Hey my dears! You should definitely add a self-drive road trip through Mauritius to your bucket list! And by the way: a Mauritius road trip doesn’t have to be expensive at all. Quite the opposite – it’s absolutely possible to travel Mauritius on a budget! Just to get that out of the way right at the start.
Of course, “cheap” is always relative – I personally prefer the phrase “good value for money”. For me, it was important that we got to see and explore as much of the island as possible, while for my partner, relaxation was the priority. The great thing about this island is that it offers something for every travel style, every level of relaxation or adventure, and every budget.
That’s why I split our Mauritius holiday into two parts. In the first week, I wanted to take my boyfriend across the entire island with me, while in the second week, I was planning to finally put my feet up for him. ☺️
Part 1: Mauritius Road Trip: Good to Know
#1 Rental car for your Mauritius self-drive itinerary
Mauritius is perfect to explore with your own rental car. Some of the smaller roads can be a bit narrow or have potholes, but with a little patience it’s totally manageable and actually quite relaxed.
One important thing to know: Mauritius has a strict zero-tolerance rule when it comes to speeding. We got pulled over once because we were driving 86 km/h in an 80 km/h zone. Officially, that would have been a 2500 Rupee fine, around 50€. I asked the officer whether we should pay cash or by card, and he simply replied by asking how much cash we had. We had 1000 Rupees – around 20€ – and that’s exactly what he happily took. He was super friendly, let us go immediately, and probably had a nice little tip for his day. 😇 Still, stick to the speed limit – the checks are very real.
And don’t forget: Mauritius has left-hand traffic. For us, that was no issue since we’ve driven on the left before – most recently together in Namibia. The only funny part is coming home and suddenly needing to switch back to the right! 😂
#2 Mauritius guides, drivers, tours and excursions
If you prefer not to drive yourself, you can easily hire a driver for a few days. Many drivers also work as guides or simply know the island inside out. It’s the perfect way to pick up even more insights about the country and its culture.
Our driver from the airport to Le Morne told us so many interesting things along the way. A big thank you to Mauritrip – they were honestly the best partner for everything: boat tours, land tours, transfers and even very last-minute requests. Communication was super smooth and flexible, and they still managed to organize two amazing tours for us at the very last minute. ☺️
#3 Mauritius currency and exchange rate
In autumn 2024, 1€ was worth roughly 50 Mauritian Rupees. We exchanged 100€ once and withdrew another 100€ later – that covered one transfer, two boat tours and all our tips. I recommend having a few 100 Rupee notes with you. That’s around 2€, and it’s the perfect small tip for locals.
I paid everything else easily by card. With my Trade Republic Visa card I don’t pay any foreign currency fees, and withdrawals of 100€ or more are completely free. Here’s the link to the Trade Republic account (with lots of extras, like 3.5% interest on the checking account): free Trade Republic Visa card.
#4 Languages in Mauritius: French and English
You can get around absolutely everywhere with English. The mother tongue of most locals is French, but almost everyone speaks excellent English. And when I started speaking French, they were all so excited – even a simple “Merci” or “Ça va?” brings an instant smile to their faces.
#5 Sim Karte
For my Mauritius trip, I bought a Holafly sim card – my all-time favorite provider. Holafly offers unlimited data, so I never have to worry about running out while navigating, researching or working online. I asked for a discount code for you: with “samyleaves” you get 5% off your sim card: https://holafly.sjv.io/OeOaqA.
#6 Kind and welcoming locals
One thing I really want to highlight is the warmth and openness of the Mauritian people. Different ethnicities and religions live here peacefully side by side, and you can feel that harmony everywhere you go. Mauritius was uninhabited before the colonial era, so no one feels like their land was taken away. That’s said to be one of the reasons why people live together so peacefully here. If only it were like that everywhere, right?
Part 2: Our first week – Mauritius self-drive road trip
Our hotel as the perfect base for island explorations
We paid only 650€ for 7 nights including breakfast – for both of us. We had a spacious and cozy double room with partial sea view. Here’s the link to our hotel (Mystik Lifestyle by Newmark, in Mon Choisy) plus some photos:
The beach right next to the hotel is the long and beautifully untouched Mon Choisy Beach. It stretches for kilometers, completely unspoiled and wonderfully peaceful. In the evenings and on weekends, lots of locals gather here for picnics – a super authentic Mauritius experience. You’ll often spot an ice cream truck or little food trucks. Just a few kilometers further south (around 5 minutes by car), you’ll find one of the most beautiful beaches on the island: the palm-lined Trou aux Biches Beach with its luxury resorts.
Our Mauritius highlights
Now let’s dive into everything we discovered during the first week of our two-part trip. The moment we started the car, we knew: this island wants to be explored. We cruised through lush valleys, along rugged cliffs and towards beaches that look straight out of paradise. Here are the highlights of our Mauritius self-drive road trip – including a few secret spots to make your adventure truly unforgettable.
1. Mauritius Botanical Garden: Pamplemousses – a paradise of scents
We kicked things off at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses. Giant water lilies, talipot palms and exotic spice plants fill the air with a sweet fragrance – a real gem for nature lovers.
2. Port Louis & Le Pouce viewpoint
A trip to the lively capital is a must: At the Central Market, you walk past colorful stands full of spices, street food and handicrafts. Afterwards, we hiked up Le Pouce – “the Thumb” – for the best panoramic view over Port Louis. If you have enough time, definitely explore the main sights of Mauritius’ capital.
