Port Louis in 5 days

Mauritius's creole capital: a colonial waterfront, a chaotic central market and mountains behind the harbour. Best time to visit: May-December. Average daily budget: $70 to $160 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Caudan Waterfront, The redeveloped harbour with restaurants, shops, casino and the Blue Penny Museum.

Morning: Central Market. Browse spices, vanilla, tropical fruit and dholl puri stalls in the city's beating heart.

Afternoon: Explore Caudan Waterfront, The redeveloped harbour with restaurants, shops, casino and the Blue Penny Museum.

Evening: Caudan Waterfront & Blue Penny Museum. See the world's rarest stamps and the harbour's restored quays.

Eat: Dholl puri, the split-pea flatbread wrap Mauritians live on

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Central Market, The chaotic multi-level market of produce, spices, textiles and street food.

Morning: Aapravasi Ghat. Understand the indentured labour history that shaped modern Mauritius.

Afternoon: Explore Central Market, The chaotic multi-level market of produce, spices, textiles and street food.

Evening: Fort Adelaide (La Citadelle). Climb for the best panorama over the city, harbour and mountains.

Eat: Mine frite and boulettes in Chinatown

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Chinatown, Historic Sino-Mauritian quarter with noodle shops and temples.

Morning: Dholl puri from a street cart, the national street food, for pennies.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Chinatown, Historic Sino-Mauritian quarter with noodle shops and temples.

Evening: The Jummah Mosque's serene courtyard in the middle of the bazaar.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Rougaille and vindaye, creole tomato and turmeric fish dishes

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Champ de Mars, The southern hemisphere's oldest racecourse, ringed by hills.

Morning: Pamplemousses botanical garden's giant water lilies, 20 minutes north.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Champ de Mars, The southern hemisphere's oldest racecourse, ringed by hills.

Evening: Le Pouce mountain hike for a two-hour summit above the capital.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Alouda, a chilled milk-and-basil-seed drink from the market

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Aapravasi Ghat, The UNESCO-listed immigration depot that received half a million indentured labourers.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Aapravasi Ghat, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Aapravasi Ghat, The UNESCO-listed immigration depot that received half a million indentured labourers.

Evening: Dinner at Dholl puri, the split-pea flatbread wrap Mauritians live on, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Aapravasi Ghat.

Eat: Dholl puri, the split-pea flatbread wrap Mauritians live on

Hidden gems

Dholl puri from a street cart, the national street food, for pennies.
The Jummah Mosque's serene courtyard in the middle of the bazaar.
Pamplemousses botanical garden's giant water lilies, 20 minutes north.
Le Pouce mountain hike for a two-hour summit above the capital.

Getting around

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport is 48km southeast, about an hour by taxi or the Metro Express and bus combination. Port Louis itself is walkable, though hot; the Metro Express light rail links to Curepipe and Rose Hill, and buses reach the whole island cheaply but slowly. A rental car is the practical choice for exploring beaches and the south.

Safety

Mauritius is a safe destination overall, and Port Louis is fine by day, but the city centre empties after dark and pickpocketing occurs around the market and bus stations, so keep bags closed and avoid quiet streets at night. Cyclone season runs January to March. Sun, strong lagoon currents at gaps in the reef, and left-hand driving are the other things to watch.

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