Located on off the eastern coast of Africa, the beautiful island of Mauritius sits in the India Ocean, a part of the Mascarene Islands. While it is known for its stunning beaches and decadent lifestyle, the island is also a trove of cultural and geographical diversity as well as home to a number of interesting sites. While it will likely always be known as a beach paradise, the island has so much more to offer.
The best time to visit Mauritius is in the winter. Summers tend to be humid, hot, and wet with cyclones and anti-cyclones. Winter (which is May – November in the southern hemisphere) offers drier weather while maintaining the warm, tropical feel of the island. July is the coolest month, with the central plateau being the coolest part of the island year-round.
This famous island retreat is known as a great place to relax and “get away from it all.” As such there are plenty of luxury hotels on Mauritius designed to pamper each guest. The food here is just as unbelievable as the scenery. The local cuisine favors Creole recipes with strong influences from African, French, Chinese, and Indian dishes.
The island was formed by underwater volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. The original crater can be spotted from several of the surrounding peaks on Mauritius. The island is comprised of mountains, the central plateau, lagoons, virgin forests, stunning waterfalls, and, of course, the picture-perfect beaches — which you have to see to believe. There are beautiful coral reefs surrounding the island. Be sure to visit Black River Gorges National Park to truly appreciate the island’s natural wonders.
Some of the historic landmarks on Mauritius include the Balaclava Ruins, the Dutch Ruins at Vieux Grand Port, and the Martello Towers.