Mauritius Travel Guide

Mauritius — Shopping

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Shopping

This ranges from sophisticated shopping for designer clothing, jewelry and handicrafts in Port Louis’ Caudan Waterfront to rooting around for T-shirts and souvenirs upstairs in the capital’s bustling Central Market, while locals bargain hard over tea and other essentials while catching up on the gossip. Island crafts, found at the craft market at The Caudan include jewelry, Chinese and Indian jade, silks, basketry, glass and model ships. Cashmere is a particularly good buy.

Duty-free shopping is popular here with around a 40% saving on textiles, jewelry, perfume and electrical goods. Mauritius is to be turned into a tax-free shopping haven by 2010, with 80% tax taken off around 2,000 goods. Tourist shopping centers are located around the island, with a good selection of designer shops at Grand Baie, but the locals shop at Curepipe, Quatre-Bornes and Rose-Hill.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1800. Some shops are open until 1200 on Sundays and public holidays. Markets usually close around 1600. Shops in Rose-Hill, Curepipe and Quatre-Bornes close on Thursday afternoons.

Currency

Mauritian Rupee (MUR; symbol Rp) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Rp2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25. Coins are in denominations of Rp10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, and 5 cents.

Currency Exchange

Available in banks and at bureau de change. A better rate of exchange can be obtained on traveler's checks than on cash. Mauritius Commercial Bank is reputed to have the quickest service.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

MasterCard and Visa are the most widely accepted by most banks, hotels, restaurants and tourist shops followed by American Express and Diners Club. ATMs are widespread.

Travelers Checks

May be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorized dealers.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency subject to amounts above Rp45,000, which must be declared on arrival or departure.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 0915-1515, Fri 0915-1530, Sat 0915-1115 (except for State Bank of Mauritius). Banks are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport.