Fine white sand, crystal clear water and palm-fringed coastlines – Mauritius is rightly one of the top beach holiday destinations. According to payhelpcenter, Mauritius has much more to offer than sun and beaches. From Creole villages to volcanic mountains, there are numerous options for an exciting and wonderful vacation on the island.
Dolphins and sea turtles frolic in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Numerous coral reefs invite you to snorkel. Divers get their money’s worth, as an abyss in front of Mauritius plunges to a depth of over 4,000 meters and thus offers one of the most spectacular diving spots in the world. From the air this abyss looks like an underwater waterfall.
Inland, hiking trails meander through the rainforest of the Chamarel Mountains with the Chamarel Waterfall, Black River Gorges National Park and dark lagoons. The numerous Indian, French, African and Chinese influences have given the island its very own culinary identity. Colonial style mansions can be found in the streets of Port Louis. In smaller villages you can stroll through lively markets and take a break in cozy cafés.
Best travel time
January
Early January is very popular due to the Christmas holidays and winter from the Northern Hemisphere. However, this time of year is prone to cyclones and rain, so this is not a reliable time to visit.
February
February is hit by cyclones, so we would advise against traveling at this time.
March
March is a popular time to visit Mauritius. The weather is hot, but it can also rain occasionally.
April
April is hot and temperatures reach 30 ° C.
May
May is one of the best months to travel to Mauritius. The temperatures are warm, but the humidity has increased and the climate is becoming more pleasant. There are some fantastic deals on offer this time of year too, and it is a good time to travel when you want more space to yourself.
June
June is very pleasant and offers warm, sunny days. Those who prefer hotter weather may find it a little cooler, with temperatures averaging 24 ° C, and you can wear warm layers on warm evenings.
July
July is a popular time of year due to the summer vacation in the Northern Hemisphere. The trade winds increase, making some of the less sheltered beaches airier and temperatures dropping. On average, the maximum values are 23 ° C.
August
August follows the pattern of July with warm days perfect for sheltered beaches. However, in the evening, you can appreciate a sweater or coat.
September
The trade winds subside in September and temperatures rise again.
October
October is usually the driest month with pleasant average temperatures of 25 ° C. It can be very popular. especially around half the dates for family vacations.
November
In November, temperatures and humidity rise. This month is a mix of tropical summer rain. Some days may be wetter than others, but overall, it’s still a good time to visit Mauritius.
December
December is one of the busiest months for visitors to Mauritius. especially during the festive season. The humidity increases as the month progresses and it is likely to rain; especially around Christmas and New Years. However, the rain is usually heavy rain and lowers the humidity. After that, the sun usually shines and it dries out quickly.
Climate in Port Louis
The maximum temperature in Mauritius is 30 ° C in January, February and December. In June, July and August the thermometer rises to a maximum of 24 ° C. The summer (June to September) with average 24 ° C warm . In the winter months it is around 29 ° C very warm . During the day, the average annual temperature in Mauritius is a warm 27.1 ° C.
At night it gets coldest at 17 ° C. The thermometer rarely falls below 23 ° C in January and February. While the nights in summer are averages of a warm 17 ° C, the thermometer drops to a pleasantly warm 22 ° C between November and March at night. The temperature averages 19.7 ° C at night all year round.
The water temperature is up to 27 ° C, in August the sea has a maximum of 22 ° C. In the summer months from June to September the water is pleasantly warm with an average of 23 ° C. Between November and March the values are a pleasantly warm 26 ° C. Over the year, the sea has an average temperature of 24.8 ° C.
With 18 rainy days, March is the rainiest month of the year. The November is the driest month of the year . From June to September Mauritius is relatively humid with an average of around 12 rainy days, the winter (November to March) is also relatively humid with 14 rainy days. An annual average of 13.2 days of rain falls per month.
Food and drink
As well as a wide variety of flavors, the cuisine in Mauritius includes flavors that date from different eras in the country’s history. The culinary traditions from France, India, China and Africa, the most famous and popular cuisine in the world, have been passed on through generations.
Depending on the region, rice or a variety of flatbreads called Farata or Fari by the locals are eaten with curries. The extensive use of spices such as saffron, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves and herbs such as thyme-basil and curry leaves are the most common ingredients for powerful yet subtle flavors.
Dal, a variety of lentil soups, is varied and depends on the type of lentil; Vegetables, beans and cucumber accompany the dishes. Dholl puri and roti, originally an Indian delicacy, have become the “fish and chips” of the Mauritians.
Money
The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee. You can buy the rupee at the airport upon arrival in Mauritius and it is very useful for shopping. All hotels also accept credit card payments.
Social
Conservative casual wear is generally acceptable everywhere, but uncovering clothing should be avoided as it can be offensive, especially in towns and villages. More than half of the population is Hindu, respect their traditions and religion.
Dress appropriately when visiting religious shrines (no shorts, miniskirts, etc.) and remove shoes when entering mosques and temples. Don’t take photos of people without asking for permission.
Language
Creole is the everyday language that many Rodriguans also speak French. English has been neglected, with the result that young Rodriguans’ desire to work in government services (for which a loan in English is required) has been thwarted. Efforts are being made to improve the standard of English teaching in schools. Away from the touristy hotels, few people speak English and you have to speak French.
Tip
Tips in restaurants are usually left to your discretion. However, you should check that there is no service charge on the bill before tipping. In restaurants where no service charge is added, you can leave 5% to 10% of the bill depending on your satisfaction with the service. Tips are not expected in simple restaurants.
Porters should be tipped accordingly, although hotel porters do not wait for tips. Rs 20-40 is right for airport porters. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but are gratefully accepted.
