 There are not many better views from the dining room than in Mauritius.
Time Zone:
Mauritius is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 3 hours ahead (2 hours in summer) of mid-European Time.
Population:
Today, the diversity of its population brings a new dimension to the spectacular scenery of the island. The traveller will not only experience the legends of India, but also the subtle shades of China. Discover a small piece of Africa, whilst still benefitting from European-style living. The official language is English but almost everyone speaks French and Mauritian Creole, a very colourful dialect. The different cultures and religions co-exist in harmony. This results in numerous religious festivals, varied cooking, and bright displays of different dress. Mauritius has become a world-renowned holiday and incentive destination due mainly to the high quality of its hotel industry and the legendary hospitality of its people.
Geography & Climate:
Lying in the heart of the Indian Ocean, 800km to the east of Madagascar, Mauritius is surrounded by shimmering lagoons fringed by golden beaches. A haven where lush vegetation blends into the cobalt blue of the ocean. Mauritius is a year round destination and the island enjoys a mild tropical climate with average its incredible temperatures varying between 20°C and 32°C.
Banking Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 09:15-15:15
Friday: 09:15-15:30
Saturday: 09:15-11:15 (some banks only)
Banks are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport.
Credit Cards:
Credit Cards are normally accepted by banks and most hotels, restaurants and tourist shops.
Communication:
Mauritius has international direct dialing facilities to most parts of the world as well as high speed fax and internet services.
Major Cities:
Port Louis is the majot city but other smaller towns include Curepipe and Grand Bay.
Language:
English is the official language in Mauritius and is widely understood and spoken. French and Creole are used in every day life.
Culture:
Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions. The population consists of Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims and Europeans.
Driving:
People in Mauritius drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way to the right. Foreigners with a driving license issued by a Competent Authority in their repective countries are allowed to drive during their stay in Mauritius.
Electricity:
220 volts.
Government:
Mauritius is a democratic state based on the Westminster model and enjoys political stability.
Health:
No vaccinations are required. However a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers over 1 year of age who arrive from areas where yellow fever cases are reported.
Entry Requirements:
A visitor must be in posession of a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. A visitor's visa is normally granted for a period of two weeks to one month upon arrival, to almost all holders of a valid passport, with one or two exceptions. Visitors are strongly recommended to contact the Passport and Immigration Office in Mauritius or the nearest Mauritian Embassy or Consulate. South African passport holders do not require visas or inoculations for travel to Mauritius. Passports need to be valid for a minimum of six months after return date back to South Africa.
Shopping:
Shopping hours in th main cities range from 09:30-19:30 (Monday-Saturday). Some shops are open till noon on Sundays and public holidays. Many duty free shops and modern shopping centres (Caudan, Curepipe, Floreal Square, Happy World House, Orchard Centre) offer a wide choice of products. Please note that there are no shops open in Rose-Hill, Curepipe and Quatre-Bornes on Thursday afternoons.
Tipping:
Tipping is not compulsory but is appreciated in service industries.
Getting There:
Air Mauritius operates over 30 weekly flights to and from all the major European cities including 15 combined flights with Air France to and from Paris. British Airways operates four weekly flights, Emirates Airlines three and Condor one. South African Airways also has a number of flights each week from Johannesburg.
Economy:
The Mauritian economy is based on four sectors: Textile, Tourism, Sugar and Services.
Security:
A tourist police service has been set up to ensure security in tourist zones. An ant-terrorist law has also been proclaimed. A specific law relating to all tourist activities and corrupt practices has also been voted.
Business Hours:
Private Sector: Monday to Friday: 08:30-16:15, Saturday: 09:00-12:00 (some offices)
Public Sector: Monday to Friday: 09:00 - 16:00, Saturday: 09:00-12:00 (skeleton service)
Currency:
The local currency is the Mauritian rupee. You can exchange your foreign currency at all Mauritian banks, at hotels, as well as at the airport.
Public Holidays:
There are 15 public holidays every year. seven of them are fixed holidays: January 1st & 2nd, 1st February, 12 March, 1st May, 2nd November and 25 December. The remaining public holidays are religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year.
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