Sub Saharan Africa
Mauritius
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Still current at: 02 December 2008
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Updated: 30 October 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Health section (revised HIV/AIDS statistics). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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Drug trafficking carries severe penalties. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this travel advice for more details.
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The cyclone season in Mauritius normally runs from November to May. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and
Tropical cyclones for more details.
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Around 100,000 British tourists visit Mauritius every year (Source: Government of Mauritius). Although crime levels are low, you should be aware that theft, assault and rape do occur. The main type of incidents for which British nationals required consular assistance in Mauritius in 2007 were lost or stolen passports (41 cases). There were also 11 incidents related to water sport and road traffic accidents.
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There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Petty crime levels are increasing. You should take sensible precautions against theft. Take care of bags and valuables when visiting popular tourist areas including Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. Deposit your valuables and cash in hotel safes, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, separately.
Crime
Petty crime levels are increasing. You should take sensible precautions against theft. Take care of bags and valuables when visiting popular tourist areas including Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. Deposit your valuables and cash in hotel safes, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, separately.
Ensure self-catering accommodation and hotel rooms are secure. Avoid renting accommodation from unregistered proprietors. All accommodation should be registered with the Ministry of Tourism.
Most crime is non-violent; however the use of weapons was evident in some burglaries in 2007. Although uncommon, there have been some instances of sexual assault/rape. Avoid walking alone at night on deserted /public beaches or in poorly lit areas especially in the back streets of the business district of Port Louis.
Only do business with enterprises that have permanent premises, rather than street or beach vendors. Ensure that water-sport operators hold a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Tourism.
Report any incidents to the Police du Tourisme on the hotline number 213 2818 (available from anywhere on the island).
Report any incidents to the Police du Tourisme on the hotline number 213 2818 (available from anywhere on the island).
For more information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Mauritius Country Profile.
Relations with the UK are close, though demonstrations outside the British High Commission occur sporadically because of issues relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory. You should monitor events through the local media and avoid all demonstrations, rallies and other large public gatherings.
Local Travel
Political Situation
Mauritius Country Profile.
Relations with the UK are close, though demonstrations outside the British High Commission occur sporadically because of issues relating to the British Indian Ocean Territory. You should monitor events through the local media and avoid all demonstrations, rallies and other large public gatherings.
Local Travel
Road Travel
You can drive on your UK driving licence, but you must have it with you at all times. The standard of driving varies and there are frequent minor accidents (19,000 per year). Be particularly careful when driving after dark as pedestrians and unlit two-wheeled vehicles are serious hazards.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Air Travel
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.
Local laws and customs
Drug smuggling is a serious offence. Punishments can be severe. Trafficking carries life sentences (i.e. up to 45 years). Prosecutions take a year or more to come to court, with detention the norm up until the trial. Bail is not usually granted for drug-related crimes, regardless of the type of drug. For example, the importation of 15 grams of cannabis could attract a one-year custodial sentence and a fine of 100,000 Mauritian rupees. It is also illegal to possess or import cigarette papers.
You may carry common medicinal drugs for your own personal use but you must carry copies of valid medical prescriptions and the drugs must have been obtained legally from a pharmacy. Scheduled drugs, such as psychotropic preparations (e.g. tranquillisers, hypnotics), narcotics (e.g. morphine) and other strong pain killers require, by law, authorisation before import. Failure to obtain prior authorisation may result in arrest.
If in any doubt, you should seek advice from the Mauritius High Commission in London. Requests for special authorisation and import permits are usually processed in 24-48 hours if all supportive documents are submitted with the application. The basic information required is the name and address of the applicant, photocopy of the personal details page of the applicant’s passport, flight details, address in Mauritius, length of stay, description and quantities of drugs to be carried.
Requests to carry medicines used for drug rehabilitation treatment (e.g. methadone) should be submitted well in advance as they may require security clearance. In all cases the quantities of drugs carried must be compatible with the duration of stay.
The police sometimes ask foreigners to show identification. You should carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and driving licence and leave the original in a safe place.
Homosexuality is illegal in Mauritius.
You may carry common medicinal drugs for your own personal use but you must carry copies of valid medical prescriptions and the drugs must have been obtained legally from a pharmacy. Scheduled drugs, such as psychotropic preparations (e.g. tranquillisers, hypnotics), narcotics (e.g. morphine) and other strong pain killers require, by law, authorisation before import. Failure to obtain prior authorisation may result in arrest.
