Mauritius

Beneath the natural beauties of Mauritius's landscape, lies the Mauritian Culture. It would be too simple to classify Mauritius as having one culture as so many unique and distinctive parts forms its whole. Mauritius is made up of different customs and traditions of those who have settled on its shores over the last 400 years. Here Europe meets India, China, and Africa and so on. Who would imagine that such unique and diversified customs thrives on such a small place like Mauritius?

This rich diversity is found in every aspect of the Mauritian life. Churches can be found next to a mosque, Indian temples next to Chinese pagodas. Various Indian, Buddhist, Christian and Muslim festivals are celebrated all year round by the different communities. Some of these celebrations can be quite spectacular. Like the fire-walking ceremony that is performed on the Cavadee Day in Mauritius.

Another proof of this rich diversity is in the variety of Mauritian Cuisine. There are traditional western dishes from the colonial past of the island; alongside the delicate new taste and aromas of the more exotic, oriental dishes brought by the Indian and Chinese migrants. Some are unique to Mauritius as various delicacies have also been adapted to suit the Mauritian taste, which combines the flavors of the East and finest of the West. Mauritian folklore is another living tribute to the variety and depth of the islanders' culture. This is illustrated by the many different sounds and rhythms. See and hear the beautiful sophisticated Indian dances or the Chinese spectacular lion and dragon dances. Or dance to the frantic rhythm of the Sega, the most typical folkloric dance of Mauritius.

The weather in Mauritius is warm and pleasant the whole year long. You can also swim throughout the year in the Indian Ocean due to the water temperature. So any time in the year is right for a trip to Mauritius. You could spend a long time debating the best time of year to go. Summer (November to April) is warm; the water temperature in the lagoons is so pleasant that you could spend hours in the water. However it's sultrier at this time of year and rain showers are more common.The sea is particularly blue and the lagoons shimmer in a variety of blues and greens.The peak season for Mauritius is in December and January when winter descends upon the northern hemisphere. These are the warmest months on Mauritius and the island is transformed into a sea of flowers.

However, this is also the time when cyclones can occur. Nevertheless it's quite full on Mauritius during these two months. If you want to secure the accommodation of your choice, you should book at least six months in advance. If you like the heat but want to avoid the peak period, you should opt for February, March and April to visit Mauritius. Winter temperatures are still pleasant. May to December is on the whole drier than the summer. July and August are the coolest of these. As winter is low season on Mauritius, it's emptier and accommodation prices are lower. If you want to go on expeditions on Mauritius, visit towns and other places or even maybe do a little walking, you should choose this time to visit as any such activities could be very difficult during the hot months of summer.

Flic en Flac has a beautiful long public beach. On weekends lots of local crowd and tourists are on the beach and you will find lots of Mobile Snack shops right on the beach. Flic en Flac town has everything. Restaurants, Money Exchange, Clothes Shops, Discos, Pubs, a Casino and a small shopping center which has a supermarket Spar. There are many hotels in Flic en Flac which are right on the beach and most of the 3 star and above ones have their own private section of the beach. For people who are going on a budget there are quite a few 2 and 3 star Hotels as well as apartments very close to the public beach which are quite reasonable in Mauritius.

If you want to have a nice long peaceful walk among greenery then this garden is the ideal place. There is a huge variety of trees and plants. If you are really interested in botany you can get a guide at the main entrance who will give you a guided tour. The main attraction in this garden is the Giant Water Lilies in Mauritius.

Ile aux Cerfs Beach is located around the island that sits within the lagoon near the town of Trou d'Eau Douce. You can get to Ile aux Cerfs by boat. You can get a package deal from the local boating companies which include Barbecue, lobster, drinks and transfer to and fro Ile aux Cerfs. The barbecues are delicious and the guys there entertain you with their local songs. Go early in the day and spend the whole day on Ile aux Cerfs. Excellent place for various water sports and swimming in the clear blue lagoons.

Trou aux cerfs is a dormant volcano. Go there in the day so that you can see the crater clearly. A lot of people come here to walk or jog in the evening as there is a road that goes around the crater

The risk of malaria is considered low and there is no risk on Rodrigues Island. It is recommended that you take precautions to avoid mosquito bites, including using insect repellent at all times. It is advisable to drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and under cooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhea. The currency in Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee. There are no Visa requirements for South Africans travelling to Mauritius