Mauritius

Know before you go

• money

  Hotels quote in euros but the island runs on rupees — pay local prices in local currency. ATMs are plentiful in towns and scarce along the coast roads, so stock up in Port Louis or Grand Baie.

• transport

  Buses are cheap but slow and stop running by early evening. A hire car (drive on the left) or a fixed day-rate taxi driver is how you actually see the island.

• etiquette

  Outside the resort bubble it's a conservative, multi-faith island — cover up away from the beach, and remove shoes and leather items at Hindu temples.

• safety

  Inside the reef the lagoon is calm and safe, but currents at the reef passes near Le Morne and Tamarin are serious — ask locals before swimming beyond the markers.