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The very thought of Mauritius conjures up vivid images of immaculate powder white beaches peppered with tropical palm trees. So, while a trip to the pretty island naturally has you relaxing in the sun and sand, on its cards, there are still many fun and exciting things to do in Mauritius that you just can't deny trying. Mauritius has tons of titillating activities including many adventure escapades, visiting various sites of aesthetic or historical value, nature walks and treks, and much more. The only catch is, you need to make an effort to tear yourself from one of your many basking sessions on quaint beaches to enjoy them.
The list of things to do here is quite long. From the many places to visit in Mauritius to shopping to dancing a night away in one of the many electrifying nightclubs on the island, you have a range of exciting activities to indulge in, depending upon every liking or change of mood.
For the tourists with a thirst for knowing the place, even more, there are innumerable places of interest that you must check out. The bustling capital city of Mauritius, Port Louis, offers its visitors many options for entertainment and shopping. It boasts of spectacular French architecture dating back to the colonial times, giving you an opportunity to instigate a satisfying tour of the paradise island. Along with it, there are many more places that are popular among tourists, such as the famous Grand Baie, the Black River Gorges National Park or Chamarel. Mauritius is the perfect amalgam of unique and mesmerizing sights and fun activities which in totality makes it such a desirable tourist destination.
Lets go to Muritius.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Mauritius.
For those who delve into the depths of intriguing history, this place is a must-visit. Le Mourne Brabant marks the peninsular area of southwest Mauritius which makes for a spectacular mountainous landscape. However, it is more famous for being a refuge shelter for the runaway slaves from nearby places including the African mainland, south-east Asia, and Madagascar. The hilly terrain that holds several caves helped them to conceal themselves from their masters and stay protected. Serving as an impregnable fortress and a refuge against slavery, it attained the symbolism of resistance against social evil. It was declared as a World Heritage Site, Mauritius’s first-ever, by UNESCO in 2008.
One of the most wondrous places to visit in Mauritius, Troud’Argent is a beach on Rodrigues Island. Extremely beautiful, with pure white sands and blue waters, the site finds its place at the top of the list of most popular tourist spots in the country. Equally loved by both tourists and the locals, the beach promises the most memorable and relaxed day out at sea. With the tropical sun shining bright and reflecting off the splashing waters at the shore, it is indeed a bliss to be lazing around on a chaise longue and sipping rum coco.
If Mauritian history dating to its colonial era is what you seek, then do not miss out on Maison Eureka. The perfectly conserved Creole mansion that was built in the 1830s is indeed a sight to behold. Today it has been transmuted into a museum that takes you gliding back into the island's spirited bygone days of a plantation. The architecture of the house is another aspect to marvel at with its superior, tropical ideal construction that is still effective in keeping the interiors pleasantly cool. The incalculable number of rooms, 109 doors and antique furniture that’s beautifully preserved even to this day are incredible to witness. Moreover, the numerous ancient maps, and a mildewed piano along with carefully manicured grounds and stone servant cottages just add to the list of the house’s impressive features.
Of the many beautiful and ardent natural environs of the rugged Mauritian mountains, Black River Gorges National Park deserves a special mention. One of the many magnificent attractions in Mauritius, the park is filled with lovely rainforests that boast of many quaint hiking trails and picnic spots. It displays a wide array of both flora and fauna, with many rare species too such as the Mauritian flying fox that draws in huge crowds of tourists from the world over. Serving as the most important wildlife and rainforest conservatory of the country, it is the home to many endemic birds and animals. The park is not only an essential ecological system but is also a celebrated tourist destination of Mauritius which is heavily frequented by avid hikers. The 60 km long hiking trail winds along the forest area to end at delightful picnic spots.
The roots of any place can be explored through its museums, and the Natural History Museum does the same for Mauritius. It showcases a collection of some veritably fascinating artifacts which includes many ancient maps of the island and amusing paintings of the original fauna of the county- including that of a dodo. Along with these, you can also spot here the preserved bones of certain extinct birds, a curio of an engraving depicting some Dutchmen riding the back of an enormous tortoise and some salvaged objects- cannons, wine bottles etc. dating back to the Battle of Vieux Grand Port from 1810.
Although famous among tourists as a great shopping destination in Mauritius, the capital city of Port Louis is also a trove amassing several cultural attractions in Mauritius. Located here is The Blue Penny Museum which is the home to the first ever colonial stamp across the globe. Also, The Natural History Museum in the city lets you get a glimpse of the preserved skeleton of the extinct dodo bird. Port Louis is also the place to get a taste of the multi-culture and faiths of Mauritius through a visit to its many Indian or Chinese temples, churches and mosques. You can also experience life here by going for a leisurely afternoon stroll with the residents or expats of the area. Take a walk uphill from the Signal Mountain which derived its name from the antenna located at the summit, to witness the beauty of the city below during sunset.
Until about 20 years ago, Grand Baie, a quiet fishing village of Mauritius, is now a bustling tourist spot of the country. This lovely sheltered bay that is also given the sobriquet of ‘Le Trop,' appears happily bobbing up and down with the many big and small boats in its clear waters. The village has emerged as one of the most prominent tourism hubs of the nation and is famous for the many entertainment options and hot shopping districts, along with several unusual sightseeing spots, beaches, and excursions in the nearby areas and a kid friendly ‘Aquarium’ where you can enjoy feeding the fish.
Apart from letting you enjoy rum tasting, the interactive museum of L’Aventure du Sucre located here will also allow you to learn the history of the island. Also, found only 275 m away from the institution, are the Pamplemousses Botanic Gardens which make for another refreshing visit. The garden which was built in the 18th century is famous for an enormous pond of Amazon lilies that are extraordinary to view.