What budget for activities and outings Mauritius?
Entrance to museums or natural sites is not expensive, rarely more than 600 Rs per person. On the other hand, as everywhere in the world, walking or cycling tours in small groups under the guidance of a professional guide are rarely less than Rs 1,600 per person, or even more for a full day with lunch.
Discounts are almost always offered to children, students and seniors, and even free admission for children under 3 years old. There are also family packages.
Thanks to its climate and topography, Mauritius lends itself to many outdoor sports and activities, both on land and in the water. As long as you bring your own equipment, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and snorkeling are free, as are hiking and trekking inland. When you stay in a 3 to 5-star hotel, a number of activities, the number of which increases with the hotel's standing, are included in the room rate, such as tennis, ping-pong, beach volleyball and so on, and, on the seaside, glass-bottom boats, pedal boats, sailing (dinghies or small catamarans), kayaking, snorkeling, sometimes even water-skiing and, systematically, golf when you choose a golf hotel affiliated with a course (green fee included in the package).
Outside hotels, certain leisure activities are very affordable, such as glass-bottom boat trips, kayak or stand-up paddle rentals. As soon as you start taking part in supervised activities or those requiring expensive equipment, prices rise, even if they are often lower than in France. This is the case for scuba diving, which is not cheap but less expensive than in France. It's a great opportunity to upgrade your diving skills, especially as the Mauritian lagoon is ideal for learning this sport. There's also canyoning, skydiving, quad biking, buggy riding, electric biking, guided and accompanied hikes, zip lines and tree tours, microlight or helicopter flights and, on the seaside, surfing or kitesurfing courses, underwater walking, deep-sea fishing, submarine or underwater scooter trips, motorboat, catamaran or sailboat cruises, and much more.
And if you've decided to take it easy, you should know that Mauritius has a number of local massage parlors and beauty salons (we're talking about the real deal, not the dubious shacks you'd be advised to avoid in the more touristy areas) where rates are much lower than those charged in the spas of luxury hotels and resorts.
The overall cost of living is lower than in Europe, except for imported products such as meat, wine, dairy products, etc., and all European-brand products whose prices are similar to those in France. In general, it's better to buy fruit and vegetables in markets than in supermarkets - a question of price and taste.
Otherwise, for non-food products, one of Mauritius' particularities is that it offers tax-free shopping. For purchases over Rs. 2,300 in a Tax Refund store, the 15% VAT can be reclaimed. To do this, you need to ask at the checkout for a receipt for vat paid supplies to visitors, and provide your passport number and return flight details. Once at the airport, before checking in your luggage, you must declare your purchases at the customs office in the departure hall - MRA Customs. Once you've cleared immigration, present your receipt at the MCCI Tax Refund counter and collect your refund in dollars, pounds sterling or euros. Alternatively, buy duty-free and collect your items from the MCCI Tax Refund counter on the day of departure.
For further information, please visit www.taxfreeshopping.mu: an online portal dedicated to shopping and, in particular, tax-free shopping. Managed by the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it ensures the authenticity of the brands listed, identifies and promotes interesting local brands, actively combats counterfeiting, and guarantees the quality and traceability of all the brands listed on the site - whether local or international. Simple and effective, the pages dedicated to brands and boutiques are packed with information on the history of each company, the location of stores in Mauritius (with maps for easy browsing and finding), opening days and times, etc.
Thanks not only to tax-free shopping, but also to the quality of local production, you'll find good deals on textiles via a range of stylish Mauritian brands(Cottons, Habit, Inam, Michel Abad, The Kreol Republic, Tou Korek, IV Play...) and a number of international brands that make all or part of their garments locally, reselling surpluses or old collections at much lower prices than in Europe(Belle & Toile, Café Coton, Harris Wilson, Hugo Boos, Le Gall, etc.). Jewelry is another area where bargains are even more attractive, as precious stones (including diamonds) and semi-precious stones are sold at more attractive prices than in Europe. This is particularly true of Adamas, Morebelli, Patrick Mavros, Poncini, Ravior , etc.
As everywhere, the entrance of the clubs is free if you come before a certain hour. It is definitely offered to the girls during the ladies nightswhich take place once a week in general. Drinks are a bit cheaper than in Europe except in hotel bars. Bowling and cinema are much cheaper.
What budget to eat Mauritius?
You can eat for absolutely any price in Mauritius, starting for a few rupees in the street (street-food) and along the beaches with street vendors (samoussas, fritters, dumplings, faratas, dholl puri and other exotic snacks), or at the table of the numerous Indian, Creole or Asian gargotes scattered in the towns and villages. It is not only cheap but also very good, spicy without tearing the palate - a harmonious blend of local products and a cuisine with diverse influences. The most popular dish for less than 100 Rs: fried mines. Not expensive either: the food-courts stands in the malls and other fast-foods not necessarily American.
