Mauritius is a small island located in the Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar, northeast of Reunion and southeast of Seychelles.
The obvious beauties of this country are of course its jaw-dropping beaches with white sands and crystal blue waters.
Here, you can enjoy diving and snorkeling to your heart’s content, and since Mauritius is by shallow waters, watching coral reefs, breathtaking underwater topography and a dramatic ocean drop-off can also be on your to-do list.
In turn, when you’re on land, you can choose between hiking, horse riding and golf courses of high-standard.
However, there is another, truly wonderful quality about this island: its wildlife.
The wildlife tourism in Mauritius is gaining in popularity, due to the fact that Mauritius has saved more bird species from extinction than any other country on earth.
Today, you can spot two most beautiful birds of the Indian Ocean – the pink pigeon and the Mauritian kestrel – at different areas of the island.
Expect to see giant tortoises, dolphins, and whales roaming free in Mauritius’ marine environment.
Warnings & Dangers in Mauritius
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Generally, Mauritius is very safe to visit. It is probably one of the safest countries in Africa to travel to, but it has its dangers. Use your common sense and keep your valuables closely by your side, since the most common type of crime is petty theft.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Transportation is generally safe in Mauritius, though keep an eye out for taxi drivers looking to overcharge their rides. Public transport in Mauritius is mainly reliable.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Pickpockets aren't too common but they do operate. Be especially cautious at Downtown Port Louis and central tourist areas since they do have a slightly higher crime rate. Apart from that, in general, it is not too dangerous when it comes to pickpockets.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
There are several natural disasters that can hit Mauritius. Keep in mind that the cyclone season in Mauritius is from November to May. Cyclones can considerably damage people's properties and Mauritius authorities have a well-structured system of phased warnings. Always follow local advice. Also, watch out for stonefish stings in the water: they aren't common but their sting could be fatal!
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Mauritius is very safe when it comes to kidnapping and mugging: violent crime is extremely rare in this country.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Although there haven't been any terrorist attacks in Mauritius' recent history, they shouldn't be ruled out, so be aware of your surroundings at all times.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
As in any tourist destination, there is a heightened risk of getting scammed. Check every change twice, negotiate everything beforehand and never give your money before you receive the service you're paying for.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women should feel completely safe in this country, even at night. That does not mean you should let your guard down - keep to your wits and your common sense, and do not do anything you wouldn't in your own country.
So... How Safe Is Mauritius Really?
You can travel to Mauritius and rest assured there is very little risk of something going wrong.
This is a very safe country and, on the whole, its crime rates are very low.
What little crime there is, usually tends to be just petty theft.
As anywhere, things get a little more dangerous after dark, especially at the beach or in secluded areas, so make sure you avoid those areas and keep your valuables in your accommodation.
However safe this country may be, it is best to remain vigilant at all times and exercise the same precaution measures you would in any other destination.
Some other concerns for tourists may be health-related, such as the risk of chikungunya, which is an insect born virus very similar to dengue fever, since this fever occasionally hits Mauritius, particularly during the warmer season lasting from October to May.
Apart from that, be wary of stonefish stings in the water: they aren’t common but can be fatal and it is essential that you obtain urgent medical care if stung.
Also, there have been cases of some reef fish in Mauritius containing a neurotoxin similar, though not identical, to that found in Caribbean reef fish, so it would be best not to eat them.
How Does Mauritius Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Mauritius | 80 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| New Zealand | 90 |
| Hungary | 83 |
| Uruguay | 77 |
| Singapore | 90 |
| Sweden | 83 |
| Oman | 76 |
| Switzerland | 89 |
Useful Information
Visas
Many countries need a visa to enter Mauritius, yet for some, it is relatively easy to obtain it - just by arriving at Mauritius' airport, where you get a 60-day visa. Make sure your passport is valid beyond the intended period of stay in Mauritius. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
The Mauritian rupee is the official currency in Mauritius. ATMs are widespread throughout the main island but are less common on Rodrigues. Credit cards are widely accepted by establishments such as hotels and restaurants.
Weather
Mauritius has a mild tropical maritime climate characterized by two distinct seasons: a warm but humid summer, lasting from November to April and somewhat cool and dry winter, lasting from June to September. The best time to visit this country is the entire period between May and December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny.
