Mauritius: Discover A Cultural Destination

Raining in Mauritius? Why not soak up some culture instead?

You’ve probably already seen pictures of Mauritius creeping into your Instagram feed, but you might not have heard that Mauritius is also a Cultural Destination.

The months of January and February allow for ample immersion in local life with the celebrations of Thaipoosam Cavadee, the Abolition of Slavery, Maha Shivaratree and the Chinese Spring Festival. What makes Mauritius unique is the diverse tapestry of sights on these occasions that also take us a little deeper in the Mauritian history.

The French once colonised the island, then followed by the British, during which time, thousands of black slaves and Indian and Chinese indentured labourers came to work on plantations. The sega was later born: as festive local music with the traditional ravanne diffusing pure pleasure for all senses. The sega music and dance lie at the heart of the Creole culture.

A perfect mix of island cool and cultural exuberance

Throughout the year, diverse traditional festivals and celebrations like Eid, Ganesh Chathurti, Christmas and Divali remind us of the island’s rich cultural heritage.

Mauritius boasts amazing Tamil temples with their colourful and exquisitely carved towers, beautiful mosques, like the Jummah Mosque, in Port-Louis, built-in 1853, cathedrals and old chapels sprinkled across the island, all leaving a deep impression.

From the striking beaches to the frenetic streets of Port-Louis, Mauritius also has a hearty food scene with diverse cuisines reflecting its multicultural heritage: hot curries, Chinese dumplings, fried noodles, rougaille… 

The island is home to good food, amazing beaches and hotels, alluring landscapes, inviting people and fascinating culture.