The North
Mauritius' tourism panache started in the north, and today there's plenty on offer for visitors.
Mauritius' tourism panache started in the north, and today there's plenty on offer for visitors.
In the 17th century the Dutch used to call Grand Baie 'De Bogt Zonder Eynt', which meant the 'Bay Without End'.
Forget what you've heard about Port Louis (por loo-ee) – it's the kind of place that can only be understood when you experience it in person.
A world away from the shores of the north, Mauritius' western wonderland is the nation's most diverse coast.
With brilliant flashes of India, Ireland and the Caribbean, the wild unfolding south is an undeniable favourite for many.
Rodrigues is one of the most pleasant surprises Mauritius has to offer.
The large swath of beach-fringed land between Flic en Flac and Le Morne is known to most Mauritians as Rivière Noire (Black River).
Relaxed Trou aux Biches and the neighbouring village of Mont Choisy (also spelt Mon Choisy) are fast-developing tourist destinations full of people seeking better beaches than Grand Baie.
As wonderful and whimsical as the name sounds, Flic en Flac isn't quite the picture of paradise you saw on your travel agent's website.
Founded in 1805, Mahébourg (my-boor) was named after the famous French governor Mahé de Labourdonnais.
Lacking the touts, nightclubs and souvenir shacks of Flic en Flac in the west and Grand Baie in the north, the east face of Mauritius feels enviably untouched by mass tourism – a fantastic coincidence as the island's very best beaches line this...
Home to a large majority of Mauritians, the cool and rainy centre of the island feels like a continuation of the urban chaos in Port Louis.
As development continues to boom along the north coast, it's becoming rather difficult to tell where Grand Baie ends and Pereybère (peu-ray-bear) begins.
Effectively Mauritius' second city, Curepipe is a bustling highland commercial centre famous for its rainy weather, volcanic crater and retail shopping.
Mahébourg may be short on sand but Pointe d'Esny and Blue Bay more than make up for it.
'Sweet water hole' sits at a set of major crossroads making it the unwitting tourism hub on this side of the island.
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