No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Mauritius’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Mauritius set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Mauritius High Commission in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must:
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit Mauritius without a visa for up to 60 days. When you arrive, a border official will stamp your passport to show the end-date for your permitted stay.
\n\nYou must be able to show proof of onward or return travel.
\n\nTo stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Mauritian government’s entry requirements.
\n\nYou must fill in the Mauritius All in One travel form online before you arrive. Print out a copy of your completed form with a QR code on it. You’ll need to show the form to officials when you arrive at the airport. If you do not fill in the form before you arrive, you’ll be asked to fill in an immigration disembarkation card at the airport.
\n\nFor details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations see TravelHealthPro’s Mauritius guide.
\n\nOn arrival in Mauritius, you may be asked questions about your health and recent travel history.
\n\nIf you travel to Mauritius from a country where malaria is common, border officials may ask you for a blood sample to meet Ministry of Health requirements. If you are not tested at the airport, officials may contact you later during your visit.
\n\nAs a precautionary measure, Mauritius has introduced entry restrictions in response to the Ebola outbreak:
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Mauritius. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Mauritius, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nMost crime is non-violent such as burglaries from tourist villas or theft of unattended bags. Petty crime is common, particularly in tourist areas such as Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. There have been some reports of sexual assaults on tourists.
\n\nYou can take steps to reduce your personal risk by:
\n\nReport any incidents to the Mauritius tourist police by calling 999.
\n\nPolice may occasionally ask to see your ID, such as your passport or driving licence.
\n\nIt’s illegal to possess or import cigarette papers.
\n\nIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.
\n\nYou should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
\n\nAirports in Mauritius have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
\n\nIf you are found with any drugs, it’s unlikely you’ll be bailed, regardless of the type of drug. Prosecutions take a year or more to come to court, and you’ll be detained until your trial.
\n\nIf you’re under police investigation, you’ll be provisionally charged and not allowed to leave the country without consent from a judge. It can take up to 2 years for the authorities to decide whether to issue a formal charge. You’re not allowed to renew your occupation or resident’s permit if you’re provisionally charged with a crime. If you cannot support yourself financially you’ll be kept in prison while the police finish their investigation.
\n\nSame-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in October 2023. Mauritius is a relatively conservative society and local attitudes to the LGBT+ community vary across the country. LGBT+ people still face discrimination, and verbal and physical confrontation cannot be ruled out.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nIf you’re taking part in any kind of water sports, make sure the:
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Mauritius, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nAs in the UK, left-hand traffic is standard across Mauritius.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Mauritius. Carry your licence with you when driving. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nDrivers are expected to carry in their vehicles yellow chalk, or other appropriate yellow indelible marker. This should be used to mark the position and registration number of their vehicle on the surface of a road in the event of an accident or breakdown, before moving their vehicle off the road where possible.
\n\nDrink-driving is a serious offence in Mauritius. Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, even at very low levels (a quarter of England’s legal limit of alcohol in your system), can include fines or imprisonment.
\n\nAccidents are common in Mauritius. Motorbikes are slow and often do not use headlights at night.
\n\nSome roads are narrow and do not have pavements. Pedestrians and cyclists often use main roads, including motorways, during the day and at night.
\n\nThere is still a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, where piracy has been reduced but not prevented. Pirates can attack up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast or more.
\n\nIf you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\nThe tropical cyclone season in Mauritius usually runs from November to May.
\n\nIf a tropical cyclone happens, follow the advice of the Mauritian government information service. Mauritius Meteorological Services has a well-structured system of phased warnings.
\n\nCyclones can cause extensive damage to property. During a cyclone you’re not allowed to leave your accommodation, and car insurance policies often become invalid.
\n\nSome areas are prone to landslides, especially during cyclones and torrential rains. Mauritius Meteorological Services has 5-stage landslide warnings. Local authorities may organise evacuations of threatened areas.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 999 or 114 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before you travel:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face on Mauritius, including:
\n\nStonefish stings are rare but can be fatal. Get urgent medical attention if you are stung. Many hotels stock anti-venom serum.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nYou can bring common medicines for your own use but you must carry a copy of the prescription. Tranquillisers, hypnotics, narcotics and other strong painkillers will require prior authorisation. You can check details with the Mauritius Ministry of Health and Wellness. If in any doubt, get advice from the Mauritius High Commission in the UK .
\n\nGood private healthcare is available but can be expensive. More complex cases may require evacuation to Réunion or South Africa. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nPrivate and state ambulance services are available, but the quality and response speed can vary. If you can, go directly to the hospital.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Mauritius where most staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 999 or 114
\n\nFire: 999 or 115
\n\nPolice: 999 or 112
\n\nTelephone: 999 or 112
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Mauritius on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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