Mauritius
Maurice
Mauritius is multilingual — English is official, French is everywhere, and locals chat in Mauritian Creole — so travelers get by entirely in English or French. Uber now operates but only with licensed PSV taxis, so it's patchy; most visitors pre-book hotel transfers or use regular taxis, which don't run meters, so you agree the fare upfront. Cards are widely accepted at hotels, malls, and restaurants, but keep rupees in cash for street food, markets, and buses.
🚖Rideshare & Taxi
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The most widely available rideshare service globally. Works in 70+ countries.
Works but limited to licensed taxis and mainly around Port Louis, Grand Baie, and the airport — don't rely on it island-wide.
🗺️Navigation & Maps
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Works almost everywhere except mainland China. Offline maps are critical when roaming.
Solid for driving the island; download offline maps for the interior and coastal back-roads.
📱Messaging
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The dominant messenger in Europe, Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa.
The default for reaching guesthouses, taxi drivers, and tour operators — they reply here faster than email.
✈️Travel Planning
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Largest hotel inventory globally with free-cancellation default filter.
Best coverage of beach hotels and guesthouses with free-cancellation options.
Apartment, room, and unique stays — strong in residential neighborhoods.
Good for villas and self-catering near beaches like Trou aux Biches and Flic en Flac.
Activities and tours in Europe and the Americas, with strong free cancellation.
Book catamaran cruises, Île aux Cerfs trips, and Chamarel/Black River tours ahead of time.
Largest reviews database for attractions, restaurants, and tours.
Useful for sorting genuine seafood spots and dolphin-watching operators from tourist traps.
📶eSIM & Data
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eSIMs for 200+ countries, instant install. Avoid roaming charges entirely.
A Mauritius eSIM (Emtel network) is cheaper than roaming and works across the island.
Is Mauritius one stop of several?
Add your other destinations and get one combined app list, with the adapters and currencies for the whole trip.
The practical basics
Power & plugs
- Plug type
- C / G
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
- Type C: Two round pins. Used across most of Europe, South America, parts of Asia and Africa.
- Type G: Three rectangular pins. The British plug, used in UK, Ireland, HK, Singapore, Malta, much of Africa and Middle East.
UK-style Type G is most common (British colonial legacy); bring a G adapter and you're covered, though some older sockets take Type C.
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; rounding up or 5–10% at restaurants is generous. Many hotels add a service charge, so check the bill before adding more.
CurrencyMUR
Etiquette and scams to know
✓ Do
- A friendly 'Bonzour' (Creole) or 'Bonjour' goes a long way; French and English are both fine.
- Dress modestly when visiting Hindu temples, mosques, or churches — cover shoulders and knees.
- Remove shoes before entering temples and homes.
- Ask before photographing people, especially at religious sites and during festivals.
- Mauritius is multi-faith — be respectful around Hindu, Muslim, Creole, and Tamil customs alike.
- Greet shopkeepers and drivers before launching into a request; politeness is expected.
✕Don't
- Don't drink alcohol or eat openly in public near mosques during Ramadan.
- Don't wear beachwear away from the beach, in towns, or at religious sites.
- Don't touch or point your feet at religious offerings or statues in temples.
- Don't take coral, shells, or sand from protected beaches and marine parks — it's illegal.
⚠️ Common scams to know
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated 'tourist' fares — taxis don't use meters, so agree the price before you set off.
- Unofficial 'guides' at beaches and the botanical gardens attaching themselves and demanding payment.
- Pushy timeshare/vacation-club pitches near resorts offering 'free' gifts.
- Overpriced shop detours where drivers earn commission for taking you to spice or model-ship 'factories'.
This page was last reviewed in September 2026. Apps launch, rebrand and pull out of countries all the time, so confirm anything your trip depends on. Spotted something out of date? Tell us — here's how we check.