What are customs and traditions in Mauritius?

As a general rule, it is respectful to dress conservatively. When entering a place of worship, remove leather garments such as shoes and belts. For Indo-Mauritians, it is considered poor etiquette to pass or receive items with the left hand. Rather, one would use the right hand or both.



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23 Facts About Mauritius: How much do you know about this tiny island nation?
  • The entire island of Mauritius is just 2040 square-kilometres. ...
  • Mauritius is home to the Seven Colors of Earth. ...
  • Three countries had control of the island prior to independence. ...
  • More than 1.2 million people call this tiny nation home.


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Mauritian Creole is a French-based Creole and estimated to be spoken by around 90% of the population. French is the language that tends to be used in education and media, while English is the official language in Parliament, however members can still speak French.

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Mauritius can be very expensive if you stick to the hotels, especially 4 star upwards. Supermarket prices are the same as here, and rising with oil prices, so even basics are not as cheap as they were. A lot of people on the forum complain about the rip off prices in euros that hotels charge, and they are right.

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Religion Hinduism is the primary religion in Mauritius with around 52% identifying as Hindu. Christians make up about 28% of the population (26% Catholic, 2% Protestant). 16.6% of residents are Muslim.

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Most crime is non-violent, but weapons have been used in some burglaries. Although uncommon, there have been some instances of sexual assault on tourists. Avoid walking alone at night on beaches or in poorly lit areas especially in the back streets of the business district of Port Louis.

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The Mauritian smile is genuine and the people are well known for their hospitality and warmth. You will always feel welcome in this friendly country.

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Most Mauritians are used to drinking tap water and eating in food stalls at every street corner. However, those not used to it should avoid doing so, as severe food poisoning may occur. It is thus advisable to drink mineral water and accept ice cubes only in hotels that treat tap water.

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Often hailed as the national dish of Mauritius, dholl puri is a savoury pancake-type dish made of ground yellow split peas, cumin and turmeric. It's often stuffed with a hearty butter bean curry called cari gros pois, served alongside mango chutney and chillies.

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