If you've seen the headlines from Mauritius this past week, you probably have questions. Maybe you're flying out next month. Maybe you're on the island right now. Either way, we get it, and we want to give you a straight answer from people who live and work here.
We're Mauritius Tours, a small local team, and Mauritius is home. Last week was hard for a lot of families here, and we don't want to gloss over that. But we also know how much a trip like this means to you, so here's what happened, where things stand today, and what it means for your holiday.
What happened last week
It started with water and the cost of living. On 7 October, residents in La Caverne, Vacoas-Phoenix, began protesting over water shortages and rising prices. Over the next day, road blockades spread to St-Paul and other parts of the central Plaines Wilhems area.
Things escalated after a police shooting. On 9 October, a 27-year-old woman was shot and seriously wounded by a police officer at a roadblock in Camp Levieux, Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, on her way home from work. The officer was arrested. Our thoughts are with her and her family.
The protests then turned into rioting. Over the weekend of 12 October, a police station in Rose-Hill was set on fire, roads were blocked in several towns, some shops were looted, and the Metro Express tram was damaged and suspended. Local media called it the worst unrest in Mauritius since 1999.
The government responded with curfews. Here's how they ran:
Police also stepped up patrols and checkpoints, and schools closed for several days. By Thursday 15 October, police reported that all roads were clear of blockades.
Pro Tip: The incidents were concentrated in specific inland towns, mainly Beau Bassin-Rose Hill and Vacoas-Phoenix. These are residential areas, not places most visitors stay or pass through on holiday.
Where things stand today
The last curfew ended at 4:30am on Monday 19 October, and it has not been extended. Roads are open, all schools have reopened with classes running as usual, and daily life is back on track.
The airport: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport stayed open the whole time, including during curfew hours.
Port Louis: Markets, buses and taxis were already running again by mid-week.
Metro Express: The tram was suspended after damage at Barkly, but it has been back on its normal operating hours since Monday 19 October.
Travel advice: The UK, France and Canada advise visitors to avoid demonstrations and follow local instructions. Australia's advice stayed at "exercise normal safety precautions". None of the advisories we checked tell travellers to stay away from Mauritius.
Pro Tip: Check your own government's travel advice before you fly. It's also what your travel insurer will look at if you ever need to claim.
So, is Mauritius safe to visit right now?
Yes, with the same common sense you'd use anywhere. Last week's unrest was a local issue about water and living costs. It was never aimed at visitors, and it was focused in a handful of inland towns.
Here's what it means in practice:
Beaches and coastal areas: Most visitors stay on the coast, away from where the trouble happened.
Nature and hiking: Mauritius's mountains, forests and coastline are as beautiful as ever, and they're a world away from the city streets.
Pro Tip: Mauritians are warm and welcoming, and that hasn't changed. A friendly "bonzour" goes a long way.
Are Mauritius Tours trips running?
Our tours are running as normal. Our routes take you to the mountains, forests and coast, not the town centres where last week's incidents happened. Your guide watches local news every day and will adjust plans if anything changes.
Wild South Tour: Waterfalls, rockpools and the wild south coast.
Top of Mauritius: Climb to the island's highest point.
Le Morne Hike: UNESCO World Heritage views over the lagoon. The second section of the trail is now closed to the general public and can only be hiked with a certified guide who holds insurance and a Mauritius Tourism Authority permit. Our guides tick all three boxes, so we can still take you all the way up.
Pro Tip: Booked with us and feeling unsure? Message us. We'll give you an honest update on the day and the route.
Practical tips for travelling to Mauritius now
A little planning makes for a stress-free trip. Here's what we'd tell a friend:
Avoid protests and crowds: If you see a gathering or roadblock, turn around and take another route.
Confirm your flights: Check with your airline before you leave. If curfews return, aim to reach the airport three hours before departure.
Confirm your transfers: Ask your driver or hotel for the pickup time and route, plus a backup plan.
Get good travel insurance: Make sure it covers your plans and any disruption.
Follow local news: Defimedia and L'Express post updates fast. Your hotel front desk is a great source too.
Keep your phone charged: Save your hotel, guide and embassy numbers before you head out.
Pro Tip: Book tours with a licensed local operator. If plans need to change, you'll have someone on the ground who knows the island and can adapt fast.
Still have questions? Just ask us
We live here, and we're happy to give you an honest, up-to-date picture. Whether you're deciding whether to book or you're already here and want to know what's on, drop us a message at info@mauritiustours.com or on Whatsapp (+230-5259-2181)
Mauritius is still the island you fell in love with in the photos. We'd love to show you the side of it most visitors never see.