Discover the Enchanting Beauty of Mauritius – A Tropical Haven Beckons!

Welcome to Mauritius, a tropical paradise known for its pristine beaches, turquoise lagoons, and vibrant cultural heritage.

At SL Travel, we invite you to immerse yourself in the allure of this Indian Ocean gem, where endless adventures and relaxation await.

Experience the powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters that make Mauritius a beach lover’s dream. Dive into the colorful coral reefs, embark on a thrilling catamaran cruise, or simply unwind on a sun-kissed beach with a refreshing cocktail in hand.

Explore the Chamarel Seven Colored Earths, the bustling markets of Port Louis, or embark on an exhilarating hike through lush nature reserves.

Discover luxurious resorts that blend seamlessly with their surroundings, offering unrivaled comfort and impeccable service. From beachfront villas to overwater bungalows, we will help you find the perfect retreat to suit your desires.

At SL Travel, our expert advisors will craft a tailor-made itinerary for your Mauritius escape. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or a mix of both, we’ll ensure your vacation is filled with unforgettable moments.

Book your dream getaway to Mauritius with SL Travel and let us guide you through an enchanting journey of sun, sand, and unrivaled beauty.

Country Information

  Airport taxes

No airport departure taxes are charged.

  Security

• • Mauritius is generally very safe for travellers, with low crime rates. Petty theft such as pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur in busy tourist areas, markets, and beaches—stay alert. • Keep valuables in hotel safes and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items when out. • ATMs are widely available and generally safe, but shield your PIN and monitor for card skimming. • Violent crime is rare, but exercise caution in isolated areas and avoid walking alone at night. • Public transport is safe, but monitor belongings on buses and at stations. • Roads are good, but traffic congestion and occasional reckless driving require caution—drive defensively and avoid night driving in rural areas. • Drug-related offences carry severe penalties—avoid any involvement. • Emergency number for the police is 999. • Cyclone season (November to April) can bring heavy rains and strong winds—check weather forecasts and follow local advice. • Beaches and water activities are generally safe, but beware of strong currents and follow safety flags. Note to LGBT travellers: Same-sex relations are legal, and discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited. Social attitudes are generally tolerant, especially in tourist areas, but discretion is advised in rural communities. Note to women travellers: Mauritius is considered very safe for women. Standard precautions apply—avoid isolated areas after dark and exercise caution when using taxis or visiting bars.

  Health Precautions

Vaccinations

Compulsory:
None.

Recommended:
• Routine vaccines (including MMR and diphtheria–tetanus–polio)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Influenza (seasonal)
• COVID‑19 (up to date)
• Rabies (consider for long stays or animal exposure)

Additional Health Considerations
• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for travellers arriving from, or transiting through, any country with risk of yellow fever transmission, or any traveller coming from an infected area. South Africa is not a yellow fever risk country and travellers from South Africa do not require a yellow fever certificate.
• Malaria: No malaria transmission in Mauritius.
• Dengue: Occasional outbreaks; apply mosquito‑bite precautions.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: Low to moderate risk; maintain good food and water hygiene.
• Extreme weather: Cyclone season can affect travel and medical access.
• Healthcare quality: Generally good; some facilities may require upfront payment.
• Medical evacuation: Travel insurance with evacuation cover is recommended.
• Medication availability: Generally good, but bring essential prescriptions.

  Currency

1 Mauritian Rupee (MUR) = 100 cents.  Latest exchange rate: MUR1 = ZAR0,3432 (25 Feb 2026 05:00). Exchange currency at banks and bureaux de change and keep all exchange receipts in order to reconvert unused local currency on departure. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly used credit cards. There are widespread ATMs. Banks are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport. Travellers with cash passports are advised to check with their cash passport issuer whether or not they will be accepted in Mauritius. Banking hours: Monday-Thursday 09h00-15h15; Friday 09h00-17h00. Some banks open on Saturday mornings.

  Language

English is the official language and is commonly used in tourist areas. French is widespread and Creole is spoken by most local people. Other languages include Bhojpuri and Hindi.

  Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz (same as SA). Plugs are European 2-pin round and British 3-pin flat.
 

