Mauritius currency

We lived on Mauritius for a full four months, exploring the many great highlights and sights and enjoying the consistently great weather. We always felt truly at home on this island, as we also had a lot of contact with the locals (now friends). The island is diverse, colorful, incredibly “REAL,” and much more than just a honeymoon island.

If you’re planning a trip to Mauritius, we’ve compiled some information on the topic of currency. In today’s article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about withdrawing money, the local currency, recommended credit cards, and local prices.

What else you should know:

What else you should know:
Mauritius currency
Withdrawing money in Mauritius
Fees for withdrawing money
Exchanging money locally
Paying by credit card
Prices in Mauritius

In Mauritius, you pay with the Mauritian rupee. Currently, you get just under 50 MUR for 1 euro (as of April 2025). 1 rupee is divided into 100 cents on the island, with 1, 5, 20, and 50 cent coins. There are also banknotes of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 rupees. It is common to pay with cash on the island. We always withdrew cash in the local currency from ATMs. Of course, you can also pay by credit card in some places, but more on that below.

Once you arrive at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, you can first withdraw some cash from an ATM (Barclays, HSBC, Mauritius Commercial Bank & State Bank of Mauritius). These machines are located outside the arrivals hall. You will also find exchange bureaus there. You’ll find many different banks on the island; you can find a list of them here: Banks in Mauritius.

mauritius-waehrung-geldabheben-bargeld-scheine

Withdrawing Money in Mauritius

You can easily withdraw cash from an ATM in Mauritius. We do it this way in almost every country, because then you have the local currency directly in your hand and also get a better rate than exchanging money at a currency exchange office. On the island, you can withdraw money from almost any ATM using a credit card, Mastercard, Amex, or even Diners Club.

Don’t have a credit card? Then you can also withdraw cash with your debit card (not accepted: cards with the V-Pay logo). The only downside is that you have to pay between €5 and €10 per withdrawal (foreign transaction fee). This fee is charged by your local bank and has nothing to do with the ATM. That can add up to a decent amount if you withdraw money several times a week.

Mauritius currency, cash

But how does withdrawing money work in Mauritius? After inserting your card into the ATM, select “English” in the menu. Then press “Withdrawal” and enter your desired amount. Now all you need is your PIN, and the money will be paid out in the local currency. In most cases, you can also print out a receipt for this withdrawal.

Fees for withdrawing money

Of course, you should be aware that your bank charges a foreign transaction fee, which ranges from 1% to 4%. In addition, the ATM may charge a fee for use. High fees also apply if you withdraw money with a regular debit card. In this case, you often have to pay a foreign transaction fee of between €5 and €10. Therefore, travel credit cards are recommended, as they are free and don’t charge fees abroad.

Exchanging money locally

If you’re not a fan of credit cards, you can also exchange money locally. Don’t exchange your money in advance in Germany; you’ll get a better rate in Mauritius. You can exchange your euros in banks, at the airport, or at exchange offices. Most banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3/4 p.m. during the week.

It’s best to compare the exchange rates offered by banks and exchange offices beforehand. In some hotels, you can pay with dollars or even euros, but you’ll also get a terrible exchange rate and lose a lot of money.

You can find exchange offices in:

Airport
Port Louis
Goodlands
Grand Baie / Pereybere
Beau Bassin-Rose Hill
Flic en Flac

Paying by Credit Card

We recommend a credit card for your Mauritius vacation, which allows you to withdraw money abroad for free. You’ll find one or more ATMs and banks in almost every town on the island, so you’ll always have access to cash. Many hotels, restaurants, and shops also accept international credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. However, it’s advisable to always carry some cash with you, especially when traveling away from tourist centers.

We have been using DKB* accounts and credit cards for many years, both privately and for business purposes. In addition, we always carry the Hanseatic Bank* GenialCard and the N26* Mastercard. We have had only positive experiences with all banks and can recommend them without exception. You can also pay with your credit card in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Be aware, however, that some banks charge a foreign transaction fee. Also check out our report on the best travel credit cards.

Prices in Mauritius

Mauritius can be expensive, but Mauritius can also be cheap. During our four months there, we carefully looked around, compared prices, and looked for affordable alternatives. You can spend a lot of money eating out, or you can stop at a local food stand and enjoy a delicious meal for €3. You can also take a taxi for €20, take the bus for just €1, or rent a car* for €30 a day.

Another example: You can check into a super luxurious hotel for €250 per night, but you can also rent a small room in a guesthouse for €20 to €30 per night. Mauritius isn’t just an island for luxury and honeymoons; you can also spend a dream vacation here at a very affordable price.

We’ve written a detailed article about our costs in Mauritius. On average, we spent around €45 per day for the two of us (accommodation, transportation, food, drinks, activities, internet, etc.). Sometimes we spent more money one day, and less on another. You can find practically everything in Mauritius’ supermarkets and malls that you can find in Germany.

Some prices in Mauritius

1 liter of milk: from 1.20 €
Bread/Baguette: from 0.50 €
Pack of eggs: from 1.50 €
Bottle of beer: from 2.50 €
1 liter of water: from 0.55 €
Can of Coca Cola: from 0.90 €
Meal at a snack bar: from 3 € to 5 €
Meal in a local restaurant: from 5 € to 10 €
1 bus ticket: from €0.50 (depending on the route)
Gasoline: 1 liter from €0.93
Private room: from €20 per night
Vacation apartment: from €45 per night

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