Home › Living in Mauritius
Everyday lifeLiving in Mauritius: What Daily Life Is Like for Expats
Living in Mauritius means a tropical climate that depends on where you settle: the coasts are warmer and the west is the driest, while the central plateau is cooler and wetter. Nine in ten people speak only Creole at home, English is the language of business, and traffic keeps left. Foreigners can use public hospitals but are expected to pay, and private hospitals are the ones they favour. The official cyclone season runs from 1 November to 15 May.
Below is the everyday side of the island, from weather and schools to phone plans and rents, with a longer guide wherever a topic needs one. Visas, permits and the move itself are in moving to Mauritius, and the visa checker shows which routes might suit you.
The climate through the year
In the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) calendar, summer runs from November to April and is warm and humid, while winter runs from June to September and is relatively cool and dry. October and May sit in between. The mean temperature is 24.7°C in summer and 20.4°C in winter. Rain averages 2,010 mm a year (1971 to 2000), and 67% of it falls in summer. There is no marked rainy season, the MMS says, but February and March are the wettest months and October the driest.
The central plateau around Vacoas is about 3 to 4°C cooler by day than the west and north, and 1 to 2.5°C cooler than the east and south. The west is the driest part of the island, while the centre and east are the wettest.
| Area (station) | Mean maximum, January (°C) | Mean maximum, July (°C) | Rain a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| West (Medine) | 30.4 | 25.8 | about 780 mm |
| North (Pamplemousses) | 31.1 | 25.7 | about 1,350 mm |
| East (Fuel) | 28.8 | 23.7 | about 1,960 mm |
| South (Plaisance) | 29.8 | 24.2 | about 1,720 mm |
| Centre (Vacoas) | 27.6 | 21.8 | about 2,000 mm |
Temperatures are from the MMS regional summaries. The temperature gaps above and the rain column, which totals each station’s monthly averages, are our own arithmetic.
The MMS outlook for summer 2026-27, dated 27 October 2026, expects a very strong El Niño and above-normal temperatures, with maxima that may reach around 36°C on western coasts. Rain should start in the last week of November, and summer rainfall is forecast below normal, at about 1,100 mm (80% of average).
Read the full guide: Best Places to Live in Mauritius for Expats
Cyclone season
The official cyclone season runs from 1 November to 15 May, though storms can form outside it. The MMS outlook expects 5 to 7 named storms across the whole South West Indian Ocean basin, not all of them affecting Mauritius or Rodrigues directly.
The MMS issues cyclone bulletins for Mauritius and Rodrigues in English, French and Creole. There are four classes, timed against the expected arrival of gusts of 120 km/h:
- Class I (36 to 48 hours ahead): get the cyclone kit ready and follow the radio and television.
- Class II (as far as practicable, 12 hours of daylight ahead): check the kit and store drinking water.
- Class III (as far as practicable, 6 hours of daylight ahead): secure doors, windows, loose articles and vehicles, then stay indoors. People in insecure dwellings go early to a refugee centre.
- Class IV (gusts of 120 km/h recorded and expected to continue): stay in the safest part of the house, disconnect appliances, and do not take the calm of the eye for the end of the storm.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) adds that during a cyclone you are not allowed to leave your accommodation and that car insurance policies often become invalid. No official list of what closes at each class turned up in our checks, so follow the bulletins.
Read the full guides: Cyclone Season in Mauritius: Warnings and How to Prepare · Is Mauritius Safe? Crime, Roads and Weather for Expats
Languages and people
At the 2022 census (provisional results), 90.0% of the population spoke only Creole at home, 5.1% only Bhojpuri and 4.4% only French. The FCDO says English, Creole and French are all spoken, including at school, and that English is the language of business. The Constitution names English as the official language of the National Assembly and lets members address the chair in French. It does not name an official language for the country as a whole.
Statistics Mauritius puts the population at 1,241,856 at the end of 2025. The time zone is UTC+4.
Get the free Mauritius move checklist
Seven steps in a sensible order, from choosing a residence route to your first month on the island. Free, by email.
Healthcare and emergencies
Foreign nationals can use a public hospital but are expected to pay, the FCDO says. Public hospitals are of a reasonable standard but often not equipped for serious illness or incidents, while private hospitals have better equipment and are favoured by foreigners. Mauritius has no reciprocal health agreement with the UK, and UK travel insurance generally does not cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.