  Telecoms/Internet

WiFi is available in hotels, malls, some restaurants and B&Bs. There are three network providers in Mauritius – Mauritius Telecom, Emtel and MTNL. All offer wide coverage of the island. Sim cards are cheap, if not free, and buying airtime and data is easy and affordable. Mauritius Telecom and Emtel sim cards can be purchased at the airport. They can also be purchased at grocery stores and mobile phone stores around the island. You will need your passport to buy the sim card. Buying a local sim card is a more affordable option when compared with roaming fees. However, if you plan to spend most of your time at a hotel or resort where WiFi is available, this may be all you need to stay connected. If you plan to self-drive around the island, a local sim card purchase is recommended. There are Internet cafés in both main towns and tourist centres such as Grand Baie and Port Louis.
 

  Public Holidays

2026: New Year’s Day (01-02 Jan); Chinese Spring Festival (17 Feb); Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery (01 Feb); Thaipoosam Cavadee (31 Jan); Maha Shivratri (15 Feb); National Day (12 Mar); Ugadi (Telegu New Year) (19 Mar); Eid al-Fitr (20 Mar); Labour Day (01 May); Ganesh Chaturthi (16 Sep); Diwali (08 Nov); All Saints’ Day (01 Nov); Commemoration of the Arrival of Indentured Labourers (02 Nov); Christmas Day (25 Dec).

  Customs

Visas:

• South African passport holders do not require a visa to travel to Mauritius. 

Duty-free allowances:

• 250g of tobacco (including cigars and cigarettes), 2 liters of spirits and 4 liters of wine, ale or beer; or 250g of tobacco (including cigars and cigarettes) and 3 liters of spirits; or 250g of tobacco (including cigars and cigarettes) and 6 liters of wine, ale or beer
• Wearing apparel and other personal effects
• Gifts or goods for personal use, up to MUR15 000
• Implements, instruments and tools for the professional use of the passenger
• One sporting fire-arm with not more than 50 cartridges provided that the sporting fire-arm is re-exported within the prescribed period, otherwise it will be liable to duty and taxes

Prohibited goods:

• Sugarcane and parts thereof
• Fresh fruit from East Asia, including India and Pakistan
• Soil and micro-organisms
• Underwater fishing guns

Special notes:

• Duty-free allowances only apply to travellers aged 18 years and older.
• Arms and ammunition: A police permit issued prior to arrival is required. Tourists are allowed to import, without paying duties or taxes, one sporting fire-arm and max. 50 cartridges, provided it will be re-exported within the prescribed period.
• Wild flora and fauna regulations: The import of certain endangered species of plant, live animals and their products is prohibited or restricted under CITES. For further details, refer to www.cites.org.
• Plants and plant material including cuttings, flowers, bulbs, fresh fruit, vegetables and seeds: plant import permit previously obtained from Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Environment. All plant material must be declared to Customs immediately on arrival and is subject to examination.
• Baggage clearance regulations: Baggage is cleared at the airport of the final destination in Mauritius. Exempt – baggage of transit passengers with a destination outside of Mauritius if the passengers do not leave the transit area.
• Currency import/export regulations: Local currency (Mauritian Rupee – MUR) and foreign currencies – amounts exceeding MUR500 000 or equivalent in foreign currencies must be declared.
• Global liquid ban regulations apply. See below.

NB! This is only a brief overview of Customs requirements. If you need additional information, please contact the Mauritius High Commission (012) 342 1283/4.

GLOBAL LIQUID BAN REGULATIONS
Global security guidelines have been issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation implementing restrictions on liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols that passengers are allowed to carry in their hand luggage.

The following rules will apply throughout most airports world-wide:
Passengers may only carry small quantities (max. 100 ml per container) of liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in their hand baggage. The packaging of these products must also meet specific requirements.

The new rules apply for liquids such as water, drinks, cream, lotion, oil, perfume, spray, hair gel, bath gel, various types of foam, toothpaste, deodorant, lip gloss or any product of similar substance. Exceptions will be made for baby milk, special dietary foods and medication, for which prescriptions are required.