Airports
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is the main and busiest international airport in Mauritius. It is located about 48 km southeast of the capital city of Port Louis.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Mauritius, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Mauritius Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 29 | 30 |
| Low °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 |
| High °F | 86 | 86 | 86 | 84 | 82 | 79 | 77 | 77 | 79 | 81 | 84 | 86 |
| Low °F | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 70 | 66 | 64 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 73 |
Great article, thanks for the tips! Indeed, Mauritius is known for being a tropical island that has long been a haven for honeymoon couples or anyone seeking paradisiacal beaches.
However, there are tourist-targeting scammers and petty crime to be wary of. Do be wary of the fraudulent tour operators, factory outlet scams, taxi driver unofficial guide partnership, long taxi routes, snatch theft, and many more!
Won’t go there if u paid me to listen to Muslim speakers . They dont change their ways in other countries but expect to infringe on other customs in your country. They leave our classrooms when our national anthem is played and return afterwards. So disrespectful. Separate prayer rooms in our public schools. Want Merry Christmas sayings to be cancelled at Christmas time. Want loud speakers in our areas regardless of who it disturbs. Stay in your country if you dont like our customs .
We been to Mauritius so many times and it’s paradise on earth we love the people’s the diversity of the island that what make Mauritius paradise crime rates are very low, compared to Italy Spain where we been Robed before ,and people’s in Mauritius are so gentle and kind and Mauritian people’s don’t worry about the racist comments which some individual from western countries trying to creating division ,stay how you are ,strong and with your amazing welcome.god bless Mauritius 🇲🇺
It’s sound you were staying next to a mosque not in a hotel ,if you stay next to a temple you will hear prayers or if you stay next to church you will hear church bell 6am 12pm ,6 pm in Mauritius.its normal,if you can’t afford a hotel 😉
Few Irritations to Rectify
I just came back from Mauritius 22 May – 29 May 2019. I go once a year for a break.
Weather was strange for this time of year, early morning sunshine – midmorning rain – afternoon sunshine – evening rain.
The northern part has a “relatively new beach” It cost the government millions in Rupees (I assume) WHY ALLOW 4wheel MOTORCYCLES to SPEED up and down that small stretch of sand? – where holiday makers & local people go to for peace and quiet. Then been harrassed by a few inconsiderate youngsters chasing up and down kicking up sand and make nr 8 turns on the beach?
My other complaint is: it is a holiday destination….. I don’t want to be woken up in the morning 5 o’clock with a imam singing over a loudspeaker a religious that I do not serve. I don’t care about the religious part – you can serve who you want to- my consern is that noice at THAT HOUR!! NOT ON!! We ALL have WhatsApp NOW – if they have to wake up – download an App and play it via WhatsApp to your own religious community- not to the HOLIDAY MAKERS or disrupt the peace and quiet of other religions!
Overall – the people of Mauritius are kind and wonderful
The Azaan (imam singing over a loudspeaker as you said) form part of the Mauritian culture. And Mauritius is known for its cultural diversification. I think that you should have done some research on the neighbourhood of the hotel before booking-We ALL have internet NOW. And yes, the majority of Mauritians are kind and wonderful, as long as you do not make unnecessary remarks that can jeopardise this peaceful atmosphere.
If you don’t like the Iman singing stay with your western culture and stay at home. Don’t take a break, the world is not yours.
Stay at home? There a huge population of muslims every where these days,you cant get away from them
Like cockroaches
Jackie you are very rude and unreasonable. You give Muslims a bad rap. Tourism is an integral part of countries like Mauritius and a PAID visitor should be treated as such. This visitor did not violate anyone and should be given the same respect. Religion should not be practiced in a way that undermines others. We all can get along if we try.
So you better accept that you share the world with people from other religions and learn to coexist instead of bitching about it. The world doesn’t care about your comfort.
🤦♀️ until you are like Richard Branson and own your own island paradise, you’ll have to put up with these “irritations” 🤣🤣🤣 ps I think you may be racist
Stop whining and show respect.
Tebra du Plessis. If hearing Imams making the several calls to prayer through the day from dawn to dusk using a loudspeaker annoys you so much then DON’T GO TO A MOSLEM COUNTRY! A few clicks on your pc would tell you what the major faith is in any country.
You’re only visiting, so show some respect for the short time you’re there!
Do you whine about the church bells in your own country clanging? Just as bad as loudspeakers, especially when rung badly as is often the case.
By the way, don`t you know that the dawn call is NOT a wake up call, it’s a call to prayer. If you make yearly visits to Mauritius you should know that by now.
