|
HISTORY
Of volcanic origin and generally sheltered by barriers
of coral reefs forming natural, safe, crystal clear
lagoons, Mauritius has long been a dream destination.
Known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century,
but officially «discovered» in 1505 by the Portuguese
navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, the island was occupied
successively by the Dutch (1598-1712) and the French
(1715-1810), and was ceded to Great Britain in 1814
through the Treaty of Paris. On 12 March 1968, Mauritius
became Independent. Republic Day was proclaimed
on 12 March 1992.
MAURITIUS VISA AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A visitor must be in possession of a valid passport
and a return or onward ticket. A visitor’s visa
is normally granted for a period of two weeks to
one month upon arrival, to almost all holders of
a valid passport, with one or two exceptions. Visitors
are strongly recommended to contact the Passport
and Immigration Office in Mauritius or the nearest
Mauritian Embassy or Consulate. The visa can be
extended upon request at the Passport and Immigration
Office, Sterling House, 11-19 Lislet Geoffroy Street,
Port-Louis, Tel : (230) 210-9312 to 210-9317 Fax
(230)210-9322.
FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE
Air Mauritius operates over 30 weekly flights to
and from all the European major cities including
15 combined flights with Air France to and from
Paris. British Airways operates four weekly flights,
Emirates Airlines three and Condor one.
MAURITIUS CUSTOMS
- Passengers over 18 years of age may import the
following duty-free items: 250 grams of tobacco
(including cigars and cigarettes), 1 litre of spirits,
2 litres of wine, ale or beer, one quarter litre
of Eau de Toilette and perfume not exceeding 100
ml.
- A plant import permit must be obtained from the
Ministry of Agriculture, prior to the introduction
of plants and plant material including cuttings,
flowers, bulbs, fresh fruits, vegetables and seeds.
- It is prohibited to introduce sugarcane and parts
thereof, soil micro-organisms and invertebrate animals.
- All imported animals including animal products
need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture
and a health certificate from the country of origin.
- Drug trafficking is illegal and carries very heavy
penalties. Firearms and ammunition need import permits
and must be declared on arrival.
HEALTH AND VACCINATIONS
No vaccinations are required. However a yellow fever
vaccination certificate is required for travellers
over 1 year of age who arrive from areas where yellow
fever cases are reported.
CLIMATE
The temperature on the coastal areas varies between
22°C in winter and 34°C in summer. The sea temperature
varies between 22°C and 27°C. In the central part
of the island, the maximum daytime temperature varies
from about 19°C in August to about 26°C in February.
The western and northern regions are warmer and
relatively drier than the East and the South.
CULTURE
Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions.
The population consists of Hindus, Creole, Chinese,
Muslims and Europeans.
CURRENCY
The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which
is divided into 100 cents (cs). At the latest exchange
rate, one Euro is worth around Rs. 30.
CREDIT CARDS
Credit cards are normally accepted by banks and
most hotels, restaurants and tourist shops.
DRIVING
People in Mauritius drive on the left-hand side
of the road and give way to the right. Foreigners
with a driving licence issued by a Competent Authority
in their respective countries are allowed to drive
during their stay in Mauritius.
ECONOMY
The Mauritian economy is based on four sectors:
Textile, Tourism, Sugar and Services.
ELECTRICITY
220 volts.
MAURITIUS EMERGENCY
Police(ambulance ) :999, Police : 208-7018/20
Fire : 995, Samu : 114
MAURITIUS GEOGRAPHY
Mauritius is located approximately 2000 kilometres
to the south eastern coast of Africa and lies east
of Madagascar on 20°5, 57.5E. The country covers
an area of 1865km_ with 330 kilometres of coastline.
Mauritius is 45km in width and 65km in length.
MAURITIUS GOVERNMENT
Mauritius is a democratic state based on the Westminster
model and enjoys political stability.
MAURITIUS LANGUAGE
Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally
fluent in English and French. Creole and French
are the main languages in the everyday environment
and several oriental languages are also spoken.
MAURITIUS MEDICAL SERVICES
Free public medical facilities are widely available.
Private clinics provide medical services for a fee.
MAURITIUS NEWSPAPERS
Besides a wide choice of local papers, the pick
of the European and American press is available.
