Travel

Entry Requirements

A valid passport, return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds are required. The passport has to be valid for at least 6 months. Visas are required by all except:

  • nationals of EU countries for stays up to 3 months;
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Swaziland who do require a visa);
  • nationals of Bahrain, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USA and Vatican City for stays of up to 3 months;
  • nationals of Albania, Bulgaria, CIS, the Comoros, Czech Republic, Estonia, Fiji, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic can obtain a visa on arrival for a stay of up to 15 days.

Tourist and Business visas are obtainable free of charge. Visas are not required by passengers in transit if they continue their journey to a third country within 72 hours. Visas are normally valid for up to 3 months. Applications for extension should be made to the relevant authority.

Residence permits are issued by the Passport and Immigration Officer, Passport and Immigration Office. Work permits are necessary for those taking up employment.

Imports

Spearfishing equipment cannot be imported into Mauritius. All warm-blooded animals must undergo a minimum quarantine period of six months.

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-type 3-pin plugs are commonly used.

Internet Access

Telecom Plus is the only one ISP in Mauritius. Web and email access is available through the PSTN. The dial-up connection speed is 56 Kbits/sec.

Money

Currency

Mauritian Rupee (MRs) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of MRs1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of MRs10, 5 and 1, and 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Credit cards
Access/Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express are widely accepted. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques may be exchanged at banks, hotels and authorised dealers.

Currency restrictions
Import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration, whilst export is limited to the amount declared on import. There are no restrictions on the import and export of local currency.
Banking hours
Banking hours are from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 p.m on Monday to Friday.

Postal Services

Airmail to Western Europe usually takes five days; by sea, mail takes four to six weeks.
Post office hours: Generally 0900-1100 and 1200-1600 Monday to Friday; 0800-1100 Saturday.


Telecommunications

Telephone
IDD is available. The country code is 230. There are no area codes. The outgoing international code: 00. Telephone booths are available throughout the island. Most telephones use RJ11 type plugs.
Fax
Fax facilities are available.
Cellular

There are two GSM 900 cellular networks run by CellPlus and Emtel. Pre-paid SIM cards are available. There are also pre-paid packages which include a cellular phone and SIM card.

Social conventions

Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Dress is normally informal although men will need to wear a suit for particularly formal occasions.

Tipping

10% is usual in most hotels and restaurants. Tips are not customary for taxi drivers.

 
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