How to Visit Mauritius on a Budget

How to Visit Mauritius on a Budget

Mauritius is a small island nation 1,200 miles (2,000km) off the coast of Southern Africa in the Indian Ocean. The 1.2 million inhabitants make up the most densely populated country in Africa.

Mauritius is known for its beautiful exotic beaches, but there is often a misconception that Mauritius is expensive to visit. It has a luxury tourism industry, not far behind the famed Seychelles and Maldives islands. However, there are also several ways to visit Mauritius on a budget.

Check out our tips and tricks for planning an inexpensive vacation in Mauritius!

Content and photographs provided by Yana Kogan and Timon.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).


How to Visit Mauritius on a Budget

Camping on Mauritius

Mauritius on a Budget: Flic n Flak Beach
Flic n Flak Beach Camping

There is a little secret in Mauritius that is hard to come by via the internet. Camping is LEGAL and FREE on all public beaches. Yes, that is right, it is possible to visit Mauritius with entirely free accommodation.

We camped at several different beaches and not once had an issue with law enforcement or locals. Most beaches have toilets and some have shower facilities; however, they are only open from 7 am until 7 pm.

Top beaches for camping: Trou-Aux Biches, Flic en Flak, Tamarin, Palmer, and Poste Lafayette. 

Read more on the full article for the Best of Mauritius Beaches.


Budget Accommodations

Mauritius Travel: Mountains of Mauritius
Mountains of Mauritius (Le Pouce)
  • Airbnb –  there are several options ranging from $25 USD to $40 USD. The most popular areas for Airbnb are located in Grand Baie, Flic en Flak, and Mahebourg.
  • Private studios – Google search may give information; however, we searched for signs in each town and spoke directly to someone at a realtor’s office. Private studios and apartments are available for rent. We stayed in a two-bedroom in La Gaulette for $35 USD.
  • Budget hotels – There are several low-end hotels. These are mostly in the larger towns such as Grand Baie, Flic en Flak, and Mahebourg. Some budget private room options we recommend are:
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Food on Mauritius

Visiting Mauritius: Traditional Food
Traditional Food of Mauritius

The food in Mauritius is excellent! Due to the diverse ethnicity of the people – ranging from Chinese, Indian, French, and African – local food has a blend of exotic flavors. Restaurants can get expensive, but there are plenty of budget options for local food.

In the larger towns, we found small and basic restaurants serving noodles, soup, and fried rice with costs between 60Rs and 120 Rs. Street vendors are available in nearly all beach towns. You’ll find options, such as samosas or roti for less than 15 Rs or fried noodles for 100 Rs.

Read more here about Food in Mauritius.


Renting a Car

Backpacking in Mauritius: Countryside
The Countryside of Mauritius

Renting a car in Mauritius is not cheap, so you’ll need to decide if you want to splurge or not. Renting a car will help you to see more Mauritius highlights and will help in getting you to some of the hiking areas. Plus, having a car just makes it easier to get around.

Pingouin Car Rental is the cheapest in Mauritius, with prices from $220 USD per week.


Public Transportation

Buses are available on the entire island operating from 6:30 am until 8 pm. Tickets are very cheap, from 15Rs to 30Rs depending on the distance of the trip. They run often and have bus stops in almost every village. Plan your trip at www.mauritius-buses.com.


Should you go to Mauritius?

Budget Travel Mauritius: Beach
Mauritius Beaches

Mauritius is a beautiful island that is not reserved for the rich and famous staying at high-end luxury resorts. The island is well-developed and caters to those on all types of budgets.

The best way to visit Mauritius on a budget is to rent a car for the week and bring a tent. The camping on the island is excellent and there are several beaches with facilities for showering.

If camping isn’t your thing, stick to some of the budget options for accommodation and use the excellent bus system. And don’t miss out on the excellent local street food – it’s one of our favorites.

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That’s it – we hope you enjoy exploring Mauritius!


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About the Author:

  • Yana and Timon

    Yana & Timon met at college in Boston, Massachusetts. After graduating, they started their professional careers. They moved to San Francisco in 2010, a city they loved living in for nearly six years.

    After working and saving up money for several years, they quit their jobs and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They started living a nomadic lifestyle in December 2015 and have not looked back since.

1 thought on “How to Visit Mauritius on a Budget”

  1. Great post! A great information about free camping. I would like to know, how did you get informed, that wild camping is legal?

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