SAMPLE: 14 Day Mauritius and Rodrigues

With crystal clear turquoise waters, gorgeous powder white sand beaches and a wonderful tropical climate, the idyllic island of Mauritius is a remarkably romantic holiday destination. While most visitors spend their days relaxing in one of the many luxurious holiday resorts, there is far more to the island than merely cocktails and coconuts. Those who venture inland will dis­cov­er lush, jungle-clad mountains, glistening blue lagoons, impressive rivers and water­falls, extinct volcanic craters, charming little ramshackle towns and villages, and some fabulously friendly locals. Mauritius is renowned for its must-see attractions, which include the bustling capital of Port Louis with its lively local markets; the remarkable 85m high Chamarel Waterfall; and Eureka, a historical plantation mansion turned museum offering visitors a glimpse into the island's colonial past. One of the most popular attractions is the 7-coloured earth of Chamarel, an exquisite geological phenomenon, with sand comprising of seven unique colours. No matter how you spend your time on this lovely little island, it is sure to fulfill all your tropical island fantasies.

Visitors coming to Mauritius may require a Visa if they are coming from a country with Visa requirements. However, not all countries require a Visa - for more information, visitors should visit their nearest consulate. Groups exempted from Visa requirements include citizens of Mauritius, spouses of Mauritius citizens and anyone who is a resident of Mauritius under the Immigration Act.

Currency

The currency in Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee - MUR or rs, which is divided into 100 cents

Do not change money in your home country as you are likely to get a lower exchange rate. The rate in Mauritius is much better. When you arrive at the airport in Mauritius you will see a host of exchange bureaus at the arrival halls. Just bring your own currency and change it in Mauritius for a better deal. If you do not manage to change at the arrival halls there are branches of Thomas Cook and Shibani Finance in the popular tourist areas of Grand Baie and Flic en Flac.

Banking

Banks are open from Monday to Friday 09h15 to 15h15 and Saturday from 09h1 to 11h15 (Some banks only).

Credit cards are normally accepted by banks and most hotels, restaurants and tourist shops.

There are a number of ways to get around the island, and visitors can travel to most cities and villages using public transport. Travellers can take a bus, which runs from Port Louis to the north, south and main towns. There are also taxis, which are available at the airport, at hotels and at bus stations. Travellers can also rent cars, bicycles and scooters, a brilliant and easy way to get around the island. Mauritians drive on the left-hand side of the road. For a bird's eye view of the island, visitors can travel by helicopter.

Visitors to Mauritius are encouraged to get travel insurance and to visit a doctor or travel clinic on information and advice about preventative measures and diseases. Travellers can visit private doctors and private clinics while on holiday where, in most cases, up-front payment is required. Travellers to Mauritius should get travel vaccines for hepatitis A and typhoid, as visitors can contract both through contaminated food and water. While there is no risk of yellow fever in Mauritius, visitors arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever are required to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. Rabies is not a major risk to travellers, and rabies vaccines are only recommended for travellers visiting remote areas where they are at risk of bat bites, and travellers working with or around bats. Visitors are encouraged to visit their doctor four to six week before their trip with regards to the medicine and vaccines they need.

While crime levels in Mauritius are relatively low, there have been incidents of petty crime. Visitors are encouraged to not wear expensive clothing or jewelry, and to lock hotel doors and to store valuables in a safe place. Visitors should also avoid walking alone at night.

Mauritius is a paradise for the senses, not only for the eyes with its beautiful landscape, but also for the palate. Culinary traditions from France, India, China and Africa, the best-known and appreciated cuisines in the world, have been passed on through generations.

Depending on the region, rice or a variety of flat breads called chapattis or roti, known as farata (paratha) by the local people, are eaten with curries. The extensive use of spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and herbs like thyme, basil, and curry leaves are the common ingredients that provide some powerful, yet subtle, flavour.

You can buy many snacks on the streets of Mauritius. Mauritians have a sweet tooth and make many types of 'gateaux', as they are called. The cakes vary and you can find cakes very much like those in France and others similar to Indian sweets like Gulab Jamun and Rasgulla among many others.

Mauritius produces a wide range of cane rum. Don't forget the coconut water with a dash of lime and a splash of local rum over ice. The Phoenix beer, a local beer is usually served very cold.

The local water is relatively clean and the Mauritians drink the water. The water is safe for brushing your teeth. However, it is better you boil the water before drinking it or buy bottled water which is freely available in the local shops or at hotels and resorts.

Mauritius boasts pleasant weather and a mild tropical climate throughout the year, with a warm humid summer from November to April, and a cool dry winter from June to September. The average summer temperature is 24.7 degrees Celsius, with temperatures averaging 20.4 degrees Celsius in winter. The island is sunny and warm, with 6.5 to 8 hours of magnificent sunshine every day. While the warmest months are January and February, visitors to the island can expect some rain in the wet months of February and March. The best time to visit Mauritius is between April and June, and September and December.

As the island has a warm, tropical climate, Mauritius has a very relaxed dress code. Visitors are encouraged with wear cotton clothing and protect their skin from the harsh sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses. In the daytime, casual and beach wear is appropriate, and in the evening, men should wear long trousers and tailored shirts, and women should wear smart casual attire. In winter, the evenings can be cool, so visitors are encouraged to pack a jacket or a light cover-up. When visiting religious shrines, visitors should dress appropriately, and visitors must remove their shoes before entering mosques and temples.

Most accommodation offers Wifi (free or paid) in their business centres, rooms or restaurants. Internet cafes are found in most business areas and shopping malls. In addition, some restaurants offer WiFi access (free or paid).

Blessed with crystal clear turquoise waters, gorgeous powder white sand beaches and a wonderful tropical climate, the idyllic island of Mauritius is a remarkably romantic holiday destination. While most visitors spend their days relaxing in one of the many luxurious holiday resorts, there is much more to this little island than merely cocktails and coconuts. Those who venture inland will dis­cov­er lush, jungle-clad mountains, glistening blue lagoons, impressive rivers and water­falls, extinct volcanic craters, charming little ramshackle towns and villages, and some fabulously friendly locals. Mauritius is renowned for its must-see attractions, which include the bustling capital of Port Louis with its lively local markets; the remarkable 85m high Chamarel Waterfall; and Eureka, a historical plantation mansion turned museum offering visitors a glimpse into the island's colonial past. One of the most popular attractions is the 7-coloured earth of Chamarel, an exquisite geological phenomenon, with sand comprising of seven unique colours. No matter how you spend your time on this lovely little island, it is sure to fulfill all your tropical island fantasies.