Essential Things to Know in Mauritius.

At the Beach

Our little island is gifted with beautiful beaches bodered with white sand, but some precautions should be taken when you will be swimming in the blue waters, because even if the sea provides many pleasures, it may hide some unpredictable dangers.

Avoid swimming without wearing the appropriate footwear as you might get hurt by stepping on corals or some aquatic animals hiding in the sand. Surf-shoes or light sandals offer reliable protections and are easily available in the nearby coastal shop, supermarket or hotel shops.
Avoid stepping on rocks that are submerged. Don't walk in water if you do not clearly see what is underneath the water surface. If you have to lay down your feet while swimming, do it only where you can see underneath. It a good idea to wear masks while swimming.

Avoid touching sea urchins, however if you have stepped on one, do not press on the affected area as this might further introduce the spines. Try to remove them with a needle and find medical help. If you have been stung by a jellyfish or any other aquatic animal, get medical treatment without delay.

If you have accidentally swallowed sea water while swimming, it's important to keep calm and do not try to spew out the water. Simply come out of the water and take some drinking water. This happens to many swimmers and is in no case toxic.

Never take alcoholic drinks prior to or while you are swimming, or practicing a water activity like surfing.

Never leave children unattended in the swimming pool or in the water at the beach.

Apply a high protection sun lotion with a minimum SPF factor of 30. Repeat the application not later than two hours, as well as after swimming. After the evening shower use an after-sun cream with Aloe-vera to rehydrate the skin. If you get a sun burn, get medical treatment from the hotel's health-care section or from a doctor.

If, while swimming, you get caught in a water current, keep calm and swim parallel to the beach while appraching it. As soon as you get freed from the water current, swim to the beach. Make sure there is an approved system of buoyancy device such as a life saving jacket in the boat when going out at sea irrespective of the distance to travel, the boat size or the swimming or rescue abilities of passengers.

When you go diving at sea, avoid touching corals around you even if you find them beautiful or attractive. Follow attentively the directions of the diving instructor and move away from him/her or go out of sight.

On the Road

If you come from a country where driving is on the right side of the road, be very cautious while driving as in Mauritius, driving is on the left side and you have to give way to vehicles coming from the right. Accidents have occured where tourist driving on the left side have suddenly switched to the right side by reflex.

Visitors who have been issued a driving license from the appropriate authorities in their country of origin are allowed to drive in Mauritius during their stay. You have to get your driving license endorsed at the Traffic Branch of the Line Barracks police head quarters in Port Louis.

Road Safety:-

Roads in Mauritius are sometimes narrow and full of traffic jams in city centres or during peak hours. Some drivers can be very unpredictable. Pro-active or defensive driving is a must in Mauritius. Highway speeds are limited to 110 km/hr except where otherwise displayed. Where there is no speed limit display signs, it is at 60 km/h.

At round-abouts, traffic directions is done clockwise; priority must be given to vehicles in the roud about and coming from your right.

The driver and passengers, even if seated at the back of the vehicle must lock their safety belt during driving.

Children less than ten years of age must not occupy the front seat.

Parking tickets must be clearly visible when placed on the dashboard.

Use of mobile phone is prohibited while driving.

Drink driving is a severe offence in Mauritius prosecution can lead to severe penalties or suspension of one's license or even incarceration.

Keep to the left side of the road reasonably close to the pavement while on motorcycle or on bicycle. If you are two or more cycling, avoid cycling in parallel and stay one after each other.

Stop your car when you would like to have a look at a map even if your are seated next to the driver.

There is not a single place in the world where you can be in total security and Mauritius is not an exception.

When you set out for a visit:-

Keep valuables and money inside the safe found in your room or at the reception.
Try to leave your car in a place under surveillance if you are to leave it for a long period.
Keep your car doors locked while in the parking.
Keep the car in a well lit area.
Hide any valuable objects or bags in the car in such a way that they are not visible from the outside.
Securely keep your wallet when you are out for shopping.
Avoid showing out large sum of money in public places.
Carry your passport with you only when really necessary.

Health Precautions

To stay in good health during your holidays.

Even if it is not required to get vaccinated prior to coming to Mauritius, it is advisable to get vaccinated if you depart from a disease prone country.

In general, there is no dangerous animals or venomous reptiles on the island but in a tropical environment, some little insects can give nasty and painful bites. For example, some people can be allergic to wasp stings. Immediately seek help from a doctor or pharmacist if there are multiple stings specially if they are on the head or on the face.

Avoid drinking tap water. In général, boilling water during 1-2 minutes (by keeping at the boiling point). However during a few days after heavy rainfall, its necessary to boil water for at least 5 minutes.

Mauritius being a tropical island, it does not escape from mosquitoes. In such a case, use appropriate mosquito repellent cream or spray, easily available in shops or supermarkets. Get a mosquito net for the bed for protection during the night, these may be provided by hotels. Some hotels use antimosquito vaporiser around the room.

Other Information

With the exception of Port Louis, shops and other commercial activities in city areas are closed on Thusdays afternoon ( as from 13.00 hrs) but essential services stay such as banks stay open.

Port Louis: Commercial activities are closed on Saturday afternoons and Sunday afternoons.

Curepipe, Vacoas, Rose Hill, Quatre-Bornes: closing of commercial activities on Thursday afternoon and Sunday afternoons.

Emergency Telephone Numbers:

Police: 999 or 112
Fire Services: 995 or 115
SAMU (emergency health assistance) 114
Tourism information: 152

Banks Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 9.00 hr AM to 15.15 hr PM
Fridays: 9.00 hr AM to 17 hr PM

Vegetable Market Fair Days:

Curepipe: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs
Quatre Bornes: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs
Rose Hill: The vegetable market of Rose Hill is open everyday from Monday to Saturday from 6.00 hr to 18.00 hr and Sunday from 6.00 hr to midday but there is no market fair as such.
Port Louis: Everyday from 7.00 hr to 17.00 hr.