MAURITIUS NUDISM
Nudism and topless sunbathing are frowned upon on
our public beaches. No hotel permits nude sunbathing
on beaches. Topless sunbathing is sometimes tolerated.
MAURITIUS POPULATION
1.2 million (Year 2003)
MAURITUS POPULATION LITERACY RATE
82.9%
MAURITIUS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
There are 15 public holidays every year. Seven of
them are fixed holidays: January 1st & 2nd, 1st
February, 12th March, 1st May, 2nd November and
25th December. The remaining public holidays are
religious festivals whose dates vary from year to
year.
MAURITIUS SECURITY
A tourist police service has been set up to ensure
security in tourist zones.
An anti-terrorist law has also been proclaimed.
A specific law relating to all tourist activities
and corrupt practices has also been voted.
The following essential pieces of advice are meant
for you :
- Keep an eye on all personal belongings at all
times.
- Be careful when withdrawing money from a cash
point.
- Avoid wearing expensive jewellery.
- Do not leave anything inside your car.
- (For trips or purchases) use only recognised operators
or suppliers.
- Keep your passports, plane tickets, jewellery
of value and large sums of money in safe custody.
- For sea excursions, do not rent boats with inadequate
security standards.
- During individual sea trips, always notify the
person responsible for the boat house.
- Do not go swimming in areas where it is forbidden.
MAURITIUS SHOPPING
Shopping hours in our main cities range from 9.30
am to 7.30 pm (Monday-Saturday). Some shops are
open till noon on Sundays and public holidays. The
island’s reputation as a shopping paradise is enhanced
by the diversity and quality of shopping opportunities.The
number of tourists-only duty-free shops where passports
and air tickets must be shown is on the increase.
Prices are very reasonable. What can one buy in
Mauritius? Models of old ships. Note : Airline companies
charge for freight on ship models according to size
and weight. Mauritius has an enviable reputation
for textisland production, namely for pull-overs
and knitwear. Leading brands of shirts, trousers,
suits, dresses, suits for women, shorts or swimwear
are sold at unbeatable prices. Basketwork, embroidery,
pottery, cut stones and recycled glass are very
much in demand. Those who love cooking will be able
to take back fruit jellies, chillies, and other
types of spices and pickles - delicious bits of
raw vegetables soaked in oil, spices and chilly.
Do not forget to buy some vanilla tea or rum. Only
accredited shops are allowed to sell duty-free goods
to tourists. Coffret des island, on the other hand,
offers a wide range of gift-parcels ready to offer,
home delivered in France, England and Germany within
72 hours. Your Coffret des island can also be purchased
in most of the hotel’s shops or with your Tout Operator’s
local representative.
MAURITIUS TIPPING
Tipping is not compulsory.
MAURITIUS
TIME AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Mauritius is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean
Time and three hours ahead (2 hours in summer) of
mid-European Time. Mauritius has international direct
dialling facilities to most parts of the world as
well as high speed fax and internet services.
MAURITIUS TV CHANNELS
Satellite TV and local tv & radio are available
in most of the hotels.
MAURITIUS VAT (VALUE ADDED TAX)
A value added tax of 15% is payable on goods and
services including hotel and restaurant bills.
WHAT TO WEAR IN MAURITIUS
Take your best beach and casual wear. In the winter
months (June -September), carry some light woollen
clothing for the cool evenings.
Please show due respect when visiting religious
places. Wear appropriate clothing (and remove leather
shoes and belts) when entering the premises.
WORKING HOURS
Private Sector : Monday to Friday: 8.30 am - 4.15
pm Saturday : 9am -noon (Some offices)
Public Sector : Monday to Friday: 9 am - 4 pm
Saturday : 9 am - noon (Skeleton service).
BANKING HOURS
Monday to Thursday : 9.15 am -3.15 pm, Friday: 9.15
am -3.30 pm , Saturday
:9.15 am -11.15 am (Some banks only). Banks are
also open to coincide with the arrival and departure
of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam Airport.
Mauritius Towns
Port Louis.
Curepipe.
Vacoas
Quatre Bornes
Beau Bassin
Rose Hill
|
