MAURITIUS
Area: Mauritius


Location:
In SW Indian Ocean, 1,300 miles off coast of South Africa, 600 miles E of Madagascar. 1,100 miles SE of Mombasa, Kenya. 3,000 miles SW of Mumbai (Bombay), India. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (Plaisance) international airport 28 miles SE of the capital, Port Louis.

Telephone code from UK:
230

Website:
http://www.mauritius.net

Position:
One of three remote islands known as the Mascarenes. Far-flung sister islands are Rodrigues, 350 miles NE of Mauritius, and Reunion, 100 miles SW. Mauritius itself is a green tropical island of volcanic origin with miniature mountain ranges and a high plateau area where most of the towns are situated; surrounded by virtually unbroken coral reef. Rodrigues is rugged and hilly, surrounded by coral reef.

Description:
Once a French colony but ceded to the British in 1810, Mauritius gained independence in 1968 and became a republic, incorporating the island of Rodrigues, in 1992. Primarily a sugar-producing island with much of the countryside given over to fertile cane fields, its present-day economic success lies in tourism and textiles. Just 40 miles N to S and 25 miles W to E, the island has a laid-back Caribbean feel and _ with charter flights banned _ it is undeniably an upmarket year-round paradise, particularly around the long stretches of desert-island beaches where some of the world's best hotels are situated. The capital, historic Port Louis on the W coast, is hot, humid and traffic-congested, but easily accessible from all parts of the island. Grand Baie, a former fishing village in the N, is the main resort, offering all tourist amenities. All other centres, apart from Flic en Flac in the W and Pereybere in the NW, are small villages, some with nothing more than a corner shop and a bar/restaurant. The small remote island of Rodrigues (nine miles by five miles with a population of 38,000) is a 90-minute flight from Mauritius and offers a distinct rather timeless Afro-Creole flavour which has made it a popular add-on to a Mauritius-based holiday.

Suitability:
Attracts an affluent clientele from a wide age range, with most arrivals between Dec_Jan and July_August. Honeymooners, empty nesters, families, golfers, beach lovers, big-game fishers and water-sports enthusiasts will all find lots of interest. Not for those seeking all-night discos and bright lights. Weddings are big business and many hotels ensure a hassle-free day. Most visitors from France, followed by Britain and Germany. Rodrigues attracts those seeking a cultural experience rather than the beaches and sophistication of Mauritius.

Accommodation:
All tourist hotels are on or close to the coast, and the few that aren't tend to be patronised by locals. Hotels range from 1- to 5-star standard (ת to תתתתת here) with all the higher-rated properties located on fine beaches with standards in excess of their ratings. Accommodation in lower-rated beach offerings may not be as grand but standards remain high. Self-catering _ mainly around Grand Baie _ is also an option, particularly with repeat visitors.

Shopping:
Hotel boutiques and local corner shops provide the basic essentials. Lots of souvenir and duty-free shopping with international brand-name goods _ such as perfumes, electronics and jewellery _ at Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, Grand Baie and Floreal. The central plateau towns of Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Curepipe are also worth visiting for shopping. Markets of all types operate in larger towns, offering a wealth of local colour along with a wide range of goods and produce. Best buys include superb scale models of historic sailing ships (avoid those from hawkers claiming to sell the genuine thing), T-shirts and cotton clothing, designer knitwear, made-to-measure suits, handicrafts and local rum.

Beach:
Well distributed around the island, although those in the E are prone to winds, particularly during June, July and August, and beaches in the S are wild and undeveloped (some have dangerous currents). Elsewhere, miles of soft white sands shelve gently into a safe bath-like lagoon. There are no private beaches but coastal development sometimes makes them the exclusive preserve of the hotels which line the shore. On public beaches expect hawkers and the public to share your space, and they can get crowded at weekends.

Entertainments:
Daytime: range of water sports which are usually complimentary, with the exception of scuba diving and water-skiing. Glass-bottomed boat trips, undersea walking, coastal and off-shore cruises. Big-game fishing (mainly marlin and tuna). Helicopter tours. Trekking. Golf; tennis. Horse riding and horse racing (May to Dec). Nightlife: most hotels provide evening entertainment and may include special theme nights of Chinese, Creole or Indian dance shows and the national sega dancing, which always concludes with guest participation. There are some bars and nightclubs of dubious taste at Grand Baie. Casinos at the better hotels.

Eating:
Wide selection of restaurants specialising in Indian, Chinese, Creole and Western cuisine at prices well below those found in hotels and certainly below the UK average. Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac offer everything from fine dining to fiery street snacks, like gateaux piments and samousas. For fast-food outlets, late-night pubs and cafes, head for Le Caudan Waterfront at Port Louis or Grand Baie. Restaurants on the E coast are a rarity and expensive by Mauritian standards, while those in the SW and SE offer a handful of local-style alternatives. Very reasonably priced eateries can also be found at Curepipe, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Floreal. A "casual smart" dress code applies at most restaurants.

Public-transport:
Buses are frequent (until 6pm) and cheap, with most routes linking with Port Louis and/or the main towns, although public transport is scarce at some hotels in the SW and E. In the plateau towns, use a shared taxi or "taxi tren" _ cheap and regular but less comfortable as you jostle for position with fellow passengers. Licensed taxis are plentiful, fairly reasonable and operate in or near hotel grounds; drivers rarely use a meter so agree a price in advance. Car hire tends to be rather high; Mauritians drive on the left but watch out for budding racing drivers practising the art of incredulous overtaking in private cars and even public buses.

Local-excursions:
Scenic, historic and cultural tours can be arranged through hotels; self-drive or taxi hire are other options. Half day: Port Louis and Pamplemousses Botanic Gardens; Domaine Les Pailles (nature park, historic rum-making centre and restaurants); Eureka Creole Museum; Chamarel Coloured Earth; Domaine du Chasseur (nature reserve); Casela Bird Park; La Vanille Crocodile Park; tours of model ship factory; boat and submarine trips. Full day: Ile aux Cerfs, an uninhabited desert isle; tour of deep S including Mahebourg Naval Museum, visits to tea and/or sugar factory and colonial plantation houses; Black River Gorges National Park; big-game fishing. Three days plus: tours of Rodrigues or Reunion islands (includes flight and accommodation).