CLIMATE
According to bridgat, Mauritius has a maritime subtropical climate. The hottest period lasts from January to March, however, the air temperature in the Valley does not rise above +33 – 35°C. The coldest months are July-September, when the daytime temperature is +23 – 25°C. Most precipitation occurs in the months of December-February (Mauritian summer). However, this is not at all like the multi-day downpours on the continents during the pronounced “rainy seasons”. The weather can change several times during the day, short-term showers, bright sun or cloudy sky, with drizzling rain, quickly replace each other, giving a variety of experiences and softening the summer heat. The best seasons on the island are from September to November and from February to May. However, even in January, with its maximum rainfall, there are practically no empty rooms in hotels, and it is very comfortable to relax.
VISA
For entry for a period not exceeding 60 days, a visa is not needed, as it is opened directly at the airport for a period of 60 days and can be easily extended if necessary. At the airport, you must present a valid passport, a return ticket, an invitation from the host country or a tourist voucher, fill out a special entry form.
KITCHEN
Given the multinational composition of the population, the gastronomic traditions of Mauritius have different roots: Indian, European, Chinese, African. Add to this a huge amount of local vegetables, fruits, spices, and you get a varied and tasty cuisine, flavored with garlic, onions, capsicum and ginger. Rice forms the basis of Mauritian dishes. It is served with meat, fish, seafood, poultry and various sauces. Curry, scold, vindaye are the most common Mauritian dishes that can be tasted in any restaurant.
MONEY
The official currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). In circulation are coins of 1, 5 and 10 rupees, as well as smaller ones of 5, 10, 20 and 50 sous. Paper banknotes of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 rupees are in circulation. Tourists can freely use travelers checks and bank cards. Approximate exchange rate: 1USD = 30 MUR, 1 EUR = 38 MUR. However, the exchange rate changes quite quickly. Restaurants, shops, hotels, travel agencies accept credit cards for payment: VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINNERS. Gasoline is paid for in cash. ATMs are installed in all large and medium-sized settlements. The same is true with traveler’s checks. Cash can be exchanged at any bank or hotel, but hotels charge commissions that can be quite substantial.
TIME
Time in Mauritius coincides with Moscow time.
THE SHOPS
In Mauritius, you can buy inexpensive and good quality summer clothes, local silk products, hats and bags. Spices, spices, embroidered tablecloths from Madagascar are sold in abundance in the market in Port Louis and Curepipe. Graceful models of ships are a wonderful souvenir from Mauritius.
Stores are open from 9:00 to 17:00 in Port Louis and from 10:00 to 18:00 in other cities. On Saturdays, shops close at 12:00 in the capital, in other cities they are open in the afternoon.
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS
To call abroad from Mauritius – dial 00, country code, city code and phone number. As for local calls, the cities of Mauritius do not have a special code – you just need to dial the subscriber’s number. International calls are quite expensive, negotiations will cost a little less if you use the services of Mautitius Telecom. You can also use the services of mobile operators MTS and BeeLine. To call Mauritius from Russia, dial 8-10 followed by Mauritius code 230 and phone number.
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Import and export of foreign and national currency is not limited (the declaration is obligatory). For persons over 16 years of age, duty-free import is allowed: cigarettes – up to 200 pieces, or 50 cigars, or 250 gr. tobacco; strong alcoholic drinks – up to 1 liter; wine or beer – up to 2 liters; up to 250 ml of eau de toilette or a small bottle of perfume, as well as video, photo and other household appliances – one item of each item. The import of drugs and drug-containing medicines, weapons, military equipment and ammunition, fruits and food products from Africa, East and Southeast Asia, certain types of plants and seeds, flowers, and car tires is prohibited. It is forbidden to export coral products and objects illegally lifted from the bottom of the sea.
HEALTH
There are no tropical diseases in Mauritius, no special vaccination is required. There are also no poisonous snakes, scorpions, harmful insects (however, you should beware of local wasps, whose bite is very painful). In Mauritius, there are public and private medicine. State medicine is publicly available and free of charge (including medicines), the level of medical services is not very high. Private medicine is more qualified, but not cheap, so it is highly recommended to have an international medical policy. Usually hotels have their own doctor, and there is a pharmacy kiosk with everything you need.
ELECTRICITY
Mains voltage 220 V, 50 Hz. Three-prong electrical sockets.
TIPS
Payment for services is usually included in the total price or indicated separately, but usually the amount of the tip depends only on the wishes of the client.
IN EMERGENCY CASES
Rescue service (police, firemen, ambulance) – 999
Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Mauritius – (230) 696 55 33 (24 hours), Queen Mary Av., Froreal
Information service – 90
