The bus is the quintessential Mauritian experience: Rs 15 – 40 per ride, sega music in the speakers and stops everywhere. Allow plenty of time: Port Louis – Grand Baie can take 1h15. The last buses leave early (often 6:00 – 6:30 pm outside the main routes).
Taxis are negotiated BEFORE you get in: there's no meter. A Grand Baie – airport ride costs around Rs 1,800 – 2,200. Many drivers offer full-day tours (Rs 3,500 – 4,500) and make excellent guides.
A rental car (Rs 1,200 – 1,800/day) gives you total freedom: driving is on the left, roads are good, but watch out for scooters and dogs. Your national licence is enough for a tourist stay.
Don't forget the newest player: the Metro Express. This brand-new light rail links Curepipe to Port Louis via Quatre Bornes and Rose-Hill, with a tram every 8 to 12 minutes from about 6 am to 10:30 pm. Expect Rs 20 – 40 depending on distance, with a rechargeable card bought at the station (Rs 100, then top it up). It's air-conditioned, punctual and unbeatable for dodging the plateau traffic jams — especially the infamous morning crawl into the capital.
Practical notes: official bus timetables are approximate at best, so ask locals at the stop — they'll always help with a smile. Have coins ready for the conductor, keep your ticket (inspections are frequent), and aim for « express » buses on major routes: half the stops, almost twice as fast. Local tip: the first bus of the morning, around 5:30 am, is the most punctual of the day.