3. Time Difference

Mauritius is in the UTC+4 time zone. This means that in the European winter it is three hours later and in the summer two hours later than in Germany. Due to the small time difference to Germany, jet lag on a flight to Mauritius is minimal. You actually get used to the local time quickly.

4. Arrival & Entry

Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean and can be reached from Germany by plane. The island’s main airport is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) near Mahébourg. There are direct flights to Mauritius from Germany, mainly from Frankfurt am Main. Airlines such as Condor and Discover Airlines offer non-stop flights. The flight time is approximately 11 to 12 hours.

Alternatively, you can use connections with stopovers. Airlines such as Emirates, Turkish Airlines, or Lufthansa fly to Mauritius from various German airports with stopovers in cities such as Dubai, Istanbul, or Zurich. These flights are often cheaper, but they increase your travel time. Cost: from approximately €700 per person.

Entry: German citizens do not require a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Your passport should be valid for at least six months upon entry. You must also be able to present a valid return or onward ticket. More information here: Entry into Mauritius.

5. Travel Length

Due to the longer flight, we recommend at least 10 days for a trip to Mauritius. Enjoy a few days on the beautiful beaches, such as Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, or Belle Mare. Then get a rental car or a driver and explore the island’s beautiful corners, such as the Chamarel Waterfalls, the Black River Gorges National Park, the botanical garden in Pamplemousses, or the Grand Bassin Temple.

A visit to the capital, Port Louis, is also a must. Stroll through the popular Central Market, explore the lively Caudan Waterfront, and visit the Blue Penny Museum. Tours to the surrounding islands, such as Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Aigrettes, or Ile aux Bénitiers, are also highly recommended.

10 days offers you plenty of time for a good combination of relaxation and exploration. If you want to take it easy, two weeks is even more relaxing, but there’s plenty of time for the most important highlights.

6. Travel Routes

Our Mauritius travel tips also include a few ideas for possible routes. If you want to explore the island on your own and not just stay in one place, we have put together three possible routes for you below (based on a 10-day trip):

1. Route: Highlights & Relaxation

• Days 1-2: Arrival and relaxation in Flic en Flac
• Day 3: Excursion to the Black River Gorges National Park (waterfall + 7-colored earth)
• Days 4-5: Stay in Le Morne – great beaches (hiking on Le Morne Brabant)
• Day 6: Day trip to Île aux Cerfs
• Days 7-8: Grand Baie – botanical garden in Pamplemousses + shopping in Port Louis.
• Day 9: Day at Trou aux Biches or Mont Choisy Beach
• Day 10: Departure.

2nd Route: Adventure & Culture

• Days 1-2: Arrival and first explorations around Flic en Flac.
• Day 3: Port Louis – Central Market, the Blue Penny Museum + Waterfront.
• Day 4: Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses and Château de Labourdonnais.
• Days 5-6: Black River Gorges National Park for hikes and Chamarel.
• Day 7: Île aux Bénitiers – with boat tour and dolphin watching.
• Day 8: Time for the east coast – Belle Mare for a quiet beach day.
• Day 9: Grand Baie or day trip to Île aux Cerfs.
• Day 10: Departure.

3. Route: Comfortable & Versatile

• Days 1-3: Relaxing beach days in Trou aux Biches or Belle Mare.
• Day 4: Visit the north – botanical gardens and a bit of shopping.
• Days 5-6: Adventures in Black River Gorges National Park and Chamarel.
• Days 7-8: Le Morne – hiking, kitesurfing, or simply enjoying the scenery.
• Day 9: Île aux Cerfs or Île aux Bénitiers for a final island tour.
• Day 10: Return and departure.

7. Rental Car & Left-Hand Driving

If you want to explore the island on your own, a rental car is a good option. There are numerous providers, both internationally renowned and local companies. It’s best to book your rental car in advance, especially during peak travel times, to ensure the best prices and availability.

Be sure to check the included services and the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, especially regarding insurance and mileage limits. Also, make sure you have a valid international driver’s license. This is officially required, even if often no one wants to see it.

Mauritius travel tips – the following services are recommended:

• All kilometers free
• Fair fuel policy (full/full)
• Comprehensive and theft protection with no deductible
• Glass/tire protection
• Underbody protection
• Liability sum: EUR 1,000,000
• Offer can be booked immediately

In Mauritius, traffic drives on the left, which means you drive on the left side of the road and the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle. This may seem unusual for many at first, but with a little practice, you’ll quickly get used to it. If you feel unsure, do a few laps around a large parking lot first.

8. Book accommodation

We’re often asked which region to look for a hotel in. Every region in Mauritius has its charm, but the west coast and the north are usually the most popular for a first visit. We’ve put together a few lists of the most beautiful hotels for you:

• The most beautiful hotels in Mauritius along the coast
• 15 top all-inclusive hotels in Mauritius

North of Mauritius: Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, and Pereybère are the best spots for those who like it lively. Numerous restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities await you here, especially in Grand Baie. Trou aux Biches beach is ideal for swimming and snorkeling – the calm waters and beautiful surroundings make it perfect for relaxing beach days.

West of Mauritius: Flic en Flac and Le Morne are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy being active and enjoy spectacular sunsets. The beaches of Flic en Flac are ideal for snorkeling and diving, while Le Morne Brabant and its hiking trails invite you to explore. A highlight for nature lovers is the Black River Gorges National Park – ideal for adventurers and nature lovers.

South of Mauritius: Bel Ombre and Blue Bay offer the perfect setting for anyone who wants to enjoy peace and nature. The region boasts wild coastlines and impressive nature reserves. The beaches are less touristy and often untouched – here you can experience nature up close.

