Mauritius is an African island nation located in the Indian Ocean. It’s well known for its beautiful beaches and colorful coral reefs, but the interior of the island is also filled with lush rainforests and towering mountains. If you want to see all the natural beauty that this country has to offer, the best way to do so is by renting a scooter and hitting the road.
Besides its natural beauty, Mauritius is known for its highly mixed population of Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, Chinese, Europeans, and many other ethnic groups. It’s a very stable nation, and the different sects of people live in peace and harmony.
Overall, Mauritius is a fantastic place to lounge on the beach, explore the rainforests, and meet some amazing people. The best way to maximize your time in the island nation is to hire a scooter and explore.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a scooter in Mauritius. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motorcycle or a quad/ATV. This guide includes:
- Safety issues related to driving in Mauritius
- The price of hiring a scooter
- Where to find scooter rental
- If you need an international driving permit in Mauritius
- Unique things to do in Mauritius with your hired scooter
Is It Easy to Drive a Scooter in Mauritius?
In general, driving in Mauritius is quite easy thanks to well-maintained roads and a good infrastructure. However, in the more metropolitan parts of the island such as Ebene, Quatre-Bornes, Rose-Hill, and Port-Louis, the roads can become quite crowded during peak commuting hours. Driving in these areas during morning and evening rush hour may take far longer than at other times of the day.
If you’re traveling from the United States, driving may take somewhat of an adjustment, as they drive on the left side of the road, and right of way is given to vehicles coming from the right. Luckily, Mauritius has only one main road, meaning you won’t have to do a whole lot of turning to get where you want to go.
The minimum age for driving a scooter in the country is 17 years old, whereas you have to be 18 years old to drive a car.
What Is the Price of Scooter Hire in Mauritius?
Scooter rental in Mauritius is extremely affordable. For a single day rental, you can expect rates as low as $10 per day. If you choose to rent your scooter for a longer period of time, you can get rates as low as $6 per day. Hiring a scooter is a cheap and easy way to explore the island on your own terms.
When hiring a scooter, make sure that your rental shop includes a helmet and insurance in the stated rental price.
Where Can You Rent a Scooter in Mauritius?
If you plan on flying into Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, the main international airport in the country, you can find scooter rental right outside the terminals at very affordable prices.
If you’d rather rent your scooter after leaving the airport, there are plenty of other places in Mauritius with high concentrations of rental shops. Vacoas-Phoenix is a great place to find rental scooters near the center of the island. If you’re staying on the north coast of the island, there are plenty of rental shops near Mon Choisy Beach. La Gaulette is also a good location to rent a scooter in the southwest region of the island.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit in Mauritius?
Tourists are allowed to drive with a valid driver’s license from their home country for up to four weeks. If you plan on staying for more than four weeks, you will have to obtain an international driving permit to continue driving.
If you want to get an international driving permit, you can apply here. There is a $20 application fee. Once approved, your permit should come in the mail in about two weeks, and the permit is valid for a full year.
Unique Things to Do in Mauritius by Scooter
Now that you know all of the necessary information for renting a scooter in Mauritius, here are some unique things to do in this island nation with your hired set of wheels:
Underwater Scooter Adventure
If you like scootering on land, you’re going to love Underwater Scooter Adventure. These tours are held out of Blue Safari Submarines on the north coast of the island, which is about an hour drive north from the city of Mauritius.
You don’t have to have any experience with diving or submarines, simply hop on the sub-scooter and sit comfortably inside an air-filled dome. You can ride through stunning coral reefs and observe the plant and animal life all around you. The tour costs about $125, but the price is well worth it.
Seven Coloured Earths
One of the coolest sites in Mauritius is the geological formation known as the Seven Coloured Earths. Located about an hour drive west from the city of Mauritius in the town of Chamarel, these dunes are different from any dunes you’ve ever seen in your life. They consist of a spectrum of different colored sands that make up a pattern similar to a psychedelic light show.
The dunes were formed by a rare confluence of volcanic activity, and they don’t seem to erode despite the heavy rain that the region regularly gets.
Champ de Mars Racecourse
Located in Port-Louis, about 30 minutes north of the city of Mauritius, Champ de Mars is the oldest horse racing track in the Southern hemisphere. The first race at the track was held in 1812, the same year that the British took over the island from the French. The racecourse was also the site where Mauritius declared its independence 156 years later.
Today, horse racing is one of the country’s most popular sports, and you can still watch races at Champ de Mars. This site is extremely important to the history of the country, watching races is great fun, and the course itself is surrounded with gorgeous volcanic mountains. This is a must-see spot while you’re in Mauritius.
Hiring a Scooter in Mauritius, Is a Must!
Whether you plan on staying in Mauritius for one day or one month, hiring a scooter and riding around the island is something you should absolutely do. Scooter rental is incredibly affordable, and it gives you the opportunity to explore all of the island’s amazing attractions at your own pace.
Do you still have questions about motorcycle rentals in Mauritius? No worries, you can always contact us by phone, email, or our website's live chat.
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