Mauritius is a tiny island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa. The country is part of the Mascarene Islands, along with Réunion and Rodrigues.
Mauritius is famous for its exotic attractions. It has a rich history of colonisation, slavery, and immigration, which has shaped its multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. The official language is English, but people also speak French, Creole, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and other languages. The main religions are Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
Mauritius is a noted destination for tourists who want to relish the warm weather, sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, coral reefs, and lush forests.
Before you plan to visit this enamouring island, check out our curated list of places to visit in Mauritius and things to do in Mauritius.
Top Places to Visit in Mauritius
- Port Louis
- Vacoas-Phoenix
- Quatre Bornes
- Curepipe
- Beau-Bassin Rose-Hill
- Port Louis
Mauritius's capital and main port, Port Louis is on the island's northwest coast, between a well-sheltered deepwater harbour and a semicircle of mountains. The French founded Port Louis in the 18th century as a strategic stopover for ships sailing between Europe and Asia.
Port Louis was also the site of the first indentured labour system in the world. Thousands of workers from India, China, and Africa arrived at the Aapravasi Ghat immigration depot to work on the sugar plantations.
The place is also Mauritius' economic and political centre. It has various Mauritius tourist attractions, such as the Citadel Fortress, the Government House, and the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals. Port Louis is a hub for education, research, and innovation.
Things to do in Port Louis
- Relive the city's past and culture at the Jummah Masjid. It is a beautiful mosque that dates back to the 1850s.
- Visit the Blue Penny Museum, which displays rare stamps, maps, paintings, and sculptures related to Mauritius.
- Dine at the Le Caudan Waterfront. It is a modern complex with various stores, restaurants, cinemas, and casinos.
- Visit Umbrella Square, where hundreds of umbrellas are suspended in the air to create a stunning spectacle.
- Vacoas-Phoenix
Located about 16 kilometres south of Port Louis, Vacoas-Phoenix is in Mauritius's western highlands region. It is the second-most populous town in Mauritius. The town's history begins in the colonial era when it was a major sugar production and trade centre. Vacoas and Phoenix were separate villages until 1963 when they merged to form a single administrative unit.
This place is composed of different ethnic groups and religions. Vacoas-Phoenix hosts several festivals. The notable ones are the Hindu festival of Thaipoosam Cavadee and the Chinese New Year. Vacoas-Phoenix has several attractions and landmarks, such as the Trou aux Cerfs volcano crater and the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. Vacoas-Phoenix offers visitors plenty of things to do in Mauritius.
Things to do in Vacoas-Phoenix
- Visit Tamarind Falls. It is a beautiful waterfall with seven cascades, located near Henrietta village. You can book a half-day or full-day trek with a local guide to explore the falls.
- If you are feeling lucky, you can try your hand at some casino games at Casino Senator. You can play slot machines, roulette, van lak, and sic bo.
- Visit Takamaka Boutique Winery. Here, you can taste and buy locally made wines from lychee, pineapple, and passion fruit.
- Quatre Bornes
Among the top Mauritius tourist attractions, this place is located in the Plaines Wilhems District, about 14 kilometres south of Port Louis. Quatre Bornes means "four boundaries" in French, and it was named after the four boundary stones that marked the limits of four sugar estates in the area. Sugarcane is still an essential crop in the region. This town is also known as La Ville des Fleurs, or "The City of Flowers", for its many gardens and flower markets.
Quatre Bornes was a forested area that was gradually colonised by settlers from France and Prussia. It became a village in 1890 and a town in 1896, and grew rapidly with the development of the railway line and the migration of people from the coastal regions.
Things to do in Quatre Bornes
- Enjoy the hiking trails with a knowledgeable guide. You can choose from different levels of difficulty and duration and explore the island's forests, waterfalls, mountains, and wildlife.
- Admire exquisite jewellery made by Bernd Wilhelm, a German artist living in Mauritius. The shapes and colours of nature inspire his creations, and he uses precious metals and stones.