So why should a whole faith change their practices just to please precious you?
Just in case you’re wondering, I’m British and a Christian (though not a very good one) and have lived in and visited Moslem countries.
Well said
It is not a ‘muslim country’ since they’re minority ethnic goup there (cca 15%) and majority population are of hindu and Christian religion (cca 80%) so that comment is quite stupid really…so, it seems even more strange that they wake up paying visitors at 5am.
Agree
Well said
We should respect each other
Well said
👎
Oh really? Do u go to stay in hotel or a rented house by the side of mosque.. hotels , most of them , are normally far from residential areas . As far as I know mosque are situated in places easing access to people.. next time u better don’t come if practices of religious activities bother your peace… go where countries are always in fights and get yourself terrorized. For your one day stay in a country you want to bring changes in belief of peoples’ religious values.. hey just mind your thinking
Yes
And women were covered in black from head to toe. Quite scary to look at.
Ignorance
Your ignorance is quite astounding.
You’re visiting a country, with a diverse religious population, and then complain when a certain religions normal activity upsets you!
Don’t ever go to Turkey will you, as that will really upset you.
We loved the early morning calls to prayer. It is beautiful, and an insight to a religions and countries way of life.
Muslims are some of the loveliest people you’ll ever wish to meet.
Quite frankly, you should be ashamed to have written your review!
Look, Im a Mauritian and Normally if u don’t respect or Love the sound of Azaan, myself It disturbs me a lot but I got used to it because ofc I was born in Mauritius, so even its Noisy, its very blessing, and its shows how multi-cultural our beautiful Mauritius is, there’s not only Azaan but there’s For hindus too as We referred it as prayers.
So as others are saying, if u don’t like it, stay in ur western country. We don’t need people like you to disturb our peace
Advice
You should update the temperatures: +10°c in summer specially on the coast. During winter in the center it can drop to 15°c at night.
And finaly if you’re on a short budget, consider buying your stuff outside of hotels (~100% difference).
I am a Mauritian by birth and living and working overseas . Coming back after an absence of 3 years those loud screeching noises ( so called religious chanting ) over the loud speakers are overwhelming and extremely irritating. I dearly feel sorry for those tourists who spend a great deal of money for peace and quiet to visit my home country. I did some snooping around and to my surprise 99% of those places were unoccupied and the chanting came out of recording devices. What a letdown!!!!!!!
Do you know what locations are less likely to impacted by this? Thank you!
GANGSTERS PARADISE
I was in Mauritius Jan 2020. It’s not the paradise as it was before. Lots of crime, political scandals, money laundering, religious tensions, road accidents, nepotism, Eviromental disaster, bribe, police brutality, drug mafia , poverty,
corruption, (heroin, synthetic) , murders, (Michaela McAreavey murdered on her honeymoon) murder still not solved. Often Mauritian took to the streets to protest. Lots of tourists crimes not published because they want to loose the reputation. A very corrupt country.
Privilege card leave it
I thought he was describing the United States.
Don't force your beliefs
I agree in Christian countries they don’t blast prayers that force everyone to listen Thanks for the warning
FACE PALM
These posts are INSANE!!! YOU ARE IN THEIR COUNTRY!!!!! You are a GUEST in THEIR country. If you do not like the culture, DO NOT GO TO THEIR HOME!!!!! You expect them to change their culture in their country to accomodate you and then turn around and say well the Muslims come to the US and want the US to change to accomodate them. Common sense and education people, please go find both. Research a country before you go visit it. There is this great thing called the internet that can tell you everything you want to know about a country BEFORE you visit. Wow, just imagine……
The World belongs to everyone
Hello… you are right!! The world belongs to EVERYONE!!!
So, show always respect others regardless of their religion! and whether they live in the western world! Grow up!!! as no one and I mean NO ONE wants to be woken up on any morning at 5 o’clock with any kind of singing over a loudspeaker.
So apparently you can get away with murder in Mauritius….very dangerous and why would you go and put yourself and family at risk from these people. !!
Unsolved murder
This young lady was strangled on her honeymoon in her hotel room in Mauritius. The authorities have failed in 8 years to convict her murderer(s).
I would say it is not a particularly safe place for this reason.
Me and my husband were robbed on Mauritius in december 2019 ,Black river gorge national park ,while hiking.
On the way back two men came out of the bushes with machete and demanded that we give them everything.
