General
Information About Mauritius
These are few general Information which might be helpful during your stay in Mauritius.
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The climate in Mauritius is fairly acceptable to everybody. The temperature
ranges are:
- Sea temperature varies between 22°C and 27°C.
- Summer (November to April): 33° C on the Coast to 23° C on
the Central Plateau.
- Winter (May to October): 21° C on the Coast to 17° C on the
Central Plateau.
Hours of Daylight approx. from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer and from 7
a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter.
July being the Coolest Month with 22° C in temperature. February
is the Warmest Month 28° C.
Heavy Rainfalls likely between January and March. The western and northern
regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.
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220 Volts.
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Mauritius is a democratic state based on the Westminster model and enjoys political stability.
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Mauritius is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 3 hours ahead of mid-European time.
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There are 15 public holidays every year. Seven of them are fixed holidays:
January 1st and 2nd, 1st February, 12th March, 1st May, 2nd November and 25th December.
The remaining public holidays are religious festivals whose dates vary from year to year.
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Shopping hours in our main cities range from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm (Monday-Saturday). Some shops are open till noon on Sundays and public holidays. Many duty free shops and modern shopping centres (Caudan, Curepipe, Floréal Square, Happy World House, Orchard Centre) offer a wide choice of products.
Please note that shops in Rose-Hill, Curepipe and Quatre-Bornes are closed on every Thursday afternoon.
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A value added tax of 15% is payable on goods and services including hotel and restaurant bills.
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Private Sector : Monday to Friday: 8.30 am - 4.15 pm Saturday : 9am -noon
(Some offices)
Public Sector : Monday to Friday: 9 am - 4 pm
Saturday : 9 am - noon (Reduced staff).
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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.
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Free public medical facilities are widely available. Private clinics provide
medical services for a fee.
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A tourist police service 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 expensive jewellery.
- Do not leave anything inside your car.
- (For trips or purchases) use only recognized operators or suppliers.
- Keep your passports, plane tickets, jewellery of value and large
sums of money in safe custody.
- For sea excursions, do not rent boats with inadequate security standards.
- During individual sea trips, always notify the person responsible
for the boat house.
- Do not go swimming in areas where it is forbidden.
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Passengers over 18 years of age may import the following duty free items:
250 grams 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 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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Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally fluent in English
and French. English being the official language, Creole and French are the
main spoken languages in the everyday environment and several oriental languages
are also spoken.
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Monday to Thursday : 9.15 am -3.15 pm, Friday: 9.15 am -3.30 pm , Saturday
:9.15 am -11.15 am (Some banks only). Banks are also open to coincide with
the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur
Ramgoolam International Airport.
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People in Mauritius drive on the left-hand side of the road with priority
given to the right.
Foreigners with a driving license issued by a Competent Authority in their
respective countries are allowed to drive during their stay in Mauritius.
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Credit cards are normally accepted by banks and most hotels, restaurants
and tourist shops.
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The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs.) which is divided into 100
cents (cs). At the latest exchange rate, one Euro is worth around Rs. 30.
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