Mauritius
Mauritius draws travelers for its lagoons and reef-sheltered beaches, plus a mix of Indian, African, French and Chinese influences in food and daily life.
Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 km off the southeast coast of Africa and east of Madagascar. The main island is about 65 km long and 45 km wide, with more than 150 km of white sand beaches and lagoons sheltered by the world's third-largest coral reef. Most people live on the main island, where Port Louis, the capital and largest city, is located. The country also includes Rodrigues, about 560 km east, and the outer islands of Agaléga and Saint-Brandon.
Mauritius is known for its beaches and lagoons, and for a history that includes Dutch, French and British rule and indentured labor from India. Dutch sailors named the island after Prince Maurice of Nassau, and the dodo, a flightless bird found only here, became extinct soon after people arrived. Hindus form the largest religious group, and the food blends Indian, Chinese, African and French influences. The cooler, drier months from June to September suit most trips. Cyclones are most likely from January to March, so plan at least a week if you want to see more than one coast.
Five things to know before Mauritius
- Fill in the All in One travel form before you fly
Every visitor completes the Mauritius All in One travel form online at safemauritius.govmu.org. Save or print the QR code to show at the airport. UK entry rules
- Check how long your passport can stay
EU and British passports enter visa-free; British visitors get up to 60 days. Everyone must show a return or onward ticket, so check the rule for your passport before you fly.
- Avoid the cyclone months if the beach matters
Cyclones are possible from about November to April, most often January to March. May to December is drier, with cooler winters from June to August.
- Pick your coast by the season
The southeast trade winds blow hardest on the east and south coasts in the southern winter. The west and north are usually calmer and drier then.
- Rent a car or book drivers for day trips
Buses link Port Louis with most towns but are slow for the south and west. Mauritius drives on the left.
Mauritius travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Visa-free stays, the All in One travel form and onward tickets.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMGetting data in Mauritius from the day you land.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- MUR 900
- Food
- MUR 600
- Transport
- MUR 100
- Sights
- MUR 300
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- MUR 2,500
- Food
- MUR 1,500
- Transport
- MUR 700
- Sights
- MUR 1,200
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- MUR 5,000
- Food
- MUR 3,500
- Transport
- MUR 2,500
- Sights
- MUR 4,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Hot, cyclone riskJanuaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 214 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, cyclone risk
- FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Cyclone riskFebruaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cyclone risk
- MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Cyclone riskMarchRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cyclone risk
- AprilRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Warm, dryingAprilRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, drying
- MayPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, warmMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Mild, windyJunePartly cloudy
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- JulyPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°CoolestJulyPartly cloudy
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Coolest
- AugustPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Mild, windyAugustPartly cloudy
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- SeptemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Dry, mildSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low21°Dry, warmOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 42 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°WarmNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- DecemberRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Hot, humidDecemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
Average daily high and low in Port Louis, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mauritius
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Mauritius
12:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°18°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed28°18°85%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Thu28°19°20%Thursday: Fog. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri29°19°64%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Sat28°21°57%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Sun30°20°35%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 35%.
Updated 08:17 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 47.55 MUR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Mauritius FAQ
Do I need a visa for Mauritius?
Not on EU or British passports. British visitors get up to 60 days; other nationalities should check the Passport and Immigration Office list before they fly.
When is the best time to visit Mauritius?
May and September to November are dry and warm with lower cyclone risk. January to March is hot, humid and the main cyclone period.
Which side of Mauritius is best to stay on?
The west and north are drier and calmer in the southern winter, with sunset views on the west. The east has long beaches but more wind from June to August.
Is Mauritius expensive?
Resort prices are high, but street food, buses and guesthouses keep costs down. Self-catering apartments in the north and west are a middle option.
Do I need a car in Mauritius?
Not for a resort stay, but a car makes day trips to the gorges and the south much easier. Traffic around Port Louis is slow at rush hour.