Mauritius – Personal Travel Studio

Mauritius is very different from the Maldives.

Of course, there are beautiful beaches and some exceptional resorts, but Mauritius is an island where we think you should occasionally leave the hotel.

There are mountains, villages, sugar-cane fields, markets, golf courses, waterfalls and a fascinating mixture of cultures. The island has a more classic, established and slightly rustic feel than some Indian Ocean destinations, and that’s a big part of its charm.

We’ve spent time in Mauritius ourselves and particularly like the fact that you can have the best of both worlds.

Stay in a beautiful resort, spend days doing very little at all, and then hire a car, take a guide or head out and discover a completely different side of the island.

And for something even more unusual, Mauritius can be combined with the wonderfully unspoilt Rodrigues Island.

Our travels in Mauritius

We’ve experienced Mauritius both as a holiday destination and through some of the excellent resorts we recommend to our clients.

What has always struck us is how much character the island retains.

Mauritius doesn’t feel as though it exists purely for tourism.

Once you leave the resort areas, you’re travelling through real towns and villages, past sugar-cane fields and mountains, with roadside restaurants, markets and everyday Mauritian life happening around you.

There’s a fascinating mixture of Indian, African, Chinese and European influences, reflected particularly strongly in the food.

That makes Mauritius ideal for travellers who want the luxury of an Indian Ocean resort without feeling completely separated from the destination around them.

That experience shapes the way we would plan a return. We would begin with a coast and hotel that suit your dates, then leave room to explore the places that interest you.

A good base should make both parts of the holiday enjoyable, with comfortable days at the resort and realistic journeys when you want to venture further.

Why we love Mauritius

Because it feels like a real place rather than simply a collection of beautiful resorts.

There are beaches and five-star hotels, but also mountains, villages, food, culture, golf and landscapes to discover.

Mauritius can be polished and luxurious.

It can also be classic, characterful and a little rustic around the edges.

And we think that’s exactly why it works.

We particularly like the choice that gives you during a stay. A day at the hotel can feel completely relaxed, while a few hours exploring can introduce another landscape or a meal you would never have found within the resort.

The variety also helps when people travelling together enjoy different things. Golf, time beside the sea and an interest in food or culture can all contribute to the same holiday without requiring a different hotel every few nights.

For us, the appeal is having that freedom alongside a comfortable place to return to. The island and the resort should work together, with enough time to enjoy both at your own pace.

Our Mauritius Picks

Which part of Mauritius? Choosing the right coast is important.Different sides of Mauritius have their own character, beaches and weather patterns, and we'd look at the time of year alongside the type of holiday you want.There isn't one “best” coast.There's a best coast for when you're travelling and how you like to holiday.These six choices introduce different settings for a stay or a day out, with Rodrigues offering the possibility of a longer island combination. The final balance should follow your interests and the time available.

The west coast and Flic en Flac

The west coast is popular for its beaches, sunsets and generally sheltered feel, with areas such as Flic-en-Flac offering a good selection of resorts.

This is a setting to consider when you want the beach to play a substantial part in the holiday, with the option to explore beyond the hotel. The atmosphere and exact position of your resort still deserve thought, as two stays on the same coast can feel quite different.

We would look at the beach, the accommodation and the kind of days out you would enjoy. A suitable base should make it easy to settle into the holiday without assuming that every attraction will be a short journey away.

Allow some days without a programme as well as a few outings that particularly appeal. The appeal of the west is best considered within your complete holiday, including the season, the hotel setting and how much time you want to spend exploring.

The west coast and Flic en Flac

The west coast is popular for its beaches, sunsets and generally sheltered feel, with areas such as Flic-en-Flac offering a good selection of resorts.

The north and Grand Baie

The north is livelier, particularly around Grand Baie, with restaurants, shops and more happening away from the hotel.

The north is worth considering if you like having some choice around your resort as well as within it. A holiday here can include meals out and time enjoying the surroundings, with quieter days at the hotel when that is what you prefer.

The exact location matters. Think about whether you want to be close to activity or would rather stay somewhere calmer and make occasional visits. A larger range of nearby options will only improve the holiday if it matches the way you enjoy travelling.

We would look at the setting around each hotel, the beach and the practical arrangements for exploring. That helps find a balance between comfort and variety, with enough flexibility for an unplanned afternoon or a relaxed evening away from the resort when you feel like a change.

The north and Grand Baie

The north is livelier, particularly around Grand Baie, with restaurants, shops and more happening away from the hotel.

The east coast

Head east and you’ll find some beautiful beaches and several outstanding luxury resorts, with a quieter atmosphere in many areas.

This can appeal when the resort itself will be a substantial part of your holiday. A comfortable villa or room, a beach you enjoy and suitable dining choices can make unhurried days feel rewarding without an extensive programme of excursions.

We would consider the time of year alongside the particular hotel, rather than choosing from a beach photograph alone. The experience around the property and the surroundings you will use most deserve as much attention as the room category.

