Mauritius is a tropical paradise known for its beaches, lagoons, and reefs. You can spend a fabulous time here at the beaches, playing games, and swimming in the crystal clear waters. The place is also good for scuba diving and other thrilling activities. If you are looking for a relaxed holiday where you can spend some quality time with your family members, then Mauritius should be on top of your list.
While you are on a holiday, the excitement is at its peak. However, even in this paradise, you will have to be careful of a few things so as to not disrupt the peace or sentiments of the locals. While there are a lot of touristy things to know before going to Mauritius, you should also be aware of the things that you should avoid doing while you are at a certain place.
Navigating Mauritius: What to Avoid
1. Hiking Without a Guide
Mauritius has a lot of places for hiking in the lush green forests. And there is nothing like a nice long hike in these forests. But the thing that you have to keep in mind is that you should never go hiking without a guide. The forests here in Mauritius are thick and dense, and it is obvious that you will not be familiar with the place. So it is quite possible that you may lose track and be lost in the forests. Hence it is advisable that you take a guide along with you who is well acquainted with the place and can guide you through the forests.
2. Blindly Trusting Google Maps
With the increasing reliance on Google Maps, it has become our go-to application if we want to look for a place. But while you are at Mauritius, you should be careful and not rely on the Google maps. The simple reason is that the Google maps are not optimized for the locations of Mauritius. And it is possible that you might end up at a wrong place if you trust Google maps.
3. Overexposing Yourself to the Sun
Beaches are a fun place. You can spend hours laying in the sand getting tanned, playing some great games. It is indeed a great place to go with your family. And while you are here at Mauritius you will be tempted even more to go spend your entire days at beaches, because the place is famous for its beautiful beaches. But you have to keep in mind the harmful rays of the sun that can be bad for your skin. Spending many hours on the beach is fun for you but not so much for your skin. You should always carry a sunscreen to the beach. And since the water of the beach is so tempting, you will want to take a dip, so it is better that you use a sunscreen which is water resistant. Normal sunscreens don’t work in water.
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4. Taking Late Night Bus Rides
The bus service of Mauritius is quite convenient. Once you get the hang of how to use the service efficiently, you are going to love using this public transport. But that does not mean you are using is any point of the day. You have to be very careful about the timings. You should not use the bus after 6 pm because most of the places in Mauritius do not have a nightlife and as a result are quite deserted. Also the bus companies stop operating around 6:45 pm-7 pm. So even if you get a bus facility for going somewhere, coming back is going to be a challenge for you.
5. Trusting Taxi Drivers Blindly
The drivers here in Mauritius are sometimes affiliated with certain local shops. They, pretending to be super friendly, will take you to these shops that they are affiliated with. You should always be on your toes when it comes to the taxi drivers.
6. Not Bargaining While Shopping
Some shopkeepers here are nothing short of a trickster. They sell you a copy or an inferior quality of product at a price of the original one. You should keep an eye on the kind of products these people are selling. Also you shouldn’t hesitate from bargaining when you go shopping in Mauritius. Be it for the shops or taxis, you should always ask for a lower price.
7. Using Public Washrooms
The public washrooms here in Mauritius are sometimes very dirty. And you don’t want to get any diseases by using the dirty washrooms. So it is best to use the washrooms of your hotel and resort. Also be warned that the washrooms here are Asian style.
8. Eating Non-Veg Food Near Religious Places
There are many religious places here in Mauritius. The place is rich is culture and heritage. You will find a lot of people of various ethnicities. There are many temples that you will find here. They are either of Hindu or Buddhist origins. At such locations, you have to be careful of not eating and nonveg food items. Eating non-veg at such locations can be looked down upon by the locals.
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9. Forgetting to Drive on the Left Side
The fun and thrill that you get by driving a car in a foreign land remains unparalleled. But one thing that you have to careful about is the fact that people in Mauritius drive on the left side. So you have to keep this mind if you are planning to rent a car for driving in Mauritius.
