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Mauritius Halal-friendly holidays general information
Halalbooking guide for halal-friendly holidays in Mauritius
This island nation in the Indian Ocean includes the main island, Mauritius, as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga and St. Brandon. You may have heard of Mauritius when talking about weddings, or the best beaches in the world, and rightly so, but there is so much more to the country. Mauritius is constantly topping the list as one of the most sought after travel destinations and one of the most luxurious destinations for newlyweds. It offers picture-perfect renowned beaches, sparkling seas, charming scenery all around and much more, which is why so many holiday-makers are enchanted by the unique island.
Mauritius was a volcanic island that rose above the ocean 8 million years ago and today it is made up of idyllic resorts and paradise-like beaches. The Trou Aux Biches won the title for the ‘Best Voted Beach’ in 2012. The island nation is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs. The population of Mauritius is diverse, made up of Indo-Pakistani, African, Creole and Chinese communities. Set between Asia and Africa, the Mauritians speak English, French and Creole. A fun fact for history and nature lovers: the now extinct Dodo bird that was first encountered in 1598, occupied Mauritius, which was its only habitat. The bird is featured in the country’s Coat of Arms. Although one of the world's smallest sovereign states, Mauritius will provide so much exposure to a unique culture that makes the country not only pleasing to the eye, but niche and interesting. Immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the tourist areas, but also in the quiet and friendly villages away from the tourist areas and busy lifestyles.
Practical tips for planning your visit to Mauritius
Direct and stopover flights are available from major airports in the UK. The only airport in mainland Mauritius is the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International (MRU) which is around 48 km from the capital, Port Louis. There are bus services to and from the airport, which depart three times an hour. There is also another airport on the outer island of Mauritius, Rodrigues, the Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (RRG). However, tickets are more expensive to Rodrigues and if you do wish to visit, it is cheaper to fly to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International first and from there, get a connecting flight.
Mauritius is blessed with a pleasant climate all year round, perfect for your halal-friendly beach holiday. The cheapest month to fly is June, and the busy season is November to January.
Mauritius for the halal-conscious traveller
The people of Mauritius are what really set the country apart from other major tourist destinations - all religions coexist harmoniously, which makes the visit a heartwarming experience for all. The friendliness, peace and unity in Mauritius is a quality that will leave a lasting impression on your holiday.
They are many mosques in the capital, and many Muslims will be happy to share their knowledge on how Islam came to Mauritius. Legend has it, the Arabs first came across the island in the 10th century and named it ‘The Abandoned Island’ (Dina Arobi). The Arabs didn’t settle on the island but planted their flag in an area called Pointe de Lascars, on the North East coast of Mauritius. Many scholars passed through Mauritius over the years, creating awareness of and strengthening the knowledge of Islam and making it the Muslim-friendly country it is known as today. On your halal holiday in Mauritius, you may come across shrines for notable Muslim figures for whom you may want to leave a prayer.
Sites to visit in Mauritius
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, Pamplemousses
The gardens were built as one of the earliest versions of tropical botanical gardens in the 18th century and are considered as one of the best botanical gardens in the world. Spreading over 62,040 acres, there is so much nature to see including water lilies and different species of palms, which will take you to another world.
Chamarel Waterfall, Rivière Noire District
The 83-metre tall waterfall in the Rivière Noire District attracts many tourists for its beauty and scenery. The way to the waterfall is lined with arabica coffee plants and palm trees, a unique Mauritian experience. Abseiling is even offered from the top of the waterfall for all the thrill seekers out there.
Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark, Rivière Noire District
The natural wonder of the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark is an amazing and refreshing site to see, in contrast to the tropical views of Mauritius. The seven different colours of the sand dunes spontaneously settle in different layers and directions creating a beautiful appearance, and is a mystery to scientists as to why the different colour sands separate from each other.
Black River Gorges National Park, Southwest Mauritius
The large and dense Black River Gorges National Park covers an astonishing 5% of the Mauritius landscape. The tropical wildlife, natural and scenic views, waterfall and stunning gorge and over 300 species of plants are an exciting site to see.
Île aux Cerfs, Flacq District
The private island of Île aux Cerfs can only be reached by water taxi, which many hotels can arrange. The picture-perfect leisure island spreads over 87 hectares of land, in the largest lagoon of Mauritius. It offers a range of activities such as an adventure park, water sports, a golf course and beach restaurants.
Casela Nature Parks, Cascavelle
The most popular leisure and attraction park in Mauritius, Casela Nature Parks offer fun activities suitable for the whole family. If the scenery of the mountains in the background of the sugarcane fields is not enough to tempt you, enjoy sightseeing a wide variety of animals, safari tours, camel rides, dolphin swimming and even zip lining!
Halal food and restaurants in Mauritius
Mauritian cuisine includes a mixture of food that is as diverse as its population. With a lot of similarities to Indian dishes in flavour and names, you will have Biryani, Alooda (Falooda) and Dhal Puri to look forward to. An array of vegetable dishes including curries are available throughout Mauritius.
All butchers in Mauritius are Muslim-owned, so most establishments will serve halal food. If you are in doubt, be sure to ask. For an authentic and immersive experience try dishes like Camarons and Rougaille, a popular creole stew with meat or fish. Tomatoes are a staple ingredient in Mauritian cooking as well as the dish called Achard, a relish of pickled vegetables with mustard, which you can order alongside your main meals and tantalise your tastebuds.
As sugarcane trees line the beaches, you will find many stands serving fresh sugarcane juice. On a hot day, nothing is quite as refreshing as a cool glass of sugarcane juice. Make sure to also try the tropical fruits that we don’t often see, such as the custard apple and jamalac, similar to a plum.
Halal-friendly properties in Mauritius
There is a great choice of luxurious and contemporary properties in Mauritius on Halalbooking. Make your holiday as halal-friendly as you like, with resorts and hotels serving halal food, alcohol-free properties and villas with outdoor and indoor pools as well as spa and wellness facilities. Whether you are visiting for a honeymoon, a family-friendly vacation or a summer getaway, you will find your ideal property on Halalbooking. Choose from the flexible options of ‘Book Now, Pay Later’ and ‘Free Cancellation’ available for certain properties.
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