Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport operates as the sole international gateway, located 48 kilometers southeast of Port Louis in the district of Grand Port. The airport opened in 1942 as a Royal Air Force base and converted to civilian use after 1945. Terminal capacity expanded to 4 million passengers annually following renovations completed in 2013. Air Mauritius serves as the flag carrier, with direct routes to Europe, Asia, Africa, and regional Indian Ocean islands. Flight times from London reach approximately 12 hours, Paris 11 hours, Dubai 6 hours, Johannesburg 4 hours, and Mumbai 6 hours.
Immigration processes typically complete within 30 to 90 minutes depending on arrival bank timing. Citizens of all countries receive entry stamps on arrival without pre-arranged visas for stays up to 60 days, with extension possible to 180 days through application to the Passport and Immigration Office in Port Louis. Proof of return ticket and accommodation address constitute standard requirements. Agricultural restrictions prohibit fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, and soil due to biosecurity protocols protecting the island ecosystem. Customs allowances permit 200 cigarettes, one liter of spirits, and two liters of wine per adult without duty.
Currency declaration becomes mandatory for amounts exceeding 500,000 Mauritian rupees or foreign currency equivalent to USD 10,000. Immigration officers occasionally request evidence of sufficient funds, though specific amounts remain discretionary. Business visitors must declare their purpose, as work activities require separate permits regardless of stay duration. The airport provides no domestic flight connections, as Rodrigues Island operates from a separate smaller terminal building within the same complex, with Air Mauritius conducting 90-minute flights twice daily.
Transportation from the airport to Port Louis operates via metered taxis charging fixed rates set by the Road Traffic Authority. The established fare to Port Louis reaches approximately 1,500 to 1,800 rupees, to Grand Baie 1,800 to 2,200 rupees, and to Flic-en-Flac 2,000 to 2,500 rupees based on 2024 tariffs. Public bus service exists from the airport via routes operated by the National Transport Corporation, with frequency every 30 to 60 minutes during daylight hours, though direct routes serve limited destinations and require connections at Mahebourg. Journey time to Port Louis by bus reaches approximately 90 to 120 minutes compared to 45 to 60 minutes by taxi. Car rental desks from international and local operators function within the arrivals hall, with rates beginning around 1,200 rupees daily for compact manual vehicles excluding insurance.
Cellular network coverage extends throughout the main island with 4G availability from Emtel and Mauritian Telecom operating as primary carriers. Prepaid SIM cards sell at airport kiosks and retail outlets for 100 to 200 rupees including minimal credit, with data packages adding 300 to 1,000 rupees depending on volume. Foreign SIM cards function on roaming agreements, though charges typically exceed local prepaid costs substantially. Registration requires passport presentation under telecommunications regulations implemented 2013. Free WiFi operates in airport public areas and most hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers, though connection reliability varies.
The Mauritian rupee subdivides into 100 cents, with coins circulating in denominations of 5, 20 cents and 1, 5, 10 rupees, while banknotes issue in 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 rupee values. The Bank of Mauritius maintains currency issuance and monetary policy. Exchange rates as of 2024 approximate 45 rupees per US dollar, 38 rupees per euro, 56 rupees per British pound, though rates fluctuate daily. Banks, exchange bureaus, and hotels all provide currency exchange services, with banks generally offering rates 1 to 2 rupees more favorable than hotels. Major banks include Mauritius Commercial Bank, State Bank of Mauritius, and HSBC, operating Monday through Friday 0915 to 1530, with Saturday morning hours at select branches.
ATMs distribute throughout urban areas and major towns, accepting Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro networks. Withdrawal limits typically reach 10,000 to 25,000 rupees per transaction depending on issuing bank. Foreign transaction fees apply according to home bank policies, commonly 2 to 5 percent plus fixed charges. Rural areas maintain sparse ATM coverage, particularly in agricultural zones and small coastal villages. Port Louis, Curepipe, Quatre Bornes, and Grand Baie provide densest ATM networks with 24-hour availability.
Credit cards achieve wide acceptance at hotels, restaurants, larger retail establishments, and supermarkets, with Visa and Mastercard more universally recognized than American Express or Diners Club. Smaller vendors, street food sellers, local markets, and bus services require cash exclusively. Contactless payment infrastructure remains limited outside major retail chains and hotels. Dynamic currency conversion frequently appears at point of sale, allowing charges in home currency rather than rupees, though conversion rates typically disadvantage customers by 3 to 5 percent compared to standard card network rates.