Mauritius is currently one of the top digital nomad destinations in the world. Much of it has to do with how they handled the pandemic, but the 4G island-wide connectivity and the free 1-year Premium visa are enough to attract digital nomads and remote workers from all over the world.
Besides, most digital nomads dream of working on a remote island, surrounded by white sand beaches, waterfalls, and natural wonders, working while dipping their toes in the sand and sipping on fresh coconut water from a real coconut.
If you are considering relocating to the beautiful island of Mauritius, here is everything you need to know before taking the big step.
Pros
The island of Mauritius is many things. First, it’s one of the safest places in Africa, making it desirable for remote workers searching for some peace and quiet around the world. Then follows the excellent cost of living, high-end infrastructure, great travel connections, excellent health system, and last but not least, its sub-tropical weather.
When you look at all the pros of relocating and working remotely from Mauritius, you’d want to move there straight away. Here are some of the reasons digital nomads and remote workers move to Mauritius and call it their home away from home.
Safety
Mauritius is generally a safe place to live. As of 2022, the island has been ranked the safest country in Africa and the 28th safest country in the world, according to the current Global Peace Index ranking.
The crime rate in Mauritius is very low and not of violent nature, and there are hardly any cases of attacks on tourists.
However, this doesn’t mean crime doesn’t happen. As a safety precaution, it is recommended to avoid walking alone at night on beaches. It is also best to avoid dark alleys, especially in the back streets of the business district of Port Louis.
Healthcare
The Mauritian healthcare system is of a very good standard. Currently, there are “five major regional public hospitals, four specialized public hospitals, two public district hospitals, two cardiac centers, 19 private clinics and hospitals and 30 medical laboratories”.
The main hospital is near Pamplemousse. The private clinics are more expensive, but they work with sophisticated equipment and the quality of care is much higher than in the general hospitals.
For instance, the cost of seeing a general practitioner in a private clinic is between $13 to $20 and it will cost you over $27 to see a specialist doctor.
Healthcare is free for all nationals and residents of Mauritius, but only in public facilities. As a foreigner, you will have to have health insurance prior to arriving in Mauritius.
Weather
The weather in Mauritius is one of the reasons many digital nomads and remote workers choose it as their top destination to move and work remotely. As a sub-tropical climate, the weather is pleasant all year round.
Summers last from November to April and can be very humid. Winters are colder and dry lasting from June to September. The temperature goes from an average of 61.52 F to a maximum high of 84.2 in summer.
The best months to visit Mauritius are October, November, and, December, when the weather is quite hot and there is low rainfall. If you prefer colder weather, you can visit Mauritius in July and see if the island suits you.
There are a few cons to moving to Mauritius, and they are not even close enough to be a reason not to relocate to the beautiful island.
Cons
Cons to living in Mauritius are a few. The greatest disadvantage is natural disasters followed by traffic.
Natural disasters
The island is prone to natural disasters such as:
- Tsunamis
- tropical cyclones
- Landslides
- Flooding
- Storm
- Tidal surges
- Torrential rain
While some of them happen only during certain times of the year, such as the tropical cyclones season that runs from November to May, you should always follow the Mauritius Meteorological Services updates for caution.
Traffic
Driving in Mauritius is on the left-hand side. This causes problems as a lot of the tourists are not familiar with this type of driving.
In Mauritius, you will find good-quality asphalt and gravel road. Traffic is crazy during the day, and it’s hard to reach the speed limit of 40 mph.
Whether you are driving a car or a scooter, you must be careful of random hazards on the road, such as pedestrians crossing wherever they please, stray dogs, slow scooters, or drivers cutting in and out of traffic.
What’s even worse is that the towns and attractions are poorly signed. So, if you are relocating to Mauritius, you will need to find the best way to get around the erratic traffic.
The best way is to drive a car, but if you are in a rush, you could always get a motorbike and snake through the traffic. You just need to be very cautious.
Cost of living
One of the pros of living in Mauritius is the low cost of living. Although the inflation rate hit 10.7% in 2022, the country is still relatively cheaper compared to other countries in the world.
According to Numbeo reports, the cost of living in Mauritius is around 40.35% lower than in the United States, with rent around 77.96% lower on average.
The cost of living in Mauritius is cheaper than in 72%of countries in the world.
If you are relocating to Mauritius alone, you should have around $1000 to live comfortably on the island. A family of four estimated monthly costs are around $2,481.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices on the island can vary depending on location. Expect to pay around $660 monthly rent for 900 sqft furnished accommodation in an expensive area. You can save around $350 for the same size apartment in an average area.
Food
As for food, you can eat good and cheap in Mauritius, whether it’s in a restaurant, coffee shop, or fast food place. A basic lunch in the buys area is around $5.34, which is about the same price for a combo meal in a fast food restaurant.
