Time
Mauritius is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 3 hours
ahead of mid-European time.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are generally accepted by banks, hotels, restaurants
and tourist shops. The following credit cards are negotiable in
Mauritius: America Express, Diners, MasterCard and Visa.
Back to Top Health Requirements
Yellow Fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required
for travelers over 1 year of age and coming from infected areas.
Infected areas are those areas which the World Health Organisation
includes in the endemic zones.
Malaria: There is no malaria risk in Mauritius or Rodrigues Island.
VAT
A value added tax of 15% is included in all bills relating to
goods and services, including hotel and restaurant bills.
Back
to Top Working Hours
Private Sector: Monday to Friday: 08.30 – 16.15 Saturday:
09.00 – 12.00 (Some offices) Public Sector: Monday to Friday:
09.00 – 16.00 Saturday: 09.00 – 12.00 (Reduced staff)
Currency
The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which is divided
into 100 cents (cs). Coin exist as: 1 rupee, 5-rupees, 10-rupees;
20 and 50 cent-pieces. Notes are in the following denominations:
Rs 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000. Foreign currency notes,
drafts and travelers cheques may be brought into Mauritius without
restriction.
Back
to Top International Airport
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Air Terminal, also
known as Plaisance (code: MRU) is approximately 3 kms from Mahébourg,
48 kms from Port Louis, 70 kms from Grand Baie, 45 kms from Flic
en Flac
and 40 kms from Belle Mare. Facilities include duty-free shops
both on arrival and departure, bars, banks and Post Office. (230)
603 3030 / (230) 637 5306
What to Wear
Take your best beach and casual wear.
In the winter months of June, July, August and September carry
some light woolens for
the cool evenings.
Back
to Top Driving
On the left, please! Electricity
Power supply throughout the island is 220 volts
Back
to Top Customs Passengers over 18 years of age may import
the following duty free items: 250 grammes of tobacco (including
cigars and cigarettes),
1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine, ale or beer, one quarter
liter of Eau de Toilette and perfume not exceeding 10cl.
A plant
import permit must be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture,
prior to the introducing of plants and plant material including
cuttings, flowers, bulbs, fresh fruits, vegetables and seeds. All
plants must be declared to Customs immediately on arrival and are
subject to examination. It is prohibited to introduce sugar-cane
and parts thereof, soil micro-organism and invertebrate animals.
Facilities for examination and certification of plant materials
are available at Le Réduit (Tel: 454-1091) and Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam International Airport offices of the Plant Pathology
Division. (Tel.: 637-3194).
All animals including animal products
need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and a sanitary
certificate from the country of origin. All animals must be declared
to the Customs Authorities immediately on arrival, and landing
is allowed is allowed only if certificate issued by the Veterinary
Authorities of the exporting country are in conformity with Import
Permits. Dogs and cats undergo a six months’ quarantine;
Birds and other animal/species up to 2 months. Drug trafficking
is illegal and carry very heavy penalties. Firearms and ammunitions
need import permits and must be declared on arrival.
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Tobacco
It is forbidden to smoke in public areas. “Smoking” and “Non-smoking” corners
are available in certain restaurants.
Nudism
Nudism and monokini are not welcome along our public beaches.
No hotel allows nudism on beaches. Monokini is sometimes tolerated.
Back
to Top Drugs
Introducing drugs is illegal. Warning!, drug trafficking is severely
punished by the law.
Security
A tourist police 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 high-priced jewellery.
• Do not leave anything high-priced jewellery.
• Do not leave anything inside your car.
• (For excursions or purchases) only use recognised operators or
suppliers.
• Keep your passports, plane tickets, jewellery of value and large
sums of money in the safe of your room.
• For sea excursions, do not rent boats with inadequate security
standards.
• During individual sea excursions, always notify the person responsible
of your boat house.
• Do not go swimming in areas where it is forbidden.
Back to Top
Radio and Television
The Mauritian
audiovisual landscape is a free one. Three private radio stations
share the airwaves with the Mauritius Broadcasting
Corporation (MBC). There are three Mauritian television channels
and two satellite television companies. France Inter and RTL
programmes are broadcast by Mauritian radio stations during the
day. The main
France 2 new bulletins is broadcast daily, while on satellite
television, Canal +, TF1, TV5 and RTL 9 programmes are available.
Newspapers
The Mauritian press is one of the most dynamic in Africa. Two
English weekly co-exist with several French written newspapers.
The press is totally free and reflects perfectly the plurality
of the country.
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Source : Free Guide “