Things to do in Port Louis
The bustling capital, Port Louis, offers lots to see and do away from the coast. One of the most popular spots to visit is the Champs de Mars racecourse, which is one of the oldest in the world, having celebrated its first race in 1812. The Blue Penny Museum is the cultural and historical highlight of the Caudan Waterfront and contains two of the oldest and rarest postage stamps in the world; this attraction will only be of interest to serious culture lovers, but it is well-organised and informative.
The town also offers a plethora of shopping opportunities, including malls, street-side shops, and vendors, as well as busy markets. Within the crush of the busy Port Louis Central Market, visitors can buy all sorts of treasures, making it a definite win for shopaholics.
A stroll and picnic in the Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses is worth doing in town, and there are some charming attractions outside the city, such as the old sugar cane estate of Domaine Les Pailles.
And then, of course, there are the beaches. The tourist hubs of Grand Baie and Flic en Flac, with their long white beaches, calm waters, and coral reefs are close to Port Louis and are a great favourite with visitors.
Travellers in Port Louis will find themselves getting around a lot of the town by foot, as none of the distances are too great. Taxis are readily available and efficient, and are easily recognisable by their yellow signs. Car rental agencies such as Hertz can be found throughout the town for visitors wanting to explore the island themselves.
Port Louis Central Market
The diversity of the Mauritian population is never more obvious than during a visit to the lively, bustling and colourful Central Market in Port Louis, which is accessed from Farqu…
Blue Penny Museum
The lively Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis features the Blue Penny Museum, which is primarily devoted to Mauritian art and history, but whose place of pride is given to two of the …
Royal Botanical Gardens of Pamplemousses
The Pamplemousses Gardens are one of the island's premier tourist attractions and are easily reached by regular buses from Port Louis. Officially called the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgool…
Beaches in Mauritius
The beaches of Mauritius are close to perfect, with fine white sand and clear water running to heavenly shades of blue. Some of the island's best beaches are on the west coast, and…
Domaine Les Pailles
A short taxi ride to the south of Port Louis is the Domaine Les Pailles cultural centre and nature park, covering more than 1,500 hectares (3,707 acres) in the foothills of the Mok…
Ile Aux Cerfs
The small island of Ile aux Cerfs (Stag Island), off the east coast of Mauritius, is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, managed by the adjacent Touessrok Hotel…
Black River Gorges National Park
Situated in the southwest of the island, the Black River Gorges National Park is a popular spot for picnics, hiking and scenic drives. The park encompasses thick pine forests, gorg…
La Vanille Reserve des Mascareigne
La Vanille Reserve des Mascareigne is a nature reserve in the unspoilt south of Mauritius, best known for its thousands of crocodiles and giant tortoises, which they are helping re…
Souillac
The small seaside resort of Souillac is situated along the rugged coast in the southern Savanne district. The appeal of Souillac lies in its scenery, as it is not a bathing spot. I…
