Do you want to head off to somewhere far away, and try something exotic and refreshing? How about Mauritius, a small island nation in the southwest Indian Ocean?

Honeymoon

Blessed with a warm climate throughout the year, the tropical island boasts white sandy beaches, turquoise sea, abundant opportunities for golf, water sports, and a versatile culture derived from a rich history. Its romantic sceneries, luxury resorts and extensive spa treatments attract more and more honeymoon and wedding makers.

Coast

The coastal areas of Mauritius are impressive, each with its unique feature to enchant the visitors. The north coast consists mainly of romantic, secluded beaches, while the east features lagoons and long beaches. The western coast does not have many bright white beaches, but its inland sceneries are magnificent. The south coast is more rugged, with ocean waves crashing onto the rocky cliffs, because there is no coral reef to protect the coast. Why not rent a car and discover such captivating diversity at your own leisure?

Population

There aren’t any indigenous people in Mauritius, because the island was uninhibited when the Dutch first landed. The hospitable population consists of many varieties including: Chinese, French, Creole and Indo. It is striking that 40% of the population are under 21 years old.

Must-sees

The capital Port Louis is located on the northwest coast of the island and is the main harbor from the Indian Ocean. Boasting many historical places and buildings, this is the best place to appreciate the Mauritian diverse cultures and traditions. To get a touch of the authentic Mauritian life, visit the Port-Louis Market where a large variety of exotic food, fruits and other local items are sold.

A short distance from the capital locates the Tamil Kaylasson Temple. It is a wonderfully ornate complex with colorful domes and carved gods on different tiers. If you visit this temple in February during Cavadee, you can see the penitents praying and piercing their bodies and walking on white-hot coals.

The harbor town of Grand Baie is the tourist center of the north coast, twenty kilometers from the capital Port Louis. Here you can shop to your heart and enjoy the culinary delights in one of the many restaurants. In Grand Baie locates La Cuvette, a stretched beach on the north side of the island with great popularity.

The longest village of Mauritius: Triolet, stretching nearly 5 km, from Solitude to Trou-aux-biches. Here locates the largest Hindu temple on the island: Maheswarnath. This temple was built in 1819 in honor of Lord Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Gansha. The village has an almost perfectly straight main road, which goes all the way to the north-western coastal village and popular tourist resort Grand Baie. By car rental you can reach all these places with ease.

East of Mauritius is very popular because of its coastline Belle Mare. This bright white beach is a deep lagoon, ideal for swimming, though no water sports can be carried out here. But for that you should go to Flic en Flac and Rodrigues Island. Here are abundant opportunities for scuba divers to admire the beautiful coral gardens and reef fish.

For snorkeling in shallow waters and coral reefs, you will find good spots in Trou aux Biches, Crystal Rock, Blue Bay and Pereybere. Tamarin, however, has the best surfing waves in the period of June to August. For deep sea fishing, you can book a charter boat and go hunting for the black or blue marlin, yellow tuna, bonito, barracuda or even sharks.

To explore the island to the fullest and discover its hidden charms, a rental car is highly recommended. Apart from a major highway running north to south, the island has a good network of paved roads. Driving here is bound to be a great experience in itself. There are numerous car rental companies on the island, but to get a better deal, it’s better to book in advance. Check out what holidaycars.com has to offer!