Mauritius, with its crystal-clear waters and multicultural heritage, is a dream destination—but knowing how to manage your money there is just as important as enjoying its beauty. From paying for street food to shopping in luxury boutiques to swimming in the waters, this guide will help you navigate money and currency in Mauritius – the best currency to bring, how to get Mauritian Rupees (MUR), security tips for carrying cash, and essential dos and don’ts. With the right knowledge, you can enjoy Mauritius without financial worries.
How to pay in Mauritius – cash or card?
Cash is still a usual form of payment in Mauritius, even though digital means are becoming more popular. Mauritius’ economy still relies heavily on cash, even with improvements in digital payment infrastructure. Only 37% of retailers use plastic card payments, according to research, showing a heavy reliance on cash transactions.
You can use cash for:
- Public transport: Taxis and buses usually require cash.
- Local Markets and Street Sellers: Cash is the primary form of payment for purchases made in neighbourhood markets, bazaars, and street food vendors.
- Small Businesses: A lot of family-run or small businesses prefer to pay with cash.
- Gratuities and Tips: Tipping in cash is usual for services like restaurants, tour guides, and hotel employees.
- Admission Fees: It is possible that some parks, museums, and other attractions only take cash.
You can use card for:
- Hotels: Major hotels, particularly those in popular tourist destinations, take credit and debit cards.
- Restaurants: Chain and upscale eateries in cities often accept credit and debit cards.
- Retail Stores: In bigger cities, supermarkets, shopping centres, and branded shops often take cards.
- Travel agencies and automobile rentals: Reputable companies usually accept credit and debit cards.
- Online Bookings: Use cards to make reservations for hotels, flights, and tours.
What’s the best currency to take to Mauritius
The best currency to bring when visiting Mauritius is usually Mauritian Rupees. The lowest fees—and occasionally no fees at all—are associated with making payments or withdrawals in local currency.
Many hotels and tour companies quote prices in US dollars, and when they notice foreigners, some may insist on taking US dollars. However, the exchange rate for these payments will be bad if you pay in US dollars rather than Mauritius Rupees. Therefore, unless you enjoy losing a lot of money, pay in MVR!
Here, it is not common to accept euros or pounds.
Where to get currency in Mauritius
There are 3 main ways to get cash in Mauritus. They are:
ATMs, or
Currency exchange, or
Money transfer & local pick-up
Types of cards to swipe in Mauritius
The most widely accepted card types for swiping in Mauritius are Visa and Mastercard. Additionally, certain establishments may accept Amex and other cards, albeit this is less common.
Types of cards at ATMs in Mauritius
If you’re withdrawing money in Mauritius from an ATM, ATMs in Mauritius commonly accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Plus, and Cirrus cards. American Express, Diners Club, JCB UnionPay, Discover or Rupay cards cards are generally not accepted.
Should I exchange money before travelling to Mauritius
Before leaving, it can be helpful to have a small amount of Mauritian Rupees (MUR) on hand for unforeseen costs like small purchases, tips, and taxis. However, international banks might not carry MUR, needing pre-ordering, and exchange rates outside of Mauritius are often less favourable.
It is not advisable to convert money at the airport or hotels in Mauritius because the rates there are usually less favourable. In Mauritius, banks or authorised exchange bureaus in the city are the best places to exchange money because they provide cheap rates.
You can exchange USD, EUR, or GBP at banks or exchange bureaus for higher rates than in your own country if you bring a combination of cash and cards.
Where to withdraw currency in Mauritius
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Mauritius are those owned by popular banks such as:
State Bank of Mauritius (SBM)
Bank of Baroda
Mau Bank
MCB
There are other banks with ATMs that also accept international debit and credit cards.
Where to exchange currency in Mauritius
Common places to exchange currency in Mauritius are licenced exchange bureaus or banks.
Currency Exchange Offices: Leading brands of currency exchanges in Mauritius are Shibani Finance Co, Thomas Cook, Money King Currency Exchange or the Mauritius Post Office.
Tips for Currency Exchange in Mauritius. Exchange rates can vary between providers so compare adequately. These are also available in standard business hours only so plan accordingly.
Major banks in Mauritius, such as the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), State Bank of Mauritius (SBM), and Barclays Bank Mauritius, offer currency exchange services. These banks have branches across the island, including in major cities and tourist areas. They provide reliable services with competitive exchange rates. Operating hours are typically from 9:00 AM to 3:15 PM on weekdays, with some branches open on Saturdays until noon.
You can find good currency exchanges using the ATM Fee Saver app – it will guide you to the nearest currency exchange on the map. The App helps you with forex places in 100+ countries including Mauritius.
Avoid Airport Exchanges and no-fee exchange offices: They have the highest fees and poorest exchange rates. Wait to get to the city to exchange cash.
Safety of carrying cash in Mauritius
It is normally safe to carry a reasonable amount of money in Mauritius due to its low crime rate. However, pickpocketing can happen in crowded places and on public transit, even though the island has a low crime rate.
Divide your money among several places, like various pockets, wallets, or purses.
For extra security, especially in crowded marketplaces, use a fanny pack or money belt.
- Avoid showing off big sums of cash in public.
- Be discrete when paying, especially in tiny businesses or local markets.
- Store your wallet in a zippered crossbody purse or in your front pocket.
- In congested public places like the Central Market in Port Louis or the tourist attractions in Grand Baie, exercise added caution.
You can manage cash in Mauritius with confidence if you abide by these safety guidelines.
Is it better to use debit or credit cards or pay by cash in Mauritius
Use a card if it is fee-free, meaning that your bank does not charge a fee to swipe the card, that the merchant or point-of-sale system does not charge an additional fee to use a card, that you need to use the card’s insurance, that you do not want to block the cash for large purchases, and that the fee for using the card is less than the fee for withdrawal.
Pay with cash by making an ATM withdrawal or exchanging money where ATM withdrawal prices are lower than card swipe fees, transactions are more convenient, and you do not want to leave a digital trail of your spending.
