Mauritius Travel Planning
The practical side of a trip to Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Hero image: fred_pnd, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
This section covers the practical side of a Mauritius trip: when to go, how to get around, how to choose between regions and how to plan time on Rodrigues.
Practical rules such as entry requirements, health advice and transport details change. We date-check these facts and link to the official source, and you should always confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you travel.
In this guide
When to go
Mauritius has a warm, humid summer from about November to April, which includes the cyclone season, and a cooler, drier winter from about May to October. The west and north are more sheltered from the winter trade winds than the east and south.
Getting around
Taxis, hire cars, buses and the Metro Express light-rail line between Port Louis and the plateau towns are the main options. See self-drive Mauritius for driving.
Choosing a region
Start with Mauritius destinations and Mauritius accommodation.
Planning by region
North CoastSheltered lagoon beaches, Grand Baie’s restaurants and boat trips to the northern islets.Explore North Coast 
East CoastLong white-sand beaches, wide lagoons and boat trips to Île aux Cerfs, freshened by the trade winds.Explore East Coast 
South-East CoastHistoric Mahébourg and the Blue Bay lagoon, the closest coastal base to the international airport.Explore South-East Coast 
South CoastThe island’s wildest coast, with cliffs at Gris Gris and the resort area of Bel Ombre.Explore South Coast 
West & South-WestCalm lagoons and sunsets from Flic en Flac to Le Morne, with Chamarel and the Black River Gorges inland.Explore West & South-West 
Port Louis & Central PlateauThe capital’s markets and heritage sites, and the cooler towns and sacred lake of the uplands.Explore Port Louis & Central Plateau 
RodriguesA quiet, autonomous outer island far to the east, with Port Mathurin, wide lagoons and open hills.Explore Rodrigues Read the Mauritius Travel Guide blog for planning articles as they are published.
Official sources
Opening hours, entry fees, boat and transport schedules, access rules and park conditions change; check the official source before you travel.
- Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) — official visitor information
- Mauritius Meteorological Services — forecasts, warnings and cyclone bulletins
- Metro Express — light-rail routes and timetables
Where do you want to start?
Choose a region, then use its guide to plan the rest of your trip.