Rather modest size, comparable to Moscow alone, and remoteness from the rest of the world do not affect the popularity of sunny Mauritius at all, quite the opposite! Every year the level of tourism in this land of tropical fruits, gentle sea and fresh seafood is only increasing. Even the relatively high price tag for accommodation and meals does not bother tourists who are willing to pay a lot for staying on this paradise land.

Geography of Mauritius

According to best-medical-schools, the Republic of Mauritius is an island state located in East Africa in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean, its area is 2040 km². The country, in addition to the largest island of Mauritius (1865 km²), includes the island of Rodrigues (104 km²), Agalega, the Cargados-Carajos archipelago and a number of small islands. The islands are surrounded by many coral reefs, and they themselves are a plateau 400-600 meters above sea level.

Capital

Port Louis

Area

The area of Mauritius is 2040 km. sq., occupies the 169th place in the world in terms of area.

Population

1 295 789

Currency

The national currency is the Mauritian rupee.

Language

No official language (French and English predominate)

Visa to Mauritius

Mauritius is favorable for Russian tourists, in particular due to the visa-free regime. To visit the country for tourism purposes, you only need a valid passport, a return ticket and hotel reservation, then Mauritius will be open for you for as long as 180 days.

Weather in Mauritius

The climate of Mauritius is maritime, tropical. The islands are highly prone to tropical cyclones coming from the Indian Ocean. The peak of storms with wind gusts up to 220 m/s, showers and, as a result, large-scale floods, falls on February and March. Since Mauritius is located in the Southern Hemisphere, summer here lasts from November to April, this is a time of heat and high humidity of about 80%. February is the hottest month, the temperature at this time in coastal areas is +25°C at night and +30°C during the day. Winter in Mauritius lasts from May to October, this time of cooler temperatures and less rainfall, in August the thermometer drops to + 17 ° C at night and + 23 ° C during the day on the seashore. On the plateau, surrounded by mountains, temperatures are usually lower than in the coastal zone by 3-4°C.

Currency exchange in Mauritius

It will not be a problem to exchange money for the local currency (Mauritian rupee) in Mauritius. This can be done at any bank branch or exchange office at the hotel (in the first case, the rate will be more profitable). Traveler’s checks can also be exchanged at a bank, and at a more pleasant rate than cash. You can only exchange the remaining local rupees for foreign currency at the airport when leaving the country. Bank cards of all international systems, including American Express, Master Card, Visa and Diners, as well as travelers checks are accepted for payment everywhere, in hotels, restaurants, travel agencies and shops. You can also cash out at any of the ATMs. From Monday to Friday, bank branches are open from 9:15 to 15:00-15:30, and on Saturdays – from 9:15 to 11:15.

Electricity

Mains voltage 220V, 50Hz. British standard sockets with three flat prongs, but most hotels will offer you adapters.

Religion

The vast majority of the current inhabitants of Mauritius profess Hinduism (48%), 23.6% of the population consider themselves Catholics, 8.6% adhere to other branches of Christianity, 16.6% profess Islam, about 0.4% of local residents recognize themselves. 2.8% adhere to other beliefs. It is worth noting that the indigenous people of Mauritius profess Christianity, the followers of Hinduism and other religions were mainly immigrants.

Security

Despite the small number of law enforcement officers on the streets, Mauritius is more than a safe country for foreign visitors. The crime rate here is low, pickpocketing, typical of tourist places, is quite rare. Leaving all your valuables and credit cards in the hotel safe, you don’t have to worry about anything.

Health

In most hotels, tap water is additionally filtered and drinkable, but it is still recommended to use bottled water. Vaccinations and prevention of any diseases before traveling to Mauritius are not required, there are no poisonous animals, insects or plants on the islands, however, meeting with some representatives of the flora and fauna can still bring some trouble in the form of an allergic reaction. When swimming in the sea or walking along the coast, be careful: a large number of sea urchins with prickly needles and coral fragments are not the most pleasant surface for walking barefoot, light shoes will be more appropriate. Extremely changeable weather and strong sun – that’s what you need to think about before traveling to Mauritius. It is recommended to take a windbreaker and raincoat on the trip, as local storms, although short, but very strong. Pay special attention to sun protection: a hat, quality glasses, sunscreen with a high SPF factor and light but closed clothing should be your constant companions.