More complex cases may need evacuation to Réunion or South Africa, so the FCDO advises adequate insurance and accessible funds. We found no official page on what residence or occupation permit holders pay for care.
Dengue, chikungunya and schistosomiasis are on the FCDO’s list of health risks. The Government of Mauritius hotline list gives these emergency numbers:
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 999 or 112 |
| Ambulance (SAMU) | 114 |
| Fire | 115 |
| Domestic violence (Family Protection Unit) | 119 |
| Child Development Unit | 113 |
| Crime Stoppers | 148 |
| Tourist Police | 213 1740 or 210 3894 |
Read the full guide: Healthcare in Mauritius for Expats: Public, Private and Cover
Schools
The Ministry of Education calendar for 2026 has three state school terms: term 1 from 12 January to 3 April, term 2 from 20 April to 17 July and term 3 from 17 August to 30 October. Education is free and compulsory up to 16, the FCDO says, with teaching in English, Creole and French and exams in English.
On their own websites, international schools such as those in Moka and Mapou teach the IB and Cambridge IGCSE, and one also offers A-Levels, while French-programme schools include those in Curepipe, Saint-Pierre and Mapou. Several charge less where a parent is Mauritian, and one publishes an August to July fee year.
The Lycée des Mascareignes, a French lycée in Saint-Pierre, says a child arriving on a tourist visa cannot be enrolled, even temporarily, and must be named on a parent’s residence permit. Ask any school what paperwork it needs before you travel.
Read the full guide: International Schools in Mauritius: Curricula, Fees and Places
Getting around
Traffic keeps left. You can drive on a UK photocard licence, the FCDO says, though hire firms often ask for a year’s driving experience, a higher minimum age or an International Driving Permit. How long a foreign licence stays valid once you are resident is not something we could confirm, so ask the Police Traffic Branch before you rely on one.
The FCDO puts the drink-drive limit at about a quarter of England’s, and the police list a fine of Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000, up to 5 years in prison and disqualification for at least 12 months for a first conviction.
From 29 September 2026 the State Trading Corporation lists petrol (Mogas) at Rs 77.70 a litre and diesel (gas oil) at Rs 78.35, up from the Rs 70.65 and Rs 71.25 set on 15 August.
Accidents are common, the FCDO says: motorbikes are slow and often do not use headlights at night, some roads are narrow with no pavements, and pedestrians and cyclists often use main roads, including motorways.
Read the full guide: Driving in Mauritius: Licences, Rules and Buying a Car
Phones, internet, power and banking
The register of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) lists three mobile operators: Cellplus (the my.t brand), Emtel and Mahanagar Telephone (CHiLi).
SIM cards must be registered under the ICT (Registration of SIM) Regulations 2023, in force since 31 October 2023. Resident non-citizens show a passport, Unique Identification Number, residence or occupation permit and proof of address.
These plans come from each operator’s own price list, VAT included, read on 28 October 2026.
| Operator | Home internet, a month | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| my.t | Broadband plans such as 50 Mbps at Rs 1,100 and 1 Gbps at Rs 4,700 | Postpaid plans such as Rs 300 for 5 GB and Rs 2,000 for unlimited data, on a 12-month contract; prepaid Rs 315 for 30 days (200 GB) |
| Emtel | Fibre plans such as 50 Mbps at Rs 1,000 and 1 Gbps at Rs 4,500 | Postpaid Rs 599 (50 GB) to Rs 2,099 (unlimited data); prepaid Rs 371 for 30 days (6 GB a day) |
The tourism ministry gives mains power as 220 V AC at 50 Hz. No official page we found names the plug standards, so check your adaptors.
The currency is the Mauritian rupee, divided into 100 cents. A Bank of Mauritius speech of 3 November 2017 records that the Exchange Control Act was suspended by July 1994. Non-residents can open bank accounts under the Bank of Mauritius anti-money-laundering guideline of January 2020, but it counts them as higher risk, so a bank may ask about your income, funds and wealth. Each bank sets its own policy.
Read the full guides: Opening a Bank Account in Mauritius as a Foreigner · Your First 30 Days in Mauritius: What to Set Up
Public holidays and the calendar
From 28 October, three public holidays remain in 2026: Monday 2 November (Arrival of Indentured Labourers), Divali and Friday 25 December (Christmas). Divali falls on Sunday 8 November, and a Prime Minister’s Office communiqué of 2 October 2026 gives Monday 9 November as the holiday.
