Checklist to prepare for your trip to Mauritius

Why is a checklist essential for your trip to Mauritius?

Organizing a trip to a faraway destination like Mauritius can seem complex with all the steps involved: administrative documents, luggage, health, reservations… It is precisely to simplify your life that we have created this complete and free checklist (see end of text).

Leave nothing to chance

A successful trip starts with good preparation. Forgetting your passport or failing to complete the online entry form can turn the beginning of your dream vacation into a stressful experience. Our checklist guides you from booking your plane tickets to your return to France, covering every crucial step of the preparation process.

A checklist devised by island experts

This list is not a generic enumeration suitable for any destination. It has been specifically designed for Mauritius, taking into account the particularities of this destination: the mandatory digital form, the essential water shoes for the lagoon, the local SIM card, etc.

We have compiled all the essential information we wish we had had on our first trip to Mauritius, information from our experiences and information that our readers ask us for most often.

Download and customize your checklist

The downloadable PDF version allows you to print the checklist and check it off as you make your preparations. You can also save it on your phone for access anytime, even without an internet connection. Feel free to personalize it to suit your specific needs: add items relevant to your situation (specific medications, professional photography equipment, baby gear, etc.).

Start your preparations at the right time

Our checklist is organized chronologically to help you remember everything at the right time:

3 to 6 months before departure: Now is the time to book your flights and accommodation to get the best deals. Also, check your passport validity now to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

1 to 2 months before: This is the ideal time to purchase your travel insurance, think about the activities and excursions you want to book in advance (some fill up quickly in high season), and start researching your destination.

2 to 4 weeks before: Check your vaccinations and prepare your first aid kit. It's also the time to shop for specific products like SPF 50+ sunscreen and tropical mosquito repellent.

1 week before: Time to pack! Start preparing your suitcase, carefully checking the baggage weight and number of bags allowed. Fill out the online entry form and complete any last-minute administrative tasks.

D-Day: Follow our departure day checklist so you don't forget anything at home and arrive at the airport calmly with all your essential documents at hand.

Invaluable help for the return journey as well

Most travel checklists stop at the departure point, but preparing for the return trip is just as important! We've included a complete section for the day of your return with all the points to check: weighing your luggage (watch out for souvenirs!), returning the rental car, checking your flight time, securely packaging your rum bottles…

This little wink with our emoji 😢 reminds us that leaving Mauritius is always a difficult moment, but good organization will at least make this departure less stressful!

Share this checklist with your travel companions

If you're traveling in a group, as a couple, or with your family, share this checklist with your travel companions. This way, you can divide up tasks and ensure everyone has packed their personal belongings. It's especially useful for avoiding duplicates (no need for four electrical adapters!) and making sure nothing essential is forgotten.

Complement this with our other guides

This checklist is part of our series of practical guides to Mauritius. To explore some of the points mentioned in the list in more detail, please consult:

OUR A complete guide to organizing your trip to Mauritius For all the details on accommodation, transport, activities…
OUR Guide to SIM cards for tourists to stay connected at a lower cost
Our page Tourism & Activities to discover all the places to visit and experiences to have on the island
OUR FAQ which answers the most frequently asked questions from travelers

We are interested in your feedback.

This checklist is regularly updated to reflect regulatory changes (entry requirements, health restrictions, etc.) and your feedback. If, after your trip, you feel an important item is missing or could be added, please fill out the form on this page or contact us at contribute@ilemaurice.imYour experience will help future travelers!

One last piece of advice before you leave

Even with the most comprehensive checklist in the world, keep in mind that the key to a successful trip to Mauritius is not in your luggage but in your state of mind: be open to discovery, curious about the local culture, flexible in the face of the unexpected, and ready to be charmed by the beauty and warm welcome of this paradise island.

Mauritians have a magnificent expression: "No problem, no stress" (or in Creole: "pa ena problem"). Adopt this local philosophy and you will have an unforgettable holiday!

Have a great trip and enjoy every moment of your stay in Mauritius! 🏝️

💡 Bonus tip

Take a photo of your completed checklist and save it on your phone. If you forget something, you'll know exactly what you planned to bring and can potentially buy it there with full knowledge of what you need.

Did you find this checklist useful? Share it with your friends who are also planning their trip to Mauritius, or share it on Facebook via the button at the top of the page under the photo banner!

Checklist: Prepare for a stress-free departure

To ensure you don't forget anything before your trip to Mauritius, www.ilemaurice.im offers a complete checklist to tick off as you make your preparations.

📋 Documents, formalities and reservations (3-6 months in advance)

Check the validity of your passport (it must be valid for 6 months after your return date).
Book plane tickets
Book accommodation
Book a rental car (make sure to check that insurance is included in the price)
Purchase travel insurance (cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses) (optional)
Print and keep your booking confirmations (flight + accommodation)
Check the cancellation policy for your reservations.

