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Mauritius on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Mauritius on a budget is very possible if you skip the resorts. A realistic minimum is about Rs 4,100 (roughly €80) per person per day: bed Rs 1,800, food Rs 900, sights Rs 600 and transport Rs 800.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | Rs1,800 | Rs5,000 | Rs20,000 |
| Food & drink | Rs900 | Rs2,000 | Rs6,000 |
| Sights & tickets | Rs600 | Rs1,800 | Rs5,000 |
| Local transport | Rs800 | Rs1,800 | Rs4,500 |
| Per person, per day | Rs4,100 | Rs10,600 | Rs35,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Mauritius day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Black River Gorges National Park viewpoints and Alexandra Falls
- Le Morne public beach and the views of Le Morne Brabant
- Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) and the giant Shiva statue
- Port Louis Central Market and the Caudan Waterfront
- Aapravasi Ghat, the UNESCO immigration depot site
- Sunset at Pointe aux Canonniers or Flic en Flac beach
Cheap eats
- Dholl puri with curry and chutney: a few dozen rupees
- Farata (flatbread) with curry: about Rs 30-60
- Gateaux piments (chilli fritters): a few rupees each
- Mine frite (fried noodles) from a snack: about Rs 100-200
- Fresh pineapple with chilli salt from beach vendors: about Rs 50-100
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in guesthouses and apartments in Flic en Flac, Grand Baie or Mahébourg, at about Rs 3,000-5,500 for a double, often with kitchens and local restaurants nearby.
Getting around cheaply
Buses connect the main towns cheaply but slowly; the Metro Express links Port Louis with the central plateau. From SSR International Airport, buses run to Mahébourg and on to other towns; taxis cost much more, so agree the fare first.
A sample budget day
- Morning: bus to Port Louis, the Central Market and Aapravasi Ghat (bus fare only)
- Lunch: dholl puri and gateaux piments (about Rs 100)
- Afternoon: Caudan Waterfront and the Blue Penny Museum (small fee)
- Evening: bus back and sunset at Flic en Flac beach (free)
- Total: about Rs 4,100 including a shared guesthouse room
More ways to save
- Split a rental car between travellers for the south-west sights in one day.
- Cook in guesthouse kitchens with supermarket and market food.
- Snorkel from the beach in calm lagoons rather than paying for boat trips.
- Visit Île aux Cerfs on a shared public boat rather than a private catamaran.
- Travel in the southern winter (May to September) for cheaper rooms.
- Avoid resort restaurants; local cafes nearby charge a fraction of the price.
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Common questions
Can I visit Mauritius on a budget?
Yes: about Rs 4,100 a day with guesthouses, street food and buses.
Do I need a car in Mauritius?
Not essential, but a car or driver (about Rs 3,000-4,500 a day) makes the south-west much easier.
What are the best free things to do?
Black River Gorges viewpoints, Le Morne beach, Grand Bassin, Port Louis market and sunsets on the west coast.