Stories · Mauritius
5 days in Mauritius
Told the way I’d tell a friend, step by step.
On an island you count in tides rather than hours. 5 days in Mauritius is time enough to go around it and leave a bit of yourself.
Day 1 · With the family
Early in the morning, meet me at Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (1,307 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Chamarel: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
Later, I make my way to Chamarel Waterfall. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 5,728 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Mauritius does the rest.
Day 2 · Fresh air
To start, head to Black River Gorges National Park. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (4,223 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.
Late morning, head to Alexandra Falls. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.
For lunch, B103 - Plaine Champagne Road is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, meet me at Gorges Viewpoint. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (3,638 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Mauritius is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 3 · The icons
In the morning, I make my way to Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice de Cap Malheureux. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.6 out of 5 across 5,400 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Then, it’s L'Aventure du Sucre. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.5 out of 5 across 5,200 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
In the afternoon, meet me at Le Morne Public Beach. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (2,600 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: here is the route by public transport · what visitors say.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Mauritius does the rest.
Day 4 · The icons
To start, I make my way to Curious Mauritius. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Around noon, I make my way to Chamarel View Point. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. 4.7 out of 5 across 864 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or go through Tiqets.
For lunch, Chamarel is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
After lunch, I make my way to Dolphin Warrior (Dolphin and Whale excursion). It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Travellers give it 4.9 out of 5 (770 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Mauritius is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 5 · Fresh air
Early in the morning, it’s Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site. Give it a good two hours, and leave before you are full: that is the secret to wanting to come back. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise go through Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Pamplemousses: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
After lunch, I make my way to Solar Sea Walk, Underseawalk Ltd. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Mauritius does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Belle Mare Beach, Tamarin Falls, Île aux Cerfs, La Vanille Nature Park, Caudan Waterfront and Casela Nature Parks. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
Safe travels. And get lost at least once; that is where Mauritius begins.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.