Complete Guide to SIM Cards for Tourists in Mauritius
This detailed guide presents the different SIM card options available for tourists in Mauritius, allowing you to make an informed choice according to your needs.
Telephone operators in Mauritius
(Last updated: January 2026. If you find that some information is no longer up to date, please do not hesitate to Contact us(We will correct this page.)
Mauritius has three main telephone operators:
1. My.T (formerly Orange / Mauritius Telecom)
As the incumbent operator and market leader in Mauritius, my.t boasts the most extensive network on the island, offering excellent coverage even in remote areas. It is particularly renowned for its reliability and 5G network in major tourist destinations.
2. Emtel
Emtel, the island's leading private operator, offers good national coverage and competitive packages for tourists. Founded in 1989, Emtel has become the leading mobile phone operator in the Southern Hemisphere.
3. Chile (formerly MTML)
A more modest market in the market, Chile stands out for particularly attractive prices, although its coverage can be slightly less extensive in certain isolated regions.
Tourist SIM cards: Operator options
My.T 5G Tourist SIM
Main Features :
- Validity period: 30 days
- SIM card price: €30 (1500 Mauritian rupees)
- Data proposed: Unlimited 5G
- Included : Unlimited local calls and texts
- Formats available: Physical SIM card and eSIM
Points of sale:
- my.t digital kiosk at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (near the baggage claim area) – open from 7am to 9pm
- My.T shops in the main shopping centers and tourist areas
- Some partner hotels also offer this service at reception
- Online before your departure (click on the button below)
Our opinion: my.t offers the best network and the most extensive coverage on the island, particularly recommended if you plan to visit remote areas.
Emtel Tourist Pack
Main Features :
- Validity period: 30 days
- SIM card price: €30 (1500 Mauritian rupees)
- Data proposed: Unlimited 5G
- Included : Unlimited local calls and texts
- Formats available: Physical SIM card and eSIM
Points of sale:
- Emtel stand at the airport (open upon arrival of most international flights)
- Emtel shops in the main cities (Port Louis, Grand Baie, four terminals)
- Authorized resellers in tourist areas
- Online before your departure (click on the button below)
Our opinion: Emtel offers excellent coverage in tourist areas and a very convenient mobile application to manage your plan.
Chile Tourist Sim
Main Features :
- Validity period: 30 days
- SIM card price: €15 (700 Mauritian rupees)
- Data proposed: 200 GB
- Included : Unlimited local calls and texts
Points of sale:
- Chili counter at the airport (more limited hours)
- Chile stores in the main cities
- Some small shops and grocery stores
- For more information, click the button below.
Our opinion: CHILI is the most economical option for those on a budget. However, be aware that coverage may be less reliable in remote areas.
Quick Comparison of Operators
my.t
- Price : 30 €
- Data : Unlimited 5G
- Validity: 30 days
- Blanket : ★★★★★ Excellent everywhere
- eSIM: ✓ Available
- Remote areas: Excellent
- Mobile app: ✓ Yes
Emtel
- Price : 30 €
- Data : Unlimited 5G
- Validity: 30 days
- Blanket : ★★★★☆ Very good
- eSIM: ✓ Available
- Remote areas: Good
- Mobile app: ✓ Yes
CHILE
- Price : 15 € (the most economical)
- Data : 200 GB
- Validity: 30 days
- Blanket : ★★★☆☆ Good in tourist areas
- eSIM: ✗ Not available
- Remote areas: Average
- Mobile app: ✓ Yes
Purchase and activation procedure
Option 1: Purchase online before your departure (RECOMMENDED)
To save time and be connected as soon as you leave the airport:
- Go to the website of your chosen operator (my.t or Emtel)
- Complete the online form with:
- Your dates of stay
- A photo of your passport
- Your address for stay in Mauritius
- Pay online by credit card
- Upon arrival, collect your SIM card from the operator's counter at the airport.
- An agent will activate the card for you immediately
Option 2: Purchase at the airport
Upon arrival, present yourself at the operator's counter with:
- Your valid passport
- Your boarding pass (sometimes requested)
- The method of payment (cash or bank card)
Important : Activation is performed by the seller. Your identity will be registered in the operator's system (legal requirement). The connection is usually operational within a few minutes.
APN configuration (if necessary)
For some phones, you will have to manually configure the APN (access point):
- For my.t: APN = "myt"
- For Emtel: APN = "web"
- For CHILE: APN = "internet"
The eSIM: The Modern Solution
Operators my.t and Emtel now offer eSIMs for travelers equipped with compatible smartphones.
Advantages of the eSIM:
- No physical card manipulation
- Activation in seconds via a QR code
- Ideal for frequent travelers
- Option to keep your primary SIM active
How does it work?
- Order your eSIM online
- Receive a QR code by email
- Scan the code in your phone's settings
- The eSIM activates automatically
Compatible phones: iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and most recent high-end smartphones.
Practical advice
Network coverage
- Coastal and tourist areas: Excellent 4G/5G coverage with all three operators
- Mountainous areas and the interior of the island: my.t generally offers the best coverage
- Small surrounding islands (Rodrigues, islets): More limited coverage with my.t and Emtel only. CHILI does not offer coverage on these islands
- 5G available: Mainly in urban areas (Port Louis, Quatre Bornes, Grand Baie) and tourist areas
International call options
- Most economical solution: Use WhatsApp, Messenger or Skype via your mobile data
- Emtel generally offers the best rates for standard international calls.
