Top 12 Things Mauritius Is Famous For - Updated 2024

Sumit
Sumit 
Updated
| 5 min read

Mark Twain’s words about Mauritius are hard to believe until you visit it. After his visit in 1896, he wrote that the Mauritians told him that heaven was made by copying Mauritius. You may think that the proud Mauritians are exaggerating, but staying here will make you feel like you’re sitting on the lap of Mother Nature. The beauty of the Indian Ocean with its many beaches and waterfalls is like a paradise on earth. There are amazing beach resorts and villas with a private pool in Mauritius as well. Additionally, the hospitality of the Mauritians that originated from many countries will astonish you. Explore beautiful natural attractions such as the seven-colored Chamarel plains and two UNESCO Heritage Sites. You can also try water sports, go trekking, play golf, or enjoy the famous Champs de Mars races. Just off Mauritius’ coast are 49 islands, most of which are not much inhabited. Scroll down to learn more about the things Mauritius is famous for.

1. Phoenix Beer

The Beer of Mauritius!!!!
Source: Photo by Flickr user Ashok Prabhakaran used under CC BY-SA 2.0

One of the oldest and most iconic beer brands in the country, Phoenix Beer boasts a history dating back to 1963. Over the years, Phoenix Beer has become a symbol of Mauritian culture and hospitality. The beer itself is a light, refreshing lager that suits the tropical climate and is often enjoyed on beautiful beaches or during social gatherings.

Mauritius is also known for its tourism industry, and Phoenix Beer is widely available at luxury resorts, hotels, and restaurants across the island, making it a beverage of choice for many visitors seeking to savor a taste of the country. The brand’s popularity has also extended beyond the island, with Phoenix Beer being exported to various international markets.

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2. Islands (from USD 312.0)

Boasting a wide range of 5-star hotels and diving resorts, the Republic of Mauritius with its many islands offers a treasure trove for tourists enthusiastic about the sun and the sea. You can experience nature’s bounty on 49 islands, which are yet to be spoiled by the modern world.

Apart from Mauritius, there are three other significant islands: St. Brandon Island, Rodrigues Island, and Agalega Island. Explore other beautiful islands such as Le Souffleur, a hidden treasure created centuries ago by rough sea waves crashing against hot lava rocks.

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Mauritius Island Hopping Luxury Speed Boat Day Tour with Lunch

Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

3 reviews

3. Black River Gorges National Park (from USD 54.19)

mauritius is famous for | black river gorges national park

If you wish to see Mauritian plants, birds, and animals, visit Black River Gorges National Park. Covering an area of 67.5 sq km (26.1 sq mi), it has 60 km (37.3 mi) of trails to fulfill your trekking needs. You may choose from the long and hard Maccabee Trail of 10 km (6.2 mi) or the moderate 12-km (7.4 mi) Mare Longue Reservoir. You can trek to the highest point of Black River Peak by taking the 6-km (3.7 mi) return trail for breathtaking views. Get enthralled by animals such as flying foxes and different kinds of birds including parakeet, bulbul, olive white-eye, kestrel, fody, and grey white-eye among others.

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Mauritius: Black River Gorges National Park 3-Hour Hike

Duration: 3.0 hour

48 reviews

4. Rum

Rum from Mauritius
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Rishi Luchun used under CC BY 2.0

One of the famous things to buy in Mauritius is rum. You can buy a bottle from premium brands for as low as 25 USD. The sugar canes for the island’s popular rum were grown in Mauritius’ volcanic soil. You can choose among multiple flavors such as vanilla-infused coconut, spices, lychee, coffee, and many more. However, the agricultural rum that is made from sugarcane juice is one of the best.

Incidentally, Mauritius is the largest global exporter of sugarcane by-products and plays a significant role in rum supply.

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5. Tea

Tea plantation in Mauritius
Source: Pixabay

Mauritius is famed for its aromatic tea and plantations. You can buy good quality tea for as little as 10 USD. The island nation’s highlands and climate make it ideal for growing some of the world’s best tea leaves. Many tea plantations are older than a century, so watching traditional tea-making is an interesting activity to try. Get world-class tea made with fresh and natural hand-picked tea leaves of high quality and taste. These tea leaves are also rich in antioxidants and many nutrients.

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6. White beaches

Flic en Flac beach, Mauritius
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user HAI YANG used under CC BY-SA 2.0

If you want to enjoy the beaches, Mauritius is the right place for you There are many wonderful white beaches on this mesmerizing island. Additionally, it offers many things to do such as windsurfing, boating, and kite-flying. The north of Mauritius has the most number of white beaches, which are lined by casuarina and eucalyptus trees. To the east are the pristine, white sandy beaches that slope into the warm azure sea. The west has shallow water with golden sand, and the south has untouched sweeping scenery.

