Graced with world class hotels offering the best services in the India Ocean and renowned cuisines as well as top health and golf resorts, Mauritius has much to offer than any tropical island. And with its signature sunny days, the world's third largest coral reef surrounding a turquoise lagoon and silky blonde, sandy beaches, this island certainly comes close to paradise. Mauritius is a multicultural society with a population of 1.25 million people who mainly speak English and French. Port Louis is the capital city.



Visitors who check in should expect a tropical climate, with very little seasonal variation in temperatures, and generally pleasant and sunny on the coast all year round. Winter is from May to October and is warm and dry while summer which is from November to April is hot, humid and rainy. Cyclones occur between January and March while the sea breezes blow all year. You could make your way around this island using Air Mauritius, Coraline which sails weekly or employ road transport which includes buses and taxis for the urban areas while bicycles and motorbikes are used in the rural areas.

Make you stay entertaining, by touring the Moka mountains by quad bike, horse or 4-wheel drive vehicles; getting a spectacular view of Port Louis from Le Pouce or ?the thumb?; heading to Grand Baie or La Cuvette for water sports like sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing; going for swimming or diving at the northern beaches such as Trou aux Biches or Flic-en-Flac; taking a speedboat from Trou d'eau Douce to the popular island playground of Ile aux Cerfs for beaches, golf and water sports; hiking in the Black River Gorges National Park to see indigenous plants, birds and wildlife; visiting La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes to see the many Nile crocodiles or enjoying some walking, diving, kite surfing and deep sea fishing at the tiny, rugged, volcanic Rodrigues Island. Alternatively, walk around Port Louis and see fine colonial architecture, visit Blue Penny or Natural History Museum; go for souvenir shopping; take your family to Casela Bird Park which has more than 140 bird varieties and the rarest like the pink pigeon; stroll around Pamplemousses Gardens with its international collection of plants; visit Mauritius Aquarium populated by 200 species of fish, the National History Museum or Mahebourg which is the most splendid town in the island.

In the midst of all that, don't hesitate to try out the high standard French, Creole, Indian, Chinese or English cuisine or the fruits, meat, vegetables and fresh food which are often imported. The national specialties include Venison, Camarons, Octopus, Dholl purri and Gateaux piments while the national drinks comprise of rum, beer, alouda and fresh coconut milk. Thereafter, grace your nightlife at Grand Baie which has bars with live music, restaurants and nightclubs. Casinos are among the island's attractions.

Make your abode at one of the abundant hotels throughout the island. Mauritius standards and services are known to be the best in the Indian Ocean but ensure you make advance reservations during Christmas and Easter seasons. There are plenty of budget options which include family run chamber d'hotes, self-catering campements, weekend houses, beach bungalows, villas and lodges.

Crime levels and the threat of terrorism are low and drug trafficking carries severe penalties but all in all, Mauritius is a wonderful place to visit.