Mauritius

It is easy to run out of adjectives when attempting to describe the natural beauty of the small tropical Indian Ocean island paradise of Mauritius. The volcanic island Republic, covered with lush forest, streams and waterfalls, and fringed with palms, dazzling white sands and teeming coral reefs, lies east of Madagascar just south of the Equator. Mauritius, covering just 720 square miles (1,864 sq km), is the archetypal dream destination for an idyllic holiday, equipped with modern resorts that have been carefully developed to preserve the island's beauty and ecology.

Mark Twain is quoted as having said that 'Mauritius was made first, then heaven was copied from it', and anyone who has experienced the island would no doubt agree with him.

Along with its natural beauty Mauritius has a valuable tourist resource in the warmth and friendliness of its multi-cultural population. Since being officially 'discovered' in 1505 by the Portuguese, the island has been occupied by the Dutch, the French and the British. All have added to the melting pot that constitutes the island's human heritage, along with injections of African slaves, Arab traders and Chinese indentured labourers over the centuries.

Most of the tourist resorts in Mauritius are situated along the 205-mile (330km) coastline, with the capital Port Louis, on the west coast, being the centre of operations for most visitors. The bulk of the population, however, reside on the central plateaux around Curepipe, the island's other major town.

Although everyone who takes a holiday in Mauritius comes for the sandy beaches and blue lagoons, most are delighted to discover that the island has plenty of other attractions too, from some of the world's rarest stamps to the first ever race course to open in the southern hemisphere. Of course no holiday would be complete, either, without good food and entertainment. Mauritius offers both, with some delicious local cuisine that makes use of tropical fruits and vegetables, and the chance to learn the island's indigenous wild dance, the Sega, which originated among the African slaves of yore.

Climate

Mauritius has only two seasons with minimal differences between them, making Mauritius a perfect year round destination. Summer runs from November to April, with temperatures reaching as high as 93ºF (34ºC) on the coast. Humidity is highest from December to April but is never unbearable, particularly on the coast where there is a constant sea breeze. The north-east (around Grand Baie) is more protected from the south-east trade winds. Cyclones, with strong winds and heavy rain, can occur between January and March. Mauritius will normally experience about three or four cyclones a year during this period, each usually lasting a couple of days. During winter the temperature drops a few degrees, however, there is still plenty of sunshine and it is a very pleasant time of year to visit. Sea temperatures vary between 75ºF (24ºC) in the winter and 82ºF (28ºC) in the summer. The peak holiday season runs from October to April, with hotel prices dropping over the winter months.

Money

The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and larger hotels. Travellers cheques usually exchange at a better rate than cash. ATMs are widely available in most towns and hotels, restaurants and large retailers accept major credit cards.

Passport Visa

All foreign passengers to Mauritius must hold (i) a confirmed booking for accommodation in Mauritius, (ii) return or onward tickets to their country of origin or residence, (iii) the necessary travel documentation for their next destination, and (iv) sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country (a minumum of USD 100 per day). Note that the final decision to admit any passenger into Mauritius rests solely with the Immigration Authorities, and that any visitor who remains in Mauritius after the expiry the period granted on their visa or entry permit, shall be deemed to have committed an offence, and shall be liable for prosecution by a Court of Law. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Mauritius, if arriving within 10 days of leaving or transiting through an endemic area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in Mauritius. No visa is required, for stays of up to 60 days (for touristic purposes), or 90 days (for business purposes).
• British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in Mauritius. No visa is required for holders of British passports (irrespective of the endorsement regarding their national stuatus contained therein), for stays of up to 60 days (for touristic purposes), or 90 days (for business purposes).
• Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in Mauritius. No visa is required, for stays of up to 60 days (for touristic purposes), or 90 days (for business purposes).
• Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in Mauritius. No visa is required, for stays of up to 60 days (for touristic purposes), or 90 days (for business purposes).
• South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in Mauritius. No visa is required, for stays of up to 60 days (for touristic purposes), or 90 days (for business purposes).
• Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in Mauritius. No visa is required, for stays of up to 60 days (for touristic purposes), or 90 days (for business purposes).
• New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in Mauritius. No visa is required, for stays of up to 60 days (for touristic purposes), or 90 days (for business purposes).

Health

No vaccination certificates are required for entry into Mauritius, unless travelling from a country infected by yellow fever or where yellow fever is classified as endemic. It's a good idea to pack shoes that can be worn in the sea to protect against sharp coral, sea urchins and stonefish. Stonefish stings are uncommon but can in some cases be fatal. You should obtain urgent medical attention if stung; many hotels stock anti-venom serum. Visitors should take precautions against mosquito bites, as there have been several cases of the Chikungunya virus, which is spread by mosquito bites, although this is more common from October to May. Travellers should stick to bottled water. Medical facilities are good and free in public hospitals, but private clinics are expensive and medical insurance is recommended.

Embassy Consulates

• Mauritius Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 244 1491.
• Mauritius High Commission, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7581 0294.
• Mauritius Honorary Consulate, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 7377 322.
• High Commission for the Republic of Mauritius, Melbourne, Australia: +(613) 9484 4242.
• Mauritius High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 1283.
• Consulate of Mauritius, Auckland, New Zealand: +64 (0)9 373 7291.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Port Louis: +230 202 4400.
• British High Commission, Port Louis: +230 202 9400.
• Canadian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Mauritius): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
• Australian High Commission, Port Louis: +230 202 0160.
• South African High Commission, Port Louis: +230 212 6925.
• Mission of Ireland to the UN, New York, United States (also responsible for Mauritius): +1 212 421 6934.
• New Zealand Consulate, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Mauritius): +27 12 435 9000.