Officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, today’s romantic getaway is an island nation on the Indian Ocean about 2,000kms away from the continent of Africa. The capital of this island nation is St. Louis If you’ve been looking for the ideal spot start your happily married life, this slice of heaven on earth is all you’ve been dreaming of. Just saying the name promises zest and galore never seen before. Go on, say it. Mauritius.
TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN MAURITIUS
#1 Black River Gorges, National Park
At the top of your list of places to visit in Mauritius should be the Black River Gorges, NationalPark. It’s the only and wildlife sanctuary in the island nation of Mauritius, and it’s only 14kms away from the city centre. If you’re a lover of wildlife and nature trekking, this is an experience to look forward to.
#2 Grand Baie
If you’re looking to enjoy the beach vibes of the country, a great place to stop by is Grand Baie. It lies to the northwest of Mauritius in the Riviere du Rempart District. The nightlife is simply thrilling and there are a lot of gift shops where you can get souvenirs for those back home. Spending your entire holiday here wouldn’t be a bad idea to be honest, because it’s worth it.
#3 Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
So far, we’ve recommended places away from the capital, St. Louis. That’s not to say there’s nothing to see here. There’s the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, one of the top-visited tourist attractions in St. Louis. It features exotic plants and rare species you’ve never seen before. You better make sure your camera has enough film or your phone batteries fully charged because you’ll be shooting away.
TOP RESORT AND HOTELS
Mauritius is not a newcomer in the tourist destination business, so you can be sure that you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to luxurious accommodation choices.
#1 Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius
Chief among them is the Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius. This hotel was voted the best hotel in Mauritius at the World Travel Awards. Where else would you come back after a day of merrymaking around the country to find your bathtub filled with rose petals? What could be more romantic on a honeymoon? None other than the Oberoi Mauritius.
#2 Angsana Balaclava Mauritius
If you’re looking to enjoy the best of two countries in one, you could consider the Angsana Balaclava Mauritius. This hotel brings the best of Thai culture, setting and cuisine into a Mauritius getaway. They also have the right facilities to make your honeymoon all the more memorable. If you want a private candlelight dinner with a beach setting, just like in the movies, they know how to set it up perfectly. You can also get a couple’s massage.Their spa is considered one of the best in Mauritius. You could even get married here, and start the honeymoon right from this place. They’ve got you covered.
#3 Shangri-La Le Touessrok Resort & Spa
The Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa s another hospitality masterpiece that deserves mention. This hotel is located on its own private island. How cool is that? It has an 18-hole golf course and four beaches of its own. Its architecture also has a strong Asian tone for those who want that cosmopolitan feel.
#4 Address Boutique Hotel
If you prefer a more private setting, the best place to go is the Address Boutique Hotel. This hotel is built within a gated a community close to the lagoon. From your room, you’ll enjoy a view of treetops and connecting waterways. It has a relaxed Mediterranean vibe to it with the slow-moving streets and the outdoor relaxing facilities.
#5 Constance Belle Mare Plage Beach Hotel
Another one worthy of mention is the Constance Belle Mare Plage Beach Hotel, which is 29kms away from the city centre. From the white sand beaches to the well-organized roofed shelters, this beach hotel feels and breathes cosmopolitan from the first sight. Its well-dotted with palm trees in between all these shelters, thus ensuring you can stay warm all day, as you enjoy the delights of the beach.
BEST PERIOD TO VISIT
Mauritius is in the tropics, so generally, anytime is a good time. But if you’re specific on warm and dry weather, October is your best ally. At that point, the island is just getting warm from the previous colder months but hasn’t gotten too hot and wet yet. October has the least rain with a guarantee of the kind of sunny weather that makes beachfront relaxation worth it.
If you’re a water sporting enthusiast, the best time to visit is between May to December. May marks the beginning of the winter in Mauritius. During winter, the island’s maximum temperature is 24⁰C while the minimum can come down to as low as 18⁰C. At the extreme end, December is the hottest month of the year in Mauritius, with temperature averaging 26⁰C. This hot temperature is regularly doused with rainfall to keep things under control.
If you’d prefer to avoid the tourist crowd, then consider coming to Mauritius between January to April. Temperature can go as high as 33⁰C and come down to 25⁰C in the best scenario. You won’t see many tourists hanging around for this weather. Because it’s the offseason, you’ll even be able to negotiate better deals with everyone, from the hotel where you stay, down to the gift shop across the street.
PLANNING YOUR FLIGHT TO MAURITIUS
Flying from Melbourne to Mauritius will vary depending on the airline and the style you fly in. Round trips from Melbourne to Mauritius cost around $502 – $768. Sydney to Mauritius could cost as high as $1,471. The top airlines that operate along this route are Air Mauritius, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Virgin Australia.
You will require a visa to enter Mauritius which will guarantee you a maximum stay period of 90 days. Ensure that you have confirmed your hotel booking or sponsorship for that purpose as it is required. You must also show evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover their stay. The required minimum is 100USD per day.
