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Whilst most tourists generally chose to stay in the coastal resorts, there are
an increasing number of visitors who might consider staying in small privately
owned villas or with local families. This presents a number of advantages, both
for the tourists and local hosts but requires a certain amount of planning and
local information.
Mauritius is generally advertised for the luxurious hotels and gorgeous sand
beaches, and rightly so. There are some exquisite resorts and if you can afford
it, go for it as the hotels are worth every penny and afford a once in a
lifetime experience. However, if your budget does not allow you a bit of luxury,
do not despair. You can still spend a holiday of a lifetime in paradise
Mauritius for a fraction of the cost.
There are indeed a number of places to stay and things to do in Mauritius that
will not cost you an arm and a leg. The coastal areas are full of small and
medium villas and flats for hire at a reasonable price. Most of these small
places are only a stone throw from the sandy beaches so you can literally just
walk down the beach when you feel like it. Mauritius is a relative safe place
and the people friendly and always ready to help, in case you do get lost.
However, like in most paces nowadays, caution is imperative. Avoid wandering on
your own in Mauritius after dark and make sure your belongings are safe. If you
are staying in a private bungalow, make sure all the doors and windows are shut
at night. Whilst Mauritius is a beautiful place, paradise indeed, the level of
crimes and petty thefts are not negligible and you need a minimum amount of
caution if you want a quiet and pleasant holiday.
If you are staying in a small guesthouse, eating is no problem at all. The
streets are bristling with small restaurants, supermarkets and prices are very
affordable. Mauritius has a very diverse cuisine, whatever your taste. Indian
and Chinese meals are readily available in every street corner and you can also
find European food...if that's what you fancy. Unlike some countries, Mauritius
has a pretty good health and safety record and it is generally safe to purchase
and eat food almost anywhere. If however you have a sensitive stomach, do avoid
the street vendors and the dholl puris which is a local flat bread filled with
vegetable curry.
Staying with the local people will undoubtedly open up another facet of
Mauritius to you. Hotels are great and pleasant but if you are not careful, you
could end up not seeing much of the local lifestyle and culture and that would
be a shame. There are NGOs who will arrange for a local host to accommodate and
look after tourists against a small payment. You can stay with a family and thus
experience first hand the way of living in Mauritius. This can not only leave
you with some memorable experience but your host will also be blessed with your
company and your contribution.
As the tourist industry in Mauritius grows and the number of tourists quadruples
in the nest seven years or so, no doubt staying with the local people and small
guesthouse will become more prevalent and a win solution for everybody in
Mauritius.
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