What to bring?

For all those who are still unaware of it, the seasons in Mauritius are reversed compared to those in the northern hemisphere. You'll need to pack accordingly.

Summer

The summer season in Mauritius runs from November to April. Whilst it is winter in Europe, here, summer shows up. It is a hot and humid season. One should note that the cyclone season lasts from December to March. Thankfully, the authorities have a well-structured system of phased warnings.

The climatic conditions in Mauritius can change rapidly. Sometimes it rains, sometimes the sun shines. As Mauritius is relatively flat, clouds do not stay put for long and the rain usually goes away as quickly as it comes. The temperature generally varies from 28 to 35°C during the day and drops to 22°C at night. Light clothes are required. Swim suit, sunscreen, hats (beautiful Malagasy hats can be found in the markets).

Winter

The winter season is from May to October. It is a dry and cool season, although the temperatures drop slightly by a few degrees, there is still plenty of sunshine for tourists to enjoy their holidays.
The temperatures vary between 24°C during the day and 17°C at night. Warmer clothes are required for the cooler evenings.

What you should bring

A guidebook such as Géo Guide, Petit Fûté, Lonely Planet, Guide Mondéos or Guide du Routard... with good addresses, tips and useful information concerning your visit. Find an exhaustive list of the guides …

Hiking maps: consult Ile Maurice Carte Verte to obtain information about the mountain walks available on the island as well as easier strolls.

The official language is English, but Créole, a variant of French is the most commonly spoken language.

However, French is spoken everywhere. Although a Mauritian Creole lexicon is not essential, it can be quite useful: Le Créole Mauricien de Poche by Arnaud Carpooran.

Mauritius offers a multitude of adrenaline sports, which require hiking shoes, flippers, diving masks and snorkels.
Bring along your camera and video camera to capture breathtaking images of your adventures. You could also think of bringing a disposable underwater camera or a waterproof caisson for your digital camera, therefore allowing you to go home with memories of your friends in the most unusual of places: in the lagoon, in the marine park of Blue Bay, under waterfalls, on the waves or under water.

Currency – Credit Cards

The monetary unit is the Mauritian rupee (Rs), which can only be obtained in Mauritius itself.
1 € is worth Rs 42. Please note that the rate remains fixed and it’s only the commission that varies.
You can exchange your Euros as well as your travellers’ cheques in the Bureau de Change that can be found in the banks, at hotels or at the airport.
MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners are generally accepted in all shops, restaurants and hotels.

Health and useful information

No vaccinations are required for Europeans. There is no risk of malaria in Mauritius or in Rodrigues.
The island has lots of pharmacies, which are generally open from Monday to Saturday from 08.30am to 06.00pm or 07.00pm.

A few useful phone numbers
- Tourist Police: 203 1212 and 208 12 12
- Police: 999
- Fire Brigade: 995
- Emergency Assistance and Ambulance (SAMU): 114
-Emergency coastguard: 212 2747
-Weather forecast: 302 6071

Dial 96 to obtain the latest information during the cyclone season.
Please note that there are no poisonous snakes, bears, lions or deadly spiders on the island. Only a few harmless insects could disrupt your visit: spiders, cockroaches and centipedes.

Visa and Entry Requirements

To visit the island:
- your passport must be valid for 6 months from your date of arrival in Mauritius.
-you must have a confirmed return ticket to your country of origin or of residence.
-you must have proof of your accommodation plans and adequate funds (US$ 100 per day) for your intended length of stay.
- you must have the right to go back to your country of origin or of residence.

No visa is required for European Union citizens as well as for those from Commonwealth countries.

Should you wish to have more information, please refer to the table of rules to be followed in obtaining a tourist visa.