Cabinet took note of the 2027 list on 28 August 2026, and Eid-Ul-Fitr is subject to confirmation because it depends on the moon.
| Date in 2027 | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Fri 1 and Sat 2 January | New Year |
| Fri 22 January | Thaipoosam Cavadee |
| Mon 1 February | Abolition of Slavery |
| Sat 6 February | Chinese Spring Festival |
| Sat 6 March | Maha Shivaratree |
| Wed 10 March | Eid-Ul-Fitr |
| Fri 12 March | Independence and Republic Day |
| Wed 7 April | Ougadi |
| Sat 1 May | Labour Day |
| Sun 5 and Mon 6 September | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| Fri 29 October | Divali |
| Mon 1 November | All Saints |
| Tue 2 November | Arrival of Indentured Labourers |
| Sat 25 December | Christmas |
Safety and local laws
The FCDO describes most crime in Mauritius as non-violent, mainly villa burglaries and theft of unattended bags. Petty crime is common in Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac, and there have been some reports of sexual assaults on tourists. Its advice is not to walk alone at night on beaches or in poorly lit areas and to use accommodation registered with the Mauritius Tourism Authority.
In early October 2026 there were localised demonstrations, road closures and interruptions to public services. Evening and overnight curfews covered most of the main island from 12 to 18 October and ended at 4.30am on Monday 19 October. The FCDO safety page has the current position.
Illegal drugs, cannabis included, carry severe penalties even in airport transit: expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines, with bail unlikely. Under police investigation you can be provisionally charged, which stops you leaving the country without a judge’s consent and blocks the renewal of an occupation or residence permit. A formal charge can take up to two years to decide.
Since 1 January 2025 every drone with a camera or data-capture device must be registered, leisure use included. Recreational flying is allowed only on private property with the owner’s permission, in daylight and below 400 ft, and never over public areas, beaches, nature parks, restricted areas or the airport control zone. The penalty is up to Rs 1 million and 12 months in prison.
Read the full guide: Is Mauritius Safe? Crime, Roads and Weather for Expats
What everyday life costs
Statistics Mauritius puts inflation for September 2026 at 4.1% on the 12-month average and 5.7% year on year. The national minimum wage has been Rs 17,745 a month since 1 January 2026, up from Rs 17,110.
A temporary electricity tariff has applied since meter readings of 1 May 2026, pending a final decision. Our own arithmetic puts the energy charge alone at Rs 2,074.75 for 300 kWh. VAT, other bill items and any minimum monthly charge are unchecked.
The Household Budget Survey 2023 (preliminary results) found that households averaging 3.2 people spent Rs 41,870 a month on consumption. That describes Mauritian households, not an expat budget.
No official series covers rents, so these are asking rents from online property listings we read on 28 October 2026: what landlords ask, not what tenants pay. Each cell shows the median in rupees a month, then the range in brackets, and an asterisk marks five or fewer listings.
| Zone | 2-bed apartment | 3 to 4-bed house or villa |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Baie and Pereybère | 70,000* (40,000 to 80,000) | 90,000 (38,000 to 160,000) |
| Other north coast (Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy and nearby) | 42,500 (25,000 to 255,000) | 85,000 (55,000 to 350,000) |
| Tamarin and Black River | 55,000* (45,500 to 65,000) | 120,000 (75,000 to 250,000) |
| Flic en Flac | 42,500 (25,000 to 70,000) | 85,000* (70,000 to 175,000) |
The top figure in each other-north-coast range is a single listing. Sources differ widely, rows are pooled without removing duplicates, and some adverts are stale: 41 of 160 on one portal were over six months old. Moka and Ebène apartments and Quatre Bornes houses had three listings each, shown as indicative in our renting guide. Floréal and Curepipe had one advert of each kind, Bel Ombre and Le Morne none and Blue Bay only a wanted ad, too few for a typical figure.
Put your own numbers into the cost calculator, or try the area quiz if you have not settled on an area.
Read the full guides: Cost of Living in Mauritius for Expats · Renting in Mauritius as an Expat: Leases and Costs
Frequently asked questions
What language do people speak in Mauritius?
