Baladirou Villas - Destination Info

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At a Glance...

Mauritius was named after the Dutch Prince Maurice Van Nassau.

The island is located off the southeast coast of Africa, some 900km east of Madagascar. Surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean, it is 2040km2 in size, with a population of 1.2 million, including Rodrigues and the outer islands.

Port Louis is the capital city of Mauritius.

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Climate

Mauritius enjoys a mild tropical climate all year round. The winter months are typically warm and dry from May to October, while summer is hot and quite humid from November to April.

Temperatures: 17°C - 23°C in winter and 23°C - 33°C in summer. Sea temperature: 22°C to 27°C.


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Language

Mauritian Creole, French and English are mostly spoken on the island. While English is the official language, French and Creole are most commonly used.

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Money

The local currency is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Credit cards are accepted by most businesses.


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Driving

Mauritius has a network of well maintained roads, with a main dual-carriageway going across the island from the airport in the south through the capital city of Port Louis in the west and further towards the popular north coast. Taxis are a safe and popular way to get around the island, while cars can also be hired.

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Culture

The island is a melting pot of cultures, with citizens having Indian, African, Chinese or French ancestry, all of which adds to its unique diversity. As a former French and then British colony, the island also shows strong European influences.


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What to do

Mauritius offers a wealth of natural beauty and exciting activities for every traveller. Visit the island's several unique natural features, including the 7-Coloured Earths of Chamarel, the Black River Gorges and two UNESCO World Heritage status monuments. There are a number of world-class golf courses to enjoy, as well as a host of water sports such as deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling and kite surfing to name a few. Go trekking through the lush forest, or explore the nearby villages and markets on bicycle.

The island has a rich colonial history and offers a fascinating local contemporary culture, including a variety of exotic and colourful religious festivals. There are shopping centres and markets all over the island selling locally made textiles, jewellery, sugar and local preserves. Visit the nature reserves where you can spot some of the native endangered species, both in the ocean and inland. Every moment in Mauritius is an opportunity to discover something new.

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Direct flights

Air Mauritius is the national carrier for the island. It operates a network of routes to international destinations in Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia, with daily or weekly flights to most major cities in these destinations (as well as to the local islands such as Rodrigues).