Look, I’m going to be straight with you about taxi service in Mauritius because there’s a lot of confusing information out there.

I’ve been helping tourists figure out transportation here since 2018, and the number one question I get? “Why are there so many different prices for the same route?” Good question. Let’s get into it.

What You’re Actually Paying For

The taxi situation in Mauritius isn’t like grabbing an Uber back home. It’s different, and once you understand how it works, everything makes more sense.

Most taxi drivers here aren’t employees of big companies – they own their cars and run small businesses. Some work with booking platforms, others prefer taking calls directly. The quality varies a LOT, which is why booking matters so much.

Here’s what separates the good from the sketchy:

A reliable driver shows up when they say they will. Sounds basic, right? But I’ve watched tourists wait 45 minutes at the airport because they booked with some random number they found online. Not fun when you’re exhausted from a 12-hour flight.

The car should be clean and the AC should work. Mauritius gets hot – like, really hot – especially December through March. Driving around in a beat-up car with broken AC isn’t the island experience you paid for.

Your driver needs to actually know the roads. GPS is great until it sends you down a dirt path that technically exists but definitely isn’t the way to Chamarel. Local knowledge beats technology every single time here.

Real Prices (Because Everyone Wants to Know)

Alright, let’s talk money. These are actual rates you’ll pay in 2025, not some outdated blog post from 2019.

From the airport:

• Heading north to Grand Baie? You’re looking at around 1,800 to 2,200 rupees depending on exactly where your hotel is
• West coast like Flic en Flac is closer, maybe 1,500 to 1,800 rupees
• East coast (Belle Mare area) runs about 1,600 to 2,000 rupees
• All the way down to Le Morne in the southwest? That’s the expensive one – 2,500 to 3,000 rupees because it’s far

Day trips are where things get interesting:

Want to spend a whole day exploring with a driver? Budget somewhere between 3,500 and 5,000 rupees. Yeah, that’s a big range. It depends on distance, how many stops you want, and honestly, how nice the car is.

Half-day tours (like 4 or 5 hours) usually cost 2,000 to 2,500 rupees. These work well if you just want to hit a few spots without committing to a full day.

Pro tip from someone who’s seen both sides: booking ahead almost always saves you money. The guys waiting at the airport know you’re tired and might pay more. The professional services with online booking? They’re competing for your business and the rates show it.

The Airport Pickup Thing

Can we talk about airport pickups for a second? Because this is where a lot of people mess up their whole trip.

You land at SSR International Airport (that’s the only international airport we have). You’re tired, probably hungry, definitely sweaty from the humidity. What you don’t want is to start negotiating with taxi drivers in the arrivals hall.

Pre-booking means somebody’s waiting for you with your name on a sign. They help with your bags, the car’s already cool from the AC running, and you’re driving away while other tourists are still figuring out their options. Worth it? Absolutely.

The drive times vary like crazy depending on where you’re staying. Grand Baie and those northern hotels take at least an hour and fifteen minutes, sometimes longer if there’s traffic (yes, we have traffic). West coast is nicer – maybe 45 minutes to an hour. East coast is similar.

Just… don’t book the cheapest option you find and expect luxury service, you know? Middle-range pricing usually means you get a decent car and a driver who’ll show up.

Places You’ll Want a Taxi For

Okay so Mauritius has buses, but let’s be real – they’re not practical for tourists. They’re slow, they don’t run on time, and they definitely don’t go to all the places you’ll want to see.

Chamarel is the big one. Everyone wants to see the seven-colored earth (it’s weird and cool), the waterfalls, maybe stop at the rum distillery. This is southwest region stuff, so you’re talking about 90 minutes driving from most hotels, probably more. Full day trip, expect to pay around 4,000 rupees for the whole thing including the driver waiting for you at each stop.

Port Louis can be intense. The capital city gets crowded during the week. The Central Market is worth seeing but parking is a nightmare, the streets are narrow, and honestly? Just have a taxi drop you off, explore for a few hours, then pick you up. So much easier.

Ile aux Cerfs is that postcard-perfect island you’ve seen in photos. You can’t drive there obviously, but taxis take you to Trou d’Eau Douce where you catch a boat. Round trip taxi from east coast hotels runs maybe 2,500 to 3,000 rupees. From other parts of the island, more.

The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is up north and it’s actually pretty amazing – huge lily pads, tons of palm tree species, very peaceful. But again, you need a car to get there unless you want to spend half your day on buses.

Different Services for Different Travelers

Not everybody needs the same type of taxi service. Some people want cheap, some want comfortable, some want their own private driver for a week. All options exist here.

Standard taxis with meters are becoming less common. Most services now just quote you a fixed price, which I think is better because there’s no confusion or “oh the meter’s running while we’re stuck in traffic” situations.

Private hire is what most tourists end up using. You book a specific driver for specific times. The car is yours, nobody else is getting in, and you control the schedule. Costs more than shared options but way more convenient.

