When I first set foot in Mauritius, I stood in front of the currency exchange office at the airport and thought, “How much money should I exchange?” Perhaps you are asking yourself the same question right now. Mauritius’s official currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). Although Mauritius is in Africa, the island’s currency is called the “rupee,” just like in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This detail actually shows us how much the island has been influenced by Indian immigrants. Each banknote is a different color and size. This is also influenced by the Indian rupee. So it’s very easy to distinguish the money. If you want to quickly find services after landing, start with the terminal overview.
Airport Currency Exchange Offices
When you land at the Mauritius airport, you can exchange your money at the currency exchange offices in the terminal. For directions to exchange counters and ATMs, use the airport map Currency exchange offices are open even late at night. The exchange rates at the airport currency exchange offices are less favorable than those in the city center. I prefer to exchange enough money at the airport currency exchange office to get me to the city center. I exchange enough money to last me the first few days. If you are planning your first night, check nearby stays on the hotels page.
You can find better exchange rates at currency exchange offices in the city center than at banks and hotels. Shibani Finance Co. Ltd is a reliable currency exchange office. This company also has branches at the airport. You can also exchange money at hotel receptions. However, the exchange rate is slightly lower. I do not recommend exchanging money at hotel receptions except in emergencies.
Atms in Mauritius
ATMs are quite common in city centers and tourist areas. There are also ATMs at the airport. After clearing arrivals, you will typically see ATMs before you exit the main hall You can use your international cards at ATMs. There are ATMs in large cities such as Port Louis, Grand Baie, and Flic-en-Flac, as well as in tourist areas and shopping centers. ATMs accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, and Cirrus cards. American Express, Diners Club, and UnionPay cards do not work here. However, keep in mind that there are two fees charged for using ATMs: the local ATM withdrawal fee and your bank’s overseas withdrawal fee.
Credit and Bank Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted in Mauritius. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at tourist establishments. Credit cards are accepted at hotels and resorts, restaurants, shopping centers, and car rental companies. If you plan to pay by card for a vehicle, see options on the car rental page. Credit cards are not accepted at small local restaurants, taxis, and boutique stores. If you will rely on cash for rides, review basics on the taxi page When paying by card, you may sometimes be offered the option to “pay in EUR, USD, your currency?” This may seem attractive to you. However, I do not recommend accepting this offer. This is because the exchange rate will be unfavorable at the time of payment. My rule is: local currency.
The only legal currency in Mauritius is the MUR. There are also businesses that accept foreign currency. USD or Euro are not official currencies. Large hotels, international chain restaurants, and some tourist tours do not accept Dollars or Euros. Foreign currency is more commonly used in Port Louis, Grand Baie, and tourist resort areas. However, you should note that some businesses may accept foreign currency but give you change in MUR. Using the local currency is to your advantage.