Useful tips for travelling to Mauritius – webcams, car hire and more…

One thing we’ve learned from our visits to Mauritius is that the weather can be wonderfully unpredictable – and that’s part of the island’s charm, it is after all a tropical island. While the peak season runs from May to December, with the driest and coolest months between June and October, even during these times you might find yourself caught in a surprise tropical downpour, this happened to us a few times and it is something to behold!

Mauritius has a microclimate, which means the weather can vary dramatically across short distances. It might be pouring with rain in the lush south or inland in the Black River Gorge, while the north or west coast is basking in sunshine just a few miles away. It’s honestly one of the island’s most fascinating but potentially most annoying aspects, and something to plan around if sunshine is a top priority.

Search “Mauritius live beach webcams” online), they’re incredibly handy for real-time checks on where the sun is shining.

Don’t be afraid to jump in the car and drive to where the weather is best — the island is small enough that a spontaneous beach hop is always possible, we did this on several occasions and escaped the showers.

It’s easy to see why so many people check into a stunning 5-star resort in Mauritius and never want to leave, with infinity pools, beachfront bars, world-class spas, and every need catered to, it’s absolute luxury.

But while that kind of escape is undeniably relaxing, staying cocooned inside the resort bubble means missing out on the real magic of Mauritius. You could lounge by a fancy pool or sip cocktails at a swanky bar much closer to home & save the 12-hour flight! - but here, it’s the vibrant local culture, hidden beaches, street food stalls, mountain views, and warm-hearted people that make the island unforgettable.

So yes, enjoy the luxury but don’t forget to explore. The soul of Mauritius lives beyond the sunbeds.

Last year, we dipped our toes into Mauritius driving life by booking airport transfers and then spontaneously hiring a car for a few days mid-trip. I posted in a Mauritius Facebook group, picked two random locals (as you do), and both delivered cars straight to our hotels, one on the east coast, one on the west. No drama, no contracts (well, one got a signature), just friendly service, decent little cars, and zero issues. It was wonderfully relaxed and weirdly efficient — classic island style.

This year, feeling a bit more confident and thinking we’d go pro, we booked a full-trip car hire in advance through a well-reviewed website offering airport pickup and drop-off.

Sounds sensible, right?

Enter: the vintage Nissan Micra. It was waiting for us (on time, to be fair), but once we added ourselves and our 56kg of luggage, it looked like it needed a minute to process what was happening, especially on hills. We’re fairly certain the site was acting as an umbrella for local renters, and in our case, we suspect someone borrowed their mum’s car for a quick side hustle.

Moral of the story? Mauritius car hire can be casual. Flexibility is key. Go with the flow. And maybe pack light — for the car’s sake 😉

When you collect your hire car, do yourself a massive favour: take lots of photos and a full walkaround video with the rep — especially of any existing scratches, dents, or mystery scrapes. Our trusty steed (nicknamed Neil — yes, there's a story) had more than a few. Capturing his characterful war wounds turned out to be a very smart move later on. Let’s just say, Neil had lived a bit.

On the road, petrol is cheap, and stations are easy to find, so no stress there. What you do need to watch out for are the stray dogs. They pop up everywhere, lounging by the side of the roads or casually crossing without warning. Strangely, they seem to have a bit of road sense, but don’t count on them to look both ways!

As for Mauritian drivers? Let’s say they’re... spirited. A touch erratic. Occasionally ambitious with overtaking or pulling out at roundabouts. It definitely explains the many bumps and bruises you’ll spot on local cars and, no doubt, how Neil got most of his battle scars.

Still, if you’re used to UK roads, driving here feels surprisingly familiar, just with a little extra island flair. Keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine — and maybe even fond of your little dented hero by the end, Neil got us around even though we had to give him a pep talk when faced with a hill.

On both trips we had downloaded our routes on google maps when we had wifi and these can be used as a sat nav to get around these needed updating every 2 days and saves the need for paying extra for a sat nav or using your data.

After a long-haul flight, whether it’s the 12-hour direct or the 15+ hour route via Dubai, it’s safe to say you might not be firing on all cylinders when you land. We certainly weren’t. So, when we collected the car and everything seemed fine (if slightly ancient), we didn’t think to double-check the finer details... like whether it was taxed or insured.

