Mauritius Sights: Northern Touristic Zone

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Coin de Mire. Photo: Zubeyr Kureemun

Grand Bay from offshore

Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.

• Pereybere The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

• Balaclava Ruins A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Visitors will be able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahé de Labourdonnais. The location of the ruins now forms part of Maritim Hotel, and public access may not be possible.

• The Triolet Shivala The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.

• The Labourdonnais Orchards Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on mountain bikes or hiking are possible.

• The Caudan Waterfront The Caudan Waterfront and it's surroundings has a great collection of local souvenir shops and other foreign brand materials such as clothes, spirits . . . In addition to the harbor of Mauritius, you will also find the movie theater, game arcades, local restaurants. . . .

• The "Bazard" of Port-Louis Literally translated to "The market of Port Louis", here you will find a collection of various local snack and tropical fruits, they are the cheapest food you will find in the capital city. Numerous shop sell crafted objects such as the "goni" basket. Unfortunately you will find a lot of stalls selling pirate versions of programs, movies and games, they are extremely cheap but still are illegal and do not ensure quality. Like all crowded areas be weary of your surrounding and keep your belongings close to you.(Food sold on the street may have health issues assigned to them, but those are for most part are rare. If you have any allergies though, refrain from eating at those stalls, but isn't trying everything the island has to offer already worth the ticket.

• Restaurants Don't hesitate to go to the various local restaurants around the city, although many of them announce themselves to a specific racial background, like everywhere around the world they have their own mix of traditional and local. You might discover that 'fried rice' can have more than one flavor.

• The SSR Botanical Garden You want to see some plants originated from Mauritius, then this is the place for you. Note: The SSR botanical garden is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. The garden was first constructed by Pierre Poivre (1719 – 1786) in 1770, and covers an area of around 37 hectares.