Conduct
Must do
Small rules that save a day. None of this is a law lecture — it is how visitors usually get it wrong.
01 · Every driver
Drive on the left
British legacy. Roundabouts, sugar-lorries, and village buses. If you are not used to left-hand traffic, hire a driver for Port Louis and night runs.
02 · Transport
Agree the taxi fare before the wheels move
Most taxis are not reliably metered. Airport touts are a known risk — use the official rank or a pre-booked transfer. Short hops still need a number said out loud.
03 · Money
Carry small rupee notes for street food
Dholl puri, markets, and many beach vendors are cash. Cards work in supermarkets and hotels. ATMs: use them in lit, busy places, not a dark corner.
04 · Timing
Plan for Sunday quiet
Many shops and some markets rest. Beaches and temples do not. A Sunday ‘city day’ in Port Louis is how people decide the capital is empty.
05 · Weather
Obey cyclone warnings, not your voucher
Official Mauritius Meteorological Services classes override boat tickets and hikes. Peak storm months are typically summer (roughly November–April, worst risk mid-season). This app is not a forecast office.
06 · Etiquette
Dress for sacred sites
Shoulders and knees covered at temples and Ganga Talao. Shoes off where marked. Do not treat a kanwar pilgrimage day as a photo set.
07 · Routing
One side of the island per day
Port Louis congestion is a tax you pay twice if you zigzag. West day, east day, capital morning — not all before lunch.
Conduct
Must not
The expensive and the unsafe. If a desk tries to sell you the opposite, walk.
01 · After dark
Do not wander Port Louis backstreets after shops close
The capital empties. Poorly lit streets near the market, bus stations, and port are where bag-snatching is reported. Caudan is lit and staffed. After ~20:00, taxi between points — do not ‘see the real city’ on foot in the dark.
02 · After dark
Do not sit isolated public beaches late
Flic en Flac and other public strands are family space by day. After dark they can attract opportunistic theft. Take a taxi, not a romantic walk with a phone out.
03 · Arrival
Do not get into an unregistered airport car
Australian and other advisories flag taxi scams and robberies after unofficial pickups at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport. Official taxi, hotel transfer, or a pre-booked licensed car.
04 · Sea
Do not swim outside the lagoon because it looks calm
Passes have current. The south lookouts are not beaches. Sea urchins are real. Follow flags and local swimmers, not a drone shot.
05 · Boats
Do not pay to chase dolphins
Southwest trips often add dolphin watching. Surrounding and jumping in on animals is the cheap version. Choose distance. A skipper who refuses to chase is the one you want.
06 · Tours
Do not buy a ‘highlights’ day that crosses twice
Chamarel + Grand Bassin + Île aux Cerfs + Port Louis is a car park tour. If the brochure stitches opposite coasts, you are buying transfers.
07 · Islets
Do not land on Round Island
Closed scientific reserve. Any ‘exclusive landing’ is a con or a crime. Coin de Mire from a licensed boat is the northern silhouette you are allowed.
08 · Hikes
Do not start Le Morne at noon
Exposed basalt, little shade. Heat injury is more common than a heroic story. Dawn or don’t.