Mauritius Round Trip: Our Route, Highlights & Travel Tips
When thinking of an island holiday, most travelers first think of the Maldives or the Seychelles and not Mauritius. Yet, this island in the Indian Ocean has incredibly much to offer. Between green mountains, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear sea, Mauritius combines nature, culture, and relaxation in a very special way.
On our trip, we circumnavigated the island completely by rental car in 3 weeks. From the colorful streets of Port Louis and the mountain landscapes in the south to the dream beaches on the west coast, Mauritius totally surprised us with its diversity, the friendly nature of its people, and its relaxed atmosphere. In this post, we show you our route. We share our experiences with you and give you personal tips on the best time to travel, the route, and entry requirements. Here, you will find everything you need to know for your own Mauritius trip.
Is Mauritius worth it?
Dream beaches and turquoise sea 🌴: Mauritius stands for perfect postcard moments. White sand, turquoise water, and palm trees swaying in the wind. Whether you prefer relaxing or staying active: at beaches like Le Morne, Flic en Flac, or Belle Mare, you will always find a very special spot.
Nature and Adventure ⛰️: Away from the beaches, Mauritius surprises with an impressive landscape. Green mountains, waterfalls, and national parks invite you to go hiking. Especially Le Morne Brabant, Le Pouce, and the Black River Gorges National Park are the perfect places if you want to discover the island actively.
Culinary Experience 🍛: The cuisine in Mauritius is as diverse as the island itself. A mix of Indian, Creole, and Chinese influences ensures a variety of dishes. From curries and street food to fresh fish right on the beach. Especially the Creole cuisine is a true experience.
Culture and People 🌅: The culture in Mauritius is very diverse. People of different origins live together on the island, which is reflected in the music, language, food, and traditions. When you strike up a conversation with the locals, you will experience a warm hospitality that is second to none.
Island Road Trip 🚗: The island is small enough to be circumnavigated in a few hours. At the same time, it is large enough to discover something new every day. Whether you drive across the island by rental car or stay in one place for a longer time: it is diverse, and you never have to drive long to experience something.
Mauritius Itinerary
Our journey took us across the entire island, from north to south, east to west, and from the beaches up into the mountains. Most highlights are located along the coast, yet it’s always worth taking a detour into the interior to experience the diverse nature. If you really want to see everything, you should plan for at least 2 weeks, though that can get quite stressful. 3 to 4 weeks are ideal. Distances are short, meaning you’re rarely on the road for more than an hour. With a rental car, you can stop wherever you like, often making the drive itself the actual highlight.
After landing in Mahébourg, we picked up our rental car directly at the airport and headed to our first stop, Trou d’Eau Douce. This town is perfect for a trip to Île aux Cerfs and relaxed beach days. Next, we continued to Roches Noires, a great spot for snorkeling and swimming.
On the north coast, we visited Pereybere and Mont Choisy, popular beach spots where you can experience local life away from mass tourism. We then headed to the capital, Port Louis, where things are wonderfully chaotic and you see a completely different side of the island. A street food tour is an absolute must here.
On the west coast in Tamarin, we had the chance to surf, watch dolphins, and swim with whales. Afterward, we explored the national park in the Black River district and visited the legendary Tamarind Falls. Located at the southwestern tip is La Gaulette, the ideal place for a relaxed finish with a view of the world-famous Underwater Waterfall. Shortly before our departure, we spent two days in the former capital, Mahébourg, a charming town with a harbor and markets very close to the airport. In the blog post Mauritius: Around the Island in 3 Weeks you’ll find a more detailed description of our travel itinerary.
Transportation on Mauritius
During our 3-week trip on Mauritius, we had a rental car the entire time. This allows you to explore the island independently, flexibly, and at your own pace. For the full 3 weeks, we paid about 500 Euros. When renting a car, you should definitely make sure to have good insurance and the lowest possible deductible. This way, you can drive around the island relaxed and don’t have to worry about every little scratch.
In Mauritius, they drive on the left, which can be very unfamiliar, especially at the beginning. Therefore, drive carefully and give yourself some time to get used to it. We recommend an automatic car, as it is much more relaxed to drive in the cities and on the coastal roads.
Parking on the island is usually no problem. This also applies to larger cities and beaches. Nevertheless, you should not leave any valuables visible in the car, as occasional break-ins can occur. Additionally, you will not receive a spare key. Therefore, make sure you never leave the key inside the car, as they sometimes lock automatically.
Refueling on Mauritius works a bit differently. You simply pull up to the pump and the gas station attendant takes care of everything else. He fills the tank and cleans all the windows at the same time. Petrol is very cheap and usually costs less than 1 Euro per liter. The lever to open the fuel cap is usually located under the seat on the driver’s side.
Overall, the rental car helped us enormously to discover the island at our own pace. We traveled from the beaches on the east coast across the mountains in the interior to the relaxed places in the west and south. If you really want to explore Mauritius flexibly, you can hardly avoid getting your own car.
Your Ultimate Mauritius Guide
We know that blog posts are often not read in their entirety. That is why we have summarized all the important information in short and compact bullet points at the end. This way, you can find everything you need to know for planning your Mauritius trip at a glance.