Wondering how to travel Mauritius on a budget? In this Mauritius budget travel guide, I’ll share all my tips and tricks on how to save money when backpacking Mauritius!
Some people might think that Mauritius Island is expensive but it has so much more to offer beyond its luxury resorts.
Trekking through verdant national parks, chasing waterfalls nestled between sugar cane fields, walking along secluded beaches, or taking in the ocean views from the edge of a cliff cost absolutely nothing!
If you don’t mind leaving the all-inclusive resorts to the honeymooners, this guide will show you exactly how to travel Mauritius on a budget!
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Read more about Mauritius:
- Guide to 45 awesome things to do in Mauritius
- Guide to the best places to visit in Mauritius South
- Guide to the best places to visit in Mauritius East
- Everything you need to know before renting a car in Mauritius
Backpacking Mauritius: Budget Travel Guide
When I’m traveling abroad, I always get asked the usual “where are you from”, and when I reply that I’m from Mauritius, most people tell me that they have always wanted to visit but that it’s too expensive.
Sure, if you’re coming from Europe or the US, plane tickets might be slightly expensive but once you land on this beautiful island, you’ll be surprised by the number of things you can do without breaking the bank.
Below are some of my top tips for helping you plan a budget trip to Mauritius!
How to Find Cheap Accommodation?
If you’re wondering whether Mauritius is expensive, you’ll be pleased to know that Mauritius has a wide range of cheap accommodations to choose from, including budget hotels, B&B, and guesthouses.
Guesthouse or Budget Hotel
You can easily find cheap guesthouses and hotels starting at USD 30 per night on booking.com. Some offer free breakfast or access to a kitchen, so look out for those if you want to cut to cost even further. Below are a few budget places to stay in Mauritius:
- Le Mirage Exotique – This hotel is ideal for those looking for a self-catering option near Flic en Flac Beach. There are also lots of restaurants and a supermarket within walking distance. Their 2-bedroom apartment is spacious and clean and has a fully equipped kitchen. Check price here
- Talamba Blue – This budget-friendly apartment is located in Blue Bay, just a 1-minute walk from the beach. It’s ideal for couples, families, or groups of friends. Each apartment has either one or two bedrooms, a kitchen, a private bathroom, and a separate living room area. Check price here
- Riverside Holiday Home: This apartment is located on the east coast of Mauritius and comes with a fully equipped kitchen, TV, washing machine, and private bathroom. Check price here
- Casa Frangipani Mauritius: Located in Trou D’Eau Douce, this apartment features a fully-equipped kitchen and a private bathroom. The location is great, within walking distance of restaurants, supermarkets, and the beach. Check price here
FIND MORE CHEAP HOTELS IN MAURITIUS HERE
Airbnb
On Airbnb, you can also find some pretty decent private apartments with a fully equipped kitchen for about USD 50 or even an entire villa for about USD 120 a night. Just be sure to consider the extra fees as they can add up quickly.
Tip: Look for accommodations that offer free drinking water. You can save money in Mauritius by not buying bottled water every time and reducing your plastic consumption.
Camping
If you’re more on the adventurous side and don’t mind giving up the luxury of your own private bathroom, you can camp on the beach. Camping in Mauritius is free and legal!
Almost all beaches have shower and toilet facilities but note that they are only open between 7 a.m and 7 p.m and finding a clean one can somewhat be a hit or miss.
Also, don’t bring any valuables as petty thefts can happen. It’s best to lock them up out of sight inside your rental car.
Finally, make sure to check the weather forecast before camping, especially during the cyclone season between December and March.
Related post: Where to stay in Mauritius by region?
How to get around Mauritius on a Budget?
Bus
The best way to save money when traveling around Mauritius is to take the bus. Sure they are sometimes too slow or too fast (depending on the driver), but the price for a bus ticket will rarely cost over USD 1.
Prices vary between Rs 17 and Rs 47 according to the distance traveled except for air-conditioned buses which cost slightly more.
The bus system is pretty efficient and connects all major towns and villages, so if you’re sticking to the main tourist attractions, traveling by bus will definitely help ease your travel budget for Mauritius.
Tip: You can check out this website or this one for all the bus routes in Mauritius.
Rental Car
The most affordable way to get around is to hire a rental car in Mauritius. Some of the attractions in the south of Mauritius aren’t easily accessible by bus, so having your own car is the way to go.
If you’re traveling with a group, you can easily split the cost and save money!
CHECK PRICE FOR A CAR HIRE IN MAURITIUS
Tip: Pay in cash when filling your tank since payment by credit card may sometimes incur a fee of about 2%.
Related post: Things to know before driving a car in Mauritius
Scooter/Motorbike
A cheaper alternative is to rent a scooter or motorbike. To be honest, it’s not my preferred mode of transportation as most accidents involve two-wheelers. I would only recommend hiring a motorbike if you’re an experienced rider.
Tram (Metro Express)
For now, the tram (Metro Express) is only available between Curepipe and Port Louis and between Rose Hill and Reduit but will also connect other towns and villages in the future. Tickets cost between Rs 35-55.
Taxi
Metered taxis are not available in Mauritius, so you have to negotiate with the driver before getting in. The price for a private taxi from the airport to your hotel usually starts at USD 50.
Shared taxis are also available in most towns and villages and they really help to keep costs low. Prices are fixed, about Rs 60 (USD 1.40) or less for a single journey.
Related post: Ultimate guide to getting around Mauritius Island
How to Save Money on Food?
Mixing African, Chinese, Indian, and European influences, the food in Mauritius is deliciously diverse and cheap. Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, was even voted as one of the best street food cities in the world, so make sure to taste some of the local dishes before leaving the country.
