The volcanic tropical island of Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean and is filled with streams, lush forests, waterfalls, palm trees, majestic mountains, white sandy beaches,
blue lagoons, and colorful coral reefs. It’s located just south of the equator and to the east of Madagascar, about 1200 miles off the southeast coast of Africa.
Mauritius has a multi-cultured population as it’s been occupied by several European nations over the years and also has African, Arab, and Asian influences. It gained independence from
Great Britain in 1968. The country has is spectacular scenery and is becoming quite a popular site for couples to get married in and spend their honeymoons.
There are about 1.3 million residents in Mauritius and the capital city is Port Louis, with a population of about 150,000. Some of the other major towns are Curepipe, Moka, Mahebourg,
Chamarel, and Souillac. The official language is English, but you’ll also hear quite a bit of French as well as some local languages.
Mauritius basically has ideal
weather all year round as there’s just two seasons, which are quite similar. The summer is between November
and April and the rest of the year is just a
few degrees cooler, but still with plenty of sun. The sea temperatures are also great for swimming as they generally range from about 75°F to 82°F throughout the year. Most people tend
to visit between October and April, but hotels are usually less expensive in the winter.
The capital city of Port Louis is lively and full of charm and character as it’s surrounded by mountains. It’s quite a bustling spot and the Caudan Waterfront area has several
restaurants that stay open late. The town’s colonial history shines through and you can spot the 18th-century French architecture along with a Catholic and Anglican cathedral, a
fortified citadel called Fort Adelaide, and a mosque.
You can get a great view of the town from the fort as well as the racecourse and harbor and there are some good museums to learn about local history and culture. The racecourse was the
first one in the southern hemisphere. The best museums are the Natural History Museum and the Blue Penny Museum. You should also take the time to check out the market and the Royal
Botanical Gardens. Port Louis is also the gateway to the country’s resorts and best beaches on the coast, such as Grand Baie and Flic en Flac.
There are many other sites in Mauritius to keep you busy as well as activities such as golfing, hiking and water sports. One of the best areas for hiking is the Reserve Forrestiere
Macchabee and Riviere Noire National Park. Another good place is Rodrigues Island.
When flying in, the main airport is Plaisance Airport which is about 30 miles from Port Louis. You can get to town by taxi. There are some ports for passenger ship service from
Madagascar, Rodrigues Island, and Reunion. You’ll also find some cruise ships stop at island. There are internal flights to Rodrigues as well as helicopter sightseeing tours. The road
network is good and is served well by buses and taxis. You can also rent cars, motorbikes, and bicycles.
The food is an excellent mix of Creole, French, Portuguese, Indian, European, and Asian. Some of the tastiest local dishes include venison, freshwater prawns with hot sauce, octopus,
wheat pancakes that are filled with ground peas and curry, and chili cakes. The national drinks include beer, rum, almond-flavored milk, and coconut milk. Most of the nightlife takes
place in Grand Baie as it has pubs, nightclubs, and live music. Port Louis has bars and restaurants while Riviere Noire is well known for Sega dancing. There are also several casinos.
Mauritius is filled with excellent scenery, beaches, and activities along with world-class hotels and food. It’s definitely one of the world’s most beautiful island nations and an
ideal place for people of all ages and interests to visit.
About Mauritius