If in any doubt, you should seek advice from the Mauritius High Commission in London. Requests for special authorisation and import permits are usually processed in 24-48 hours if all supportive documents are submitted with the application. The basic information required is the name and address of the applicant, photocopy of the personal details page of the applicant’s passport, flight details, address in Mauritius, length of stay, description and quantities of drugs to be carried.
Requests to carry medicines used for drug rehabilitation treatment (e.g. methadone) should be submitted well in advance as they may require security clearance. In all cases the quantities of drugs carried must be compatible with the duration of stay.
The police sometimes ask foreigners to show identification. You should carry photocopies of the relevant pages of your passport and driving licence and leave the original in a safe place.
Homosexuality is illegal in Mauritius.
For more genral advice for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals do not need to obtain visas before arrival. A visa, normally valid for three months, will be issued on arrival to holders of valid British passports in possession of return tickets. If you intend to work in Mauritius, you must arrange a work permit in advance.
Passport validity
You may be refused entry to Mauritius if your passport has less than six months validity remaining or if you do not have a return ticket.
Yellow fever certificate
All passengers arriving from an area where yellow fever exists will need a yellow fever certificate. Further information can be obtained from the Mauritian High Commission (co-located with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority), 32 Elvaston Place, London, SW7 5NW. Tel 020 7581 0294; Fax 020 7823 8437; e-mail londonmhc@btinternet.com
British nationals do not need to obtain visas before arrival. A visa, normally valid for three months, will be issued on arrival to holders of valid British passports in possession of return tickets. If you intend to work in Mauritius, you must arrange a work permit in advance.
Passport validity
You may be refused entry to Mauritius if your passport has less than six months validity remaining or if you do not have a return ticket.
Yellow fever certificate
All passengers arriving from an area where yellow fever exists will need a yellow fever certificate. Further information can be obtained from the Mauritian High Commission (co-located with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority), 32 Elvaston Place, London, SW7 5NW. Tel 020 7581 0294; Fax 020 7823 8437; e-mail londonmhc@btinternet.com
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Mauritian High Commission.
Health
Good private healthcare in Mauritius is available, although this can be costly if you are not insured. More complex cases could require evacuation to Reunion or South Africa.
Chikungunya is a common problem in Mauritius, particularly in the warmer months (October-May).
Although there are no malarial mosquitos in Mauritius, on arrival at the airport an officer from the Ministry of Health may ask you for a blood sample if you have travelled from a country where malaria is common.
Stonefish stings are uncommon but can in some cases be fatal. You should obtain urgent medical attention if stung. Many hotels stock anti-venom serum.
Stray and sometimes vicious dogs are common in Mauritius. However, rabies is not a risk.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 13,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mauritius were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.7% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see the HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Mauritius and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Chikungunya is a common problem in Mauritius, particularly in the warmer months (October-May).
Although there are no malarial mosquitos in Mauritius, on arrival at the airport an officer from the Ministry of Health may ask you for a blood sample if you have travelled from a country where malaria is common.
Stonefish stings are uncommon but can in some cases be fatal. You should obtain urgent medical attention if stung. Many hotels stock anti-venom serum.
Stray and sometimes vicious dogs are common in Mauritius. However, rabies is not a risk.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 13,000 adults aged 15 or over in Mauritius were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.7% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see the HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Mauritius and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural disasters
The cyclone season in Mauritius normally runs from November to May. Cyclones can cause extensive damage to property. The authorities have a well-structured system of phased warnings. During a cyclone, you are not allowed to leave your accommodation and car insurance poliicies often cease to be valid.
You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Orgnaisation (WMO) and the US National Hurricane Centre.
For more general information see Tropical cyclones.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance for more details.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Money
ATMs are widely available in most towns in the island and at large shopping centres. Visa cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and large retailers.
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Change country
contacts
Address:
British High Commission
Les Cascades Building
Edith Cavell Street
Port Louis
PO Box 1063
Telephone:
(230) 202 9400
(230) 252 8006 Duty Officer (in case of genuine emergency out of office hours)
Fax:
(230) 202 9408
(230) 202 9407 Consular/Visa
Email: bhc@intnet.mu
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0345-1145
Fri: 0345-0930
Out of hours, the Mauritius High Commission will give contact number.
Website: http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/mauritius
