The “Mauritian Cuisine“, like the Mauritian society, is a very complex one as it in fact a mixture and improvement of various cuisines from around the world, with influences from Asia and Europe mainly.

When one speaks of Mauritian cuisine, one usually only means a couple of dishes. These dishes are served on a frequent basis in every local family, regardless of its origins and socio-economic background.

The typical dishes almost every “family cook” can prepare, include amongst others, famous dishes such as the Indian Curry, Chinese noodles and euro-asian-african “rougaille”

Curry : forget the curry you’ve had in India or the one served in your favorite Indian restaurant! As in all Mauritian dishes, the curry, called by locals “cari”, has known so many evolutions that the only link it has with the Indian brother is the name and the curry powder. it is usually served quite spicy and depending on your preferences, this explosion of wonderful tastes, can be vegetarian or not. You may find various types of Curry served on the island, such as chicken (cari poule), beef (cari bef), banana (cari banane), octopus (cari ourite), deer (cari cerf)…. Curry is usually served with rice and chutney alongside.

Noodles : the Mauritian called “mine” are favored by a large percentage of the local population at all ages as it can be served on so many ways with so many extras added to them, that nobody can resists it. You can have a bowl noodles soup with eggs around the corner while waiting for the bus or at the fanciest restaurant on the island (obviously the price wouldn’t be the same…) or a plate of noodles with seafood. Beef, chicken, vegetarian… are also very popular and most important, tasty!

With the years gone by and the huge improvement in life quality, we can see more and more ranked restaurants where one must book a table well ahead. The Mauritian culinary scene does not only include local cuisine ones, but also Chinese, Indian, French, Italian ones…. Who could easily place themselves as top class restaurants around the world.

If you’re planning to stay on the paradise island of Mauritius anytime soon, we suggest visiting Restaurants.mu , the leading Mauritius restaurants guide.

The flight to Mauritius Airport International Airport from the UK
takes between 10 and 12 hours non stop depending which airport you
choose to travel from. You can fly from nearly all UK airports that
clearly demonstrate the popularity of this paradise island. This is
unusual for long haul flights which are usually centered on the main
airports of Manchester, Gatwick and Heathrow. Most flights take off in
the evening and arrive the following morning and with a bit of luck
you will be able to sleep for most of the way.

Because you depart in the evening and you will be able to fly from an
airport fairly close to your home there is little need to book an
airport hotel parking option but pre-booking your car is highly
recommended for the following reasons.

If you intend to park on airport and just turn up the cost you will
pay will be substantially more than booking beforehand or if your
preference is to use a better value off airport car park, unless you
book beforehand the chances are that you will not secure a space if
you leave it to the last minute. This is especially true if looking to
book Gatwick parking or Manchester airport
parking because these off airport car parks are nearly always
full.

So if you are intending to visit the magical island of Mauritius get
your trip off to a flying start.

Mauritius, a world renown exclusive tourism destination, is served by one international airport, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Internastional (SSR) Airport, located in Plaine Magnien, in the south eastern part of the island.

In 1942, the British authorities (Mauritius was a British colony till 1968), decided, it was time for the small island to have its very first airfield. It was decided to start construction outside the village of Mahebourg, then the main entry point of British goods to the island. It was originally meant to serve as a military airfield for the Royal Air Force during the WWII period.

Its commercial use began shortly after the war ended with first flights from British Airways and Air France amongst others. The economic impact on the island was almost instant thanks to this new quicker link to Africa and Europe.

On September 10^th 1972, 4 years after the islands independence, Air Mauritius, took off for the very first time from Plaisance airport to Pointe Corail airfield, Rodrigues. The company’s first aircraft was a Piper Navajo.

In 1987, the Plaisance airport was renamed after Sir Ramgoolam, first prime minister of Mauritius.

Nowadays, the SSR airport is the only aerial entry point to the island with a terminal capacity of about 4 million passengers per year.

A second much smaller airfield exists in the northern part of the island, near the Grand-Baie area. Having served a couple of flights of the former “airline” Air Grand-Baie. It is now home to small aircrafts used to fertilize agricultural field.

The SSR airport operates as hub on the national carrier Air Mauritius while serving the largest international carriers, such as British Airways, Air France, Emirates, South African airlines, Condor… It was also home to the former Mauritian Catovair airline who used to serve Reunion, Rodrigues and South Africa.

