| Banks |
Banks are found in all the major cities and villages. They offer better exchange rates for notes and travellers cheques than the hotels.
Opening hours
- Monday-Thursday: 9:00-15:15
- Friday: 9:00-17:00
Cash withdrawal with Credit Cards (ATM)
Mauritius Commercial Bank: MasterCard, Diners, Visa
Barclays Bank: Visa
|
| Bathing |
Bathing shoes or slippers when walking in the sea or swimming in rocky areas are recommended. Swimming costumes or bikinis are a must on public beaches in order to respect the different ethnic groups and local customs.
Nudity is absolutely forbidden but ‘topless’ sunbathing is normally tolerated within the privacy of the hotel grounds or beaches.
|
| Beach |
Beach sellers must display licenses from the Ministry of Tourism. Be aware of Hawkers and check prices. Never buy any kind of seafood from them.
|
| Car rental |
We deal only with serious and experienced companies. Driving is on the left hand side.
|
| Clothes& Etiquette |
- During the day: informal.
- Evenings: smart casual.
- Gentlemen are requested to wear long trousers for dinner.
Visitors are requested to dress properly when visiting religious shrines (no shorts, mini-skirts, etc) and to remove their shoes when entering mosques and temples.
|
| Electricity |
220 – 240 volts. 3-pin/2-pin
|
| Emergencies |
In case of emergencies, please contact our agency Connections (telephone: 696 99 33) or ask the reception of the hotel for any further assistance.
|
| Exchange Rates |
- 1 UK £ = 58 Rs.
- 1 EURO = 42 Rs
- 1 US $ = 29 Rs.
- 1 SAR = 4 Rs
(approximative bank buying rate - April 2008)
|
| Mail |
Air Mail (to Europe) approx.:
- Postcard normal size: Rs 7
- Postcard large size: Rs 16
- Letter: Rs 32 (20grs)
Stamps are available at your hotel shop or reception.
|
Markets
|
- Port Louis: Monday - Sunday
- Curepipe: Wednesday & Saturday
- Quatre Bornes: Thursday & Sunday
- Mahebourg: Monday
- Centre de Flacq: Wednesday & Sunday
|
| Medical |
Private doctors can be called at any time through the hotel reception and there are some good private clinics.
|
| News |
Many European newspapers/magazines are available at your hotel or in the supermarkets.
|
Shops
|
General opening hours:
- Monday – Friday 9:00 – 17:00
- Saturday 9:00 – 12:00
Opening hours differ widely. Some shops are also open on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.
|
| Shopping |
There are excellent shopping centers throughout the island. T-shirts, shirts, beach & swimwear, cashmere pullovers, sweaters, leather goods, handicraft, ship models and jewellery are amongst the many items on sale.
Numerous Duty Free Shops offer a large variety of jewellery, diamonds and watches (copies of passports and air tickets are required).
|
| Sun |
Use sun care products with high protection factors even when the sky is clouded. It is advisable to wear a hat and sunglasses during the entire day, as the sun is fierce at any time. Wear a T-shirt when snorkelling.
|
| Taxi |
Available at all hotels or at special taxi stations throughout the island.
|
| Telephone |
Direct dialling from the hotel room is possible in all major hotels.
- Country code: U.K.: 020 44 France: 020 33 Germany: 020 49 Austria: 020 43
- Then dial the area code and the number.
The IDD access code for Mauritius is +230. There are no area codes on the island.
Hotel phones are expensive: approximately Rs.200 per minute
|
| Telephone Cards |
Available in many shops everywhere (Rs.50, 100 & 200).
|
| Time Difference |
Mauritian Time is 4 hours ahead of GMT
- UK Time is 4 hours behind in Winter and 3 hours in Summer
- Central Europe: 3 hours behind in Winter and 2 hours in Summer
- South Africa: 2 hours behind
|
| Tipping |
In restaurants, tipping is not compulsory and remains an appreciation of good service (5 - 10%).
|
| Valuables |
It is highly recommended to deposit any valuables and money in the hotel safe.
|
| Water |
Tap water is drinkable but we still recommend drinking bottled water
|
| Taxi |
Available at all hotels or at special taxi stations throughout the island.
|
| Above info may change without notice and we are not liable for its correctness. |
