtain a visa unless he or she is:

a citizen of one of the countries not requiring a visa for visits of up to 90 days.
a citizen of one of the countries eligible to obtain a visa on arrival valid for up to 60 days.
a citizen of one of the countries eligible to obtain a visa on arrival valid for up to 14 days.

All visitors are required to hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay (minimum of USD 100 per day), confirmed hotel reservation, and documents required to travel to their onward destination. Business visits may not exceed 120 days within one calendar year and a maximum stay of 180 days in total (tourism and business) is granted within one calendar year.

The official website of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA)

The local currency is Mauritian Rupees (MUR). We also accept Euros, Dollars and Pounds (on hotel premises only).

 

Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.

MUR 1.00 equals:

Exchange Rates	Currency
0.1	United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)
0.037	Australian Dollar (AUD)
0.027	Swiss Franc (CHF)
0.022	British Pound (GBP)
0.22	Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
3.08	Japanese Yen (JPY)
0.011	Rial Omani (OMR)
0.19	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (RMB)
0.028	US Dollar (USD)

Hotel and resort establishments apply 15% VAT plus 0% - 80% Duties.

Tipping in Mauritius is discretionary. However, tips are always appreciated among service staff in Mauritius, as salaries are generally low. The best option is to tip in the local currency, which is Mauritian Rupees.

Spa: If you are a Spa guest, you should tip between 5 to 10% of the total bill if no service charge is included.

Guided excursions: Tour guides should receive a tip that is at least 10% of the total cost of the tour. You should tip drivers half the amount that you tip the guide.

Taxis: Taxi fares in Mauritius are usually negotiated in advance. If the driver has been particularly informative or helpful, a tip of 100 to 200 rupees will show your appreciation.

Hotels: Government taxes (about 12%) are added to all hotel bills and are included in the rate. It is better to wait until the end of your stay and tip staff members in cash.

Restaurants: Gratuity is generally included, but you could leave a small a show of appreciation for good service. A tip of 10 to 15% is standard in top-end restaurants.

Bank Hours
Monday to Thursday: 9am - 3pm
Friday: 9am - 5pm
Closed on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

Office Hours
Normal working hours in Mauritius are 9am - 5pm

Shop Hours
Shopping hours in the main towns range from 9.30am to 5.30pm (Monday - Saturday). Some shops are open until 12noon on Saturdays and Public Holidays.

Large shopping malls such as Bagatelle or La Croisette are usually open from 9.30am to 8.30pm.

Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended that will cover visitors for overseas medical costs. Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas.

The standard of public medical facilities in Mauritius is low. Most visitors choose to seek treatment with private doctors or at private clinics. Generally, upfront payment is required.

While most hospitals and clinics are able to treat patients in the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation by commercial airline (usually to South Africa and at considerable expense) may be necessary for complex cases.

There is only one decompression chamber in Mauritius, which is located at Victoria Hospital in Vacoas.

The mosquito-borne illnesses Dengue fever and Chikungunya fever occur occasionally in Mauritius. The risk of malaria is considered very low. It is recommended that you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis) are a risk, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time.

It is advisable to drink bottled water and avoid raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

Mauritius has a very relaxed dress code, which is ideal for the tropical climate.

In the evenings, gentlemen are expected to wear long trousers and sometimes tailored shirts in hotel restaurants. For ladies, smart casual clothing is preferred.

For the daytime, beach and casual wear is acceptable. Nudism is not welcome. In the winter months (June - September), you may need a light cover-up for the cooler evenings.

Visitors are requested to dress appropriately (no shorts, mini-skirts etc.) when visiting religious shrines, and to remove shoes when entering temples and mosques.

The sun is very strong and, even on overcast days, guests should take care to cover up and use high factor sun protection. A hat and sunglasses are recommended.

The weather is ideal year-round for holidaying on Mauritius. The temperature on the coastal areas varies between 22C in winter and 34C in summer. Sea temperatures vary between 22C and 27C.

The western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the east and the south. July and August are the months with the most rainfall, and cyclones tend to occur from December to February.

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