If you want to explore further, the journey from your base should have a realistic place in the plan. A few carefully chosen outings can complement a quieter coastal stay, while the remaining days give you time to appreciate the setting, enjoy a meal at leisure and settle into the holiday at your own pace.

The east coast

Head east and you’ll find some beautiful beaches and several outstanding luxury resorts, with a quieter atmosphere in many areas.

The south and Bel Ombre

Then there’s the south and south-west, where the scenery can feel more dramatic and undeveloped.

We particularly like the wider Bel Ombre area, where beautiful resorts sit alongside golf, nature and a much more peaceful landscape.

The appeal here is the relationship between the resort and its wider surroundings. Travellers who enjoy a peaceful base, golf or scenery may find that combination particularly attractive, with room for activities and relaxed days within the same stay.

Our time around Bel Ombre gives us a personal starting point when discussing the area. We would still choose the hotel around the people travelling, the season and the facilities you will actually use.

Consider how often you want to venture out and what sort of exploring appeals. There is no need to fill every day, but leaving room for the landscape beyond the hotel can add something memorable. A well chosen base lets the quieter setting become part of the holiday rather than simply the view outside your room.

The south and Bel Ombre

Then there’s the south and south-west, where the scenery can feel more dramatic and undeveloped.

We particularly like the wider Bel Ombre area, where beautiful resorts sit alongside golf, nature and a much more peaceful landscape.

The interior and everyday Mauritius

The interior offers a reason to look beyond the beach, with mountains, sugar cane fields, villages and viewpoints providing a different setting from the coastal resorts. It can become a rewarding part of a holiday without requiring a separate base.

Choose an outing around the things that interest you most. Some travellers will enjoy walking or cycling, while others would prefer a scenic drive with time for a meal and a few considered stops along the way.

We would avoid trying to turn one day into a complete circuit of the island. The practical journey from your hotel matters, and fewer stops can leave more time to understand the places you visit.

A local guide can help bring the surroundings into context. Alternatively, a carefully planned independent day may suit the way you travel, with room to pause when a view or a village particularly catches your attention.

The interior and everyday Mauritius

We would avoid trying to turn one day into a complete circuit of the island. The practical journey from your hotel matters, and fewer stops can leave more time to understand the places you visit.

Mauritius and Rodrigues Island

For something completely different, consider combining Mauritius with Rodrigues Island.

A short flight takes you to this much smaller island, far out in the Indian Ocean.

Rodrigues is quieter, simpler and far less developed than Mauritius.

This isn’t where we’d send somebody looking for enormous resorts, endless restaurants and lots of nightlife.

That’s precisely the appeal.

Think small hotels and guesthouses, beautiful landscapes, lagoons, beaches, villages and a wonderfully relaxed pace of life.

A twin-centre of Mauritius and Rodrigues gives you two very different versions of the Indian Ocean in one holiday.

Start with the restaurants, resorts, activities and choice of Mauritius.

Then fly to Rodrigues and slow everything down.

For the right traveller, we think that’s a fascinating combination.

We would allow enough nights for each island to have its own character within the holiday. The flight and transfer arrangements deserve careful attention, with accommodation chosen around the simpler pace you want to enjoy once you arrive.

Mauritius and Rodrigues Island

For something completely different, consider combining Mauritius with Rodrigues Island.

A short flight takes you to this much smaller island, far out in the Indian Ocean.

Rodrigues is quieter, simpler and far less developed than Mauritius.

This isn’t where we’d send somebody looking for enormous resorts, endless restaurants and lots of nightlife.

That’s precisely the appeal.

Think small hotels and guesthouses, beautiful landscapes, lagoons, beaches, villages and a wonderfully relaxed pace of life.

A twin-centre of Mauritius and Rodrigues gives you two very different versions of the Indian Ocean in one holiday.

Start with the restaurants, resorts, activities and choice of Mauritius.

Then fly to Rodrigues and slow everything down.

For the right traveller, we think that’s a fascinating combination.

Things to do in Mauritius

More than a beach

This is where Mauritius really separates itself from some other Indian Ocean islands.

You can spend the morning beside the pool and the afternoon exploring.

There are colourful markets, botanical gardens, rum distilleries, waterfalls, temples and viewpoints. The mountainous interior provides a completely different landscape from the coast.

There are opportunities for hiking, cycling, water sports and boat trips, while Mauritius has also become an excellent destination for golf.

Or simply get out and drive.

Sometimes our favourite travel experiences aren’t major attractions at all. They’re the small restaurants, villages, landscapes and unexpected stops you discover because you’ve left the resort for a few hours.

Mauritius gives you plenty of reasons to do that.

We would choose a manageable outing and leave enough time to appreciate the places along the way.

Hotels and resorts

Mauritius has a long-established tradition of excellent hospitality.

There are intimate boutique properties, family resorts, romantic hotels and some exceptional five-star luxury options.

We’ve spent time around Heritage Le Telfair and the Bel Ombre area, where the combination of beach, restaurants, spa, golf and surrounding landscape creates much more than a conventional resort stay.

