Formerly a Dutch, then French and finally English Colony, Mauritius gained its independence in 1968. Laced with history, a host of cultures and multinational residents, it's no surprise that Mauritius celebrates an equally diverse number of holidays and special events.
Mauritius does not have a change of season. From July to September, daytime temperatures drop from sticky to balmy. With less rain and humidity, this is one of the favoured times to visit. December through March is the best time for diving, when the waters are at their clearest; June through August is best for surfing; and October through April is excellent for big game fishing, when the large predators feed close to shore.
Mauritius has many unique attractions, diving, surfing, fishing, volcanoes, waterfalls as well as the multi-cultural capital of Port Louis. There is a selection of beautiful beaches and it is a great place to relax.
One highlight of a visit to Mauritius is the magnificent mixture of cuisines on offer. Such as Créole, European, Chinese and Indian, with seafood almost always the specialty. A typical Mauritanian buffet might include a Muslim biryani, Indian chicken curry, Chinese pork dish, Créole roast beef and French-style vegetables. Boiled rice is served with just about everything.
Common dishes include rougaille, a Mediterranean dish of tomatoes, onions, garlic and any kind of meat or fish, and daube, an octopus stew. Locally produced beer and rum are potent, plentiful and cheap; wines are expensive and usually imported from France or South Africa.
