My top 10 things to do in Mauritius
1) TRY THE STREET FOOD - Mauritian Street Food is amongst the best in the world – there, we said it! A unique mix of Creole, African, Indian, and Chinese influences, the dishes offer bursts of intricate flavours. Spices, colours, and flavours come together to form a scrumptious (yet little known!) cuisine. Where else would you find a French bouillon laced with Indian spices?
2) HIRE A CAR AND DRIVE AROUND - Renting a car isn’t a very popular option in Mauritius. Most tourists prefer to move around in cabs driven by local drivers. However we would suggest renting a car if you’re even a tad bit adventurous. There is some serious fun to be had. Nothing compares to discovering a secret beach or stumbling upon an amazing restaurant does it? Just a word of caution – don’t rely solely on your GPS in Mauritius (unless you want to end up in a sugarcane field with a stray rabbit for company!). Ask for directions – English is widely understood and spoken and Mauritians are used to giving directions to tourists. Rent a car with a Mauritian Rental Company for cheaper deals Once behind the wheel, explore the hidden villages and beaches of Mauritius. Make sure you drive along Mauritius’ Southern coast – it’s right up there with the best the island has to offer. Think black rocks, rugged panoramas, crashing waves, windy surfing beaches, and stunning Mauritian countryside. We promise you, you won’t forget the feeling of wind hitting your face as you drive through winding roads to reach the southernmost tip of the island at Gris Gris.
3) VISIT TEA PLANTATIONS - Imagine being the only people on a winding road – a road surrounded by tea plantations and enveloped with fog. As you drive on the mist-laden road, you see tea-pickers at work, rhythmically plucking leaves from bushes. The mise-en-scene at Bois Cheri Tea Plantations is indeed magical. If you’re a tea enthusiast you could take a guided tour through the tea plantation. Make sure you dine at their terrace restaurant – it offers stunning panoramic views of inland Mauritius and an extensive variety of teas on the menu.
4) WALK THROUGH SUGARCANE FIELDS IN INLAND MAURITIUS - Vast expanses of sugarcane fields are amongst the first things one notices about the island. They seem to go on miles and offer a stunning backdrop to drives on the island. Sugarcane has a long history in Mauritius. It was introduced to the country by Dutch colonizers, popularised by the French, and developed by the British as the primary crop in Mauritius during the nineteenth century. Make sure you wander through a few sugarcane fields while you are in Mauritius. It is easy to get lost in the narrow passageways of sugarcane fields, with hundreds of swaying sugarcane plants for company. Better still, visit L’Aventure Du Sucre – a sugar museum with its own sugarcane fields. It provides a comprehensive overview of the history of sugarcane and its importance for the island. It is possible to sample a variety of sugars here. While you’re at it, don’t leave Mauritius without trying a glass of fresh sugarcane juice – nectar, it is that!!
5) TALK TO THE PEOPLE - The highlight of any trip to Mauritius is the people. They are warm, cheerful, welcoming, and very very helpful. We were there for a week and we lost count of the number of times random strangers helped us with directions (did we tell you never to rely on GPS in Mauritius, unless you are driving on main motorways? ), explained the significance of a particular ritual to us or welcomed us to their country. Lovely people all around.
6) EXPLORE CHAMAREL - This little known village in South Mauritius holds many surprises. The Coloured Earth, which is a geological oddity of sorts, is first on the list. Purples, yellows, oranges, and reds coalesce to form an uneven volcanic surface. You can stare dumbstruck at the wonders of nature or make friends with a giant tortoise – the choice is yours The drive to Chamarel is punctuated by a number of waterfalls and gorges. Make sure you stop and walk to the viewpoints for rugged panoramas of the mountainous areas of Mauritius. It’s the sort of scenery that belongs on a photo mug or a canvas print.
7) EXPLORE THE BEACHES - It would be unfair to leave Mauritius’ beaches out of this list wouldn’t it? The country boasts of some of the finest beaches in the world – they’re stupidly gorgeous. Seriously, nothing should be allowed to be that pretty. Some of our favourites include the Belle Mare Beach, the hidden La Cuvette beach in the north, and the rugged beaches of the South, especially Le Morne. If you love kite-surfing, Le Morne is the place for you.
8) RELISH MAURITIAN RUM - While there is no shortage of things to do in Mauritius, your visit is incomplete without having tasted (or shall we say relished ) the variety of rums on offer. Jamaica might be known for producing the best rum in the world, but Mauritius isn’t far behind. It is a secret rum paradise. It has expansive sugarcane fields with rum being produced on site, delightful distilleries, and an amazing variety of rum on offer. We sampled white rums, perfect for cocktails, and premium rums, matured in oak barrels for years.The rich caramel shades of the latter had us swooning for more.
9) TRY UNIQUE WATER SPORTS - The expansive coast-line of the island means Mauritius offers a variety of water sports and activities including snorkelling, deep-sea diving, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, and scuba diving. But it also offers visitors a chance to experience some rather unique experiences – an Undersea Walk. Here one is suspended metres below the sea with a giant visor to provide a continuous supply of oxygen. It’s scary at first but soon you start walking around on the ocean bed, making friends with colourful fish and miscellaneous sea creatures.
10) ABSORB THE CULTURE - Mauritius is an endlessly fascinating blend of varied cultures. This rich diversity manifests itself in traditions and languages.English might be the official language but Creole, Hindi, French, and Bhojpuri are widely spoken in the country. Similarly you will find churches, mosques, temples, and Chinese pagodas scattered around the island. Make sure you explore intricately carved Mauritian temples, educate yourself about colourful Mauritian folklore and festivals, and participate in the energetic Sega dance. Immerse yourself in the culture of the island and you are bound to fall in love with it