Creole is the everyday language: in the provisional results of the 2022 census, 90.0% of people spoke only Creole at home. The FCDO says English is the language of business and that schools teach in English, Creole and French, with exams in English.
Is healthcare free for expats in Mauritius?
Not as the FCDO describes it: foreign nationals can use public hospitals but are expected to pay. Private hospitals are better equipped and favoured by foreigners, and complex cases may need evacuation to Réunion or South Africa. We found no official page on what residence or occupation permit holders pay.
What is the weather like in Mauritius through the year?
Summer, from November to April, is warm and humid, with a mean of 24.7°C. Winter, from June to September, is cooler and drier at 20.4°C. The west is far drier than the centre and east, and the central plateau is cooler than the coasts.
Can you drive in Mauritius on a foreign licence?
The FCDO says you can drive on a UK photocard licence, and the tourism ministry says car hire needs a valid international licence. No official statement we could find says how long a foreign licence stays valid once you are resident, so ask the Police Traffic Branch before you rely on one.
Sources, checked 28 October 2026
Most of these are government sources, plus the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for health, safety and road advice. Operator price pages and school websites are the operators’ and schools’ own accounts, so we treat them as secondary. The rents come from online property listings we read on 28 October 2026, which have no link to give.
- Climate of Mauritius, the West, North, East, South and Centre regional summaries and the seasonal climate outlook (Mauritius Meteorological Services): seasons, temperatures, rainfall by area, the 2026-27 outlook, the storm forecast and the cyclone season dates.
- Cyclone warning system, precautions and cyclone names (Mauritius Meteorological Services): the four warning classes and what to do at each.
- 2022 Population Census, main results, population statistics for 2025, the Consumer Price Index for September 2026 and the Household Budget Survey 2023 (Statistics Mauritius): home languages, population, inflation and household spending.
- Constitution of Mauritius (National Assembly): section 49 on the language of the Assembly.
- Living in Mauritius (last updated 23 December 2024), Health and Safety and security (FCDO): schools and languages, healthcare, crime, road risk, the October 2026 curfews, local laws and cyclone advice.
- School calendar (Ministry of Education): the 2026 term dates.
- Schools’ own websites (secondary): Northfields fees, the Years 12 and 13 expatriate fee sheet and the IGCSE, Diploma Programme and A-Levels pages; Le Bocage; Lycée La Bourdonnais, its home page and secondary contact page; École du Nord; and Lycée des Mascareignes enrolment: curricula, locations, fee years, the lower rate for Mauritian families and the tourist-visa rule, as each school states them.
- Visitor information (Ministry of Tourism) and the Government of Mauritius hotline list: the time zone, mains power, car hire and the emergency numbers.
- Traffic Branch (Mauritius Police Force): drink-drive penalties.
- Retail prices of petroleum products (State Trading Corporation), Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 29 of 2026 (Utility Regulatory Authority), and the minimum wage regulations (Ministry of Labour) with the Cabinet note of 9 January 2026: fuel prices, the temporary electricity tariff and the minimum wage.
- Licences issued and SIM registration FAQ (Information and Communication Technologies Authority): the licensed operators and the SIM rules. The register names companies only, so the brands come from the my.t Tourist SIM conditions (Cellplus, secondary) and an ICTA tariff document of 18 March 2025 (Mahanagar Telephone).
- Operators’ own price lists, read on 28 October 2026 (secondary): my.t broadband, postpaid and prepaid, and Emtel postpaid, fibre and prepaid: the plan prices in the table.
- Public holidays 2026 (General Notice 1195 of 2025, official copy), the Prime Minister’s Office communiqué of 2 October 2026 and the Cabinet highlights of 28 August 2026: the 2026 and 2027 public holidays.
- Bank of Mauritius Act 2004 (internet version), the speech at the inauguration of the Bank of Mauritius Museum and the AML/CFT guideline of January 2020 (Bank of Mauritius): the currency, exchange controls and accounts for non-residents.
- Communiqué on drones, the unmanned aircraft regulations and the drone FAQ (Department of Civil Aviation): registration, where recreational flying is allowed and the penalty.
General information only, not immigration, tax, legal or financial advice. Mauritius often changes these rules in its June Budget, so check the official pages above and speak to a qualified professional before you act.