Africa is an amazing continent with a lot of underrated places that make travelers wonder why they hadn’t pay a visit to this stunning continent sooner. Mauritius is an island country in East Africa, that’s as spectacular as it gets. This nation is one of Africa’s most stable and most educated countries. Mauritians enjoy having one of the best passports in the world. Their country has beautiful beaches, fascinating culture, and a bright future.

Mauritius is so beautiful that Mark Twain once said, ‘Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.’ But this country is not just about the look! The Mauritian economy is constantly growing, and for the very same reason, Mauritius is known as “Africa’s Singapore”!

If you didn’t know that Mauritius was a country, or hesitating whether to book your flight to Mauritius or not, keep reading. Because in this post, we’ll talk about the top 15 reasons why you should visit Mauritius at least once in your lifetime.

1- Amazing Beaches

Being an island-country means that Mauritius has a long coastline of 330 kilometers (200 miles). The beaches are covered with soft sand and crystal clear water. The sunny climate will also grant year-round access to the beach and its warm water.

2- Diverse Society

Mauritius is a multiethnic society, drawn of Indian, African, Chinese, and European (mostly French) origin. there is no need for Mauritians to reveal their ethnic identities for the population census. So, there are no accurate statistics about demographics in Mauritius. But, walk around Port Louis for 10 minutes and you’ll meet people of all origins and skin colors calling themselves Mauritian. Most people speak three or four languages fluently and they celebrate different international holidays all-year-round.

3- Reasonable Prices

Mauritius is not the most valuable country to visit in Africa, but for the level of greatness it offers, it’s totally worth it to visit the country. You’d pay a fraction of similar places in Europe and probably even enjoy your African trip to Mauritius even more than anywhere else in Europe.

4- Sunny Climate Year-round

Mauritius lies just above the tropic of Capricorn and unlike other countries, Mauritius is a year-round destination. There’s almost no best time to travel to Mauritius because this country has a sunny climate year-round.

For those who do not mind the heat and want to explore Mauritius minus the crowds and at much cheaper rates, the off-season is the best. Temperatures are around 33 degrees Celsius from January to April, so remember to carry an umbrella and of course sunscreen.

5- Mauritian Cuisine

Similar to its people, Mauritian cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world with culinary influences from French, Indian, African, and Asian cuisines. scan restaurant menus for daube, fish vindaye, chicken or fish Kalia (mixed with vegetables), mutton Halim (a type of soup), a classic tomato-based chicken stew, and a local take on Indian vindaloo. You can also try Mauritian snacks such as dhal puri, a traditional flatbread filled with spicy ground split peas and served with chutney. Or try the island’s famous babonne, a fleshy white fish similar to red snapper.

6- Breathtaking Nature

Although Mauritius is small in size, it has a lot of different natural wonders to visit. A tropical climate, wild waterfalls, lush forestation, and mountain ranges are only a few of the endless adrenaline-boosting activities you can have in Mauritius.

With so many blessings, no wonder why Mauritius is usually referred to as Paradise Island.

7- UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO has recognized the Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne Cultural Landscape as world heritage sites. Any experienced traveler would admit that UNESCO world heritage sites in each country are the best places to visit, even if they’re full of tourists.

8- The Temples

According to Statistics Mauritius, 48.5% of the Mauritian population follows Hinduism, which resulted in building stunning temples around the country. Head over to Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), which is a natural lake within an extinct volcano crater. According to mythology, the water here is sourced from the sacred Ganges river in India. Taking a dip in this lake during the Shivratri festival is considered auspicious. At the northern side of the lake, you will see a 108 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva, which is the second-largest statue in the world.

9- Wedding And Honeymoon

From 2012 to 2015, Mauritius was awarded as the World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination by WorldTravelAwards. Every year, countless couples say ‘I do’ while enjoying the Mauritian sunny sand beaches in the background. Mauritius is one of the best countries in the world for holding weddings and spending honeymoon.

10- Under Water World

4,000 species of fish and shellfish living around the coastline of the island, breath-taking coral reef, and marine life are only a glimpse of what the Mauritian underwater world has to offer. Whether you’re into big game fishing, diving, or simply admiring the gorgeousness of the underwater world, Mauritius has you covered.

11- Dolphin Watching

Swimming near dolphins and whales is one of the most unique activities that one can experience in Mauritius. There are an estimated 50 diving sites across Mauritius which vary in difficulty and depth. Mostly located around Tamarin Bay, these intelligent and charming marine mammals like to hobnob with the visitors.

12- Shopping

Mauritius has both great luxurious and budget-friendly shops that would satisfy those who like to do some shopping either for themselves or their loved ones while being on vacation. For starting, Le Caudan Waterfront offers upscale shopping and a range of entertainment options, including a casino. Shop in one of the 170 boutiques for brands like Gucci, Mango, and others, and later, rest your tired but happy self at the cafes.

13- Island Hopping

Having a lot of different islands around Mauritius such as Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ilot Gabriel, Ile d’Ambre, Ile au Ronde, Ile Benetiers, Ile de Deux Cocos, Coin de Mire, and Flat island means that you can book an island hopping tour in Mauritius and have some fun while dancing, eating, and enjoying the view.

14- Port Luis

The capital, Port Luis is where Mauritius showcases its advanced and developed country. Visit this modern city and its humble residents as the starting point of your Mauritian journey to see how thriving and beautiful this nation is with your own eyes.

15- Chamarel Colored Earth

Chamarel is a small village in Mauritius and a major tourist draw. What makes this place unique is the colored layers of sand that can be observed here. The soil is marked by vibrant swirls and stripes of red, green, yellow, indigo, and violet. You can climb the observation deck to enjoy this unique sightseeing place in Mauritius. You can also buy the symbols of this colored soil as a souvenir.