The following rules apply for liquids in hand baggage:
– Passengers are only allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers with a volume of 100 ml or less.
– These containers may only be carried in a transparent plastic bag.
– Each passenger may only carry one such transparent plastic bag.
– The volume of the transparent plastic bag may not exceed 1 litre.
– The transparent plastic bag must be re-sealable.
– You may bring a transparent plastic bag from home.

Liquids and gels that you purchase after passing through passport control or aboard the aircraft will be packed and sealed for you in the shop or on board, if necessary. The package seal will remain valid for 24 hours. If you have to catch a connecting flight, you will not be allowed to break the seal until you have reached your final destination.

Note: Please consult relevant airline for hand baggage rules regarding liquid ban.

Doing business

Office hours: Monday-Friday 09h00-16h00. Some offices open on Saturday mornings.

Dress: Suits are usually worn in business circles.

Greeting: A handshake is common in most situations, however greetings may vary depending on each group’s culture: Indian, African, French or Chinese. In some communities women do not shake hands with men.

Communication and etiquette: Most people tend to be indirect, hospitable and proud of their island home. Be open and friendly and accept offerings. As a multicultural island, business etiquette varies between communities, however in all business transactions, hospitality and personal relationships are central. Do not use first names at initial meetings. Use titles in written communication. Make appointments and be on time as this is regarded as polite. English is commonly used to conduct business. Business cards are still used. It is advisable to do business only with enterprises with permanent premises rather than street or beach vendors.
 

  Getting around

• Driving is on the left-hand side; roads are generally in good condition, especially in urban and coastal areas.
• International Driving Permits are recommended if your license is not in English or French; EU licenses are accepted.
• Public transport includes buses that are affordable and cover most of the island, though schedules may be irregular.
• No domestic flights due to the island’s small size.
• No ferries for internal transport, but boat services operate to nearby islets and for excursions.
• Taxis are available and unmetered; fares should be agreed upon in advance. Ride-hailing apps are limited.
• Car rentals are widely available and useful for exploring the island independently.
• Biking is possible in some areas, especially coastal routes, but less common due to traffic and road conditions.
• Walking is practical in towns and tourist zones; safe and pleasant in most areas.
• No specific customs or restrictions regarding women’s dress or behaviour; Mauritius is safe and welcoming, with a mix of cultural influences.

  Accommodation

• There are many hotels throughout the island, most of them along the coast. From June to September and during the Christmas and Easter holidays, reservations should be made in advance.
• A 10% tax is added to all hotel bills.
• An official hotel classification system implemented by the Tourism Authority grades hotels from two-star to five-star luxury. Mauritius has a high density of five-star hotels with most hotels either four- or five-star, and even three-star hotels providing a five-star welcome.
• When considering self-catering accommodation, avoid renting from unregistered proprietors. Select accommodation that is licensed by the Tourism Authority. This will ensure that the required security measures are in place (Tourism Authority – http://www.tourismauthority.mu/en/).

  Useful tips

• South Africans in need of assistance during their stay are advised to contact the SA High Commission in Port Louis.
• Tipping is discretionary but tips are always welcomed. Generally, a 10% tip is acceptable at hotels and restaurants.
• Dress conservatively when going on day trips and especially when visiting temples and shrines. Many hotels have a dress code for dinner so be sure to check this before travel.
• Topless tanning is not accepted. Nudism is also prohibited.
• The MyMauritius app is available on the App store and on Google Play. By downloading the app, travellers have access to a travel guide, information relating to accommodation, eating out and more.
• Before undertaking any sea-based activities, please remember that pleasure craft bearing a PC registration number are meant for commercial purposes.
• Be environment-friendly and follow the codes of conduct for activities such as dolphin and whale watching, helmet diving and scuba diving.

  Disability awareness

More modern buildings have disability access. Generally, hotels accommodate guests living with disabilities by giving them a room on the ground floor. Resorts are also often spread out with paths linking areas. These paths are not always wheelchair friendly. Contact hotels directly for more information on what facilities are available for those with disabilities. Public transport does not offer wheelchair access but some local tour operators can provide wheelchair-friendly transport. Also check beforehand which excursions and tours are appropriate for those living with disabilities.