Mauritius is one of the most famous islands known around the world for its immense beauty. This mountainous island surrounded by turquoise water offers incredible attractions such as the central market of Port Louis, incredible resorts and beaches, the Black River Gorges national park or the Caramel park with the “seven coloured earth wonder”. Mauritius is truly an incredible place in the world however besides all of these fantastic attractions there are numerous hazards and information tourists should beware of.

Travelling info

When travelling to Mauritius all tourists are required to have their passports however certain visitors will also be required to obtain a visa. Travellers who must obtain such document are obliged depending on their nationality to either obtain a visa prior to travel or upon arrival which grants them a 60-day stay. Tourists who decide to drive in Mauritius are required to have their domestic driving permit and a certificate of insurance with them at all times whilst driving. An international driving permit is not required but it might be very useful when the domestic driving permit is written in the non-roman alphabet. The left-hand side of the road is used for driving. Mauritius has an extensive public communication system with bus stops covering almost the entire island.

Travelling hazards

Mauritius has generally quality roads. Roads divide into highways and sideroads. All of these are paved and generally well maintained. Some roads around the sugarcane plantations and smaller villages might be unpaved however there are still well drivable. Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure the traffic flows around the island without any major congestion with the exceptions of Ebène, Quatre-Bornes, Rose Hill and Port Louis around the peak hours of 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm.

Environmental hazards

There are no dangerous land creatures in Mauritius, there are however several hazards lurking in the waters surrounding the island. Stonefish and lionfish may be found in shallow waters, stone fish will usually camouflage themselves around corals and algae. Stepping on one of these will result in a painful sting and in some cases might even result in temporary paralysis which may be particularly dangerous whilst alone in the water. Lionfish will sting if touched and result in similar injuries to that of a stone fish. Sea urchins are plenty around Mauritius. These animals are only dangerous if being stepped on due to their long spikes. It is important to avoid pulling out a spike if stung at it will shatter into microscopic pieces which must be removed surgically. If stung it is best to seek medical help as soon as possible. Sharks around the island are very rare however it is advised to avoid swimming after dusk due to increased activity of these nocturnal creatures.
Mauritius is situated in the hurricane belt meaning it is struck by tropical cyclones during the hurricane season which lasts from January to March.

Health hazards

All visitors travelling to Mauritius from countries with a risk of yellow fever must present proof of yellow fever vaccination. There is currently no risk of such disease in the country. There are several other vaccines which are not required but strongly recommended. These are the routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, rabies and typhoid vaccine. Healthcare in Mauritius provides a high quality of service. Services are free for citizens of the island but not for tourists which will be expected to pay out of their pocket unless being covered by health insurance. Private facilities are expensive however these provide more and superior services than its public counterpart.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Crime is not a major concern on the island. Although violent crime has been recorded, it very rarely affects tourists. Petty crime, however, targets mostly foreigners. Instances of theft such as pickpocketing, scams and bag snatching are the most commonly reported crimes. To minimise the risk of becoming a victim it is best to stay low key. Wearing flashy jewellery or exposing signs of wealth increases the chances of falling a victim of crime. It is also advised to wear money belts to prevent pickpocketing. Mauritius drug laws heavily punish both for possession and trafficking any sort or amount of narcotics.

Summary

This movie like the island offers a variety of attractions and is certainly not to be missed when planning a vacation abroad, its natural beauty is capable of stunning every visitor who steps on the island. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://passport.govmu.org/english/passport%20and%20visa%20requirement%20in%20mauritius/pages/visa-requirements-in-mauritius.aspx
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/mauritius