Mauritius Health and Safety

Mauritius is an exceptionally safe country to travel in, although there are some things to bear in mind. Taxi drivers can earn up to 30% commission from certain businesses to which they take clients. Bear this in mind if a taxi driver tells you that the place you want to go to is full or closed. Take care when walking under coconut trees and don't lie (or park your car) beneath them. The Indian Ocean is warm and tropical - beware of aquatic nasties. All beaches below the high-tide line are public property, so you are entitled to plop your towel down on the sand, whatever some over-officious security guard might tell you.

Mauritius lies within the cyclone belt. Most cyclones occur between December and March. While direct hits are uncommon, storms miles away can bring strong winds. Heed warnings and local advice.

Petty theft is not a major problem, but one that you should be aware of. Favourite haunts for thieves are the beaches. Īle aux Cerfs is a particular hot spot. Don't take valuables to the beach and never leave your belongings unattended. Be careful in crowded places - avoid displaying your valuables. When travelling on public transport, keep your gear close by. If you hire a car, don't leave anything valuable inside. Wherever possible, park in a secure car park or at least somewhere busy. Don't leave vital documents, money or valuables in your room. Many hotels provide room safes, which are well worth using. Otherwise, leave your valuables in the safe at reception and get a receipt. While most hotels are reliable, pack everything into a large envelope with a signed seal which will reveal tampering. If you do have something stolen, report it to the police. The chances of them recovering anything are remote, but you'll need a statement if you want to claim on insurance.