IATA code for Mauritius : MRU

Have you ever daydreamed about Mauritius and those idyllic beaches on this island in the Indian Ocean? You probably have, and then dismissed them with a regretful sigh because they are too expensive for your pocket. If this is the case, then you should reconsider.

Booking flights online means that you can search for the best deals available and satisfy yourself, you have found the best package according to your needs. There are some great offers out there at the moment.

You may just want to book a flight, and then take your chances on accommodation when you get there. However, if you start searching now, you will find 4 star hotels offering deals of $378 and there are even cheaper types of accommodation to be found. For example there are “guest houses” which are not like the British ones, so don’t let the name fool you. These are like apartments so you have the option to cook for yourself, sometimes in a shared kitchen. Such accommodation is cheaper than hotel prices.

Food is relatively cheap as long as you go for staples and fresh food bought in the many street markets on the island.

You are expected to haggle in the street markets, so don’t be surprised if the stall holder asks for some exorbitant price for the item you are interested in. You should state a price of 25% of the asking price, and expect to pay around 30-40% of it. If you walk away, don’t be surprised to find the stall holder running after you, as they love to close a deal. In my experience even attempting to walk away will bring the price down. After the first few times, you’ll start to feel good when you get a real bargain-haggling can become addictive. Just remember not to do it in a supermarket back home

There are many things to do on the island, and public transport is cheap and takes you to over 200 destinations. You can get on a bus and get off when somewhere takes your fancy. You can of course research your possibilities before you go by reading one of the many guides to the island. Mauritius has many wonderful beaches where you can do a variety of water sports, or you can go and visit some of the historical sites which include the Abolition of Slavery Monument.

Whatever you require from a holiday Mauritius will probably deliver for you. So if you’ve always wanted to go there, rethink your ideas about the cost and shop around to get a deal that suits your budget. Happy holiday!

Merville beach hotel is one of the best 3stars hotels of Mauritius, it is situated on the North West coast of Mauritius in Grand Baie, it can boast that it is the longest established hotel in the north of the island. It has all the facilities you would expect form a three star hotel, including air conditioning in all rooms. The visitors can easily approach this location since is it only at a distance of 25 km from the Port Louis which is capital of Mauritius. Grand Baie has earned a lot of reputation in all over the world being an island of cosmopolitan atmosphere, it is basically a village of Mauritius but its stable climate has added many credits in its account which thereby attracting a large number of visitors to have fun with their loved ones and families at Merville beach for the longest hours of sunshine. The hotel has snuggled its own beach for providing supreme entertainments to the visitors.

Merville beach hotel has 169 exquisite rooms, of which there are 70 standard room (each standard room can accommodate only 2 adults and a child as per room share policy), the building has 4 superior rooms that accommodate 2 adults and a child, it has 35 Deluxe rooms that cam accommodate only 2 adults and child or there is an another policy in which you can get this room for only three adults if you don’t own a child. In addition, the hotel has 12 deluxe rooms and 3 family deluxe rooms in the Garden court that accommodate 2 adults and 2 children or only 3 adults. All rooms are well-decorated and have a sea faced balcony or a sunny terrace, and each room has its own bathroom, safe, an individual air conditioner, a telephone with a facility of international direct dialing, TV, DVD, radio, and a mini bar.

It has a pleasant ambience and caters for all types of holiday makers including families with small children. It offers babysitting and childcare facilities, so parents can go out for the evening knowing that their children are in capable hands. There is a child’s swimming pool as well as one for adults, too. Of course there are child portions available at mealtimes also. The staff has been described as very helpful and friendly and guests have been impressed by the cleanliness of the hotel.

Every guest has a free breakfast and the hotel offers lunch and dinner too. You would be advised to take a package deal at the hotel so that all meals are included, as this is the cheapest option. There are some excellent beaches in the vicinity, and Pereybere Beach where the locals go for a game of beach football or just to sunbathe. You can enjoy the water sports, and there are lots to choose from, including paragliding and snorkeling. If you still need to unwind after a day on the beach you can enjoy a sauna at the hotel, or make use of their fitness centre. The hotel organizes weddings too, and what better place to spend your honeymoon than romantic Mauritius?

Merville spa center

If you want to combine business and pleasure, then you can book the hotel’s conference facilities and work during the day and spend a pleasant evening, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this magical island. The hotel also has a library. In the morning in the hotel lobby you can find free newspapers to peruse over your free breakfast. There is room service at the hotel, but it is not a 24 hour service, so check the timings at reception.

