Mauritius is a stunning island paradise in the Indian Ocean, renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs. This multicultural nation blends African, Indian, Chinese, and European influences, creating a unique fusion of cultures, cuisines, and traditions. From luxury resorts to UNESCO World Heritage sites, Mauritius offers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Embroidered Tablecloths
Handcrafted tablecloths and placemats embroidered with tropical motifs like hibiscus and fish. Skilled craftswomen produce these in villages around Curepipe and Floreal.
Price: $15-60
Where: Floreal Square, Quatre Bornes Market
Model Ships
Intricately hand-crafted wooden model ships replicating historic sailing vessels like HMS Sirius and Le Flambeau. These take weeks to build and are uniquely Mauritian collector items.
Price: $50-500
Where: Caudan Waterfront shops, Grand Baie boutiques
Rum and Rhum Arrangements
Chamarel and Green Island rum distillery bottles, along with artisanal flavored rums infused with vanilla, coconut, and tropical fruits. Excellent gifts to bring home.
Price: $15-80
Where: Rhumerie de Chamarel, duty-free shops at airport
Sega Shell and Coral Jewelry
Locally crafted necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from sea shells, recycled coral fragments, and semi-precious stones. Lightweight and colorful souvenirs.
Price: $5-40
Where: Grand Baie market, Mahebourg waterfront stalls
Artisanal Chutneys and Pickles
Homemade Mauritian chutneys including mango achard, chili paste, and green mango pickle. Genuine local flavors to recreate Creole dishes at home.
Price: $3-12
Where: Port Louis Central Market, Quatre Bornes Market
Batik Clothing
Colorful batik sarongs, shirts, and dresses printed with tropical Mauritius designs. Lightweight and ideal for tropical climates.
Price: $10-45
Where: Grand Baie boutiques, Caudan Waterfront
Woven Baskets and Hats
Handwoven pandanus leaf baskets, hats, and mats made by village artisans following traditional techniques passed down through generations.
Price: $5-30
Where: Port Louis Central Market, village craft shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Port Louis Central Market
The largest and most vibrant market in Mauritius, a sensory riot of spices, fresh produce, street food, and handicrafts. The upstairs food court serves authentic Mauritian dishes at rock-bottom prices.
Where: Farquhar Street, Port Louis
Hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday-Saturday
Quatre Bornes Market
Popular twice-weekly market known for affordable clothing, textiles, and street food. Locals flock here for bargain shopping and social atmosphere.
Where: St Jean Road, Quatre Bornes
Hours: Thursday & Sunday 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mahebourg Weekly Market
Lively Monday market in the historic south coast town with fresh produce, handicrafts, spices, and local snacks. Great for authentic interaction with Mauritian vendors.
Where: Main Street, Mahebourg
Hours: Mondays 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Flacq Market
One of the largest Sunday markets outside Port Louis, attracting vendors and buyers from across the island. Excellent for clothing, fabrics, and local produce at very low prices.
Where: Centre de Flacq, East Mauritius
Hours: Sunday 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Grand Baie Bazaar
Tourist-oriented market with handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, and souvenirs. Good for casual browsing with a variety of Mauritius-themed gifts.
Where: Royal Road, Grand Baie
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Caudan Waterfront
Port Louis's premier shopping and entertainment destination on the harbor with boutiques, restaurants, cinemas, and craft stalls. Houses international brands, local designers, and duty-free shops.
Best for: Duty-free shopping, crafts, dining, souvenirs
Grand Baie
The north coast's main resort area packed with boutiques, supermarkets, pharmacies, and souvenir shops along Royal Road. Excellent for beachwear, accessories, and casual shopping.
Best for: Beachwear, sunscreen, souvenirs, casual clothing
Floreal
Known as the knitwear capital of Mauritius, Floreal Square and surrounding area has factory outlets selling high-quality cashmere, wool, and cotton garments at significantly reduced prices.
Best for: Knitwear, cashmere, wool sweaters, quality clothing
Curepipe
Cooler upland city with good selection of shopping centers, bookshops, and model ship workshops. More authentic local shopping experience away from tourist areas.
Best for: Model ships, bookshops, local shopping
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius
The largest modern mall in Mauritius in Moka, featuring over 140 stores including international brands, a hypermarket, cinema, and food court. Air-conditioned and family-friendly.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
La Croisette Mall
Shopping center in Grand Baie catering to tourists and locals with fashion stores, restaurants, a cinema, and supermarket. Convenient location for north coast visitors.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily
Kendra Mall
Mid-sized mall in Quatre Bornes with clothing stores, pharmacy, grocery, and food options. Popular with local Mauritians for everyday shopping.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Sunday
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is acceptable at markets like Port Louis Central Market and Mahebourg Monday Market but not in malls or established shops
Start by offering 60-70% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle
Buying multiple items gives you leverage for a better overall price
Smiling and being friendly goes a long way - aggressive bargaining is counterproductive
Walk away slowly if you can't agree on a price - vendors often call you back
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export endemic wildlife, certain plant materials, or black coral without permits. Antiques over 100 years old require export certificate.
Tax Refund: VAT refunds available for purchases over MUR 5,000 at participating retailers. Claim at the airport on departure with receipts and goods.
Duty Free: Travelers can bring in 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of spirits, and goods up to MUR 10,000 duty-free. Tobacco and alcohol must be for personal use only.
Shipping: International shipping available from most hotels and post offices. DHL, FedEx, and Mauritius Post offer reliable international courier services. Budget for model ships: around $50-100 for safe international packing and shipping.