10. Ignoring Beach Signs
While you are at the pristine beaches of Mauritius, you should not get carried away and ignore the signs that are put up on the beach. The signs are there for your safety and it is best if you pay attention to these signs. Though the waters of the beaches are usually safe but there are certain areas that are prone to riptides.
11. Smoking in Public Places
Smoking in public is not allowed in Mauritius after a law regarding the same was passed in 2009. So, if you are a regular smoker, you are advised to light a cigarette only in the spots where you are allowed to smoke. Breaking the law can invite a hefty fine.
12. Going Topless
Here’s what not to do in Mauritius - go topless. As much as you want to sunbathe topless on the pristine white beaches on Mauritius, there are no nudist beaches in Mauritius here. One is not even allowed to go topless in resorts and hotels. Keep in mind that you are not disrespecting the culture of the community.
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13. Touching Idols or Religious Artifacts
One of the things to be careful of in Mauritius is not touching the idols or religious artifacts in the places of worship. It is frowned upon. People in Mauritius do not do that and they would like the travelers to do the same.
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Additional Tips for a Smooth Vacation
- Carry sufficient cash: You should carry around 35000 MRU or INR 67,000 (approx) for a 7-day trip to Mauritius.
- Dress appropriately: Many hotels have a no jeans policy. Men can wear trousers, and women can wear slacks or dresses. You can also wear shorts and short-sleeved shirts.
- Tap water is safe: Yes, it’s completely safe to drink tap water in Mauritius.
- Be cautious at night: Avoid secluded areas and beaches after dark for the sake of your safety.
Isle aux Cerfs: A Paradise with Considerations
There are many islets around Mauritius, all beautiful and unique in their own particular way. The island so far has not suffered drastically at the hands of man for it still retains most of its pristine charm and beauty of a mini woodland lost in an emerald and pastel blue sea ruffled by the South-East Trades Wind. The ripples that glisten on the water on a calm and placid sea present a wonderful sight that one can go on admiring for hours on end. Ile aux Cerfs like Chamarel has developed into a cynosure due mainly to its natural charm reminiscent of Shakespeare’s description of England in King Richard II. “This precious isle found in a silvery sea….”
It is known for its lagoons, its natural swimming pools, superb sandy beaches like everywhere in the island. It7s the most frequented excursion destination in the island. It welcomes around eight hundred visitors every day. The island reckons a lush and green vegetation on the western flank confining the tourists within a radius of four hundred metres around the landing place. It is a very beautiful place that immediately takes the eye captive There are many rovers around that propose cruises or short trips or fishing expeditions. There is a lot for the eyes to see…
There is a nice lagoon near the landing station. It is pleasant for swimming. There are two restaurants, Paul et Virginie and Le Marche that cater for all tastes but at an unaffordable price by locals. The latter bring their own bread and soft drinks or water There is plenty to do. On the right of the landing station the azure blue sea with pure white sands are perfect for both basking and swimming. The calm waters of the lagoon are ideal for water sports such as snorkelling, relaxing over a long, lazy lunch is almost compulsory. It has also a crazy golf course. It is a par-72, 7,056-yard course that extends over 94 acres amongst tropical vegetation. It has 9 lakes and small greens that enhance the beautiful panoramic view suitable for film shots.
Hiking, leisurely strolls in a natural setting with filao trees and other shrubs and its endemic fauna and flora, exotic plants that have survived the test of time and man’s defiling hands need be preserved. A ramble along the sandy beach reveals a different facet of the island that may qualify it as a nudist paradise. Tourists lie almost naked on the sand and attract curious sex starving people who take advantage of washing their eyes. The more intrepid ones do enjoy some sex with their partners as the atmosphere is congenial to such a ritual. The visit might be funnier had staying overnight under canvas been allowed.
Nudity Policy in Mauritius
As much as you want to sunbathe topless on the pristine white beaches on Mauritius, there are no nudist beaches in Mauritius here. One is not even allowed to go topless in resorts and hotels. Keep in mind that you are not disrespecting the culture of the community.
General Safety Advice
Yes, generally is very safe to go out in Mauritius. Safety is not a big concern when you are visiting this beautiful destination. However, it is advised that you take good care of your belongings.
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