There are beach sellers operating on the beaches, but they go away if you are firm. Some tourists have been surprised by the hard sell they get when they enter a carpet shop, but this is the same as in Turkey or any other country you might visit. Don’t be deterred. If you want to relax then you could do little better than doing so at the Merville Beach hotel in Mauritius.

Air Mauritius began its operations in June 1967, with flights to its sister island, La Reunion. It has come a long way since then, with flights to destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa. Its symbol is the Phaeton Rubicola, the legendary bird sometimes called Paille-en-Queue.

The airline prides itself on the in-flight meals it offers, although none of them contain beef, veal, or pork, or any products made from these meats. If you have any special dietary requirements, then you should book them when you book your ticket. If you omit to do this, you can order a meal 24 hours before your flight except for kosher food which has to be ordered 48 hours in advance.

Business class passengers are allowed to take 30 kg of baggage free of charge, and Economy class passengers are allowed 23kgs of free baggage. Each passenger is allowed one piece of hand luggage which should not exceed 115cms in height, length or width. Passengers may also take (in addition to the one item of hand luggage) a laptop, duty free items and a reasonable amount of personal items. There is in-flight entertainment with a choice of Western or Indian films, as well as children’s movies and a choice of classical, jazz or rock music for music lovers. Of course you can also purchase items from the in-flight boutique and take advantage of the refreshments on offer.

Air Mauritius prides itself on its service and the ‘spirit of the island’ flavour of its cabin and cabin crew. Mauritians are a vibrant, friendly people and you will find this when you travel with this airline. The cabin crew is efficient and helpful and will do their best to accommodate you. On your outward journey you will be shown a short film about Mauritius, just to get you in the holiday mood, so you will know what to expect when you land, and have an idea of where you would like to go. The crew will also advise you on where to visit if you catch them during a slack period. They are usually only too happy to tell visitors about the many attractions to be found on the island. So give Air Mauritius a whirl and sit back and enjoy your flight.

The Cilaos beach bungalows is a complex composed of several duplex bungalows and studios, located at Trou d’eau douce, on the east coast of the paradise island of Mauritius. Trou d’eau douce is considered as a prime tourism location on the island due to the serenity and beauty of the area ; Some of the most famous hotels of the island are located in this area, very close to the Ile Aux cerfs, such as “The one and only St. Geran”, “Belle Mare plage”…

The complex is a “pieds dans l’eau” type, which literraly means “feet in water”, meaning it has a private beach just in front of it.

Guests at the Cilaos are offered many services (some are even considered in the price). Basic services include : fully equipped kitchen, cleaning & linen change… Other paid service you might receive include : massage, water skiing, car rental, transfers, horseback riding, big game fishing…

Booking your accommodation at Cilaos Beach Bungalows in advance will allow you to receive preferential rates. For more info, please visit the official website.

Horse racing is by far the most popular sport in Mauritius. Though the racing itself takes place only about seven-eight months a year (May to December) and only once a week, on Saturdays, it still plays a major role in the local cultural, fashion, financial and of course sports scene.

Official horse racing on the island have been running since the first racecourse was inaugurated in 1812, shortly after the foundation of the Mauritius Turf club.

Nowadays, the famous Champs De Mars , located in the capital city of Port-Louis, racecourse is still in use, without any changes to the hippodrome itself. The Champs de Mars is built in such a classic way that one can have a clear view of the entire course from one spot, unlike in modern courses. Horseracing in Mauritius is highly considered around the world and live coverage of these races are available in South Africa, Australia and several European countries. This is mainly due to the fact that all horses and most jockeys are foreign (especially South African, Australian, French and English).

The entry to the inner area of the hippodrome is free of charge and is only closed a couple of minutes before the race (8 heats per racing day). Whereas access to the stands will cost you around 100 Rupees. Every racing day brings to the hippodrome about one hundred thousand (100 000) spectators and pointers and several hundreds of thousands stay tuned to their radio or television sets

From your resort on the island, you can easily book a seat in more luxurious boxes, usually kept for the Mauritius Turf Club members including transfers to and from the resort for around 10000 Rupees per person. These VIP boxes offer excellent service and complimentary food & beverages for guests all day long.