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7. Bol renversé

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Your trip to Mauritius will be incomplete without tasting the mouth-watering bol renversé, which roughly translates to “upside-down bowl” in Creole. A taste of this scrumptious Sino-Mauritian delicacy will make you salivating for more. The dish is composed of a sunny-side-up egg on top, chicken chop suey in the middle, and basmati rice at the bottom. The best thing about bol renversé is that you can replace the chicken suey with seafood suey or even vegetarian suey. However, eating it with the egg’s golden yolk trickling down the sides of the chicken suey and basmati rice is a divine experience. Accompany it with green chili paste or tomato salad.

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8. Many languages

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If language is the roadmap of culture, multilingual Mauritius is rich in culture. You will be astonished to learn that most Mauritians are bilingual or trilingual. With people from many countries coming to Mauritius to work in sugarcane plantations, there is ample multicultural exchange. This led to people conversing in multiple languages. Almost all Mauritians speak English or French, which are widely used for official purposes. Nearly 90% of Mauritians speak French-based Mauritian Creole. The other languages Mauritians speak include Marathi, Malayalam, Mandarin, Hindi, Bhojpuri, Telugu, Urdu, and Tamil.

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9. Underwater falls

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Mauritius is famous for the mesmerizing underwater waterfall illusion, located off the southwestern tip of the island, near Le Morne Brabant. This captivating phenomenon is not actually a real waterfall but an optical illusion created by the meeting of strong ocean currents and trade wind. The illusion occurs when the southeast trade winds and the Indian Ocean currents converge, causing the sand and silt on the ocean floor to be pushed. The stark contrast between the color of the water in the turquoise lagoon and the deeper ocean creates the illusion of a waterfall.

This natural wonder has gained international attention and has become a popular attraction for tourists and photographers seeking to witness the island’s natural beauty.

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10. Temperate climate

Mauritius Beach Sunset
Source: Pixabay

You can visit Mauritius any time as it has pleasant tropical weather all throughout the year. You will be surprised to see rain in one part of Mauritius, and clear, sunny skies in another part. With the island’s microclimate, the weather can change quickly in no time. Surprisingly, the summer months in Mauritius are from November to April, and winter is from May to October. Though there is not much seasonal difference, the coastal areas are warmer by four to five degrees than the central plateau during all seasons.

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11. Dodo souvenirs

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

In remembrance of the iconic native bird Dodo, many Dodo souvenirs are made in Mauritius so tourists can take a piece of the island back home. The Mauritian people make souvenirs of the world-famous bird. Here, you’ll find t-shirts, caps, flip-flops, keychains, paintings, mugs, magnets, and many more. Don’t forget to buy one as a remembrance of your fantastic trip to Mauritius.

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12. Rougaille

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Rougaille is a classic food in Mauritius that goes by many names. Since it’s a tomato-based dish with lots of spices, it goes well with any type of food. Vegetarians can have it with salads and non-vegetarians can eat it with eggs, prawns, and sausages. This yummy dish is the favorite of most Mauritian people. It is a combination of onions, ginger, garlic, coriander, chilies, curry leaves, spring onions, and many other spices. Don’t miss out on this yummy tomato sauce to make your Mauritius trip memorable.

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Spend a relaxing holiday in Mauritius

Soak up the beauty of the sheltered lagoons set within the world’s third-largest coral reef with guidance from the friendly people on the island of Mauritius. Enjoy the beauty of the azure waters and pristine beaches as you unwind in style. Disconnect from your troubles and have a healing time in this natural paradise. Be sure to check out some all-inclusive resorts in Mauritius for your accommodation needs.

Frequently asked questions about the top things Mauritius is famous for


  • Which popular items should one buy in Mauritius?

    Leave some space in your luggage for the best items that you can take back home from Mauritius. Some of the things that you can buy here are premium yet affordable rums, good-quality tea, and Dodo-inspired souvenirs.

  • Which famous dishes should one try in Mauritius?

    If exploring the local food scene is part of the agenda during your trip to Mauritius, make sure that you sink your teeth into some of the delectable dishes including Rougaille. a tomato-based dish with lots of spices, and bol renversé (upside-down bowl), an appetizing serving of basmati rice bowl.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Sumit lived in the UK for 10 years and experienced the hustle and bustle of the urban life. However, the serene Scottish country side is where his heart lies. He is still unable to understand Welsh...Read more

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