A little more
Mauritius.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Mauritius: what to know before you go

Mauritius is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, ringed by coral reefs and lagoons, with a green, mountainous interior. Its mix of Indian, African, French, Chinese and British influences shows in the food, temples and languages. It suits beach holidays, diving, hiking and families looking for an easy tropical island.

Where to go

• Le Morne Brabant. A basalt mountain on the south-west peninsula that sheltered escaped enslaved people in the 18th and 19th centuries, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Chamarel. In the south-west hills, the Seven Coloured Earths are dunes of red, brown and violet volcanic soil.
• Black River Gorges National Park. The island's largest protected area, covering much of its remaining native forest.
• Port Louis. The capital's central market is busy with spice and street-food stalls, and the Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks where hundreds of thousands of indentured labourers, mostly from India, arrived in the 19th century.

Best time to visit

Mauritius is warm all year. The cooler, drier months from May to November are good for hiking and sightseeing, with pleasant temperatures, though the south and east coasts can be windy.

Staying online in Mauritius

Mobile coverage is good across most of Mauritius, with 4G in towns, along the coasts and at most resorts. Coverage can dip in the Black River Gorges and in some mountain valleys, and is more limited on Rodrigues and outlying islets. Hotels, guesthouses and many cafés offer Wi-Fi. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land, so you can use maps and contact your driver from the airport.