Mauritius
Useful apps for Mauritius: transport, maps, translation
Install Google Maps for driving and bus routes, WhatsApp for everything local, and a card app with travel notifications before you fly. Ride-hailing is thin outside the tourist north and west, so plan taxis or a driver by phone. Get a my.t, Emtel or CHILI SIM or eSIM at the airport for data.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideMauritius
Key facts
- Core three
- Google Maps, WhatsApp, your bank or card app
- Ride-hailingcheck
- Limited and area-dependent; confirm locally on arrival
- SIM or eSIM
- my.t, Emtel, CHILI — passport registration at the airport
- Messaging
- WhatsApp is the default for hotels, drivers and guides
- Country code
- +230
- Payments
- Cards and contactless widely accepted; local wallets need a local account
- Wi-Fi
- Standard in hotels; mobile coverage good island-wide
- Offline maps
- Download the island before you leave the airport
Details
Set up before you fly. Download an offline Google Maps area for the whole island, since mobile data at the airport can be slow while you queue for a SIM. Add your card to your phone wallet and open your banking app to switch on travel notifications, so a blocked payment does not strand you at a hotel desk. Save your hotel's phone number and address in WhatsApp before landing.
On arrival, buy a tourist SIM or activate an eSIM. my.t (Mauritius Telecom), Emtel and CHILI all sell tourist SIMs at the airport with passport registration, and eSIMs work with good coverage island-wide including most beaches. If you are staying under a week and your home plan roams cheaply, an eSIM is usually the faster choice.
For getting around, Google Maps handles addresses, driving directions and bus stops reasonably well, but treat bus timetables as a guide rather than a promise. Ride-hailing apps have a limited footprint outside the main tourist zones, so many visitors end up using a regular taxi or a driver they contact by WhatsApp. Ask your hotel for a trusted driver on day one and save the number.
Translation is rarely needed: English is widely spoken alongside French and Mauritian Creole. A translation app is still useful for menus and place names, and a currency converter helps at markets where prices are quoted in rupees. Local payment wallets such as Juice and my.t money need a local bank account, so visitors should rely on cards and cash instead.
| App | Use it for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Driving, walking, bus stops | Download offline area before arrival |
| Hotels, drivers, guides, guesthouses | Standard on the island; +230 numbers | |
| Bank or card app | Travel notifications, card freezing | Set before departure |
| Ride-hailing app | Short hops in tourist areas | Coverage limited; confirm locally (check) |
| Currency converter | Markets, small shops | Prices in Mauritian rupees |
| Translation app | Menus, place names | English widely spoken |
| eSIM or SIM app | Data on arrival | my.t, Emtel, CHILI; passport needed |
Tips
Save your accommodation address and phone number offline, in case data fails at the airport.
Screenshot your booking confirmations and driver's number before you leave home.
Ask your hotel which taxi or driver app, if any, actually works in their area — coverage changes by district.
Keep a small amount of cash for markets and small shops even though cards are widely accepted.
Check your bank's foreign transaction fee before you rely on card payments for everything.
- Download offline maps for the whole island.
- Set travel notifications on every card you carry.
- Buy a SIM or eSIM at the airport with your passport.
- Save driver and hotel contacts in WhatsApp.
- Carry a little cash for markets.
Questions people ask
Which apps do I need in Mauritius?
Google Maps for navigation, WhatsApp for contacting hotels and drivers, and your bank or card app with travel notifications switched on. Add a currency converter and, if you want data without a local SIM queue, an eSIM. Most other apps are optional.
Does Uber or a local taxi app work in Mauritius?
Ride-hailing coverage is limited and varies by area, so it is not reliable island-wide. Many visitors book taxis by phone or WhatsApp through their hotel, or hire a driver for the day. Confirm what works in your area on arrival.
Does Google Maps work well in Mauritius?
Yes for driving directions, addresses and most bus stops. Bus timetables shown in the app are a guide rather than a guarantee. Download the offline map before you arrive so navigation still works if mobile data is slow.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialMauritius Telecom (my.t)
- officialEmtel
- officialMauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
- secondaryWikivoyage – Mauritius