For a good table in an independent restaurant (understand: out of the hotel), count around 15 to 25/30 €, rather 35 € if you opt for expensive products like lobster or camel. You will pay an equivalent price (from 15 €) for a nice mixed salad, pasta or pizza in a hotel restaurant at lunchtime by the sea or the pool. In the evening, in resorts, prices are higher, especially for a select dinner at a luxurious establishment - prices equivalent to those of the good and great French restaurants in this case.
Happy Hours are frequent at the end of the day from 5pm/6pm to 7pm/20pm.
What is the budget for accommodation Mauritius?
Although Mauritius has a majority of luxury hotels and is sold as a high-end destination, it is nevertheless within the reach of all budgets in terms of accommodation. Each region offers a wide range of accommodations: from small, inexpensive bungalows to luxury resorts, charming hotels, guest houses and modern apartments. What most of the facilities have in common is aesthetics and quality. Most of the constructions privilege natural materials (thatch, wood, stone), the buildings are widely opened on the outside (and a fortiori on the ocean), the constructions remain on a human scale and coconut height. The only categories absent are youth hostels and public campsites (not to mention a few very nice private camps in the wilderness like lodges) - a sign of a certain threshold of requirement in terms of overall standing.
As everywhere else, prices vary according to the season and the standard of the accommodation, but if you are on a tight budget, you will be able to stay without any problem in small tourist residences equipped with a kitchen or share the price of a villa or an apartment. But wouldn't it be a shame to come to a dream island without waking up in the morning facing the lagoon or enjoying the superb hotels or charming residences that line the coastline? Especially since on the island, if the luxury hotels are exceptional (lush landscaped parks, swimming pools, spa, gym, range of bars and restaurants, plethora of activities, miniclub and teen club, etc.), the smaller 2 and 3 star hotels are also very charming and perfectly run. In any case, when choosing a stay in a 3 to 5 star hotel, it is best to choose a flight and accommodation package through a French or Mauritian tour operator. For accommodations such as guest houses, bungalows or apartments in a small residence, book directly and take the flight separately.
Travel budget Mauritius and cost of living
The destination has a reputation for being upmarket (and therefore, a priori, expensive) and positions itself as such. It's true that most of the coastline is lined with luxury hotels, and that you'll hardly find any dry round-trip flights for less than €800 per person from Paris (taxes included). However, it is possible to benefit from exceptional discounts at certain times of the year, particularly on hotel websites or online booking platforms, by looking out for packages: flight + hotel stay. Generally speaking, packages are preferable to direct bookings for 3 to 5-star establishments. You should also avoid the Christmas period, when prices soar.
Apart from the high cost of the flight, contrary to popular belief, the cost of a vacation is not necessarily expensive locally: towns abound with small Asian, Creole and Indian restaurants where you can get a decent meal for €6 per person, or even less from street vendors; bungalows and small hotel residences welcome holidaymakers for €15 per person per day; the bus network is well-developed and small cars can be hired from €23 per day all inclusive; cheap fruit and vegetables adorn the market stalls and you can buy fish directly from the fishermen.
International hotels, on the other hand, charge the same rates as anywhere else in the world, albeit with superior services overall. And à la carte prices in top restaurants are only slightly lower than in Europe. If you rent a villa and decide to live exclusively European-style, the average price of a full tank of groceries will be the same as in France. But you'll be able to take advantage of the services of qualified staff (housekeeper, cook, gardener, nanny...) for three francs six cents, which changes the quality of your vacation all the same!
Low budget. Inexpensive studios, bungalows, apartments and villas from €15 per day per person for a minimum of 4 people sharing (friends, family...). Overnight accommodation in a pension or small hotel from around €25 to €30 per person. Meal in a local gargote: 6 to 10 €. Average budget. Overnight stay in a 2- or 3-star hotel: from €55 per person on a half-board basis. Meal in a decent restaurant: average €15 to €25 excluding drinks. Comfort budget. Overnight stay in a 4-star hotel: from €90 per person on a half-board basis. Overnight stay in a 5-star hotel: from €160. Overnight stay in a 5-star luxury hotel: from €250. Please note that the above rates are lower when booking a full week (package). Meals in gourmet restaurants: from €35 per person, much more for the top tables in luxury hotels.
Tipping. Tipping is not a general rule and remains a free gesture, at the customer's discretion.
Haggling. This is not systematically practiced in Mauritius, although it is customary in the markets, with cab drivers, trinket sellers and excursion vendors who roam the beaches... and even with the owners of small hotel residences and villas for rent in the low season.
Taxes. A 15% government tax is added to hotel and restaurant bills. Since 2016, it is normally included in the initial price of services and not added separately and after the fact. As this is not systematic in restaurants, remember to check at the bottom of the menu.
