Mauritius island is a luxury resort with fashionable hotels and beaches with white sand. Different groups of tourists choose this place to spend a great holiday there.
It’s an ideal option for honeymoon as there are many romantic things to do for couples, families with children also like this island, as there are many beaches with shallow and clear waters and service is of really high standards.
But before your trip starts make sure you’re well prepared. It’s worth learning what currency to take to Mauritius and which one is in circulation in the country.
Check this ultimate travel guide on best currency to take to Mauritius; learn more about how much money to take, can you use US dollars, do you need cash, where and how to exchange.
Currency of Mauritius: History
Mauritius rupee, with currency code MUR, became the official Mauritius currency in 1877. Before that, in circulation there were British Pound, Indian Rupees and Mauritian dollars.
You might be interested in why the rupee gained such a status, even though it’s used in several Asian countries and Mauritius is African country.
The reason is the huge number of Indian workers who came to Mauritius island to work on sugar plantations.
Mauritius currency
Official currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee, with thirteen face values in total. There are 7 currency notes (paper notes) in circulation with the following denominations: 25 MUR, 50 MUR and 100 MUR, 200 MUR, 500 MUR, 1000 MUR and 2000 MUR. The last banknote is rather rare.
There are also smaller denominations in coin form (in total 6): 1 MUR, 5 MUR, 10 MUR, 20 MUR used in calculations. Almost all the coins are made of an alloy of copper and nickel, and the oldest coins are made of nickel-plated steel. Note that 20 Mauritian rupee coins have bimetallic counterparts.
Where to Exchange Foreign Currency to Mauritius Money
As you have to use Mauritian rupees to pay almost everywhere, you probably would like to exchange your euros or dollars at the best excahnge rates. There are several options you can choose from.
At the Airport
Foreign currency can be exchanged to Mauritian rupee upon arrival at Mauritius airport (which is located about 50 km from the capital of the island – Port Louis). At the departure and arrival areas at Ramgoolam International Airport you can find exchange bureaus.
They are open 24-hours, so exchange to Mauritius currency will not be a problem even if you arrive late at night.
Exchange Bureaus
You can also exchange Dollars, Euros, British Pound Sterling and other currencies for local money in currency exchange bureau.
The most trustable are: Thomas Cook and Shibani Finance Co.Ltd, with 16 branches located around Mauritius island. Check all of them on the map. Mentioned companies usually offer the best exchange rates.
Visit Local Banks to Make an Exchange to Mauritian Currency
You can also exchange dollars or euros to Mauritius currency in one of the local banks. They usually work on weekdays from 9:15 to 15:30. On Saturdays, banks operate half-holiday – until 11:30.
Tourists mostly prefer one of the following financial organizations: Barclays Bank, Mauritius State Bank and Mauritius Commercial Bank.
You can also choose the mentioned companies’ ATMs for exchange and withdraw money.
Mauritius Currency Exchange: Things To Consider
You can exchange money for Mauritian rupees at home. But, you should know that the rates offered will not be the best one for sure.
Another thing you should be aware of is that you can lose a lot if you decide to exchange Mauritius currency back to USD, Euros or other currencies. So, if you aren’t sure how much money you’ll need it’s better to visit the exchange office several times.
But at the same time you should know that the higher the sum you would like to exchange the better rate will be offered.
ATMs and Credit Cards
Many travelers are wondering how much money to take in Mauritius and in what form – cash or cards. In addition to cash, popular payment systems credit cards are widely accepted, like Visa Mastercard, American Express and Diner.
Mauritius island is a popular tourist hub, so the government creates the most comfortable conditions for travelers. You can even pay with bank cards in the smallest stores in the suburbs, not to mention the gourmet restaurants, cafes and stores.
Money in Mauritius can be withdrawn from any ATM with no problems and commissions, and the calculation is based on the official exchange rate.
Settlement with traveller’s cheques is allowed. All prices are calculated in rupees, while euros and dollars are practically not used, but if you don’t have rupees, the shops will take other currencies you have, but at the most unfavorable rate.
If you go to Mauritius, experienced travelers advise not to take cash – it is better to have money on the card, to take a minimum amount of about $ 500, and then pay by card. There are exchange offices at the airport where you can change the remaining rupees into euros and dollars at the official rate.
Tipping in Mauritius
Tipping in Mauritius is mostly optional thing, you can leave a tip if you’re really satisfy with the services provided. Using a taxi, for example, you have to negotiate fare in advance.
But if during the trip driver was very polite and you don’t mind to thank him for a pleasant trip, feel free to give additional 100 Mauritius rupees.
In cafes and restaurants tips are already included in the bill. If you liked the service provided by your waitress, you can leave tips. The amount enough for tips usually calculated the following way, they should be at least 10% from the total sum of your order.
As for the hotel staff, usually tips are already included in the price of the room. If you want to thank for the services rendered and do not know how much will be considered sufficient, then the best option is to look into the policy of the hotel.
Mauritius island money FAQ
It’s better to have local currency when travelling to Mauritius island. You can pay with Euros in hotels, when you rent a car, but local shops, attractions accept only Rupees.
Like in many other countries, you can use card to pay for accommodation, high end restaurants and maybe doing shopping in luxury boutiques. But in small shops, local food stalls, parks and museums you need to pay with cash.
It depends. Mauritius island is considered to be the place for luxury vacation. Package price per person varies, starting from 2000 USD for 7-days.
But, budget-friendly vacation in Mauritius is always possible: check for 3-star hotels to stay, visit local markets to buy food and use public transporation to move around the island.
National currency of the island is Rupee, so it’s better to use it everywhere to pay for any types of goods and services. Euros are mostly accepted in some high end hotels, restaurants and shopping malls.
