TRAVEL TO EXOTIC COUNTRIES

MAURITIUS

GENERAL INFORMATION

 Mauritius - an island nation located south of the equator in the south-west Indian Ocean, south-east of Africa. Mauritius, Rodrigues and Réunion are at the Mascarene Islands.

Republic includes the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega, Cargados Carajos Archipelago. The largest island - Mauritius - an area of ​​1865 square kilometers, is located 800 km east of Madagascar.

Size of the island: length - 65 km, width - 45 km, the length of the coast - 320 km.

Mauritius is of volcanic origin and is surrounded by one of the largest coral reef, which forms a lagoon with crystal clear water. Mauritius Central Plateau rises to 650 meters above sea level, this is all that remains of a huge crater. On all sides the plateau surrounded by mountains - the remnants of the crater wall. Three mountain ranges rise more than 800 meters above sea level. The northern part of the island is a spacious, flat plain.

Mauritius is divided into four main areas - north, west, east and south.

North

In the northern part of Sunny days are best. North Coast is better protected from the wind, here are the best beaches on the island. There also is the main tourist area of ​​Grand Baie (Grand Baie) - one of the most popular holiday destinations on Severe.Esche recently it was a small fishing village, now a shopping and tourist paradise, the true center of nightlife. Lively and picturesque town with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and discos are called "Mauritian St. Tropez."

The island's capital Port Louis is also in this part of the island, in the North - East. In the north of Mauritius, 15 km from the coast to the famous Pamplemousse Gardens - the third ancient botanical gardens in the world.

East

East of Mauritius more windy, but here are the most luxurious hotels and beautiful beaches. Fresh wind creates perfect conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The pearl of the east coast is the Deer Island (Ile aux Cerfs) - with crystal clear lagoons and sandy beaches. The island offers a variety of sports - scuba diving, water skiing and sailing.

West

The west coast is the driest and warmest. It is famous for the ideal setting for a family vacation. Besides lovers flock here sea fishing, scuba diving and dolphin watching. This is the only place on the island where you can do this surfing. Legendary mountain Le Morne - a real decoration of the west coast. Resort Flic Flac e (Flic en Flac) - a great place for night owls.

South

The southern part of the island - mountainous, very picturesque and little actual hotels. Only in the south remained a charming atmosphere of colonial Mauritius. It is very rich nature - clear lagoons, deserted beaches and a coral reef with bizarre shapes. Over the reef a lot of interesting places for diving. Along the southern coast from May to October, strong winds blow, and it attracts surfers.

TIME

The time difference with Moscow not.

CLIMATE

In Mauritius, tropical maritime climate, extreme temperatures neither winter nor summer from November to April - the temperature ranges from 24-35 C and in winter, which lasts from May to October, the temperature is about 22 C. The dry and wet seasons vividly expressed, so Mauritius is a year-round destination. The water temperature of the ocean in the lagoons of 22 - 27 C.

LANGUAGE, POPULATIONS, RELIGION

Mauritius - one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The island is home to about 1.2 million people of various nationalities. All Mauritians - immigrants, descendants of Indian, African, European and Chinese settlers here are tolerant of all religions, one can go to the mosque, the other in a Buddhist temple, and others in the Orthodox Church.

The official language of Mauritius is English, most of the population speaks French.

CUISINE

Kitchen Island diverse, a mixture of French, Indian cuisine, Creole and Chinese. Be sure to try the "salad Millionaire," which is made of palm hearts and of course dishes from the Blue marlin. All hotel serves a variety of fresh fruits that are grown on the island - mango, papaya, watermelon and more.

HOLIDAYS

In Mauritius, 15 public holidays a year. Eight of them are religious in nature and dates vary from year to year. Holidays do not affect the operation of hotels, but banks, museums and offices during the holidays are not working.

7 holidays are fixed date:

December 25 - Christmas Day

January 1 - New Year

January 2 - New Year

February 1 - Day of the abolition of slavery

March 12 - Day of Republic

May 1 - Labor Day

November 2 - Arrival of imported workers

VISA

Citizens of the Russian Federation and other CIS countries granted a visa for 30 days upon arrival in Mauritius.

Requirements for passport control: The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after leaving the country.

RULES OF ENTRY

Customs control: The country banned the import:

• Firearms

• drugs

• sugar cane

Allowed to bring:

Persons over 18 years of age can carry these goods without tax

• 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco

• 1 liter. spirits, 2 liters. wine or beer

• 250 ml.tualetnoy water, 100 ml. spirits.

Restrictions on the import of foreign currency is not.

Restrictions on export from the country: There is a limit on the export of local currency (Mauritian Rupees).

HOW TO REACH

How to get there. Flight: The most convenient way to get to Mauritius - use the services of airline "Transaero", a direct flight on a comfortable Boeing 777, takes 10 hours and 30 minutes. You can also use the services of other airlines - Emirates, Air France, or through other European cities, from Mauritius to fly the flag carrier Air Mauritius.

The only international airport is named Mauritius Sivisagura Rangulama. Sometimes called Plaisance. The airport is located in the south-eastern part of the island.

 CURRENCY

One Mauritian Rupee is equal to 100 cents.

Approximate exchange rate: 1 USD = 30 Mauritian rupees. The exchange of foreign currency and traveler's checks performed in major banks, exchange offices and hotels.

In most major cities, airports, supermarkets and shopping centers have ATMs.

Credit cards accepted.

SHOPS

Shopping and Souvenirs: The number and variety of shops in Mauritius can call it a paradise for shopping. There are numerous markets, shopping centers, specialty stores, shops with goods of artisans and art galleries.