East of Mauritius: Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douce are ideal for relaxing beach days and relaxation. This quiet area boasts beautiful hotels and resorts, as well as a perfect day trip to Île aux Cerfs. The beaches are stunning and the water crystal clear, although it can be a bit windier here, especially in the winter months.

9. Activities & Excursions

There’s an incredible amount to experience in Mauritius, and you can also discover much on your own. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of exciting tours and excursions that are truly worthwhile – from boat trips to Île aux Cerfs to guided hikes on Le Morne Brabant. Many people simply feel safer with a guide and in a group.

For popular activities like dolphin watching, helicopter flights, or day trips to Île aux Cerfs, it’s recommended to book in advance, especially during peak season, to secure your spot. Make sure to only book tours with established operators and check reviews on TripAdvisor or Google beforehand.

10. Money & Currency

The official currency in Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Banknotes include 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, and 25 rupees – they are colorfully designed and depict historical figures and symbols of the country. Coins come in denominations of 20, 10, 5, and 1 rupee, as well as smaller cent pieces of 50, 25, 20, 10, and 5 cents, which are useful for small purchases.

Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, shops, and for tours. However, smaller stores or street markets often only accept cash. ATMs are widespread on the island, especially in larger cities and tourist areas. You can easily withdraw money using international credit or debit cards (e.g., Visa, MasterCard).

When withdrawing money from an ATM, always choose to be billed in rupees. Otherwise, you will often get a very poor exchange rate. It is better to leave the conversion of your withdrawn amount to your bank. You can find a detailed article on this here: ☞ Mauritius Travel Tips – Everything About the Island’s Currency.

11. Tipping

In Mauritius, tipping is not mandatory, but is greatly appreciated. In restaurants, a tip of around 5-10% is customary, unless it is already included in the bill. For porters, you can expect to pay €1 per piece of luggage. Smaller amounts of €5-10 are also appropriate for other hotel staff (waiters, cleaning). Your taxi driver will also appreciate a small gift.

12. Health

Mauritius is considered a safe travel destination, including in terms of health. The island has well-equipped hospitals and clinics, particularly in and around the capital, Port Louis, and in tourist areas. Private clinics offer very good care, but are subject to fees. We therefore recommend travel health insurance..

There are no specific vaccination requirements for Mauritius. However, it is recommended to update standard vaccinations such as tetanus, hepatitis A, and, if necessary, hepatitis B. Malaria is not a risk on the island. Tap water is often drinkable in tourist areas, but we recommend playing it safe and preferring bottled water.

The sun in Mauritius is very strong. A high sun protection factor, a hat, and sunglasses are therefore important to avoid sunburn and sunstroke. Mosquitoes are present in some regions of Mauritius, especially during the rainy season. We therefore recommend good insect repellent for evenings outdoors (e.g., Peaceful Sleep).

13. Travel Insurance

Adequate coverage is essential, especially with regard to your health. We recommend taking out international health insurance for medical emergencies, hospital stays, and any necessary repatriation. Such insurance is available from around €10 to €20 per year.

Travel cancellation insurance can also be useful. It covers the costs if you have to cancel your trip due to illness or accident. This way, you won’t be left with cancellation costs if something comes up at short notice. You can find more information on this topic and an overview of well-known travel insurance providers here: The most important travel insurance policies.

Some well-known travel insurance providers:

• Allianz Travel*
• ADAC
• HanseMerkur*
• World Nomads
• Young Travellers

14. Power adapters

In Mauritius, the main electrical outlets used are type C (European standard plug with two round pins) and G (British plug with three rectangular pins). The mains voltage is 230 volts at 50 hertz, which is the same as in Germany.

If you bring devices with a type C plug, you won’t have any problems in many accommodations, as they often have these sockets. However, for devices with other plug types, or if only type G sockets are available, you will need a type G travel plug adapter: Order a power adapter for Mauritius*.

15. SIM card for Mauritius

If you want to stay connected during your stay in Mauritius, you should get a local SIM card. These are significantly cheaper than international roaming and offer reliable access to mobile data and telephony.

There are three main providers in Mauritius:

1. Emtel: Offers special tourist SIM cards with generous data packages. For example, for around 750 MUR (approx. 17 USD) you get 200 GB of data, valid for 30 days. More info here.
2. My.t (Mauritius Telecom): Also has attractive offers for tourists, including a 5G tourist SIM card with various data packages. More info here.
3. Chili: The smallest provider with limited network coverage, therefore less recommended if you want to explore the entire island. More info here.

You can purchase SIM cards upon arrival at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. There are Emtel and My.t outlets in the arrivals area. Alternatively, you can find official shops of the providers in larger cities and shopping centers. You will need to present your passport to purchase, and the SIM card will be registered in your name.

16. eSim for Mauritius

There are now numerous providers of e-SIMs online. If your device supports them, you can save yourself the trouble of buying a physical SIM card. We’ve had very good experiences with the provider Airalo*.

In most cases, however, you can’t make phone calls with an eSIM; you can only surf the internet. In case of emergency, it’s always good to have someone to call (rental car company, accommodation, tour guide, etc.).

17. Travel Budget & Costs

Prices in Mauritius are relatively affordable compared to Europe, although costs vary depending on the region, accommodation, and activities. To give you an idea of the costs, here’s a rough overview.

2. 111 Must-See Places in Mauritius: This book is a light read and highlights the island’s special features, its culture, and its people. Add to cart*.

3. Mauritius Travel Diary: 100-page travel diary for on the go. Capture your moments and plan your vacation with this book. Add to cart*.

We hope our travel tips for Mauritius have helped you plan your trip and that you are now well prepared for your island vacation. Enjoy your time in Mauritius, let yourself be enchanted by the beautiful beaches and welcoming culture. We wish you an unforgettable trip!