Most visitors to Mauritius stay on the coast and visit Port Louis and the plateau on day trips. Staying here makes sense for business, for exploring the city’s food and culture, or as a central base between coasts.
The choice is between the capital itself and the cooler towns of the Central Plateau.
In this guide
How the region is laid out
Port Louis sits on the north-west coast. Behind it the land rises through Moka and the towns of Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Vacoas-Phoenix to Curepipe, the highest of the plateau towns. The Metro Express light-rail line links Port Louis with the plateau towns.
Port Louis
The capital and main port, with the Central Market, the Caudan Waterfront, the Citadel and the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site.
It works if you want to be close to the Central Market, the Caudan Waterfront and the Aapravasi Ghat, or are travelling on business.
It works less well if you want a beach or quiet evenings; the centre is busy by day and quiet at night.
Read the full Port Louis guide.
Moka
A town in the hills behind Port Louis, home to the colonial house at Eureka and close to Le Pouce mountain.
It works if you want a quieter base in the hills close to Port Louis.
It works less well if you want a lively town centre.
Quatre Bornes & Ebène
Residential and business towns on the plateau, including Ebène’s office district, with Rose Hill and Vacoas-Phoenix nearby.
It works if you are travelling for business in Ebène or want to experience everyday plateau life.
It works less well if you want a holiday atmosphere; this is a residential and business area.
Curepipe
An upland town on the Central Plateau, cooler and wetter than the coast, known for the Trou aux Cerfs crater.
It works if you want a cooler upland town with access to Trou aux Cerfs and the south.
It works less well if you dislike rain and cool weather; Curepipe is one of the wettest towns.
Do you need a car?
The Metro Express and buses connect Port Louis with the plateau towns, so a car is not essential for this region. Traffic is heavy at peak hours.
Which area suits you?
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| City sightseeing and business | Port Louis |
| Quiet hills near the capital | Moka |
| Business in Ebène | Quatre Bornes & Ebène |
| Cool upland town | Curepipe |
What to do next
Find accommodation in Port Louis & Central Plateau
Accommodation listings for this region are being prepared. Use the area guides above to choose where to stay.
Browse Port Louis & Central Plateau accommodation
Mauritius Travel Guide is independent. Some booking links on this site earn us a commission; see our affiliate disclosure.
Area guides: Port Louis. Region guide: Port Louis & Central Plateau.
Sources
Opening hours, entry fees, boat and transport schedules, access rules and park conditions change; check the official source before you travel.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Aapravasi Ghat
- Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) — official visitor information
- Metro Express — light-rail routes and timetables
Transport and practical details were checked on 5 October 2026.