- Shop at Trianon Shopping Park. You can buy a range of products and services at this modern shopping mall with over 100 outlets.
- Curepipe
Located on the island's central plateau, Curepipe is the second largest town after Port-Louis. Curepipe, also known as La Ville-Lumière (City of Lights), was the first town in Mauritius to have electric street lighting.
The name Curepipe comes from the French word curer sa pipe, which means "to clean one's pipe". According to some historians, this name was given in the 19th century by travellers and soldiers who used to stop in Curepipe to refill their pipes. Whatever be the origin, Curepipe is one of the best places to visit in Mauritius.
Curepipe has many attractions for visitors. Some landmarks include the Trou aux Cerfs and the Curepipe Botanical Gardens.
Things to do in Curepipe
- Hike to the Le Pouce, the third-highest peak in Mauritius. It is named after its thumb-shaped summit. It is a popular spot for paragliding and birdwatching.
- Explore the Ganga Talao - Grand Bassin. It is a sacred lake and the most important Hindu pilgrimage site in Mauritius. You can see a giant statue of Shiva and other Hindu deities around the lake.
- Explore the Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano with a crater lake at the centre. Walk around the crater's rim amidst lush vegetation.
- Beau-Bassin Rose-Hill
The third-largest city on the island and a top Mauritius sightseeing place, Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, lies in the Plaines Wilhems District. The town was settled in 1722 by French colonists, who named it after two nearby hills: Beau Bassin (Beautiful Basin) and Rose Hill (Pink Hill). It became a municipality in 1868 and grew as a commercial and cultural centre. Beau Bassin-Rose Hill is home to several historic and religious buildings and a botanical garden.
The town has several spas, such as the Linea Boutique Spa and the Zen Bamboo Spa, where visitors can enjoy various treatments. Moreover, the town has a vibrant sports scene, with its football team, the Union Sportive de Beau Bassin Rose-Hill, and the Sir Gaetan Duval Stadium.
Things to do in Beau-Bassin Rose-Hill
- Visit the Jummah Masjid. Built in the 19th century, the mosque has a distinctive architecture, with a white facade, green domes, and minarets.
- Explore the Blue Penny Museum. This place is dedicated to the history and culture of Mauritius.
- Shop for local souvenirs and handicrafts at Maison Lionnet (Lionnet Couture) or Kotpiale. These are speciality shops that sell unique items made by local artisans.
Best time to visit Mauritius
Generally, the island has a tropical climate with mild temperatures all year round, but there are some differences between the seasons in the regions.
If you want to enjoy the sun and the beach, you may prefer the summer season, from October to April, when the average maximum temperature is around 29/30°C across Mauritius. However, this is also the rainiest and most humid season, especially from January to March, when cyclones can occur. The south-east coast is more exposed to the trade winds, which can bring showers and cool breezes.
If you want to avoid the heat and the rain, you may choose the winter season, from May to September, when the average maximum temperature drops to 25/26°C on the southeast coast and 26/27°C on the northwest coast. This is also the best time for surfing and sailing, as the winds are stronger and more consistent.
Travel Insurance for Mauritius
Mauritius is undoubtedly an exotic destination. But we cannot overrule the unexpected challenges when travelling to a foreign land. A situation might arise when you may have to cancel your trip at the last moment following an emergency. Situations like losing baggage at the airport, falling ill in the midst of your itineraries, trip extensions from scenarios not in your control, or emergency evacuation may also arise. But you need not be concerned if you have travel insurance. Travel insurance offers peace of mind by ensuring you remain protected against all possible odds. You can plan out your things to do in Mauritius at leisure if you have sound travel insurance. Your itinerary comprising the best places to visit in Mauritius can become a ready reckoner for future visitors to look up to. Remember to read thoroughly all travel policies offered and to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the Insurance industry and products. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.
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