- My.t offers specific packs to call certain preferential price destinations
Recharging
Several options are available to recharge your credit or data:
- Top-up cards Available in many shops (supermarkets, petrol stations, grocery stores) starting from 50 rupees
- Online top-up via the operator's website (international bank card accepted)
- Mobile applications operators allowing instant top-up
- Official stores operators with personalized service
Wi-Fi cover areas
In addition or alternative to SIM cards, Maurice has an increasing network of Wi-Fi access points:
- Hotels and Resorts: They generally offer good quality free Wi-Fi to their customers.
- Restaurants and Cafes: Most tourist establishments offer Wi-Fi access (sometimes with a mandatory purchase).
- Shopping Centers: Major malls like Bagatelle, Caudan Waterfront, and La Croisette offer free Wi-Fi.
- Public Hotspots: Some public beaches and parks are equipped with free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Special considerations
Data use in Mauritius
Mapping and navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze) are particularly useful for exploring the island but can consume a lot of data. Consider downloading maps over Wi-Fi before you travel to save on mobile data.
International Roaming vs Local SIM Card
Although some international operators offer roaming packages including Mauritius, the rates generally remain very high:
- Roaming costs: Between €1 and €10 per MB
- Example : Downloading a 50MB application can cost between €50 and €500
- Solution : Purchasing a local SIM card remains the most economical solution (€30 for a full month vs. potentially hundreds of euros in roaming charges).
Geographical Restrictions
Please note that some tour packages are geographically limited to the main island and may not include Rodrigues or other Mauritian territories without an additional charge. Check with the tour operator if you plan to visit these islands.
Conclusion
Purchasing a tourist SIM card in Mauritius is a simple process that will allow you to stay connected throughout your stay at reasonable rates. With three operators offering a variety of competitive deals, you're sure to find a solution that suits your needs.
Our recommendation: For the best experience, buy your SIM card in advance from the operators' websites (my.t or Emtel). You'll save time at the airport and be connected as soon as you arrive. Both operators have dedicated tourist counters with multilingual staff, including French and English.
Recommended choice:
- Average budget and maximum coverage: my.t (€30)
- Average budget and practical application: Emtel (€30)
- Small budget: CHILI (€15) – but be aware of limited coverage
The pricing information and offers presented in this article are for guidance only and reflect data available as of January 2026. Telecom operators may change their rates, packages, and terms without notice. The author and publisher accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the prices and offers mentioned. It is recommended that you check directly with the operators (Emtel, my.t, CHILI) or at their points of sale for the offers available during your stay.
Some frequently asked questions - FAQ
Should we buy a local SIM card?
In our opinion, yes (unless you do not use your smartphone outside of a Wi-Fi coverage area).
Except in very rare cases (high-end or business plans including Mauritius), you will be unable to use your smartphone normally in Mauritius without paying exorbitant roaming charges.
By getting a local SIM card, you become reachable at any time (via messaging apps like WhatsApp), you can post your paradise photos live on social networks, use GPS without restrictions, etc.
Where to buy a SIM card?
In our opinion, the best option is to buy your SIM card online from the website of one of the telephone operators before your trip to Mauritius.
This will save you time when you arrive in Mauritius and your smartphone will work as soon as you leave the airport.
It is also possible to buy your SIM card upon arrival at the airport at a telephone operator's counter or in a shop almost anywhere on the island.
Will I be able to connect to my applications?
All your favorite apps will work normally as if you were in your home country, no settings required!
Moreover, network coverage is very good in Mauritius, no problem contacting your friends in your country, with your feet in the sand by the lagoon. 
How to install and activate the Mauritian SIM card?
In fact, you won't have to do anything! Normally, the seller will install (and activate) the SIM card for you (this is the case at the airport for example).
If that's not the case, change sellers.
Will the package be enough?
If you are a very heavy user (intensive video streaming), opt for unlimited plans from my.t or Emtel, or use the Wi-Fi at your hotel or rental in the evening.
What is an eSIM and should I get one?
It offers several advantages: no need to handle a physical card, instant activation via a QR code, possibility of keeping your main SIM active.
If your phone is compatible (iPhone XS and newer, recent Samsung models, etc.), it's a very convenient option. my.t and Emtel both offer tourist eSIMs at the same price as physical SIM cards (€30).
Is my phone compatible with Mauritian networks?
Can I keep my WhatsApp number with a Mauritian SIM card?
Info +:
All tourist places and activities
Frequent questions - FAQ
Formalities and procedures to come on vacation to Mauritius
History and geography
Mauritian Creole
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Tested by writing
It seems essential to buy a local SIM card before coming to Mauritius, it is very practical and inexpensive, however, this is not mandatory, it is possible to use the many WiFi points to make your calls via messaging or use social networks, in this case, be careful that your device does not use your mobile data, otherwise the invoice may be very very painful!
During our last trip to Mauritius, we bought several SIM cards at Emtel before our departure on their website, a fairly simple procedure.
When we arrived in Mauritius, we went to the operator's counter before leaving the airport where a person installed the SIM cards in each of our phones, very practical and suddenly nothing to do, our phones worked normally, no problem to use messaging (to call in France for free), navigation applications or social networks
Tested in 2024