Car hire in Mauritius

Mauritius is an island paradise located just east of the island of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean. It is part of Africa and most famous for its pristine beaches and unspoilt marine life. Self-driving is a great way to explore this small island and great deals on car hire in Mauritius can be had by using our search form to compare car hire prices online.

Car hire driving tips in Mauritius

Car rental is a great way to not only explore the beautiful beaches of the island, but to discover the interior. Mauritius is lush, with lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy. Culturally, the island is a wonderful and eclectic mix of Indian, African, French and British influences. With only 75kms of motorways, self-driving is easy. Make sure to compare prices in advance, especially during the peak season between May and November. Note that rental vehicles need to have yellow license plates to be legal.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: when hiring a car in Mauritius, it is not necessary to have an International Driving License, especially if staying for less than one month. Visitors simply require a valid driving license from their home country. If staying for longer than a month, visitors are required to apply for a temporary driving license from the Traffic Branch of Mauritius.

Which side does Mauritius drives on: the left, just like in the UK.

Speed limits:

Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 90kph

National or provincial roads: 80kph

Local roads: 60kph

Urban roads: 40kph

Alcohol limits: have recently been lowered from 0.08 per cent to 0.05 per cent (50mg/100ml), with drunk driving laws being enforced more strictly than before. There are random sobriety and breathalyser checks at night. If caught driving drunk, you may be subject to an on-the-spot fine.

Driving age: 18 (21 to hire a car).

Seatbelts: are compulsory for both front seat and back seat occupants. Spot fines can be imposed for non-compliance.

Mobile phones and GPS: it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, although hands-free devices are allowed. There are no laws regarding the use of GPS devices.

Cost of fuel in Mauritius: all fuel is imported on Mauritius and therefore tends to be more expensive than in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: car rental agencies accept all major credit cards with pre-bookings. Not all petrol stations accept credit cards, so it is important to have cash on hand.

Insurance: car insurance is relatively inexpensive and visitors are advised to seek full insurance for rental vehicles. The biggest risk is collision.

Traffic and parking: it is best to use a hire car to explore the areas outside the main cities of Reunion and Port Louis. The roads in the city centres are small and prone to major traffic jams, especially during rush hour. Parking rules are the same as in the UK: no parking or stopping on double yellow lines, stopping is possible on a single yellow line and parking is allowed where there is no line. In the main cities, zone parking is enforced and drivers are required to purchase a parking ticket, available primarily at petrol stations. If this is too complicated, simply seek out a car park.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Port Louis to Le Morne Peninsula – the drive from Port Louis, the capital, to the Le Morne Peninsula is partially along the island’s west coast. The peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and lagoons on the island. It is popular among surfers and kite surfers.

Port Louis to Grand Baie – using the one highway on the island, visitors can easily reach the northeastern resort town of Grand Baie. The beaches here are simply breathtaking.

Port Louis to Blue Bay – this route goes through the centre of the island and ends up at the beautiful, white sandy Blue Bay Beach. This beach, in the southeastern corner of the island, is popular among windsurfers and sailing enthusiasts.

Le Morne to Bel Ombre – for a slow and beautiful drive, explore the southern coast. This route passes through quaint coastal villages and beaches. From here, it is easy to reach Black Georges National Park.

Mauritius travel tips

Mauritius is truly a tropical paradise. It remains unspoilt and boasts some of the whitest sand beaches and turquoise-coloured waters in the world. Having been a British and French colony in the past, it is a popular vacation destination for Europeans. The laid-back atmosphere and friendly services continue to make Mauritius a popular vacation destination.

Mauritius weather and tourist seasons

Mauritius’s climate is tropical in nature. Temperatures throughout the year fluctuate between 13°C and 25°C. The island is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which means summer and winter are reversed from their European and North American counterparts. Between November and April is the peak cyclone season, bringing heavy rains, winds and high waves, and is thus best avoided. It is warm and dry between May and November, when most visitors seek out this island paradise.

Mauritius contact numbers (+230)

Emergency services – 114 (Police 112)

Ambulance - 999

High Commission of the UK & Northern Ireland– 230 202 9400

US Embassy – 230 202 4400

Delegation of the EU – 230 207 1515

Australian Embassy – 230 208 1700

Holidays and festivals

Mauritius recognises the usual national holidays, such as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Labour Day and Christmas. Due to the diverse religious nature of the island, there are many local religious holidays that are honoured, such as the Hindus festivals of: Thaipoosam Cavadee (20 February), Ougadi (4 April), Ganesh Chaturthi (2 September) and Divali (26 October). Special holidays on Mauritius include: Abolition of Slavery Day (1 February) and National Day (12 March).

Money matters

The currency in Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee. In most cases, visitors will not be able to buy Mauritius rupees outside the country since the currency is not readily convertible, which means that money needs to be exchanged upon arrival. There are plenty of money exchange outlets, ATMs and banks, with most hotels offering money exchange services as well. Rupee bank notes are available in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000. Coins come in 5, 20 and 50 cents (100 cents is equal to 1 rupee).

Health and safety

No specific vaccinations are required for travel to Mauritius. However, those visitors travelling from an area affected by yellow fever will require a certificate. Heat stroke and sunburn during the summer months are common among visitors, so take care to use sun cream and drink plenty of fluids. Bottled water is best.

Fitting in…

Mauritians are generally easy going and kind. Most locals are religious, whether they are Muslim, Christian or Hindu. Visitors should take care to learn the appropriate customs and show respect when visiting religious places. Women should wear conservative clothing (no tank tops or shorts). In some places of worship, visitors are required to remove leather items.

Visas for Mauritius

EU citizens as well as those from North America and Australia do not require visas to enter Mauritius for holiday travel. All business travellers are required to hold a valid visa prior to travel. Visa requirements should be checked prior to travel to ensure compliance. Visitors are required to hold a passport that is valid for longer than six months and to show a valid return ticket.

Electricity

The voltage in Mauritius is 240 Volts, 50 Hertz, the same as in the UK, Australia and Ireland. The plugs are the same as in the UK, with two flat parallel prongs on the bottom and one vertical earth prong on top. Visitors from North America and the EU will require adaptor plugs. However, some plug conversions are taking place and hotels may have sockets with two round pin plugs, like in Europe.

Business hours
Regular business hours run from 09:30 to 19:30, Monday through Saturday. Sunday is usually a holiday, but many shops stay open until noon on Sundays. Banks generally are open during from 09:15 to 15:15 on Mondays through Fridays, with some banks in tourist areas open on Saturday mornings.

Helpful phrases

Most Mauritians tends to be bi- or tri-lingual, speaking English, French and Creole. Visitors will find it easy to get around in English on the island.

Resources online

www.gov.mu

www.wikitravel.org/en/Mauritius