3. Chamarel: siebenfarbige Erde & Wasserfall – ein Naturwunder
Our navigation steered us south: Through winding roads we reached Chamarel, home to the famous Seven Coloured Earth and the impressive Chamarel Waterfall. The colors glow beautifully in the sunlight – a dream for photographers. And if you enjoy experiences like this, definitely add a rum tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel.
4. Le Morne Brabant – cultural peak & UNESCO heritage
Le Morne is so much more than a mountain. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important memorial for Mauritius – both tragic and deeply moving. If you’re fit enough, absolutely do the challenging hike to the top – ideally with a guide. Standing barefoot on the beach at the foot of Le Morne, flying the drone above the famous underwater waterfall, I felt overwhelmed by the contrast of beauty and tragedy woven into this place.
The history of Le Morne:
What today looks like a dream spot for hiking and beach days carries a heartbreaking past. In the 18th and 19th century, Le Morne was a refuge for escaped enslaved people who hid in the mountain’s cliffs and caves. For many, this mountain symbolized both hope and despair: When the abolition of slavery was announced, some misunderstood the message and, fearing re-capture, tragically jumped to their deaths. Because of this, Le Morne stands today as a symbol of freedom and resistance and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
5. Ziplining at Black River Gorges NP – pure nature
On the west coast, Black River Gorges National Park feels like wild, untouched Mauritius: dense forests, peaceful hiking trails, scenic viewpoints and even playful macaques. The 3 ziplines plus the hanging bridge at the end were a real adrenaline rush – and a must on any self-drive itinerary!
6. “The Wild South” – dramatic coastline & Pont Naturel
Welcome to the rugged south: Gris Gris Beach with its crashing waves and Pont Naturel, a natural sea-carved rock arch – both insanely photogenic. There’s also a hidden waterfall with a swing, perfect for photos and a refreshing dip.
7. Secret spots for your Mauritius self-drive road trip
- Eureka House & hidden waterfalls:
A colonial mansion with peaceful garden paths leading to quiet waterfalls. - Rochester Falls:
A lesser-known waterfall framed by striking basalt pillars – ideal for a refreshing swim.
- Roche Qui Pleure:
A dramatic black rock where waves run off like tears — quiet, beautiful, raw. - La Vallée de Ferney:
A nature reserve in the southeast, great for tranquil walks surrounded by endemic wildlife. - Aapravasi Ghat & Terre Rouge bird sanctuary:
UNESCO heritage meets peaceful bird-filled wetlands — cultural and serene. - Ebony Forest:
Reddit-approved, a real hidden gem for hikers. - …and so many more!
In just seven days with our rental car, we rediscovered this island from scratch: botanical wonders, cultural heritage, raw coastlines and hidden oases. We visited classic tourist hotspots and combined them with lesser-known gems like Eureka House and Ebony Forest. If you explore Mauritius with open eyes, you’ll find a diverse dream island full of adventure, history and nature – exactly what a self-drive road trip should feel like. ☺️
2. Unsere zweite Woche: All Inclusive am Le Morne
After our road trip adventure, our second week at RIU Palace Le Morne began – lovingly called “Wolfi’s Week”. Our deal was simple: one week of exploring for me, one week of full relaxation for him. If you’re also someone who loves mixing adventure with downtime and you’re planning to visit the magical island of Mauritius, here’s my top tip for your “chill week”.
Because RIU Palace gave us exactly what we needed: incredibly kind staff (!), amazing service, a delicious and generous food selection, heated pools (with a swim-up bar), plus two lovely evening bars with live music and different entertainment every night. And all that for a truly fair price by Mauritius standards – around 1400€ per person for one week in a Junior Suite with All Inclusive.
The RIUs are actually the most affordable All Inclusive option at Le Morne. There are two of them: the adults-only RIU Palace and the RIU Turquoise. Both properties are brand new, opened in June 2024, so everything still feels super fresh and beautiful. I’ve seen a few negative reviews from the early opening weeks in June and July when not everything ran smoothly yet. We visited in September / October and give it a solid 10 out of 10. We genuinely loved our stay at RIU Palace.
Our Junior Suite was bright and beautiful. The bed was comfortable (and yes, you can ask for a double bed instead of two singles), the room was spacious, and the bathroom modern and stylish. The little couch and dining table also gave me enough space to spread out all my camera gear and tech.
Alternative places to stay at Le Morne
Le Morne completely blew us away – visually, emotionally, everything. Turquoise ocean on one side, the dramatic Le Morne mountain rising on the other. What a panorama! We loved the beach right in front of RIU, and you can relax there watching the windsurfers and kitesurfers glide across the water. On windy days, we simply switched to the protected pool area between the buildings, or walked around the corner toward the luxury resorts where the wind almost disappears completely. That’s where I recommend going for swimming. As always on Mauritius: don’t forget water shoes.
Just a few steps further, there’s also a gorgeous photo spot with ocean, palm trees and the Le Morne backdrop (you’ll see it in my photos below). If you want to stay somewhere more luxurious, these two hotels are right there:
And if you’re looking for budget-friendly places right at Le Morne, here are two gems:
Boutik Le Morne Holiday Apartments – super cute, very affordable and perfectly located. If I hadn’t wanted All Inclusive for this week, this would’ve definitely been my pick.
Residence Ma Vie Là Ltee – simple, cozy and an absolute price hit. Also directly at Le Morne.
My conclusion – Mauritius self-drive road trip
All in all, I truly recommend visiting the incredible island of Mauritius. It’s not just for honeymooners or All Inclusive lovers – it’s absolutely perfect for independent travelers too. If you enjoyed this blogpost or have any questions about planning your trip, feel free to leave me a comment. And if you’re craving more adventure inspo, check out my South Africa solo travel guide.
Safe travels,
Samy
