TRAVEL POINTERS British Airways , Virgin Atlantic and Air Mauritius fly from from London to Mauritius . The flight time is about 12 hours but the flights are not all daily . Emirates flies from London , Manchester , Birmingham and Glasgow to Mauritius daily with a change of aircraft in Dubai . The connecting times are very good and the prices we offer you allow for a stopover in Dubai , making Mauritius and Dubai an excellent two centre holiday option . Once on Mauritius , most hotels are about 1 hour and 10 minutes from the airport by car . If you want a helicopter transfer this can be arranged on request and then the flying time is only between 10 and 15 minutes .
FACTUAL Time difference : GMT + 4 . Language : English , French . Population : 1.1million . Size of the island : 1865 sq km . Currency : Mauritian rupee ( about 35 Rs = £ 1 ). Capital : Port Louis .
WEATHER The hottest months are from January to April , although this is also the cyclone season and the weather can be humid with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Centigrade . There is no distinct rainy season . The Mauritian winter months are June , July , August when temperatures average about 24 degrees Centigrade with the evenings being about 16 degrees Centigrade . However , the weather does vary from the east to the west coast . The east is breezier , and feels cooler during their winter months . The north-west near Port Louis is often the driest and the warmest part of the island . During their winter months you should have a jacket or jumper for the evenings . Dining is outside throughout the year .
GETTING OUT AND ABOUT The roads on Mauritius are very good . Driving is on the left . Signposts are clear . We can organise hire-cars for you in advance or the hotels can do it during your stay . If you prefer the idea of a private excursion , we can also arrange this for you in advance of your arrival .
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS Sega dancing . Maha Shivaratri festival . Paul et Virginie by Bernardin de St Pierre a love story based on the incidents during the wreck of the St Geran . Chicken and prawn curry and Creole dishes using the local spices . Heart of palm is a local delicacy . Local beer is Phoenix Pilsner and local rum is Green Island . Serious deep-sea fishing with some of the world ’ s top fishing off Le Morne where blue marlin is caught . Walking along the defunct railway lines of Mauritius or hiking in the Domaine du Chasseur . Clothes , stamps , model ships and basket work are all things to buy .
PLACES TO VISIT Ile aux Cerfs for watersports off the coast at Shangri La ' s Le Touessrok Hotel . Beaches at Flic en Flac on the west coast and at Belle Mare on the east coast . The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens at Pamplemousses . The Chamarel Falls . The market in Port Louis . Curepipe and Grand Baie for shopping . Trou d ’ Eau Douce village , with steep lanes , a harbour and an underground stream . Hindu temple at Poste de Flacq . Eureka House , a restored country house near Le Reduit . Black River Gorges National Park ( ideal to visit from September to January during the flowering season - look for the dodo tree , the black ebony tree and numerous exotic birds ). Le Vanille crocodile park .
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