A Slice of Heaven in the Indian Ocean - Mauritius

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Mauritius is a hidden gem in the Indian Ocean that will enchant and amaze you. Every encounter is an opportunity to discover a friendly face. With the contrast of a multitude of colors and tastes, the island, set in its turquoise sea, is an oasis of peace and tranquility. Mauritius is a melting pot where past and present are smoothly blended together, offering a beauty that will compel you to return to its shores time and time again.

Mauritius beach
Mauritius beach

Climate:

Being in the southern hemisphere Mauritius has its summer months from December to February and its winter from June to August. The temperature in the coastal areas varies between 22C in winter and 34C in summer. The sea temperature ranges between 22C and 27C. The eastern side of the island is prone to strong winds and therefore it is frequented by windsurfers and kite-surfers.

Food:

The cuisine of Mauritius is a blend of Indian, African, Chinese, and European influences. It is common for a combination of cuisines to form part of the same meal.

And if you have certain dietary requirements, you can even shop for organic food through established online grocery stores. This should give you plenty of options during your stay.

Culture:

Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions. The population of over 1.5 million consists of Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims, and Europeans.

Currency:

The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which is divided into 100 cents (cs)

Economy:

The Mauritian economy is based on four sectors: Textile, Tourism, Sugar, and Services

Language:

Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally fluent in English and French. Creole and French are the main languages in the everyday environment and several oriental languages are also spoken.

Places to see


Grand Bay

Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars, and discos). You can also find many dive centers if you are wanting to explore the life below the ocean. I actually did my very first scuba dive out of Grand Bay.

Private beach and pier at Grand Bay
Private beach and pier at Grand Bay

The Triolet Shivala

The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath.

Flacq Market

Flacq is one of the most important villages in Mauritius. It is a meeting point for the people of the East that boasts the country’s largest open-air market. This extremely colorful market attracts a large number of people.

Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for water sports and has the most beautiful beach in Mauritius. You cannot afford to miss this tiny island, delicately poised on the ocean, a real pearl in the Mauritian landscape.

Mauritius has some very cute churches
Mauritius has some very cute churches

Ile aux Aigrettes

Owing to the remarkable work accomplished by the Mauritius Wildlife Fund, the island has become an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species. A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, can be seen there. You can also discover the extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma, and the Aldabra giant tortoise.

Did you know? Mauritius was the only known habitat of the extinct dodo bird.

Domaine du Chasseur

Home to splendid hunting grounds covering an area of 900 hectares. Stags, monkeys and boars live amidst the vegetation of the hillside. You can watch a few species of endangered birds, including the kestrel. The Domaine contains four thatched-roof bungalows and a restaurant with a panoramic sea view. Take an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal of venison and seafood. Yemen reserve is another smaller game park.

Chamarel

A winding road leads from Case Noyale village to the colored earth of Chamarel (an undulating landscape of different and contrasting shades of colors). The different shades of blue, green, red and yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The neighboring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life. The site possesses a rare beauty

Seven colored earths
Seven colored earths

Black River Gorges

This national park of 6,574 hectares was created in 1994 for the protection of Mauritius’ remaining native forests. Enjoy magnificent landscapes, with endemic plants and rare bird species.

Grand Bassin

Beyond La Marie and Mare-aux-Vacoas we find one of the two natural lakes of Mauritius. It rests within the crater of an extinct volcano. Ganga Talao is an important pilgrimage site and many Mauritians of the Hindu faith walk there during the Maha Shivaratri festival or the night fasting dedicated to Shiva.

Waterfall at Grand Bassin
Waterfall at Grand Bassin

Casela

Situated in the Riviere Noire district, the bird park stretches over 25 hectares and contains more than 140 bird species from all five continents. Other attractions include fish ponds, tigers, tortoises, monkeys, deer, and orchids.

Pamplemousses

A district of Mauritius in the north of the island, and is one of the most densely populated parts of the island. The name of the district comes from the French word for grapefruits.
It hosts the SSR botanical garden, or Jardin Botanique Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, renamed in 1988 in honor of the first prime minister of Mauritius.

Jardin Botanique Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
Jardin Botanique Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam

So, why not check out Mauritius as your next holiday destination, it offers fantastic accommodation ranging from budget resorts to pure 5-star luxury. You can shop till you drop, dive all day long, explore the wilderness or just relax and pamper yourself.

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Michael Glass

Michael is the founder of Backpacker Travel. He also runs walking tours in San Francisco and is a freelance travel writer. Michael is extremely passionate about travel and loves to explore festivals around the world.

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