An island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is exotic in its history, remoteness, diverse ethnicity and reef-fringed beauty. With a mixed population of Indian, African, European and Chinese, Mauritius is a truly cosmopolitan island.
The island of Rodrigues is a dependency of Mauritius.
Monday to Thursday: 9.15 - 15.15
Friday: 9.15 - 15.30
Saturday:9.15 - 11.15 (Some banks only).
The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which is divided into 100 cents (cs).
The international dialing code for Mauritius is +230.
The island of Mauritius is divided into nine districts:
Black River
Flacq
Grand Port
Moka
Pamplemousses
Plaines Wilhems
Port Louis
Rivière du Rempart
Savanne
220 volts. The most common plug is the UK 3-pin.
Aapravasi Ghat
Le Morne Brabant
Black River
The name Black River derives from the fact that it is the driest district of the island. This region receives less rainfall than the others. Several fisherman villages have been progressively converted to tourist areas. For example, Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne.
Tamarin is the only area where surfing is possible during the month of July and August.
Flic-en-Flac is the longest beach on the island and certainly one of the most beautiful ones. Being on the west coast it gives view to beautiful sunsets.
Le Morne has become famous because of the mountain where, during colonial times, runaway slaves used to hide and to kill themselves when they were to be caught.
Marlin World Cup
Annually in February, Mauritius hosts the Marlin World Cup, an important international fishing competition in the IGFA Offshore Championship Circuit.
Backyard Festival
Annually in February, music fans flock to Bambous for the annual Backyard Festival, a 12-hour feast of live rock. The line-up features mostly Mauritian bands and some international names. Off-stage, there are entertainers and stalls selling memorabilia.
Royal Raid
May sees dedicated runners take on the 80km or 35km Royal Raid challenge around tropical Mauritius. The longer route, lasting a gruelling 22 hours, starts at the savannah-like Yemen Nature Reserve and finishes at the sugar cane fields of Bel Ombre Estate.
Le Morne Brabant
Declared a World Heritage Site in 2008, Le Morne Cultural Landscape is a rugged mountain that juts into the Indian Ocean in the southwest of Mauritius that was used as a shelter by runaway slaves, during the 18th and early years of the 19th centuries. Protected by the mountain’s isolated, wooded and almost inaccessible cliffs, the escaped slaves formed small settlements in the caves and on the summit of Le Morne. Le Morne is a symbol of the slaves’ suffering and their fight for freedom.
Flacq
This district houses the village of Flacq, which is well known for its market. There is also the small village of trou d'eau douce, from where visitors take boats for tours to Ile aux cerfs island.
Belle Mare plage beach, an exotic beach with white sand and a nice lagoon attracts a lot of mauritians and tourists.
Mauritius Golf Open
Annually in December, the Mauritius Golf Open attracts players from across the world to compete on the coastal Legend and Links courses of the Constance Belle Mare Plage Resort. The programme also includes a Ladies Competition, Amateur Championship and International Pro-Am Tournament.
Crossroads of Flavours
Masterchefs from across the world visit Mauritius in May. Visitors can sample perfectly crafted food at elegant tasting dinners, and hear the gurus share culinary tips at interactive cooking sessions. The chefs at Crossroads of Flavours come from all corners of the globe, bringing thier respective culture's cooking techniques and flavours with them.
Top
Grand Port
Plaine Magnien a town in the district of Grand Port hosts the only airport of the country. The district's well known beach is Blue Bay, one of the finest bathing spots on the island.
Miss Mauritius National Pageant
Annually in September, Mauritian beauties enter the National Pageant, hoping to claim the crown and represent Mauritius at Miss World. After performing in Talent, Elegance and Swimming Shows, held at bars and hotels, the winner is announced at the Grand Final.
La Regatta
During La Regatta in November, the lagoon of Mahébourg fills with traditional Mauritian wooden fishing boats with colourful sails. THE Regatta is a 3 day sporting and cultural event consisting of racing with authentic genuine Mauritian fishermen. Learn the Creole culture and enjoy beautiful scenery while enjoyng great competition.
Moka
The Moka district is devoted largely to agriculture.
Click here for travel and tour options in Moka
Pamplemousses
Pamplemousses hosts the SSR botanical garden. The garden was first constructed in 1770. The garden features giant water lilies, spices, ebonies, sugar canes and many more. It also features lotuses as well as 85 varieties of palms from Central America, Asia, Africa and the islands around the Indian Ocean.
Top
Plaines Wilhems
As part of the central portion of the island, Plaines Wilhems produces a majority of Mauritius’ important products such as sugarcane, vegetables, and tea.
Ferney Trail
November in the Ferney Valley, athletes jog or trek the Ferney Trail for this 28km or 10km race, which passes rare flora and fauna.
Sea Kayak Tour
Floréal in December sees banana-yellow kayaks setting off to explore 130km of turquoise lagoons and marine wildlife of Mauritius.
Port Louis
Port Louis district is the largest district of the island. Port Louis is also the capital city of Mauritius and is a very important port city of the Indian Ocean.
National Day
In March each year, Mauritius celebrates its independance from Great Britian. Locals commemorate with a flag-raising ceremony, parades and a cultural show on Port Louis' waterfront.
The Duchess of York Cup
Mauritius' annual horseracing season kicks off in April with the classic Duchess of York Cup. Thousands cheer on newly imported horses as they gallop around the Champ de Mars Racecourse in Port Louis.
The Barbé Cup
July sees the continuation of the horseracing season.
Aapravasi Ghat
Aapravasi Ghat (The Immigration Depot ) is a building complex in Port Louis declared a World Heritage Site in 2006. From 1849 to 1923, half a million Indian labourers passed through the Immigration Depot, to be eventually transported to plantations and it has become an important reference point in the history and cultural identity of Mauritius.
Rivière du Rempart
The tourist resort of Grand Bay is in this district.
Mauritius Marathon
The Mauritius Marathon is held in July. The beautiful course (AIMS certified) is flat, fast and leads along the coastline, through sugar cane fields towards the mountains.
Top
Savanne
The Savanne district bears testimony to the glorious history of the colonial era of French. Historical remnants are scattered all over Souillac. Some of the places are Batelage Quay, the church, the police station and the court.
Grand Bassin is a lake situated in a secluded mountain area in the district of Savanne and is considered the most sacred Hindu place in Mauritius.
Festival International Kréol
In December, parks, beaches and other Mauritian venues host Festival International Kréol, a vibrant celebration of creole culture. Poetry readings, colourful dance spectacles and all-night party music concerts.
Rodrigues Island
A dependency of Mauritius, located 560 km east of Mauritius. It is 109 km² in size, and surrounded by a coral reef. The capital of the island is Port Mathurin.
The island prides itself in its glorious beaches, uneven topography and sea activities such as surfing, kite surfing, diving and fishing.
Rodrigues has a lot to offer to the potential visitor and adds considerably to the holiday experience in Mauritius. It has its own specific charm: the harmonious and simple way of life of people from diverse origins and cultures, as well as their keenness to preserve both their social and physical environment. Visitors have always been impressed by their unique lifestyle: a charming combination of simplicity, friendliness and hospitality.
Rodrigues is home to several species of endemic tropical flora and fauna. It is the ideal and unspoilt environment for the nature lover seeking peace and tranquillity.
Top
Page 53 of 73 [ << 50 51 52 53 54 >> ]