So we lost most of our properties and luckily we were not injured ,because we didn’t resist.
Only go hiking where most people go and with a guide.
So sorry to hear about your nasty experience. Did you report the fact to the police and the hotel?
The local people in Mauritius are very kind and friendly. Some are rich and many more are poor but this does not affect how humble they all are.
I have been all over the island and never experienced any crime whatsoever.
Well said ,fortunately in this world we do have people like you who is honest and have comment sense. 👍
Food sucks
I like Mexico better.
it’s an amazing place. I really enjoyed going to see my family there. for those talking about the 5 am prayer thing, it nearly gave me a heart attack the first few nights but I kinda missed it when I got home.
it’s just part of their culture. but when you go to places like port Luis, where your bag n your front and anywhere you go, always count your change and be very careful when planning touristy things because some tour guides can be dodgy. but like in any country don’t be an idiot and be respectful and you should be fine.
CHANGE OF RELIGION
Very scary to see all the muslems dressed in full head to toe in black clothes at the markets.
Most people are ok at all places around island
What on earth is scary about people who live somewhere carrying on with their normal lives?
Differences in Culture
Some things you are not used to could be scary, its normal.
Typical American racism.
FACTS!
Appreciate Cultural Diversity
I have never been to Mauritius, but hope to one day. I am appalled by the insensitive comments made by people who are visitors to someone else’s country. I am a proud Canadian Christian, and what I love most about my country is its cultural diversity. And when I travel, I choose places that are different from my home, so I can experience what others have to offer. Having visited both Dubai and Morocco, I am familiar with the frequent calls to prayer. They remind me I am far from home, and I love it! Please, people, be respectful of others. Focus on the similarities that all humans possess and learn to appreciate the differences. And if you are unable to enjoy a place that is different from what you consider to be ‘perfect’, don’t travel!
BEST PLACE EVER
I’ve been in Mauritius almost one year ago.
I love everything there.
People are usually very gentle.
Ok, somebody tried to scam us, but not so badly.
We’ve even been in Cité Kennedy (more or less a ghetto) and nothing happened to us.
Obviously better to pay attention, always, but probably less than in the most of European cities.
Wow people can be so nasty…
Anonymous
I would love to visit this wonderfully beautiful nation. It sounds from all of younto be a small piece of paradise left of our earth.
Well, I think that after all of this being said, we WON’T be going there at all! Screaming imam at the crack of dawn is not for us! THANK YOU for the advice and saved money!! 🙂
Disappointed.
I found out about this island and became very excited that as a woman of mixed race I could leave the United States and retire somewhere beautiful and get away from the crime and especially racism in America. I am very disappointed with what I am hearing here.
Mauritius has no Muslims.
Don’t talk about muslims in Mauritius. I had never heard a single Muslim guy in Mauritius in news. It’s better to stay away from talking about Muslim here, or you will get fired. Mauritius is safer than Africa. If you talk about muslims, Mauritius will get as dangerous as South Sudan.
Poor geography
Mauritius is in Africa…
Reading to all these comments and complaints, I am 100 percent sure and certain , the beautiful Island of Mauritius is safe to travel and have lovely people
It is a one nation with different religious beliefs but no fighting amongst each other , , everyone participates in festivities
The world (every one)is welcome in Mauritius
Everyone likes to party so is Boris
Church bell ringing and Imam chanting might sound odd to non African because they are use to such but not to an African person who grew up in African. Peace!
ALL Y'ALL SO RACIST
Idfk why you guys always put down other ppl like that bc of their religion. I don’t mean ppl are Muslim or Hindu means they are bombers or criminals shame on u guys. As an atheist, I have all rights to say this and Mauritius is a VERY safe country. I went there with no worries.
Offers many enjoyable activities in a beautiful setting
I’m shocked and embarrassed for the ignorant travelers who are so entitled as to believe an entire country should change their customs for their holiday. Maybe it’s for the best that they don’t return and warn their friends if they are like minded to go elsewhere, somewhere that looks exactly like where they live, where they can eat and drink the same awful food they do at home, and watch the tele and football all day just like they never left home. It’s unlikely that anyone that ignorant will benefit the places they visit, as they likely just spread negativity and bad manners. Hopefully most westerners are respectful of the people and places they visit that have different customs and culture, as that’s the entire point of traveling. This place looks amazing. I’ll have to look into visiting soon!