The Ultimate 1 Week Mauritius Itinerary - Perfected By the Sloths (2025)

“Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius” – Mark Twain (supposedly)

I’d just framed the perfect shot. The iconic peak of Le Morne Brabant stood majestically over a turquoise lagoon, a view so perfect it looked fake. “Got it!” I announced, proud of my photographic genius. Seconds later, Mia, trying to replicate the same photo, took one wrong step. The sickening plop of her phone hitting the water echoed in the quiet air. Mauritius had given us paradise, but it had also just claimed a casualty.

That moment pretty much sums up our Mauritian adventure: breathtakingly beautiful, a little bit chaotic, and completely unforgettable. Forget the sterile, honeymoon-only brochures. We discovered an island brimming with rugged mountains, incredible street food, a fascinating blend of cultures, and wild, adventurous soul – all doable on a sloth-friendly budget.

For years, we’d heard Mauritius was just for luxury resorts, but we were determined to find the real island, the one hiding beyond the infinity pools. We wanted green peaks, authentic Creole curries, and local adventures. And that is what we found.

Welcome to the Official Sloths with Latitude Travel Guide for Mauritius, where we outline the tried-and-tested, 8‑day journey through Mauritius we that we undertook in June 2024, whilst also discussing all the tips and tricks we learned during our incredible adventure.

Welcome to our step‑by‑step guide to paradise.

Why Visit Mauritius?

As already explained, Mauritius might sound like one of those honeymoon-only destinations – and yeah, it can be that. But it’s also so much more. This island is packed with beautiful mountains and beaches, buzzing markets, creole culture, rare wildlife, world-class diving, and some lovely people.

Historically, Mauritius is also fascinating – home to the legendary Dodo, this island was once separate to the large land mass of Pangea, meaning it developed a totally unique ecosystem. First discovered by Arab sailors, it remained uninhabited until the Dutch arrived in the 16th century, bringing with them sugarcane, deer… and unfortunately, the extinction of the Dodo. The Dutch abandoned it, the French colonised it, and then the British took control – all of which has left Mauritius with a rich blend of European, African, Indian, and Chinese influences. Today, this cultural melting pot makes the island unique – with a peaceful coexistence of many different religions and cultures – something that is best felt in the delicious food scene.

What to Know Before Travelling to Mauritius

Car is King: Don’t even think about relying on public transport. To properly explore, you need your own wheels. We rented a small Suzuki from a local company called AKD and it was perfect. Remember, they drive on the left!
Stay Connected: We grabbed a tourist SIM pack from Emtel at the airport. It was about $17 for a ridiculous 200GB of data, but it meant we never had to worry about getting lost.
Cash & Cards: The currency is the Mauritian Rupee. ATMs are easy to find, and most places take cards, but you’ll want cash for market stalls and street food.
Language: English and French are spoken everywhere, but the locals chat in Mauritian Creole. A simple “Bonzur” (hello) goes a long way!

Where to Stay in Mauritius

For this guide, we suggest exploring the whole island, and our itinerary shows this. However, I also appreciate that Mauritius is one of those places where you can just stay in the same place- if that is what you are after. As such, each coast offers something different, so here’s a quick guide:

East Coast – Best for Resorts & Peace

Budget: EvaZion – Family-run, peaceful, and right by a river (£50)
Mid-range: Tropical Attitude – Adults only, gorgeous decor, great food (£120)
Luxury: Shangri-La Le Touessrok – Pure honeymoon vibes (£400+)
Avoid the East in June-August due to the increased wind and rain!

West Coast – Best for Sunsets & Excursions

Budget/Mid-range: La Mini Casa (Airbnb) – Simple beachfront home, lovely host, immaculate views (£100) – More on this gem below…
Luxury: Maradiva Villas – Private pool villas with views for days (£500+)

South Coast – Best for Nature & Rugged Scenery

Budget: Kaz’alala – Cool guesthouse near Le Morne (£50)
Mid-range: Chalets Chamarel – Up in the hills with surreal views (£120)
Luxury: LUX Le Morne – Ridiculously beautiful. Think mountains-meet-beach (£400+)
Again, avoid the South Coast in June-August due to rain and wind!

North Coast – Best for Nightlife, Beaches, & Diving

Budget: Balynea AirBnB–This was a really lovely modern AirBnB with a great location (£80)
Mid-range: Bleu de Toi Boutique Guesthouse – Super chilled, great location (£135)
Luxury: Royal Palm Beachcomber – Probably the most iconic hotel in Mauritius (£600+)

The Sloth‑Approved 7‑Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive and relax in the West
Day 2 & 3: Check out the South East
Day 4: Make your way up north
Day 5 & 6: Northern Scuba & Beaches
Day 7: Port Louis
Days 8: East Coast Roadtrip to the Airport

Suggested Sloth Itinerary Day 1: Arrival & the West Coast

After landing at MRU Airport, we picked up our car and drove an hour across the island to the west coast. We skipped the big resorts and checked into La Mini Casa in Black River, a simple beachfront Airbnb that became one of our favourite stays ever. Forget fancy lobbies; our front garden was a quiet, pristine beach. We paid £100 a night between the four of us (£25 each!), which for this view was an absolute steal.

That first evening was a proper ‘sloth moment’. Jet-lagged and happy, we cracked open a local Phoenix beer, sat on our little patch of sand, and just watched the sun go down. For dinner, we found a brilliant spot called Happy Rajah, where I had one of the best fish curries of my life. A perfect, chilled-out start.

