Language: English is the official language of
Mauritius, but the most widely used is French and the local dialect, Creole. Hindi, Urdu and Chinese are also spoken.
Currency: The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Travelers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and larger hotels. Travelers cheques usually exchange at a better rate than cash. ATMs are widely available in most towns and hotels, restaurants and large retailers accept major credit cards.
Time: Local time is GMT
+4.
Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs and round two-pin plugs are commonly used.
Communications: The international access code for Mauritius is +230. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the
United States). City/area codes are not required. The whole island is covered by the mobile network; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international operators. Handsets and SIM cards can be hired at the airport. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free: Travelers to Mauritius over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 liter spirits and 2 liters of wine, ale or beer; perfume and eau de toilette for personal use. Prohibited items include sugarcane and fresh fruit from parts of
Asia. No dogs or cats from a 62-mile (100km) radius where rabies has occurred in the past 12 months are allowed into the country.
Tourist OfficeMauritius
Tourist Office,
Port Louis: +230 210 1545 or www.tourism-mauritius.mu
EmergencyEmergencies: 999.
Embassies
Mauritius Embassy,
Washington DC, United States: +1 202 244 1491.
Mauritius
High Commission,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7581 0294-8.
Mauritius
Honorary Consulate,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 7377 322.
High Commission for the Republic of Mauritius,
Canberra,
Australia: +61 (0)2 6281 1203.
Mauritius High Commission,
Pretoria,
South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 1283/4.
Consulate of Mauritius,
Auckland,
New Zealand: +64 (0)9 262 6262.
United States Embassy, Port Louis: +230 202 4400.
British High Commission, Port Louis: +230 202 9400.
Canadian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Mauritius): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
Australian High Commission, Port Louis: +230 202 0160.
South African High Commission, Port Louis: +230 212 6925/6/8/9.
Mission of
Ireland to the
UN,
New York, United States (also responsible for Mauritius): +1 212 421 6934.
New
Zealand Consulate, Les Pailles: +230 421 9000.
