Mauritius

By plane

Helicopters are available for transfers and sightseeing tours

Air Mauritius Helicopter

TaxiMauritius

Reshad Taxi Service

Saheb Dowlut

 

These are regulated and metered though meters are almost never used and linked to provinces or hotels, printed on a yellow panel on the drivers' door. Tips are not customary for taxi drivers, but appreciated. Taxis are the best way to visit the island. Various tours are available as from 2500 rupees : The holy lake, Chamarel 7 colored earth, Le Morne, swimming with dolphins in Tamarin and Ile aux cerfs are among the most appreciated by visitors.

DO NOT patronize unlicensed taxis. They promise a cheaper ride but, lately, there has been a surge in cases of robbers using this trick to lure and attack their victims. See safety section below.

By bus

Several fairly good bus services ply the island. Taking the bus is the most economical way of travelling. Air-conditioned buses have been recently introduced on some routes.

The major bus companies are:

National Transport Corporation

United Bus Service

Triolet Bus Service

By bus

Buses are still manned by a driver and a conductor who walks around collecting fares and issuing tickets after passengers have boarded. Tell the conductor where you want to go and he'll tell you the fare amount. Upon payment, he'll give you a ticket with the charged amount printed on it.

Most conductors are very helpful in providing directions to tourists. In the local Creole dialect, the conductors are called con-tro-lair literally controller.

Bus routes and schedules are available from the Ministry of Transport (http://www.gov.mu/portal/...) and Mauritius Buses (http://www.mauritius-buse...) who list all the main operators and their schedules.

Try to pay with small denominations or the conductor may not have enough change. Intentional over-charging of tourists is not common.

Bus and taxi services are best used in urban areas. Bicycles and motorbikes are also available for hire.

By Tour

Several tour companies operate in Mauritius. Each is unique in services offered but most operate with safety in mind.

By car

One major highway runs north to south, otherwise a good network of paved, if sometimes narrow, roads cover the island. Traffic drives on the left.

Numerous car hire firms include major international and independent firms. Prices vary widely starting from 800 rupees per day. To be on the safe side, with full insurance, visitors should rent cars from companies holding a tourism enterprise license. These cars are identifiable by their yellow registration number plates, while private cars unsuitable for rent have black plates. If you hire a car at the airport keep in mind that you will need to pay a 20 Rupee charge when you are leaving the car park, and this has to be paid in cash.

Regulations: Drivers are required to be over 18 years old. Speed limits are 110kph 68mph on the motorway and 50kph 31mph in built-up areas. Seatbelts are compulsory. Foreign licences are accepted.

The following chart gives approximate travel times in hours and minutes from Port Louis to other major cities/towns/resorts in Mauritius.

Curepipe 0:20

Grand Baie, North 0:30

Mahebourg, Southeast 0:45

Flic-en-Flac, West 0:30