Money

1. Currency Exchange

Traveler's checks in a major currency are easy to change in Mauritius and help acquire an improved rate of exchange in comparison to cash of the same value. The government sets exchange rates and this eliminates the need to go from bank to bank to find the best currency exchange deal. There is no upper limitation to the amount of foreign currency tourists want to bring in. Bank of Mauritius has branches all over and help exchange money. Barclays and HSBC operate in a majority of tourist areas. It is important to carry out exchanges during banking hours, which are from 9.15am to 3.15pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9.15am to 3.30pm on a Friday. In major tourist hubs, banks also operate from 9.15am to 11.15am on Saturdays. The Bureau de Change offices provide currency exchange services. They are open from 3.15 to 5pm between Monday and Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 9am to 12pm on Sunday and public holidays. Major credit cards enjoy a wide acceptance and cardholders can receive cash advances on them from key banks.

2. What a Dollar Will Buy You

A liter of Pepsi/Coca-Cola, mineral water or beer (33 cl) is available for less than a dollar. Scotch whisky that is bottled in the local market is available at close to $10. A bottle of French wine comes for $5 to $6. A pound of fresh chicken comes for less than a dollar and a pack of twenty cigarettes for a dollar or fifty cents more.

Food at small restaurants cost about $3 whereas burgers at McDonald are priced at a little over a dollar and above. Pizza can be bought for $7 and food at KFC is priced at around $2. Average bus fares are less than a dollar, as well as a liter of petrol and diesel. A maid can be hired for a dollar on an hourly basis

3. Telecommunications

Mauritius has two major mobile service providers, namely Cellplus Mobile Comms and Emtel Ltd. both operating at a frequency of GSM 900. The whole island is covered by the network. Handsets and SIM cards are sold at the airport.

International calls can be made at cheap rates by using phone cards.

4. Cab Fares

Cabs in Mauritius are quite cheap and reliable. They are not metered so negotiate the cab fare before utilizing the service.

5. Currency Exchange Rates

The official currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MR), which is divided into 100 cents. One MR is equivalent to $0.03.

Currency Exchange Rates

MR 1.00 = USD 0.0323170 GBP 0.0174941 CAD 0.0358861 AUD 0.0433283 ZAR 0.226776 EUR 0.0252456 NZD 0.0530150

U.S. Dollar MR U.S. Dollar MR

$10 309.435 $100 3,094.35

$20 618.870 $200 6,188.70

$30 928.305 $500 15,471.75

$50 1,547.18 $1000 30,943.50

6. Taxes

A value added tax of 15% is applicable to goods and services including hotel and restaurant bills. All passengers over 12 years of age embarking at SSR International Airport (Plaisance) are required to pay an airport service tax of 500 MR while purchasing the ticket. All hotel bills include a 12% tax.

7. Tipping

Tipping in Mauritius is optional. Any extra money given as gratuity for services such as taxi rides is appreciated. A tip of 5% is sufficient at hotels and restaurants.