📱 Online procedures and other tasks (1-2 weeks in advance)

Complete the "Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form" on safemauritius.govmu.org
Make a digital copy of your passport (and keep it on your phone/email).
Photograph your bank cards (front) in case of loss
Inform your bank of your trip abroad
Check the withdrawal and payment limits of your cards
Add the website www.ilemaurice.im to your favorites on your smartphone
Download Maps.me, Google Maps offline or other similar applications (if you are not buying a local SIM card)
Paper copies of important documents (passport, driver's license, insurance) should be kept separate from the originals.

💊 Health (2-4 weeks before)

Check that your routine vaccinations are up to date (DTP).
Consult your doctor if you are currently undergoing treatment (make sure you have enough).
Put together a first aid kit
Buy sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ (or plan to buy it there).
Buy a tropical mosquito repellent
(Optional) Bring motion sickness medication (if boat excursions)

🎒 Luggage (1 week in advance)

Preliminary checks:

Check the weight and number of bags allowed (checked baggage + cabin baggage)
Check for the return flight (may be different from the outbound flight)

Clothes :

Lightweight cotton/linen clothing (shorts, t-shirts, dresses)
3-4 swimsuits
Lightweight long clothing for evenings (mosquito-proof)
A lightweight jacket/vest for air conditioning
Comfortable walking shoes
Hiking boots + socks (if hiking is planned)
Beach sandals/flip-flops
Water shoes for the lagoon
Rain gear: A lightweight poncho or waterproof jacket (tropical downpours are frequent and sudden)
Appropriate attire is required for places of worship (shoulders and knees must be covered).

Essential accessories:

Hat/cap
Sunglasses (with good UV protection)
Sunscreen with an SPF of 50+ (opt for "reef-safe" sunscreens to protect corals)
Mosquito repellent
Quick-drying beach towel (if not provided by accommodation)
Waterproof bag for water sports
Mask and snorkel (if you have your own)

Electronics:

Phone + charger
Camera + charger/batteries
External battery/power bank
Universal adapter for UK (type G) sockets – optional
Headphones/earbuds

Miscellaneous :

Backpack for excursions
Reusable water bottle
Beach book/e-reader
Sufficient personal medication
Prescription glasses/spare contact lenses if needed
"Travel" pillow (useful for trying to sleep a little better on the plane and to leave attached to the cabin suitcase so that it doesn't take up unnecessary space inside)
Bubble wrap (for packing your bottles on the return trip)

💰 Money (last few days)

Order Mauritian rupees from your bank (optional)
Bring euros in cash (for currency exchange on site if needed).
Check that your bank cards are activated for international use.
Note down your bank's emergency contact numbers (for blocking funds).
Plan to have some cash on hand for the first few days

✈️ Departure Day

Essential hand luggage:

Passport + copy (not to be placed with the originals)
Driver's license (for each driver)
Airline tickets (printed or on phone)
Accommodation booking confirmation (printed)
Travel insurance certificate
Confirmation of completed Mauritius All-in-One Travel Digital Form
Print the address and telephone number of the accommodation
Prescriptions if medication is in luggage
Bank card + cash
Phone charged
Spare clothes (in case of lost luggage)
Swimsuit (to enjoy as soon as you arrive!)
Things to keep you occupied during the flight (book, headphones)

Final home checks:

Close the shutters/windows
Turn off the water and gas
Unplug electrical appliances
Empty the refrigerator of perishable goods
Entrust the keys to a trusted person
Inform a neighbor of your absence
Water the plants or entrust it to someone
Turn down the heating (if you are going away in winter)

🏝️ On site (upon arrival)

Buy a local SIM card (airport or city).
Exchange euros for rupees if necessary
Write down the local emergency numbers in your phone
Locate the nearest pharmacy and supermarket
Ask your accommodation provider for recommendations on good places to eat and drink.

💡 Our advice Print this checklist and check things off as you go, or use it on your phone. Start your preparations 2-3 months before departure to avoid last-minute stress!

Have a good trip !

If you have any suggestions regarding this page, things to add, etc., please feel free to send us a message via the form. Thank you in advance.

The information in this checklist is for guidance only and may change. We recommend that you check current entry requirements, health requirements, and regulations on the official websites of the Mauritian government (govmu.org) and the Tourism Authority of Mauritius (tourism-authority.mu) before your departure.

To share photos of your vacation in Mauritius with your friends, family and colleagues, we offer to create for you a personalized and free page dedicated to your stay. You will then just need to send the address of this page, for example www.ilemaurice-im/vacancesdepierreetmarie, to those with whom you wish to share your photos.
Nothing could be simpler, click on the button below.