Mauritius Travel Guide
Travel guide to Mauritius, Mauritius with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Mauritius sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.
Mauritius Overview
Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean, approximately 900 kilometres east of the African coast and Madagascar. Attempting to describe its beauty the author Mark Twain said "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius". That seems to sum up the glory of this island.
It was uninhabited until the 17th century, at which time the Dutch colonised it, with the development of sea travel enabling this. Having changed hands a few times after that the island became an independent republic in 1968.
Everyone knows the Dodo - the now extinct bird that was unable to fly - It was found only on the island of Mauritius, nowhere else. Mind you if you lived on such a beautiful island why would you want to go anywhere else? It had no need to fly.
From concentrating heavily on agriculture for its revenue in the past the island has found that the value of tourism cannot be underestimated, and so it has become a high quality destination, as well as one of the honeymoon capitals of the world, offering as it does some of the most amazing sights to be had anywhere in the world.
Top Mauritius Attractions
The whole island is beautiful but for specific places to visit a couple of suggestions would be the Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses, one of the finest botanic gardens in the world, with giant water lilies, spice gardens and over 500 different plant species. The Casela Bird Park is another wondrous place to visit, with around 2,500 birds of many different species. There are also a number of other animals here, with the natural surroundings and beauty making it a haven for them.
Shopping in Mauritius
Local markets form the basis of the shopping in Mauritius. Here can be found lots of local produce as well as what appear to be top brand names at very attractive prices. Don't be fooled though as they are copies, which everyone seems to know anyway. There are a number of high class stores too where lovely jewellery and clothing can be purchased for those wanting something a little more commercial.
Mauritius Sporting Events
Being an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean it is not difficult to appreciate that a variety of water sports will top the list of leisure pursuits. Scuba diving and snorkling are especially popular here owing to the clear waters and wonderful range of underwater life to be seen. There is also quite a lot of sea fishing here, again owing to the proximity and variety of sea life.