Buying from the supermarket is always the most frugal way. In Mauritius, you can find 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples for $2.75, $0.85 for 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes and $2.26 for a carton of 12 eggs. A bottle of wine goes for $11 in a supermarket, while domestic beer is only $1.37. Coffee lovers can enjoy a cup of cappuccino on the island for as little as $1.20.
Transportation
As far as transportation in Mauritius goes, the cheaper and primary mode of public transport is by bus, run by both private and government services. A monthly bus ticket will cost you around $22.
Taxis on the island are always there if you need them – you just have to make sure you get into a licensed and metered one. The initial Fare is around $1.60, and the fare per km is $1.70.
If you are feeling more adventurous, you can always hire a scooter or bicycle to get around Mauritius. Motorbikes (scooters) and bicycles as modes of transport are fairly inexpensive and offer a lot of flexibility, which is what you need to get around Mauritius.
Rates of renting a scooter in Mauritius can be as low as $10 a day, or if you are renting long-term, the price can go down to $6 per day.
Best places to live in Mauritius
The island nation sits in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, covering an area of 2,040 km2 (790 sq mi). The island includes the main island (also called Mauritius), Rodrigues, Agaléga and St. Brandon.
In choosing the best place to live in Mauritius, it will help to know where most expats are or which is the popular area for couples or singles.
Port Louis
Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius and has a population of over 150,000. Being the most expensive city to live in Mauritius hasn’t stopped expats and remote workers from settling in the capital.
The city boasting French colonial architecture is perfect for remote workers who enjoy the urban lifestyle and vibrant nightlife and are always on the run for time. The highlights of Port Louis are the 19th-century Champ de Mars horse-racing track, the Blue Penny Museum, Caudan Waterfront and its beautiful French colonial architecture.
There is a large English-speaking population in Port Louis too. Schools, hospitals, restaurants, malls, everything you need is right here in the capital. After all, Port Louis is the country’s economic, cultural, social and political hub.
Beau Bassin-Rose Hill
A little smaller than Port Louis, this residential town is ideal for remote workers looking for a quiter lifestyle, meaning lots of families like to make this place their home.
Places of interest in the second largest settlement on the island are the Balfour Garden, the Beau Bassin Market, Pleasure Fair, the Max Boulle gallery, Rose Hill Market and the Promenade Roland Armand, among others.
Moka
With a population of around 9,000, Moka is another popular place for remote workers in Mauritius. The village of Moka seems the best fit for outdoorsy people and everyone who enjoys nature.
A true paradise on earth, the village is home to the University of Mauritius and the State House located on the outskirts of the village called Reduit, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute and the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation. With the rate of real estate growth in the past few years, the village of Moka is expected to become a cultural and social hub for foreigners very soon.
Curepipe
Also known as the City of Light, Curepipe is one of the few inland areas in Mauritius that are still popular with tourists. Counting over 80,000 population, there are a lot of reasons for Curepipe’s popularity, one of which is the dormant volcanic crater known as Trou aux Cerfs.
Moreover, the town is home to the oldest and one of the largest casinos on the island, so lots of travelers like to try their luck here.
Other highlights of Curepipe include the Botanical Gardens, the blend of Mauritian and colonial architecture, such as the City Hall and the Royal College, as well as some excellent shopping opportunities.
Internet access and speed
If you are looking to relocate to Mauritius and work remotely, you’d be happy to hear that there is high-speed internet, easy access and good service providers throughout the entire island.
The average download speed is 21.85 Mbit/second for fixed-network broadband internet, which placed Mauritius 119th on the list of countries in the world with the fastest internet speed.
Mauritius Telecom has recently deployed 5G on the island, which is available only in a few regions, but more are coming soon.
To give you a rough idea, a gigabit is the fastest fiber internet connection in Mauritius. Internet is relatively inexpensive in Mauritius. On average, one gigabyte of mobile internet in Mauritius costs $0.87. The lowest price is $0.03 per 1GB for a monthly plan, while the most expensive is $8.93 per 1GB.
Can we stay a long time?
As a remote worker looking to relocate to Mauritius, you can apply for the Premium Travel visa. The digital nomad visa is valid for six months up to one year and is renewable. It is required for anyone who intends to stay in Mauritius for more than 180 days in a year.
If you are planning to stay for less than 180 days, then you should apply for a tourist visa. If you want to stay longer than a year, you can arrive in Mauritius with a tourist visa and apply for a Premium visa before the tourist visa expires.
There you have it. There are tons of reasons to relocate to Mauritius and nothing is stopping you from working remotely from there. Definitely not the high-speed internet.