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Mauritius

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description Mauritius Overview

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, with Port Louis as its capital; it forms part of the Mascarene Islands along with Réunion. A former Dutch, French and British colony, it gained independence in 1968 and became a republic in 1992. The majority of the population is of Indian origin, with Hindus the largest religious group alongside Christians and Muslims, and English, French and Mauritian Creole are all in use. Once dependent on sugar cane, the economy has diversified into tourism, textiles and financial services; the island was home to the dodo, driven extinct in the seventeenth century.

help Mauritius FAQ

Do I need a visa for Mauritius?

Most nationalities get a visa-free entry on arrival for up to 90 days for tourism. You will need a valid passport, an onward ticket and confirmed accommodation, as officials can ask for all three at immigration.

Was the dodo really from Mauritius?

Yes, the flightless dodo was endemic to Mauritius and was wiped out by the late 1600s, within about a century of Dutch arrival in 1598. The island later passed through French and then British rule before independence in 1968, becoming a republic in 1992.

What currency and languages does Mauritius use?

The currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). English is the official language of parliament and schooling, but Mauritian Creole and French are what you will actually hear spoken day to day, especially in the capital, Port Louis.

Which part of Mauritius has the best beaches for swimming?

The north around Grand Baie is the calmest for swimming and water sports, sheltered from the southeast trade winds. Le Morne Brabant in the southwest is world-famous for kitesurfing and is a UNESCO-listed cultural landscape commemorating escaped slaves who hid on the mountain.