Mauritius, how to go about it?

Arzy

Arzy

Honorary Master
Joined
Apr 18, 2004
Messages
29,526
Reaction score
3,601
Location
Back home...
So my sister has convinced me that it would be a great idea if my wife and I went to Mauritius with her and her husband...she's planning the entire trip and I basically just need to find a way to pay :P I'd like to do some checking around on prices etc myself though and I've gone through all the normal channels (Google) and evaluated some packages.

We are thinking of going in July and will most likely take an all inclusive package at one of the resorts. What I would really appreciate though if anyone that has been there could provide some commentary, the normal questions/any additional tips are welcome:

Did you go through an agency or book the entire trip yourself?
Which agency would you recommend?
Which resort/what time of year did you go?
 
We went through an agent, with a Beachcomber tour, to the Le Cannonier resort, in September, and it was really worth it. With the Beachcomber, you can spend two days out of the 7 at a different resort, though we ddn't do that.

On top of the package deal, we went on daily trips - eg the shopping trip, the catamaran trip, etc. almost every day; those are payable separately.
 
July is midwinter there and can get a bit chilly (think Durban weather in winter). You will get the best prices then because it's out of season.

Take extra money for the extra day trips as Claymore suggests. It's not an expensive place but you don't want to go all the way there and then not be able to enjoy yourself.
 
I froze my nuts off in Mauritius one July. It rained all week too. Go high season to minimize that risk and you'll get all that tropical humidity as an added bonus. If it's a cold July it will feel anything but a tropical holiday and you would be brave to swim.
Watch out for the claws of the Beachcomber as well. Book an all inclusive which includes drinks, all meals and snacks if you can. I think only Shandrani has this option at the moment and it's well worth it as you avoid any nasty billing surprises. If you go half board, eat a big breakfast and you can skimp lunch but beware dinners, you'll get the poor man's menu when the restuarants realise you are on half board and the good stuff will be whisked away from your eyeballs before you can shout hey. So if you fancy the seafood in the regular menu you can have it and you'll pay and you'll pay through the nose for all beverages.
A great value for money option would be La Med- they have two resorts there and one is adults only and everything is included in copious quantities except for some sports like scuba and all alcoholic beverages outside of mealtimes but you dont carry cash, you buy necklaces to pay for these with colour coded beads.
If you do it self-catering, I only recommend Verandah Bungalows in the Grand baie area. That's where all the action is (Well anywhere from Mon Choisy thru to Grand baie is good to stay, but Verandah is dead centre and within walking distance of everything. Sometimes Holiday Tours have packages with them.
 
Club Med (there are 2 of them in Mauritius) will also give you an all inclusive package of bed and 3 meals all food and drink included. It makes planning expenses much easier because you only need to take some extra money for excursions. There are a lot of activities in the resort (tennis, windsurfing, skiing, sailing, archery, snorkelling, yoga, glass bottomed boat etc) which are also included in the price.
 
I know this is an old thread... but does anyone know typically how much would be spent on drinks and extra meals that aren't included in the half-board option (Dinner and Breakfast included)? I'm just trying to figure out if the All-inclusive options are worth it? We will probably spend about 1/2 the days (daytime) outside the resort - exploring/other activities.
 
Ahhh I wish I could help but I stayed with family... :)

I could ask my mum some questions for you....
 
greg_SA said:
I know this is an old thread... but does anyone know typically how much would be spent on drinks and extra meals that aren't included in the half-board option (Dinner and Breakfast included)? I'm just trying to figure out if the All-inclusive options are worth it? We will probably spend about 1/2 the days (daytime) outside the resort - exploring/other activities.
Click to expand...

The hotels charge 4 Euros a glass of Coke, this was in 2007. The hotels are the most expensive... we used to take from the bar fridge, it was free.

In the city its pretty cheap, SA food prices. Watch out at the markets though, they take advantage of the tourists.
 
greg_SA said:
I know this is an old thread... but does anyone know typically how much would be spent on drinks and extra meals that aren't included in the half-board option (Dinner and Breakfast included)? I'm just trying to figure out if the All-inclusive options are worth it? We will probably spend about 1/2 the days (daytime) outside the resort - exploring/other activities.
Click to expand...

On average a cocktail will cost R150 and a sadwich about R175.
A coke or water is about R40.

If you are travelling as a family with kids, try and get the all inclusive.
R40 is a lot for 1/2 glass of fanta or something or a half eaten sandwhich.

On average an all inclusive option will set you back of R350 to R450 per person per night.
 
Gazer said:
Club Med (there are 2 of them in Mauritius) will also give you an all inclusive package of bed and 3 meals all food and drink included. It makes planning expenses much easier because you only need to take some extra money for excursions. There are a lot of activities in the resort (tennis, windsurfing, skiing, sailing, archery, snorkelling, yoga, glass bottomed boat etc) which are also included in the price.
Click to expand...

+++++++1

ClubMed may look expensive at first but it is definitely worth it. Because just about everything is included (except excursions). It really does work out better in the end.

One thing I really suggest is to go on the yacht cruise for a day swimming with dolphins ... it is cheap and worth it .... ps booze is free.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X