Mauritius Island Overview

Mauritius is a beautiful volcanic island in the southern Indian Ocean. Its diverse landscape includes miles of unspoilt coastline, tropical forests and mountains. Cities are dynamic and lively in both their attractions and residents. The island has no indigenous people and the country remained uninhabited until 1638 when it was colonized by the Dutch. It was later controlled by the French, then the English, before gaining independence in 1968. The island's colonial past, people, religion and culture is an eclectic mix of African, Asian, Chinese and European influences.

The official language is English, but most people fluent in french. Creole french is the most widespread, but because of the incredible variety of people who call this island you will also hear Arabic, Portuguese, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telegu, Marathi, Mandarin, Cantonese and Bojpoori.
Currency

The currency is the Mauritian rupee (Rs)
Rs 100. Is equal to GB £ 1.60, EURO 2.01 and US $ 3.05

The temperature varies between 22 ° C in winter and 34 ° C in summer. Despite the small size of the island (64 km long and 47 km wide) differs significantly time across the country.

Temperatures are generally higher along the coast and the northern and western regions are generally hot and dry. There is no rainy season or dry on this tropical island, but there is a risk of severe storms from January to April.

Port Louis is a cosmopolitan capital city steeped in history. The colonial buildings and markets have rubbed modern shops and restaurants. The Natural History Museum houses rare dodo and blue pigeon remains, there is also the unique flora and fauna specimens. In birds, reptiles, fish, corals and mammals are exposed and the library contains more than 50000 pounds.

The Caudan Waterfront is a modern development with a marina, souvenirs, handicrafts, clothes and jewellery. There is also a food court, restaurants and a cinema.

Domaine les Pailles is a colonial sugar just outside Port-Louis. Among the attractions of working replica of an ox-driven sugar, a rum distillery, restaurants, a swimming pool and a riding club. You can also take jeep trips to the mountains, where you will be greeted by cute monkey.

The Champ-de-Mars in Port Louis racecourse attracts thousands of people every Saturday afternoon from May to November. It is a perfect place to mix with the locals, and samples of traditional food products and have a little flutter.

The beaches of Mauritius are among the finest in the world. The coral reef that surrounds much of the island, creating calm turquoise waters ideal for swimming in some regions and the incredible crashing waves in others.

Pereybere in the north is a small crack of white sand, clear water and shade of the palm trees. Five-minute drive southeast of Grand Bay - a popular tourist site because of its lively atmosphere. It offers great shopping, the markets for fresh fish and an abundant supply of water sports, including parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, sailing and walks and fishing trips. Helicopter trips around the island also depart here.

The Leisure Village Waterpark adrenaline combines pleasure with relaxation. Drag the giant many shoots or relax by the pool or in the jacuzzi. Wave pools, a lazy river and pools separated from adults are also available. It is located in BelleMare in the east of the island.

Chamarel to the west of the island is an awe-inspiring landscape of contrasting colour shades of sand. Monticules of blue, purple, yellow, green and other colors impressive create this amazing rarely seen anywhere else in the world. Near the Chamarel cascade, a series of waterfalls and pools of light make it an ideal place for relaxing.

Bird Sanctuary Casela has more than 140 bird species from five continents as well as nurseries, tigers, giant tortoises, monkeys, deer and beautiful flora and fauna. It is home to one of the rarest birds in the world, the pink pigeon. The sanctuary also depicts the history of the dodo. The island is the only known habitat of the great waddling bird, which unfortunately disappeared in 1681.

Vanille Crocodile Park and Tortoise is located Arguilles River in the south. The park breeds of Nile crocodiles and giant tortoises in the middle of the tropical forest of palm and banana trees. There is even a restaurant in the park where you can enjoy the crocodile meat.

Le Cerf with: Despite its name - Island Stags - you have to go back to the main island to see these majestic animals. This island, which belongs to Sun Hotel Le Touessrok Island to the east, is accessible to all. A regular boat service throughout the day. The island waters are calm, the beaches are sand and the sun, eating, drinking and water sports are on the agenda here.

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden in Port Louis has many species of native plants. The main attractions are the giant Victoria Regia water lilies, which are at their highest on the island during the summer months. The garden is also home to the talipot palm, which only flowers every sixty years.

Fishing on the high seas: Mauritius is a wonderful place to fish on the high seas, if you consider yourself an expert or a novice. Of Regular trips operate in every corner of the island, and you can catch something enormous blue and black marlin, sharks, yellow tuna, bonito and barracuda. Sportfisher in Grand Baie, Le Coco Beach Hotel and Le Touessrok Hotel in Ile BelleMare are only a few places that offer sport fishing trips.

The capital, Port Louis, is the main shopping district with the Caudan Waterfront provide clothing and jewellery shops. Grand Baie in the north is a popular shopping and souvenir shops typically found on nearly every corner.

Most hotels, such as Le Coco Beach Hotel and Le Touessrok Ile put on their own entertainment for guests and non-guests. Grand Baie a lively strip of restaurants, bars and the Lifestyle Nightclub. Also near the Star Dance Nightclub.

The Caudan Waterfront has restaurants, bars and a cinema on Wednesday It also has a casino with 32 gaming tables and 428 slot machines. Du Casino of Mauritius has five casinos located on the island.

Mauritian Sega shows are regularly placed on tourists in hotels and restaurants. Or you can simply wonder off at the beach at night and see the premises at their own shows. Issue of slaves from Africa, the music combines a lament difficult times, with the pursuit of happiness. The beat of drums and banging of tambourines means any person with the slightest bit of pace can join in.

People drive on the left side of the road in Mauritius. All visitors with a driving licence from a competent authority are allowed to drive.

Green island rum is the specialty of the country and is quite powerful. Tours are offered of distilleries and free samples are available at the Area Straws distillery.

Despite British rule, there are surprisingly few British influence in the Mauritian food. The kitchen is a mixture water at the mouth of the french, Indian and Chinese, all adapted to create a unique taste to Mauritius.

Being an island, fish is very popular and surprisingly cheap. Freshly caught marlin, octopus, tuna and squid are widely available. Some of the best seafood on the island is available at the Riviera Hotel restaurant in Grand Baie.

Street vendors whose offer local favorite cakes peppers (chili cakes) and dhal with rougaille puri - a kind of flat bread filled with a spicy sauce tomato.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is located in the southwest of Mauritius in Mahebourg. Take direct flights from 11 hours in the UK and are operated by Air Mauritius and British Airways from Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Indirect flights are available on a number of carriers including Emirates, Air France and Air Seychelles.