Mauritius
Currency in Mauritius: what to use and how to exchange
Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee (MUR), roughly 50–54 per euro in 2026. Bring a small amount of cash for arrival, then withdraw rupees from bank ATMs in Port Louis, Grand Baie or at the airport; cards work in hotels and larger restaurants but not at markets, buses or small shops.
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GuideMauritius
Key facts
- Currency
- Mauritian rupee (MUR), divided into 100 cents
- Rough rate
- About 50–54 MUR per 1 EUR
- Best value
- Bank ATMs and bank counters in town; airport and hotel counters cost more
- Cards accepted
- Hotels, larger restaurants, car hire and supermarkets; not markets, buses or small shops
- Cash still needed
- Markets, buses, taxis, beach stalls, tips
- Tipping
- Not required; 5–10% in restaurants without a service charge
- Time zone
- UTC+4 all year, no daylight saving
Details
The rupee is a closed currency in practice: you cannot buy it before you arrive in most home countries, and you generally cannot take large amounts out. Plan to get rupees in Mauritius, spend or exchange what is left before departure, and keep small notes for buses, taxis and market stalls.
The airport is the first decision point. Arrivals has bank counters and ATMs, but rates at airport counters are usually worse than a bank ATM withdrawal, and queues build when several flights land together. If you land late, take a small amount from an ATM or change a modest sum, then do the rest in town. Port Louis and Grand Baie have the widest choice of banks and exchange counters; hotel front desks are the most convenient and the most expensive.
Cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, car hire firms and supermarkets, and contactless is common. Smaller guesthouses, market vendors, buses, taxis and beach stalls run on cash. Tell your bank you are travelling, and carry a second card in case one is blocked. ATMs from the main banks are the simplest way to get rupees; use machines at bank branches or inside malls during the day rather than isolated street ATMs at night.
Prices in tourist areas are sometimes quoted in euros, but the bill is settled in rupees. Check whether a card machine offers to charge you in your home currency: declining that and paying in MUR usually costs less. Keep receipts for any larger exchange, since you may need them if you change money back at the airport.
| Method | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Bank ATM withdrawal | Bank fee plus your card's foreign fee | Most cash needs; check your bank's fee |
| Bank or exchange counter in town | Spread over the mid-market rate | Larger amounts, when you want notes |
| Airport counter | Wider spread than town | A small amount on arrival |
| Hotel front desk | Widest spread | Convenience, small top-ups |
| Card payment in MUR | Your card's foreign transaction fee | Hotels, restaurants, car hire |
| Card payment in your home currency | Extra conversion margin | Avoid where possible |
Tips
- Carry small MUR notes: buses, taxis and market stalls rarely have change for large bills.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often if your bank charges a flat fee per withdrawal.
- Keep a card and some cash separate from your main wallet.
- Ask the price before a taxi ride and agree it in rupees.
- Spend or exchange leftover rupees before you leave; options at the airport are limited.
- Check your bank's foreign transaction fee before you rely on cards for everything.
Questions people ask
What currency is used in Mauritius?
The Mauritian rupee (MUR), divided into 100 cents. It is roughly 50–54 per euro in 2026, so check the current rate before you travel. Euros and US dollars are sometimes quoted in tourist areas but bills are settled in rupees.
Where is the best place to exchange money in Mauritius?
Bank ATMs and bank counters in Port Louis or Grand Baie usually give the best value. Airport counters and hotel front desks are convenient but cost more. Take only a small amount at the airport if you land late.
Is it better to bring cash or use a card in Mauritius?
Both. Cards work in hotels, larger restaurants, car hire and supermarkets; cash is needed for markets, buses, taxis, beach stalls and tips. Bring a small amount of cash for arrival and withdraw the rest from bank ATMs.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialBank of Mauritius
- officialMauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
- secondaryWikivoyage – Mauritius