The local life guide

Tips, culture, transport, street food: everything we wish we'd known on arrival — written by locals.

Rupees, cards and tipping: how to pay in Mauritius

How much to tip at restaurants, where to withdraw cash without fees, and why you should always keep some rupees in your pocket.

Bus, taxi or rental car: getting around Mauritius stress-free

The bus costs next to nothing and crosses the whole island — as long as you're not in a hurry. The full rundown.

A little Creole phrasebook to chat with locals

Ten words that open every door (and every smile) on the island.

Dholl puri, gato pima, alouda: the street food you absolutely must try

The best Mauritian street snacks, where to find them and how much they cost.

When to visit? Seasons, cyclones and micro-climates

It can pour in Curepipe while the sun blazes in Flic en Flac. Understanding Mauritian weather.

Which beach to pick depending on the wind (and your plans)

Waves, trade winds, flat lagoons: each coast has its own character. An express guide to the beaches.

Renting a car or scooter in Mauritius: the traps to avoid

Deposits, excess fees, phantom scratches and uninsured scooters: the anti-scam guide to renting in Mauritius.

Taxi or app: what a ride really costs in Mauritius

No meter, no Uber, but very specific rules of the game. How to pay the right price without upsetting anyone.

What to do in Mauritius when it rains? 10 plans that save the day

A tropical downpour has never ruined a Mauritian holiday — as long as you know these backup plans.

Northern beaches: Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy and Pereybère under the microscope

The north has the island's finest postcard beaches. Which one should you pick for your plans? A guided tour.

The wild South in one day: the itinerary that says it all

Wave-battered cliffs, secret waterfalls and end-of-the-world tables d'hôtes: Mauritius's most beautiful road day, step by step.

Ile aux Cerfs without breaking the bank: public boat, picnic and smart tips

The east coast's postcard island can cost Rs 500 or Rs 5,000. All the options so you can pick yours.

Must-do hikes: Le Morne, Le Pouce and Pieter Both

Three legendary summits, three moods: the sacred mountain, Port Louis's balcony and the climbers' boulder. A complete practical guide.

Underwater Mauritius: the best snorkelling spots you can swim to

Corals, clownfish and turtles with no tank and no boat: a tour of the island's lagoons, mask on.

Whales and dolphins: how to watch them without disturbing them

Resident sperm whales, passing humpbacks and Tamarin's dolphins: the guide to an unforgettable AND respectful encounter.

Sega, seggae and live music: where to feel the island's beat

From the hotel-show sega to the real Sunday beach sega, via Kaya's legacy: a guide to nights that sing.

Divali, Cavadee, Eid, austral Christmas: the calendar of festivals that light up the island

In Mauritius, every faith celebrates — and everyone is invited. The calendar so you miss nothing, with the etiquette to attend respectfully.

Markets and bazaars: where to browse, taste and haggle like a local

From Port Louis's legendary central market to the giant Flacq fair: market days, the right stalls and the art of smiling negotiation.

Boulettes, halim, farata: Mauritian street food, season 2

After dholl puri, make way for steaming bowls: the Sino-Indo-Creole trilogy that feeds the island from dawn to dusk, and where to find it.

Tables d'hôtes: eating in a Mauritian home, the island's true luxury

Curry simmered for hours, homemade infused rum and conversations until midnight: how to find and book the island's best tables d'hôtes.

Mauritian rum: the guide to the distilleries to visit (and taste)

From Chamarel to Labourdonnais, the island of sugarcane produces rums that sweep world medals. A tasting itinerary, prices and customs tips.

The tea route: from Bois Chéri to Saint-Aubin, the other face of the highlands

Plantations in the mist, a century-old factory and a tasting overlooking the sacred lake: a timeless half-day in the southern highlands.

How much does a day in Mauritius cost? Three budgets broken down

Rs 1,500, Rs 5,000 or Rs 15,000 a day: three ways to live the same island, line by line. Spoiler: the budget version may be the tastiest.

Mauritius with kids: the top 10 activities that never miss

Giant tortoises, a shark tunnel, pool-like lagoons and nature parks: ten reliable hits tested and approved by kids, prices and ages included.

Mauritius for two: romantic ideas that don't smell like a honeymoon package

Beyond the toes-in-the-sand dinner sold everywhere: the real moments for two, from sunrise on the east coast to infused rum shared on a Mahébourg seawall.

Solo travel in Mauritius: safety, good reflexes and meeting people

Mauritius is one of the safest destinations in the Indian Ocean — provided you know the three or four rules locals apply without thinking.

Sunday Mauritian-style: a user's guide to a national ritual

Gazebos pitched at dawn, pots of briani, improvised sega and collective naps: Sunday at the beach is the island's true shared religion. Here's how to live it.

Picnicking in Mauritius: the best spots, from lagoon to forest

Kiosks under the filaos, mountain lawns and forgotten coves: where to set down the cool box for an unforgettable lunch, and what to put in it.

Kitesurf and surf: learning in Mauritius, from the Morne lagoon to Tamarin bay

One of the world's best kite spots has a flat-water lagoon perfect for learning. Schools, prices, seasons: everything to get started without scaring yourself.

Golf, trail running, big game fishing: the sporty side of Mauritius

Greens facing the lagoon, legendary mountain races and mythical marlins: the island is a life-size playground. The rundown on prices and spots.

Health in Mauritius: mosquitoes, sun, pharmacies — the tropical survival kit

No malaria, but a sun that doesn't joke and end-of-day mosquitoes: the real risks, the real solutions, and where to find a doctor at 10 pm.

Wifi, SIM and data in Mauritius: connected from the airport for next to nothing

A tourist SIM at Rs 500 with more gigabytes than you'll know what to do with, an eSIM in two minutes and 4G even in the lagoon: the digital survival guide.