Mauritius rewards the curious. Whether you have four days or are planning a permanent move, the island offers a range of experiences, reef-sheltered beaches, volcanic highlands, a genuinely cosmopolitan capital, and a food culture that reflects three centuries of layered migration. Here is where to spend your time, and what to know if you decide to stay.
The Best Fun Places in Mauritius by Region
The East Coast: Calm Water and Open Space
The east coast lagoon is the quietest argument for staying longer than you planned, reef-protected, impossibly clear, and lined with resorts that have quietly set the standard for Indian Ocean hospitality. Belle Mare and Palmar are the anchors here: long stretches of white sand backed by casuarina trees, with water shallow enough to walk 200 metres from shore. Île aux Cerfs, a small island reached by a five-minute boat crossing from Trou d'Eau Douce, draws day-trippers for its beach bars, water sports, and one of the more dramatic golf courses in the region.
For families, the east is the most practical base. Supermarkets, pharmacies, and international schools are all within a short drive, and the pace is unhurried without being dull.
The South: Wilder, Less Visited, Worth Every Kilometre
The south is different: wilder, less visited, and worth every kilometre of the drive. The Black River Gorges National Park covers roughly 6,700 hectares of native forest and is one of the few places on the island where you will hear endemic birds rather than just read about them. The Chamarel Coloured Earths, a geological formation where volcanic soil has cooled into distinct bands of red, brown, violet, and green, sit nearby, alongside the Chamarel Waterfall, which drops into a gorge cut by the Saint Denis River.
Le Morne Peninsula anchors the southwest corner. The basalt monolith rising from the tip of the peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a significant history tied to the island's enslaved population. Kitesurfers use the flat water around Le Morne Lagoon year-round; the consistent trade winds make it one of the better spots in the Indian Ocean for the sport.
The North: Social, Accessible, and Constantly Moving
Grand Baie is where Mauritius goes to eat out, shop, and be seen. The town is dense with restaurants, Creole, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, French, and the nightlife is the most active on the island. Cap Malheureux, a short drive north, offers a quieter counterpoint: a red-roofed church photographed by nearly every visitor, and views across the water to Coin de Mire island.
The north is also the departure point for catamaran trips to the northern islands, Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Round Island, where snorkelling over relatively undisturbed reef is still possible.
Port Louis: Capital, Market, and Cultural Anchor
Port Louis is not a beach destination, but dismissing it is a mistake. The Caudan Waterfront is a well-maintained harbour-front precinct with restaurants, a casino, and the Blue Penny Museum, home to the 1847 Post Office stamps considered among the rarest in philately. The Central Market, a few blocks inland, is the most direct route into the island's food culture: street food stalls, spice vendors, and the particular energy of a port city that has been trading for three centuries.
For those relocating to Mauritius, Port Louis is where most administrative processes are handled, from residency applications to financial services.
Banking in Mauritius: What Newcomers Need to Know
Settling into life in Mauritius means setting up local finances early. The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) is the island's largest bank by assets and the most widely used by both residents and expatriates. MCB's internet banking platform, accessible through the MCB website, allows account holders to manage transfers, pay utility bills, view statements, and set up standing orders without visiting a branch.
Internet banking with MCB Mauritius is straightforward to activate: you register through the bank's online portal using your account details and a one-time verification code sent to your registered mobile number. The platform supports both personal and business accounts, and the mobile app mirrors most of the desktop functionality.
Other banks operating on the island, including SBM Bank, AfrAsia Bank, and Bank One, offer comparable internet banking services, but MCB's branch network and ATM coverage make it the default choice for most newcomers.
Job Opportunities in Mauritius: Where the Market Is Moving
Mauritius has positioned itself as a regional hub for financial services, ICT, and business process outsourcing over the past two decades, and the job market reflects that. Career opportunities in Mauritius are most concentrated in a handful of sectors.
Financial Services and Fintech
The island's regulatory framework, overseen by the Financial Services Commission, has attracted a significant number of global asset managers, private equity firms, and fund administrators. Roles in compliance, fund accounting, and relationship management are consistently in demand. The growth of fintech has added software development and product management positions to the mix.
ICT and Business Process Outsourcing
Several multinational companies operate BPO and shared services centres in Mauritius, drawn by the bilingual (English and French) workforce and the time zone positioning between Europe and Asia. Jobs in Mauritius within this sector range from customer service and data processing to software engineering and cybersecurity.
Tourism and Hospitality
Tourism remains one of the largest employers on the island. Management-level positions in hotels and resorts, particularly in food and beverage, revenue management, and guest experience, attract both local candidates and international professionals.
How to Find Jobs in Mauritius
The most active job boards for Mauritius job opportunities include MyJob.mu, LinkedIn, and the careers sections of major employers directly. The government's Economic Development Board also publishes information on the Occupation Permit scheme, which allows foreign nationals to work and reside in Mauritius under three categories: professional, self-employed, or investor.
For those exploring career opportunities in Mauritius from abroad, the Occupation Permit is the primary route. Applications are processed through the Economic Development Board, and the permit is typically tied to a confirmed employment offer with a minimum salary threshold.
Practical Notes for Visitors and Residents
- Getting around: Car hire is the most practical option outside Port Louis. The road network is good, though traffic in and out of the capital during peak hours is slow. Taxis are metered and reliable for shorter trips.
- Language: English is the official language of government and business. French is widely spoken in daily life. Mauritian Creole is the most common language between locals.
- Climate: The island has two seasons, a warm, humid summer from November to April, and a cooler, drier winter from May to October. The east and south coasts receive more rainfall during summer; the west coast tends to be drier year-round.
- Cost of living: Broadly comparable to Southern Europe for imported goods, but local produce, street food, and domestic services are significantly cheaper.
Mauritius is an island that reveals itself slowly. The beach is the obvious starting point, but the highlands, the capital, and the practical infrastructure of a functioning financial and professional hub are what make it hold your attention, whether you are visiting for a week or considering it as a place to build something more permanent.
FAQ
Q: What are the most fun places in Mauritius for families? A: The east coast, particularly Belle Mare, Palmar, and Île aux Cerfs, is the most family-friendly region, offering calm lagoon water, easy access to services, and a range of water sports suited to all ages.
Q: How does internet banking work with MCB Mauritius? A: MCB Mauritius (Mauritius Commercial Bank) offers an internet banking platform accessible via its official website and mobile app. Account holders register online using their account number and a verification code sent to their registered phone. The platform supports fund transfers, bill payments, and statement downloads.
Q: What job opportunities are available in Mauritius for expatriates? A: The main sectors hiring internationally are financial services, ICT and BPO, and hospitality management. Foreign nationals typically apply for an Occupation Permit through the Economic Development Board, which requires a confirmed job offer and a minimum monthly salary, currently set at MUR 30,000 for most professional categories.
Q: Is Mauritius a good place to relocate for career growth? A: For professionals in finance, technology, and business services, Mauritius offers genuine career opportunities alongside a favourable tax environment (a flat 15% income tax rate), political stability, and straightforward residency pathways.
Q: What is the best time of year to visit Mauritius? A: May to October is generally considered the best period, cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and less rainfall across most of the island. The west coast remains dry for longer into the summer months if you are visiting outside this window.