Street Food
If you’re traveling Mauritius on a backpacking budget, the best way to save money is to eat street food. Look out for street food stalls with the longest queues for the best and most authentic Mauritian dishes.
Food like Dholl Puri or Faratha cost only about Rs 20 (USD 0.45) while others like fried rice/noodles or Briani cost between Rs 100 (USD 2.25) and Rs 250 (USD 5.60).
Tip: If you want to learn all about the best street food spots in Mauritius, I recommend taking this guided street food tour. The tours usually take place in Port Louis, Grand Baie, and Mahebourg.
CHECK PRICE FOR A STREET FOOD TOUR HERE
Related post: 30 cheap street food to eat in Mauritius
Local Restaurants
If you prefer eating at restaurants, choose the smaller and local establishments instead of high-end restaurants that serve mostly international dishes coupled with a hefty price tag.
Tip: Alcohol and bottled water tend to be very expensive in restaurants, so I recommend buying those at the supermarkets instead.
Related post: The best restaurants in Grand Baie Mauritius
Cook your own food
If you have access to a kitchen, you can save money by cooking your own food. For example, accommodations like Le Mirage Exotique, Talamba Blue, and Riverside Holiday Home have their own kitchen which is ideal for visiting on a budget.
You can buy fruits and vegetables for very cheap at the local markets. Alternatively, you can also buy from the supermarkets if you don’t mind paying slightly more.
Most local markets are only open on certain days of the week except for the Port Louis Central Market which is open 7 days a week.
Tip: Some markets also have a street food section where you can get cheap and delicious foods for about USD 1-2.
Things to do in Mauritius on a budget
The beauty of Mauritius lies within its many natural attractions, whether it’s beaches, national parks, forests, or waterfalls.
What I love the most about Mauritius is that most attractions are completely free to visit. It costs absolutely nothing to visit all the beautiful beaches of Mauritius.
Just bring your mask and snorkel and you can easily admire the marine life just a few meters from the shore.
You can also pick up a local beer from any nearby supermarket and enjoy a sundowner on a super low budget.
Most museums are also free to visit except for a few that require a small entrance fee.
Hiking is free as well. Black River Gorges National Park, in the center of the island, requires no entrance fee at all. Most of the trails are well-marked and perfect for all fitness levels and can be explored without a guide.
For more challenging hikes, I recommend hiring a local guide.
BOOK A GUIDED HIKE OF BLACK RIVER GORGES HERE
Free Things to do when Backpacking Mauritius
Gris Gris Beach – The best place to witness the rugged side of Mauritius with sea caves, blowholes, hidden waterfalls, and spectacular cliff views.
Eau Bleue Waterfalls – A series of seven waterfalls with incredibly clear blue water.
Black River Gorges National Park – The best hiking spot in Mauritius with an abundance of hiking trails to choose from. Click here to book a guided hike!
Bras D’Eau National Park – A less popular hiking spot found on the east coast of Mauritius Island.
Le Morne Brabant – A UNESCO World Heritage site that rewards the most intrepid hikers with a view of Mauritius’ underwater waterfall! Click here to book a guided hike!
Tamarind Falls (7 Cascades) – A moderate-level hike that takes you to 12 waterfalls. Click here to book a guided hike!
Le Pouce Mountain – The third tallest mountain in Mauritius but also one of the easiest hikes in Mauritius with a 360-degree view of the entire island.
Le Souffleur – A spectacular blowhole in the south of Mauritius that’s a bit hard to get to but absolutely worth it.
Savinia Beach – A secluded beach situated on the south coast of Mauritius, not too far from Le Souffleur.
Macondé Point – A viewpoint on a hairpin bend in the south of Mauritius offering a panoramic view of the ocean.
Cascades 500 Pieds – One of the tallest waterfalls in Mauritius, located in the Black River Gorges NP.
Alexandra Falls – Another waterfall in the Black River Gorges.
Street arts in Port Louis – Explore over 70 colorful murals in the capital city of Mauritius.
Related post: 45 top things to do in Mauritius
More tips to help you save money in Mauritius
Avoid visiting during the high season
Mauritius boasts a tropical climate year-round with temperatures ranging between 23 and 31 degrees Celsius. Travelers who come from colder regions will find the weather ideal even during the winter/low season (May to October).
December to February is the high season so, hotel prices will skyrocket at 2-3 times the normal rate. If you travel anytime outside of these months, you’ll be able to save a considerable amount of money, especially on accommodation.
Related post: Best time to visit Mauritius – A Local’s Guide
Money Exchange
If you’re on a super tight budget, avoid exchanging money at commercial banks or any other international companies and instead look for local companies. For example, I found that “Money King” in Port Louis offers slightly better rates.
Bargain
Always bargain when shopping at local markets (for example, the Central Market in Port Louis) as prices are sometimes inflated for tourists.
Buy a Local Sim Card
Buying a local SIM card will help you avoid steep roaming fees. You can choose between Emtel or MyT, the latter providing the best coverage.
MyT, for example, has a special tourist SIM card that costs EUR 30 and is valid for 30 days.
There you have it! The ultimate guide to traveling Mauritius on a budget! If you have any questions, just let me know in the comments below.
Read more about Mauritius:
- Ultimate guide to North Mauritius
- Best and cheapest months to visit Mauritius Island
- Where to stay in Mauritius for any budget?
- Port Louis day trip: 23 things to do
- Underrated beaches in Mauritius
- Ultimate Mauritius hiking guide
- 30 food to try when traveling to Mauritius
- 25 top things to do on Rodrigues Island
- Guide to planning a Mauritius itinerary
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2 comments
Just love it, I’m planning a trip on my own for about 15 day’s, must be backpacking, the cheapest.
Thank you, Ingrid! Enjoy your trip to Mauritius! :)