TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(MUR)
Mauritius rupee |
| Electrical |
230 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 230, City Code, Government Centre 201+4D, Port Louis
202+4D, Triolet 204+4D |
Climate:
Warm coastal climate (particularly January to April), with relatively
little seasonal variation in temperatures, although they are generally
slightly lower inland, with more rain on the plateau around Curepipe.
Cyclones may occur between November and February. Sea breezes
blow all year, especially on the east coast.
Clothing:
Tropical lightweights, with warmer wear for evenings and winter
months (July-September). Rainwear advisable all year round. In
the summer months sun-care products and a hat are advisable.
Food
& Drink: Waiter service is normal in restaurants
and bars. Standards of cuisine, whether French, Creole, Indian,
Chinese or English, are generally very high but fruit, meat, vegetables
and even fresh seafood are often in short supply and restaurants
must usually depend on imports. Specialities include venison (in
season), camarons (freshwater prawns) in hot sauces, octopus,
creole fish, fresh pineapple with chilli sauce, and rice with
curry.
Rum and beer are staple beverages for Mauritians but there is
good imported wine, mineral water, alouda (almond drink) and fresh
coconut milk.
Shopping:
The Central Market in Port Louis is full of beautifully displayed
goods, including fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, meat and handicrafts.
Island crafts include jewellery, Chinese and Indian jade, silks,
basketry and pottery. Shopping centres are located at Quatre Bornes
and Rose Hill. There is no duty payable on a number of products,
including textiles. Shop signs may be in English, French or Chinese.
Beside the Museum in Mahébourg, on the south east coast
of the island, is a handicraft village. Shopping hours:
Port Louis: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1200. Curepipe, Rose Hill,
Quatre Bornes: Mon-Wed; Fri and Sat 1000-1730, Thurs-Sun 1000-1200.
Currency:
Mauritian Rupee (MRs) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations
of MRs2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25. Coins are in denominations
of MRs10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, and 5 cents.
Credit
& debit cards: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and
American Express are widely accepted. Check with your credit,
or debit, card company for details of merchant acceptability and
other services which may be available.
Travellers
cheques: May be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorised
dealers.