Among the tourists are very popular: model ships, wicker items, embroidery, ceramics, paintings, stone and recycled glass, as well as edible souvenirs: Mauritian sugar, jelly, spices, tea and Mauritian rum. Also grown in Mauritius Anthurium flower - on the magic flower of happiness, the airport sold specially packaged bouquets.

Mauritius is also famous for its precious stones, quality jewelry can be purchased at a reasonable price. A large number of duty free shops.

SAFETY

Venomous reptiles and dangerous animals in Mauritius not.

When bathing in the waters of the Indian Ocean should follow safety rules - beware of some marine life, fear of sea urchins, do not touch them with your hands, as well as other marine life, and do not feed them.

Do not swim in areas where swimming is prohibited.

The crime rate in Mauritius is very low, but in the busy shopping streets and markets are found Pickpockets.

Be careful!

TRANSPORT

Driving in Mauritius drive on the left.

To rent a car need an international driver's license. Driver's age at least 23 years.

Road signs in English.

WHAT TO SEE

Port Louis - the capital of the country and its main port. The city was founded in 1735 by the French in the north-east coast of Mauritius. On one side of the town is the picturesque bay, and on the other - towering mountains. In Port-Louis has four fort, who left behind a European colonizers. The most popular and more of them are surviving - Fort Adelaide. It was built by the British in 1835. These days are always arranged colorful presentation and use it as a lookout.

Center of Port Louis is the Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by rows of palm trees. Here are the main buildings of the city were built in the colonial style. This Government Palace (1738), the Parliament, the City Theatre (1822), the Catholic and Protestant churches, and the National Museum. The city is also interested in the Muslim quarter, Muammar El Khadafi Square and Chinatown on Royal Street. In Chinatown is Jumma Mosque, which was built in the late 19th century, and the Pagoda. Be sure to go to the city market, where you can find a variety of gifts, as well as exotic fruits and vegetables. Close to the market's Natural History Museum, which displays an effigy of the strangest of the species of pigeons - the dodo, which was destroyed in the 17th century man.

In the north-east of the city is the tomb of the Pen Laval, who converted to Catholicism about 100,000 Mauritians. At the top of his tomb set his painted plaster statue. Pilgrims believe that this statue has a certain force, and come here to touch her. In Port Louis can stroll along the waterfront, along which there are many restaurants, cafes, bars, cinemas, shops, duty-free shops and casinos. Nightlife center of the city is located near Le Kaudan area.

In the vicinity of Port Louis is visit the cultural center Domeyn Les Pyle, which reconstructed the life of the first colonists. It covers an area of ​​12 square meters. km. Here are the old sugar factory, the old water treatment plant and train the 18th century, preserved in their original form. Another place you can go horse riding, you can learn about the complex and visit the rum spice gardens.

11 km northeast of Port Louis in the village of Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens are located with an incredible collection of exotic and rare plants. Also, between the city of Pointe-Piments and Trou Beach is the Aquarium, and currently holds one million gallons of water. There are more than 200 species of native fish, corals, sponges and invertebrates.

12 km south of Port Louis is the town of Moca. It is considered the cultural capital of the island. Here is the University of Mauritius and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. Of the attractions of the city can be distinguished former governor's mansion Le Redyut with chic gardens and Eureka House, which today is a museum dedicated to music, art, cartography, Chinese and Indian households. Moca neighborhood popular with hikers.

Kyurpip city located in the central elevated part of the island. It was founded during the malaria epidemic, when a coastal residents moved to the inside. Main street Kyurpipa - Elizabeth Street. It is renovated Town House, which is now occupied by the City Council. Worth a look at King's College, resembling the architecture facade of Buckingham Palace, the City Hall and visit the library, where there are interesting manuscripts relating to the history of the Mascarene Islands. Kyurpip good for shopping, because there are a lot of souvenir shops and duty free shops.

To the west of the city center Botanic Gardens Kyurpipa with many hiking trails. To the north of the Botanical Gardens you can see the volcano crater Trou Surf. Volcano no longer erupting, its slopes are covered with forest. A few kilometers to the south-west of the Kyurpipa waterfalls Tamarin, consisting of seven streams of water that flows into the cave in a small lake. Not far away is the largest Island National Park - National Park Black River.

Maeburg - the second most important port of the island after the capital of the country. It is located on the south east coast of Mauritius. In those days, when there lived French Maeburg was the capital of the island.

Towering over the city bay mountain lion, the outlines of which actually resemble the animal. In Maeburge interesting Museum of the Navy, whose building was constructed in 1771, and the church of Notre Dame des Anges. Not far from the city are the ruins of ancient fortifications, Europeans, for example, the remaining ruins of the Dutch Fort Frederik Hendrik. Maeburga of you can go to Crocodile Park, home to Nile crocodiles and the largest sugar factory island.

Rodrigues Island

Rodrigues Island lies 560 km east of Mauritius. It is a volcanic island 18 km long and 8 km wide. Rodriguez stands in the center of Lemon Mountain (393 m), which, together with Mount Malartik presents excellent opportunities for hiking. The capital of the island is the town of Port Mathurin - the only port on the island. In Port-Mathurin almost no transport, houses here are built in the old style and painted in bright colors. Though it is the capital of the island, but it is very quiet and peaceful. From here you can go to the most popular beach of the island - Coton, to the bay of Grand Bay, to the deserted beach of gravel and to the island of Ile Cocos. Ile Cocos is located 4 miles west of Rodriguez. Its dimensions - 1500H250 The island is a nature reserve, home to many birds, including the rare white terns and birds mandarin.