As with the Maldives, choosing the right hotel matters, but the difference is that in Mauritius the world outside your hotel matters too.

For families, we’d consider children’s clubs, room configurations, activities and the beach.

For couples, it might be about atmosphere, restaurants, spa, privacy or golf.

And we’d always think about location.

The most luxurious hotel on the island isn’t necessarily the right one if it’s on the wrong coast for what you want to experience.

Food and Mauritian culture

Food is one of the pleasures of Mauritius.

Its population and history have created an extraordinary mixture of flavours, with Indian, Creole, Chinese, French and African influences all finding their way onto the plate.

You can eat beautifully in the resorts, but we’d encourage you to try something beyond them too.

Markets, local restaurants and simple Mauritian dishes are part of experiencing the island.

This cultural mixture is one of the reasons Mauritius feels so distinctive.

It isn’t simply a tropical island with hotels built along its beaches.

It has its own personality.

We would leave room for a meal that reflects your interests, with time to enjoy the setting and learn something about the flavours. A thoughtful local introduction can make exploring feel more connected to the island.

Make golf part of the stay

If golf is a particular interest, let it help shape the hotel choice from the outset. A resort with suitable arrangements can make playing a natural part of the holiday rather than an occasional outing that takes substantial planning.

We would consider how often you want to play and what your companions would enjoy during that time. The beach, restaurants and other facilities matter just as much when some people in the party have different interests.

Leave enough room for shared days and for exploring beyond the resort. A balanced programme can give golf a clear place without making every morning follow the same timetable, with the final choice reflecting the season, your preferred pace and the experiences you want to enjoy together over the course of the holiday.

Enjoy the coast from the water

A suitable boat outing or water activity can introduce a different perspective on the island. Choose an experience around what appeals to your companions and how much time you want to spend away from the hotel.

Some travellers will enjoy an active morning, while others would prefer a gentler trip with time to appreciate the scenery. The conditions and activities available locally should guide the final arrangements.

We would keep the rest of the day comfortable, allowing time to return and enjoy your base. There is no need to fit several experiences into a single outing when one well chosen activity can bring variety. A few days on the coast, balanced with occasional time inland, can give the holiday a satisfying range of settings without requiring a busy programme throughout your stay.

Explore at a pace that suits you

Choose one or two interests for a day out and let those guide the route. A garden, a viewpoint or a village stop can be more enjoyable when there is time to look around rather than hurry towards the next appointment.

The best way to explore depends on your preferences. A guide can provide context and take care of the day’s arrangements, while an independent outing may appeal if you enjoy deciding where to pause as you travel.

We would consider the full journey from your hotel, including time for a meal and breaks along the way. The aim is to return feeling that you have enjoyed another side of Mauritius, with enough energy left to appreciate the evening and the quieter days that form the rest of your holiday.

Mauritius FAQs

When is the best time to visit Mauritius?

Mauritius is a year-round destination, but seasons do make a difference.

Temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind vary through the year and can also vary between different sides of the island.

That’s why we’d consider when you’re travelling before deciding where on Mauritius you should stay.

If beach weather is your absolute priority, the choice of coast can be just as important as the choice of hotel.

Mauritius or the Maldives?

They’re very different. The Maldives is predominantly about choosing the perfect island resort. Mauritius gives you much more freedom to explore, with towns, villages, mountains, culture, restaurants and activities beyond your hotel.

Which coast of Mauritius is best?

There isn’t one answer. The west, north, east and south all have different characteristics, and the time of year matters. We’d match the coast to your travel dates and preferences.

Is Mauritius good for families?

Very. There are some excellent family resorts with children’s clubs, activities, family accommodation and plenty to do beyond the beach.

Is Mauritius good for couples?

Absolutely. There are beautiful romantic resorts, excellent restaurants, spas and plenty of quieter areas. It also works particularly well for honeymoons.

Do I need to stay all-inclusive?

Not necessarily. Different meal plans work well depending on the resort and how much you intend to explore. If you enjoy eating outside the hotel, we’d take that into account before automatically choosing all-inclusive.

Is Mauritius good for golf?

Yes. Mauritius has some excellent golf courses and resorts where golf can become a major part of the holiday rather than simply an occasional activity.

Should I leave the resort?

We think so. Even if it’s only for a day or two, Mauritius has far too much character to see nothing beyond your hotel.

What is Rodrigues Island like?

Much smaller, quieter and less developed than Mauritius. It’s ideal if you like authentic, slower-paced destinations and don’t need the facilities of a large luxury resort.

Can I combine Mauritius and Rodrigues?

Yes, and for more adventurous travellers we think it’s a fantastic combination. A short flight connects the islands, giving you the choice and sophistication of Mauritius followed by the simplicity of Rodrigues.

How long should I stay?

For Mauritius alone, around 7–10 nights works well, although we’d happily stay longer. If you’re adding Rodrigues, we’d look at around 10–14 nights overall so neither island feels rushed.