Turns out, it wasn’t.

We only found out later in the trip, and the guy casually WhatsApp ed us an updated tax disc. Would that have helped if we’d been pulled over? Honestly, not sure — and we didn’t fancy finding out.

Returning the car came with its own adventure. We were told to go to a specific drop-off area at the airport where the rep would be waiting. Except he wasn’t. With no internet, no local SIM, and growing irritation, we had to head into the terminal to get online and track him down. When he finally showed, he attempted the classic “these scratches weren’t here before” routine.

Luckily, we had our photos and videos ready, and also gently reminded him of the out-of-date insurance. Let’s just say, he backed off quickly.

Moral of the story? When hiring a car in Mauritius, enjoy the freedom — but stay sharp. A few minutes of photo evidence at the start could save you stress at the end.

We splashed out on this trip, staying in stunning 5-star luxury hotels, but opted for half board instead of all-inclusive. Why? Because upgrading to AI can easily add an extra £2–3k to your holiday, especially if you're a couple or a family. Ask yourself—will you really drink that much?

The buffet breakfasts and dinners have so much choice you really don’t need a third meal and we took a mini cool bag and saved some fruit and occasionally made up a roll to have at lunch time.

Mini tip: We always make a quick stop at Super U (the local supermarket) to stock up on water, soft drinks, and a few snacks. Compared to UK prices, it’s great value and perfect for topping up without overpaying at the hotel.

Be aware: you might end up paying for the same bottled water you get for free in your room—especially at dinner or by the pool. It’s a subtle way some hotels add a few extra pounds to your bill. We found prices ranged from £3–£5 depending on the resort.

Some friends of ours tried to cut costs by staying in a lower-star hotel and ended up with mouldy fridges and showerheads held up with gaffer tape—so definitely do your research and read recent reviews before booking.

Overall, the hotels in Mauritius are incredible, the service is usually excellent, and we’ll definitely be booking with Beachcomber Resorts again—they really lived up to their 5-star name.

From browsing Facebook groups, it seems many people are hesitant to explore Mauritius without a guide. But in our experience, you can easily discover some amazing off-the-beaten-track spots solo—and save a good chunk of money doing it.

That said, we couldn’t track down a hidden secret rock pool that a local guide shows on their itinerary, so sometimes having a local’s knowledge definitely pays off.

The wild south of the island is a must-see—it has a completely different vibe from the rest of Mauritius. Without the protection of coral reefs, expect crashing waves and dramatic rocky outcrops that make for stunning landscapes and incredible photos.

Getting around the island is generally straightforward since most places are close by. The only real time issue is traffic during busy hours, especially when passing through the capital, Port Louis.

We visited in May both years and loved that many beaches felt almost deserted. Parking was free, there were hardly any rules, and you could just stop whenever you wanted to soak in the views. That freedom to explore at your own pace was one of our favourite things about Mauritius.

The exchange rate at the airport is by far the best available, just take your £’s and they will exchange for Mauritian rupees at the many kiosks available as you pass through passport control and luggage collection. You can also buy a local sim there if you think you’ll need one – we didn’t.

Travelling to Mauritius offers an incredible mix of luxury, adventure, and local charm—if you plan smartly, by balancing comfort with practical choices, like opting for half board and exploring independently, you can enjoy everything the island has to offer without breaking the bank.

Most of these hotels offer free excursions such as a glass bottom boat ride with snorkelling, we did this whilst staying in the beautiful Le Morne area at our third hotel. We were lucky to spot turtles swimming beneath us and a variety of colourful fish.

Mini tip – bring sea shoes – the coral can make the sand sharp underfoot & a high factor suncream.
Whether it’s discovering rugged coastlines in the south or relaxing on nearly empty beaches in the shoulder season, Mauritius rewards those who take the time to venture off the beaten path.
With thoughtful research and an open mind, your trip can be filled with unforgettable experiences, stunning views, and genuine moments that go beyond the usual tourist trail.

I have listed the three hotels we stayed at in case you want your own slice of luxury and please feel free to reach out to me for further info on which car hire or hotels not to book or any other questions you might have on my @girlaboutdorsetandthenewforest Instagram page and check out my last blog on which side of the island to choose.

Thanks for reading!

By Sarah Bourne