Like most racing courses around the world, the Champs de Mars, runs several “classic” races, which attract a greater crowd than usual ; The Duchess of York cup (usually the first racing day, in May), The Barbe cup, The Maiden cup (most important and valued race of the year) and The International Jockeys weekend (where the leading jockeys from around the world are invited for a special 2 days meeting in a very festive environment).

Horse racing is a very important factor in the Mauritian life and has played a vital role in shaping the country’s financial, cultural and social life. Adding to it the fact that it is a very entertaining form of leisure, it is a must for all those visiting the paradise island of Mauritius.

Once horses have retired from active racing, they are usually donated to privately owned stables or hotels (Le Coco Beach for example), in order for them to relax in their older days and entertain the larger crowds with greater ease and less stress.

The island of Mauritius is often called as the tropical Indian Ocean Paradise. This island is gifted with a rich variety of flora and fauna. Although, Mauritius is located far apart from all the landscapes being like a drop in the sea, it has a lavishing and amazingly planned infrastructure. The beauty of this island is such that it would leave you spellbound and amazed at the same time.

The climatic conditions of the island suit perfectly for many waster sports. Whether it would be a professional diver or a beginner, this island is the place to check out for diving sports. It is estimated that there are about 430 species of fishes present inside the sea, which surrounds the island of Mauritius. All these species are unique and many of them are extinct in much part of the globe. This is the reason that has made Mauritius a favorite destination for divers, all around the world.

The eastern part of the island is comprehensively influenced by the trade winds, so this part of the island is not considered as a safe place to practice diving. The lagoons located at the north eastern coast are away from the influence of the dangerous trade winds, this encourage all kind of divers to this place. Although, it is surrounded by sea in every way but the experts advice to practice diving outside the barrier reefs of the island because interior lagoons are very deep and not ideal for diving.

The Tourism Authority of Mauritius invests huge interest in promoting the diving, as the tourism industry of the country generates a huge amount of revenue for the country. All the diving sites are accredited by the tourism authority. The responsibility of the maintenance of these sites also lies with the authority. There are a great number of trained divers, who are licensed by the tourism authority, and provide a great help to the beginners practicing diving. This support of the government enables to diving agencies to take a better care of these wonderful diving sites. All these sites are ideal for diving for the beginners, with reasonable depth and good facilities available.

There are over 200 wrecks located in the surroundings of Mauritius. This enthralls the veteran and the beginner divers because every one has plenty to discover under the blue water. People get wide options to choose for their favorite spot to pursue diving. And all these sites live up to an international standard and offer you with so much to explore.

The island is a beautiful place for the divers to explore. If you are have the undying zeal for diving; then Mauritius is the place to consider for your next holiday. The place offers you with world class facilities to pursue diving. Get ready to hit the blue water surrounding the beautiful island of Mauritius and prepare yourself to experience the exotic underwater life.

The Sands resort is a very cozy and inexpensive 4 stars resort located on the west coast of Mauritius, in Flic en Flac to be precise.

The area of Flic en Flac has become a major tourist spot in the last couple of years thanks to various tourism projects and facilities offered. As so, several high quality resorts have opened their doors in this region (Hilton amongst others).

The relatively inexpensive rates, compared to other resorts on the island, make it quite popular among young vacationers visiting the island. Most of the guests in the hotel are young couples from western Europe (mainly Italy, Spain, UK and Scandinavia) though one will find guests from all over the world.

As any quality resort on the island, the Sands resort is located “pied dans l’eau”, meaning it is set on the beach itself and as so, has the ability to offer its guest various water sports and sea related activities which are very popular, some even without charge (glass bottom boat, kayak, water skiing, windsurfing…). If interested, one can ask at the front desk for other activities such as diving, parasailing…

The Sands resort has made itself a name in the last couple of years as a wedding hotel, meaning that one can organize the entire ceremony (civil & religious) within the hotel itself. Can you think of anything more romantic then saying “I DO” on the white sandy beaches of the paradise island of Mauritius?

Though the hotel has a small number of rooms compared to larger resorts, the 91 Deluxe rooms are everything you need and offer all you might want withing their 53m2 (air conditioning, TV, safe box, wifi facility…).

As the resort’s name says, the hotel is also a Spa, which is considered to be one of the best on the island. It offers different types of massages and treatments as well as hair treatment.

For your next stay in Mauritius, be sure to consider the Sands Resort & Spa. For more information about the resort, please visit it’s website.