Sloth Suggested Itinerary - Day 2: Charmarel Waterfalls, Seven Colours and Rum

Our first full day was dedicated to exploring the lush, mountainous interior of Chamarel. The star of the show was the Chamarel Waterfall, Mauritius’ tallest, thundering down into a jungle-clad basin. It was here that I (Mia) saw my first ever flying fox! These giant fruit bats are so wonderfully beautful, and seeing them glide over the canopy was magical.

Next, we visited the Seven Coloured Earths, a bizarre geological marvel where the ground is striped with shades of red, brown, violet, and green. It’s a strange, lunar-like landscape that feels like it belongs on another planet.

But let’s be honest, Max was most excited about the Rhumerie de Chamarel. For about £10, you get a full tour of the rum distillery, learning how they turn sugarcane into liquid gold. The best part? The tasting session at the end. They were very generous and delicious, and let’s just say we left with five bottles and a newfound appreciation for Mauritian rum.

Afternoon / Evening: For the rest of the day, we recommend doing what probably brought you to Mauritius in the first place – chilling out on the beach. We loved La Morne Beach for its soft, white sand – however, if you are in La Mini Casa, we would suggest just staying at your private beach!

For food, we can recommend another local restaurant called Mi Cafe.

Suggesed Sloth Itinerary - Day 3: Hike La Morne & Beach

Today was the big one: climbing Le Morne Brabant. This UNESCO World Heritage site isn’t just a mountain; it’s a powerful symbol of resistance, once used as a refuge by runaway slaves.

To get there, head to the official Le Morne trailhead, found here, which is just past the Le Morne Brabant Public Beach. There’s a small parking area at the base of the mountain. The trail is managed by the Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund, and as of now, access is free, but you’ll need to sign in at the gate. The trail is about 3 to 4 hours round-trip, depending on your pace.

We started early at the official trailhead. The first half is a steady, shaded incline, but the second half is a proper scramble. We were hauling ourselves up steep, rocky sections using ropes and our bare hands. It was tough, nerve-wracking, but the view from the top – an insane panorama of the “underwater waterfall” illusion and the turquoise reef – was worth every drop of sweat.

Just bring the right footwear… my sister, originally wearing birkenstock, did the entire climb barefoot.

For the afternoon, we suggest enjoying one of our fave beaches nearby:

Le Morne Public Beach – calm, shallow water and kite surfers galore.
Tamarin Beach – quieter, nice for a stroll.
La Preneuse – soft sand and great for a picnic.

Suggested Sloth Itinerary -Days 4: Moving North

Today is more chill… its time to swap coastlines, as today you are leaving your accom and heading north…

In the Morning: Checkout, and stop at Flic-en-Flac, a laid-back beach town on the west coast. Here you will find long stretches of white sand, clear shallow water, and a lovely relaxed vibe. Flic-en-Flac is also a great place for boat tours or dolphin tours (but I am not sure about how ethical such dolphin tours are…).

If it’s a Sunday, you’re in for a treat: locals set up BBQs under the casuarina trees, music fills the air, and the beach becomes one big picnic. This will give you a taste of real Mauritian weekend life.

In the Afternoon: After you’ve had your fill of beachy slow living, start the drive north – about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on where your Airbnb is. The drive is nice – taking you through sugarcane fields and little towns, eventually opening up to the more touristy but well-connected north coast.

Arrive at your accom – we stayed at this wonderful AirBnB: a clean, modern apartment just minutes from the beach. Everything you need is nearby: supermarkets, beach bars, diving centers, and nice restaurants.

This is a slow-paced day designed to just let you enjoy Mauritius!

Suggested Sloth Itinerary - Day 5 & 6: Scuba Diving, Beaches & Chillin'

The next two days were all about my (Mia’s) happy place: the ocean. We did four dives with Crystal Divers Mauritius, who were absolutely brilliant.

The highlight for Max was the Jabeda wreck dive, an old fishing boat sunk on purpose that’s now a thriving artificial reef. He loved the spooky, silent atmosphere of exploring a ghost ship. For me, it was the reef dives near Coin de Mire, where the coral was teeming with life. I even spotted a reef shark gliding below us!

Afternoons were spent in true sloth style, hopping between the northern beaches. Pereybere was perfect for a calm swim, while Mont Choisy’s long, curving bay was just stunning.

But the absolute, must-do, non-negotiable highlight of the north? Chez Vassen. I’m calling it: one of my favourite restaurants in the world. This tiny, unassuming spot serves the most incredible, cheap, and delicious local food. The owner treated us like family, bringing out free dishes, homemade vanilla-infused rum, and extra beers. It was so good, we went back two nights in a row.

Sloth Suggested Itinerary - Day 7: Port Louis & Spa

Today, we say drive to the capital, Port Louis. This city is busy, hectic and chaotic, but well worth a bit of time.

We recommend you check out the following:

Caudan Waterfront: This is the polished side of Port Louis — a seafront promenade with boutiques, cafés, and shaded benches overlooking the harbor. It’s a good entry point to the city before things get chaotic.
Central Market: Busy, chaotic, and great for picking up spices or souvenirs.
Street Food: Look out for Dholl Puri (Soft, warm flatbread stuffed with curry dahl), Gateaux Piments (Little spicy lentil fritters), Mine Frit (fried noodles), and Alouda: A local take on a milkshake made with sweet milk, basil seeds, agar jelly, and sometimes ice cream.
And, if you have time, check out the Natural History Museum. The only reason? Inside you can learn all about the Dodo!

After that, reward yourself with a massage – the spa at Veranda Grand Baie is lovely, or check out Spa Cinq Mondes at Royal Palm if you’re splashing out.