Shared taxis do exist between major towns. Locals use them all the time. They’re cheap but they leave when they’re full, not when you’re ready. For tourists trying to catch a flight or make dinner reservations? Not ideal.

Online booking platforms changed everything honestly. You can arrange your whole week of transportation from home. See prices upfront, read reviews, book drivers who speak your language. This is how most smart travelers do it now.

How to Actually Book a Taxi

Here’s my standard advice: book your airport pickup before you leave home. Even if you’re the type who likes figuring things out as you go, do this one thing ahead of time. You’ll thank yourself when you land.

For day trips and tours, booking a few days ahead works fine most of the year. But during peak season – we’re talking October through April, especially around Christmas and New Year – book earlier. Like a week ahead if you can. Good drivers get fully booked because people request them specifically.

Make sure you mention if you’ve got a big group or lots of luggage. Four adults with suitcases won’t fit comfortably in a regular sedan. You need a van. Seems obvious but people forget to mention this and then there’s confusion when the driver shows up.

Get your driver’s phone number (they all use WhatsApp here). Flights get delayed, plans change, sometimes you want to add an extra stop. Having direct contact makes everything smoother.

What Taxi Drivers Here Are Actually Like

Most drivers are genuinely nice people who like their island and enjoy showing it to visitors. They’re not out to scam you – they’re running small businesses and they want good reviews and repeat customers.

Your driver will probably ask where you’re from, how long you’re staying, if it’s your first time here. This isn’t small talk for the sake of it – they’re figuring out what advice to give you. First-timers need more explanations. Return visitors might want to know about new restaurants or changes since their last visit.

The good drivers know everything. Which beach is best on which day depending on wind. Where to get fresh seafood that’s actually fresh, not frozen. Which hiking trails are worth it. What time the markets get too crowded. This knowledge is worth way more than whatever you save by booking the cheapest option.

Sometimes drivers will suggest shops or restaurants. Some get commission from these places, which is fine if they’re upfront about it. “Hey, there’s a great jewelry shop I can show you if you’re interested, I get a small commission but no pressure” – that’s honest and okay. Being taken to shops without warning? Not okay.

Staying Safe and Legal

Every legit taxi needs to show a taxi sign and license number. The driver should have visible ID. Companies that work with hotels and the Tourism Authority carry proper insurance for passengers.

Watch out for:

• Random guys at the airport saying “taxi, taxi” without any official signage
• Cars with no company name or license plates
• Anyone refusing to tell you the price before you get in
• Drivers who push you to decide right now without giving you time to think

Real Taxi service in Mauritius don’t mind if you ask questions. They’ll confirm prices in writing, tell you about their vehicles, explain their cancellation policy. Companies that act shady when you ask basic questions? Walk away.

Weather Messes With Plans

Nobody really tells you this, but Mauritius weather affects travel plans way more than you’d expect. November through April is cyclone season. Roads flood, sometimes attractions close, and your plan to visit Chamarel might get rained out.

Your driver will know what to do though. They’ve been through this before. They’ll suggest alternatives – maybe switch to Port Louis for indoor markets, or visit the aquarium instead of outdoor stuff.

May through October is cooler and drier, perfect for being outside all day. July and August get busy with French tourists escaping winter. Book taxis early during these months.

Should You Tip?

Tipping isn’t expected here like it is in America, but it’s appreciated for good service. For a basic airport transfer where everything went fine, 100-200 rupees is nice. For a full day where your driver went beyond – took you to that amazing viewpoint that’s not on Google Maps, helped you bargain at the market, took photos of your family – then 300-500 rupees shows real appreciation.

Bad service? Don’t tip. And tell the company about it so they know.

Traveling With Kids or Special Needs

Got kids? Request car seats when you book. Most companies have them but there’s limited availability so ask early. Usually no extra charge.

Need wheelchair access? This requires advance planning because not many taxis have proper ramps or space. Be really specific about your needs when you first contact a company.

Some people want to stop at a grocery store before reaching their hotel, especially if they’re staying in a villa. Good Taxi service in Mauritius do this no problem – just mention it when booking so it’s built into the plan and price.

Package Deals vs Individual Trips

If you’re here for a week and want to explore a lot, ask about multi-day packages. The math usually works in your favor.

Like, three separate full-day tours might cost 13,500 rupees total. But a 3-day package could be 11,500 rupees. Same service, less money. Makes sense if you know you’ll be doing multiple tours.

Language Stuff

English works fine with professional drivers. Many also speak French. Locals speak Mauritian Creole to each other, which sounds like French but isn’t quite French.

Most drivers enjoy teaching tourists a few Creole phrases. “Bonzour” for good morning, “Mersi” for thanks. You’ll get big smiles when you try using these.

How to Pay

Cash is still the main thing here. Most drivers prefer Mauritian Rupees in cash. Some bigger companies take cards but might add a processing fee.

Exchange money at the airport when you land – the rates are reasonable and you’ll need cash anyway for markets and small restaurants.

If you’re booking ahead online, a lot of companies take bank transfers or credit card payment through their website. