Ultimate Mauritius car rental guide, including local tips and advice to help you save money!
So you’re planning to rent a car in Mauritius? Excellent choice! It’s the best way to explore the country as public transportation isn’t always reliable and taxis can be expensive.
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know – whether it’s worth renting a car in Mauritius, how to find the cheapest car rental companies, how much it costs, the requirements for booking a car rental in Mauritius, and other helpful tips.
So keep reading to find out everything you need to know before renting a car in Mauritius.
Top Pick
BEST MAURITIUS CAR RENTAL DEAL!
When renting a car in Mauritius, I recommend booking through Discover Cars as they compare the rates of both local and international companies so you get the best deal (including free cancellation)!
***This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)
Read more about Mauritius:
- Mauritius driving guide: Everything you need to know
- 8 Stunning roads to drive in Mauritius
- What to do in Mauritius: A Local’s guide
- Where should you stay in Mauritius
- When to visit Mauritius: weather by month
- How to travel Mauritius for 7 days, 10 days, or 2 weeks
Car Rental Mauritius – FAQ
Is it worth hiring a car in Mauritius?
The main reason why you should hire a car in Mauritius is that you’ll have more flexibility and the ability to explore off the beaten path.
Some of the main tourist attractions like Chamarel waterfall, Seven Colored Earth, Black River Gorges National Park, and Eau Bleue waterfalls aren’t accessible by public transportation, so renting a car is definitely the best and cheapest option.
Another advantage of renting a car is that you can visit several attractions within the same day so you save both time and money.
CHECK CAR RENTAL RATES IN MAURITIUS HERE
And, if you’re planning to stay in two or three locations during your Mauritius travel itinerary, having your own rental car means that you won’t need to spend extra money on taxis to switch hotels.
While buses are cheap, they can be very time-consuming. Plus, the bus routes aren’t available on Google Maps, making it less easy to navigate.
Taxis, on the other hand, can be expensive, especially if you plan on using them multiple times.
Is it safe to rent a car in Mauritius?
It’s relatively safe to rent a car in Mauritius. You can refer to my guide to driving in Mauritius for more details but essentially, the roads are in good condition and most people follow the speed limitations.
Just make sure to always wear your seat belt and avoid drinking alcohol or using a handheld phone while driving.
Mauritius is a small island and Google Maps works fairly well so it’s hard to get lost here. In case you do get lost, there will always be a local ready to point you in the right direction.
Related post: What to know before driving in Mauritius?
How to find cheap car rental in Mauritius?
The best way to find a cheap car rental in Mauritius is to use Discover Cars. What I love about them is that they automatically compare the rates of different car rental companies, both local and international so you get the cheapest price.
I’ve used Discover Cars in the past and had a great experience, so I highly recommend using them when booking your Mauritius car rental.
Discover Cars also gives you the option to add full coverage insurance for around EUR 12 per day, which can be used on top of the insurance provided by the car rental company. This covers excess charges for damage, theft, towing expenses, etc.
If you want extra peace of mind, I would suggest purchasing full coverage insurance.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR WITH DISCOVER CARS
How much does it cost to rent a car in Mauritius?
The cost of renting a car in Mauritius starts at Rs 1,000 (USD 23) per day for a small economy car.
Obviously, the final price will depend on the car make and size, the number of days you’re renting, the time of the year, and any add-ons such as full coverage insurance, GPS, baby seat, etc.
Additional charges may also apply for younger drivers or if you choose a different drop-off location.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Mauritius?
If your license has been issued in the UK, France, or South Africa for example, you don’t need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Mauritius.
It’s recommended to have an IDP if your driver’s license isn’t written in Latin letters.
Related post: The most unique things to do in Mauritius
Where to pick up your Mauritius car rental?
Unless you’re arriving very late at night and/or are too tired to drive, it’s best to pick up your rental car at Mauritius Airport so you can avoid the cost of hiring a taxi to take you to your hotel.
Although you can rent a car directly at the airport, you won’t be able to compare prices unlike on Discover Cars website.
There might also be limited availability at the airport (especially during the peak season) which is why I recommend that you book your rental car in advance.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR RENTAL CAR
Requirements to rent a car in Mauritius
A valid driver’s license
You need a valid driver’s license (plus an IDP if your license isn’t written in Latin letters) to hire a car rental in Mauritius.
The license also needs to have been issued at least 1 or 2 years prior depending on the car rental company.
Credit card or debit card
You are normally required to leave a security deposit when renting a car.
The car rental company will put a hold on your credit card or charge the deposit amount if you’re using a debit card. This security deposit will then be refunded when you return the car.
In case of damage, you might not always get your full deposit amount back but if you have the full coverage option offered by Discover Cars, you can file a claim and get a refund.
You must be at least 18
The legal driving age in Mauritius is 18 years old. Note that some car rental companies will only rent to people over the age of 21 while others may charge an additional fee for younger drivers.
Make sure to check the driver requirements under the Rental Conditions.
Insurance is mandatory
All car rental companies in Mauritius will already have insurance included since it’s mandatory.
If you want extra peace of mind, you can purchase the full coverage insurance and use it on top of the one offered by the car rental company.
Passport
You are also required to show your passport when picking up your rental car.
How to book a car rental in Mauritius?
Discover Cars makes the process of booking a car rental in Mauritius super easy. Just go to their website and input your pick up and drop off locations and preferred dates and you’ll get a list of the best car rental companies sorted by the lowest price.
Top Pick
BEST MAURITIUS CAR RENTAL DEAL!
When renting a car in Mauritius, I recommend booking through Discover Cars as they compare the rates of both local and international companies so you get the best deal (including free cancellation)!
Tips for renting a car in Mauritius
- Always check the ratings. Choose a car rental company with at least “very good” or “excellent” rating.
- Read the terms and conditions carefully. As mentioned above, some companies may charge a fee for younger drivers or an additional driver while others may not. You can do so on Discover Cars by clicking “Rental Conditions” as shown in the screenshot below.
- Upon delivery, make sure to check the car carefully for any damage and take photos and videos of any dents and scratches.
- Driving is on the left-hand side in Mauritius.
- I recommend renting an automatic car if you’re not used to driving on the left.
- For even more tips, make sure to read my top tips for driving in Mauritius.
I hope you found this Mauritius car rental guide helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment section below.
Read more about Mauritius:
- Best places to see in North Mauritius
- Most scenic places to visit in the south of Mauritius
- Best things to do in East Mauritius
- The best hikes to do in Mauritius
- Ultimate Mauritius waterfalls guide
- Most delicious street foods to eat in Mauritius
2 comments
Hi! I wonder if it is possible to rent a car and pick it up at one place och drop it off at another place.
Hi Ann-Christin. Yes, it’s possible to drop off the car at a different location but sometimes (not always) it might be more expensive depending on the company you book with. If you go on Discover Cars, you can untick “Return car in same location” and you’ll be able to input another location in the “Drop-off location” box. Hope this helps :)