US Dollar
Euro
British Pound
UAE Dirham
Australian Dollar
Singapore Dollar
Port Louis Travel Guide
Buy Mauritian RupeesPort Louis at a glance
Port Louis is the capital and a working port rather than a resort, so most visitors come for a day from a beach base. It holds the Central Market, the Caudan Waterfront, colonial buildings and, for Indian travellers above all, Aapravasi Ghat. The airport is 45 minutes to an hour away.
Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006, is the immigration depot where almost half a million indentured labourers arrived between 1849 and 1923, mainly from India, to work the sugar plantations, and a large share of today's Mauritians descend from them. Entry is free, and the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre tells the story; it is open Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday 9 am to noon, closed on Sundays and public holidays.
The Central Market is the place for spices, snacks and everyday Port Louis. The Caudan Waterfront has cafes, a craft market and harbour views, the Natural History Museum displays the island's famous dodo, and the 19th-century Citadelle (Fort Adelaide) looks down over the city and harbour.
Indian passport holders need no advance visa, and every traveller completes the All-in-One Travel Form before boarding. UPI and RuPay launched in Mauritius in February 2024, but few merchants accept them yet, so don't count on them.
Where to go
All three sit within a compact, walkable centre, alongside Chinatown and the Citadelle.
Aapravasi Ghat
The UNESCO-listed immigration depot on the waterfront, free to visit, where Mauritius's Indian story begins. Give it proper time.
Central Market
Spices, street snacks, textiles and the everyday bustle of the capital. Mostly cash.
Caudan Waterfront
Cafes, restaurants, a craft market and harbour views, and the easiest place in the city to pay by card.
Paying in Port Louis
For the rupee itself, entry rules for Indians, the tourist fee and how much cash to carry, see the Mauritius travel guide.
Port Louis is more cash-first than the beach resorts: the Central Market and small vendors want rupees, while Caudan Waterfront's shops and restaurants take cards. Carry a bigger float here than on a beach day.
What Port Louis actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in Mauritian rupees and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 29 September 2026, MUR 100 ≈ ₹201.30, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹2,010 to ₹12,080 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Aapravasi Ghat | Free |
| Street food at the Central Market | MUR 150-400 |
| Casual restaurant meal | MUR 400-900 |
| Local bus fare | MUR 20-50 |
| Pamplemousses Botanic Garden | MUR 300 |
Getting around
The centre is walkable: the Central Market, Caudan Waterfront, Aapravasi Ghat and Chinatown are all close together. Buses link Port Louis with the rest of the island, and taxis rarely use meters, so agree the fare first.
Common mistakes in Port Louis
Reading Mauritian rupee prices as Indian rupees
One Mauritian rupee is worth about two Indian rupees, so a MUR 500 menu price is closer to ₹1,000 than ₹500.
Forgetting the All-in-One Travel Form
It is separate from the visa and mandatory for every traveller before boarding. Fill it in on the official safemauritius.govmu.org portal a few days ahead.
Rushing Aapravasi Ghat
It is the story of how India shaped Mauritius, not a photo stop. Allow real time for the interpretation centre.
Arriving on a Sunday for the heritage sites
Aapravasi Ghat is closed on Sundays and public holidays, and open only until noon on Saturdays.
Port Louis FAQs
Not in advance. Entry is granted free on arrival for a tourist stay, and India's Ministry of External Affairs lists Mauritius as visa on arrival for Indians. The officer at the desk decides how long you can stay, so carry your return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds, and complete the All-in-One Travel Form before you fly.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Port Louis, the depot where almost half a million indentured labourers, mainly from India, arrived between 1849 and 1923. Entry is free.
Most visitors come for a day from a beach base; the city is a working capital rather than a resort.
About 45 minutes to an hour by road.
UPI and RuPay launched in Mauritius in February 2024, but few merchants accept them yet. Carry rupees and a card.
About two Indian rupees. On 29 September 2026 it was ₹2.01 at the mid-market rate.
More guides in Mauritius
Buy mauritian rupee before you fly
See your Matrix rate and the applicable charges before you confirm. Order online for doorstep delivery or collect from your nearest branch.
RBI Authorised Dealer Category-II, Licence No. NDL-ADII-0023-2023 · Same-day delivery · Serving 3 lakh+ customers