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Before you travelÌý

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:Ìý

• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• ²õ±ð±ðÌýgeneral advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read aboutÌýsafety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insuranceÌý

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.Ìý

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.Ìý

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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Mauritius’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Mauritius set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the . ÌýÌý

Passport validity requirementsÌý

Your passport must:ÌýÌý

• be valid for the duration of your stayÌý
• have one blank pageÌý

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.ÌýÌý

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.Ìý

Visa requirementsÌý

You can visit Mauritius without a visa for up to 60 days. When you arrive, a border official will stamp your passport to show the end-date for your permitted stay. Ìý

You must be able to show proof of onward or return travel.ÌýÌý

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must .Ìý

Digital travel formÌý

You must fill in the online before you arrive. Print out a copy of your completed form with a QR code on it. You’ll need to show the form to officials when you arrive at the airport. If you do not fill in the form before you arrive, you’ll be asked to fill in an immigration disembarkation card at the airport. Ìý

Vaccine requirementsÌý

For details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations see .ÌýÌý

Health screening

If you travel to Mauritius from a country where malaria is common, border officials may ask you for a blood sample to meet Ministry of Health requirements. If you are not tested at the airport, officials may contact you later during your visit.Ìý

Customs rulesÌý

There are strict rules about . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.Ìý

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Mauritius

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Mauritius, attacks cannot be ruled out.

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Most crime is non-violent such as burglaries from tourist villas or theft of unattended bags. Petty crime is common, particularly in tourist areas such as Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. There have been some reports of sexual assaults on tourists. ÌýÌýÌý

Protecting yourself and your belongings

You can take steps to reduce your personal risk by:

• making sure your hotel room or accommodation is secure
• keeping important documents such as your passport in a hotel safe
• not walking alone at night on beaches or in poorly lit areas of town, particularly in the backstreets of the business district of Port Louis
• only renting accommodation that is
• not doing business with street or beach vendors

Report any incidents to the Mauritius tourist police by calling 999.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

Police may occasionally ask to see your ID, such as your passport or driving licence.

Cigarette paper

It’s illegal to possess or import cigarette papers.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

If you are found with any drugs, it’s unlikely you’ll be bailed, regardless of the type of drug. Prosecutions take a year or more to come to court, and you’ll be detained until your trial.

Police investigations

If you’re under police investigation, you’ll be provisionally charged and not allowed to leave the country without consent from a judge. It can take up to 2 years for the authorities to decide whether to issue a formal charge. You’re not allowed to renew your occupation or resident’s permit if you’re provisionally charged with a crime. If you cannot support yourself financially you’ll be kept in prison while the police finish their investigation.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in October 2023. Mauritius is a relatively conservative society and local attitudes to the LGBT+ community vary across the country. LGBT+ people still face discrimination, and verbal and physical confrontation cannot be ruled out.Ìý

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Water sports

If you’re , make sure the:

• operator holds a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Tourism
• boat has enough life jackets on board
• captain can contact the coastguard if needed

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Mauritius, see information on driving abroad.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Mauritius. Carry your licence with you when driving. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence.Ìý

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.

Drink-driving is a serious offence in Mauritius. If you’re tested and found to have a , you may get a fine and possible imprisonment.Ìý

Driving conditionsÌý

Accidents are common in Mauritius. Motorbikes are slow and oftenÌýdo not use headlights at night.

Some roads are narrow and do not have pavements. Pedestrians and cyclists often use main roads, including motorways, during the day and at night.

Sea travel

There is still a significant risk ofÌýpiracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, where piracy has been reduced but not prevented. Pirates can attack up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast or more.

If you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Tropical cyclones

The tropical cyclone season in Mauritius usually runs from November to May.

If a tropical cyclone happens, follow the advice of theÌý.ÌýÌýhas a well-structured system of phased warnings.

Cyclones can cause extensive damage to property. During a cyclone you’re not allowed to leave your accommodation, and car insurance policies often become invalid.

Landslides

Some areas are prone to landslides, especially during cyclones and torrential rains. has 5-stage landslide warnings. Local authorities may organise evacuations of threatened areas.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 999 or 114 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before you travel:

• check the latest
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the

See , including dengue and Schistosomiasis.

Stonefish stingsÌýare rare but can be fatal. Get urgent medical attention if you are stung. Many hotels stock anti-venom serum.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read .

You can bring common medicines for your own use but you must carry a copy of the prescription. Tranquillisers, hypnotics, narcotics and other strong painkillersÌýwill require prior authorisation. You can check details with the . If in any doubt, get advice from the Ìý.

Healthcare in Mauritius

Good private healthcare is available but can be expensive. More complex cases may require evacuation to Réunion or South Africa. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Private and state ambulance services are available, but the quality and response speed can vary. If you can, go directly to the hospital.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Mauritius where most staff will speak English.ÌýÌý

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Mauritius

Ambulance: 999 or 114

Fire: 999 or 115

Police: 999 or 112Ìý

Tourist police

Telephone: 999 or 112ÌýÌý

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• ´Ú¾±²Ô»å¾±²Ô²µÌý and in Mauritius
• dealing with a death in Mauritius
• µþ±ð¾±²Ô²µÌýarrested or imprisoned in Mauritius
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’reÌýin hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

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Help abroad �

SeeÌýÌýincluding in an emergency.Ìý

Help in the UKÌýÌý

You can call�FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. �

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) �

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates �

Sign up to�get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. �

Follow FCDO:�

Risk information for British companies

TheÌýOverseas Business Risk serviceÌýoffers information and advice for British companies operating in Mauritius on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.