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Practical information
The essentials for planning your stay: money, electricity, driving, seasons, safety and emergencies.
Emergency numbers
999 / 112Police
114SAMU (ambulance)
995 / 115Fire service
152Tourist info
150National directory
171 / 96Weather / cyclones
💶 Money
- Currency: the Mauritian rupee (Rs).
- ATMs are available at the airport.
- Haggling is accepted in markets: always ask the price before buying.
- Tipping is not mandatory; it is welcome according to your appreciation.
🔌 Electricity and time
- British three-pin and two-round-pin sockets; 220–230 V.
- Bring a universal adapter.
- Time zone: UTC+4.
🚗 Driving and transport
- Traffic drives on the left; give way to vehicles coming from the right.
- Visitors may drive with a valid licence from their home country.
- Taxis are easy to find at the airport: agree the fare before leaving.
- Hitchhiking is not practised.
🌦️ Seasons
- Summer (Nov–Apr): warm and humid, about 24–32 °C; cyclones possible, mainly January to March.
- Winter (May–Oct): cooler and drier, about 18–27 °C.
- Beaches and diving: November to April. Hiking: May to October.
- Peak season: December–January. September–October and April–May: quieter and pleasant.
🌊 Sea and safety
- Commercial boats should carry a registration number starting with “PC”.
- Wear the lifejacket and do not sit on the bow of a motor boat.
- No deadly venomous animals, but sea urchins, stonefish, lionfish and jellyfish sting: wear water shoes.
- Keep your passport and valuables in the accommodation safe.
🙏 Dress and respect
- Shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops are fine during the day.
- Dress soberly in places of worship.
- Some hotels have evening dress codes: check with the hotel.
🛂 Entry requirements
Entry requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Check your case with the Mauritian authorities or your airline before you travel.
🏠 For hosts and providers
- Tourist accommodation (domaines, guesthouses, hotels, tourist residences) must be registered under the Tourism Authority Act.
- A tourist fee of €3 per night per tourist aged 12 or over has applied since 1 October 2025; it is collected via the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA).
- It does not apply to children under 12, residents, Mauritian passport holders living abroad or holders of a Premium Visa or residence permit.
- For boats: “PC” registration number and lifejackets.
- This page is general information: always check with the competent authorities before publishing an offer.
Sources: mymauritius.travel · MRA — Tourist Fee · IslaGuru