Transportation
Airlines : Mauritius is deserved by international air lines : Air France, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Bristish Airiways, Cathay Pacific, Condor Flugdienst GMBH, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Kenya Airways,Singapour Airlines, South African Airways,Air Mauritius.
Airport(s) : The main airport is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport at Plaisance, which is located few kilometre from Mahébourg.
Transfers : Transfers can be provide by us, otherwise there are always taxis. You are 45 minutes from Port Louis and 1h15 from Grand Baie.
Formalities
Passport : Passports are required by all and must have at least 6 months to the expiry date.
Visa : Passengers coming from Europe Occidental, North America, most of the countries of the Commonwealth, people originating of Mauritius, resident of Mauritius under the 'Immigration Act' and people in possession of a diplomatic passeport, except people in possession of passport delivered by Government of Soudan, Iracq, Iran, Algerie, Lybie do not need a visa. All visitors need to have an outward bound ticket and proof of sufficient funds to support their stay.
Customs : When entering the Réunion, passengers over 16 years’ of age are allowed the following duty-free allowance:
• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigares or 250g of tobacco
• 1 litre of spirits over 22 % or 2 litres for spirit under 22 %, 2 litres of wine.
• 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml eau de toilette
Please note that fruits, vegetables, seeds and meat products are considered as restricted goods and are prohibited from entering the islands.
Tax : No tax
Health Requirements : vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Reunion. For passengers coming from endemics countries: Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccination is compulsory.
Suitcases
Climate : Mauritius island has two seasons: summer and winter. The summer lasts from November to April with a temperature may vary between 20 to 20 degree Celsius in the central land and 25 to 33 degree Celsius on littoral. The winter lasts from May to November with a temperature of 19 degree Celsius on the high lands and 24 degree Celsius on the coast. Along coastal areas, the temperatures are generally 3 to 5 degrees higher. the western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and South. Tropical storms are frequent during the cyclone season from December to March.
For today's weather forecast see: CNN - Africa Weather Forecasts
Clothes : What to wear? take your best beach and casual wear. In the winter months of June, July, August and September carry some light woollens for the cool evenings.
Electricity : Power supply throughout the island is 220 volts. The Plug types used are : Round pin attachment plug and Rectangular blade plug.
Health : Mauritius is not afflicted by any infectious diseases. There exist no venomous animals or other dangerous species on the island. You must have your usual medication and sticking plaster. Don't forget cream for mosquito and for the sun.
Money
Currency : The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.). Foreign currency notes, drafts, travellers cheques and other banking instruments may be imported into Mauritius without restriction.
Exchange rate : You can get about 1 Euro = Rs 41 environ
For today's exchange rate see: Oanda.com the currency site.
Do not keep roupies, they are not exchangeable.
Credit card : The more popular credit cards are accepted: American Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa.
Travellers’ cheques : Travellers cheques are accepted and exchanged throughout the country but commissions are charged are varying rates.
Tipping : Service is always included but Tips are warmly received.
Communication
Language : The official language is English. French and Creole language is also talked and understood by the population. Some Mauritians always talk ancestral language as Bhojpuri, Chinese and Hindi.
Phone : Mauritius has international direct dialling facilities to most parts of the world as well as high speed fax and internet services.
Driving : Driving is on the left end side of the road. The International Driver's License is necessary.
Taxis & Transportation : Buses connect every part of the island . Taxis are numerous and are recognisable by white registration plates with black figures.(private cars have black number plates with white figures). All taxis should have meters.
Agenda
Local time : Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 4 hours, 3 hours ahead of mid-European Time
Public Holidays : 1er, 2 and 3 of January, Cavadee 21 of January, Eid Ul Filtr 28 of January, Festival Spring 5 of February, Maha Shivatree 4 of March, The Independence 12 of March, Ougadi 5 of April, Festival Work 1er of May, Gunest Chaturthi 2 of September, "Toussaint" 1er of November, Divali 26 of October, Christmas 25 of December.
Opening Time : Most businesses and shops operate between 0930-1700 from Monday to Friday, Saturday from 0900 hrs to 1200hrs. Banks Opening vary from: 0915 hrs to 1515 hrs – Monday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday : 0915 hrs to 1115 hrs.
State Museum are free and most of the time closed on Tuesday and Sunday.
Restauration
Food : Gastronomes will find a variety of flavours and aromas inherited from the different migrations through its history. Culinary traditions from France, India, China and Africa, the best-known and appreciated cuisines in the world, have been passed on through generations. Depending on the region, rice or a variety of flat bread called chapattis or roti called farata by the local people, is eaten with curries. The extensive use of spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and herbs like thyme basil and curry leaves are the common ingredients that provide some powerful, yet subtle, savour. Dal a variety of lentil soups are many and varied according to which type of lentil is used, vegetables and beans, and pickles accompany the dishes. Dholl puri and roti, originally an Indian delicacy have become the fish and chips of Mauritians.
Water : The water is safe but it is advised to drink water in bottle.
Good to know
Security : we suggest you leave all valuables and passport hidden in the house. Carry only such cash as necessary when you go to the beach.
Nudism and topless sunbathing are frowned upon on our public beaches. No hotel permits nude sunbathing on beaches.
Topless sunbathing is sometimes tolerated.
Please show due respect when visiting religious places. Wear appropriate clothing (and remove leather shoes and belts) when entering the premises.
Useful addresses :
Dodo Travel & Tours (Madagascar)
Immeuble Marbour - Antsahavola,
BP 12125 Ankorondrano,
Antananarivo 101 - Madagascar
Tél : + (261) 20 22 690 36
Fax: + (261) 20 22 257 05
Dodo Travel & Tours (Mauritius)
Queen Mary Avenue - Floréal, Mauritius
Tél: + (230) 698 68 09
Fax: + (230) 698 68 09
Airlines
Air Austral : www.airaustral.com
Air France : www.airfrance.com
Air Madagascar : www.airmadagascar.com
Air Mauritius : www.airmauritius.fr
Air Seychelles : www.airseychelles.com
Useful Telephone Numbers
Police(ambulance ) : 999, Police : 208-7018/20
Fire : 995, Samu : 114
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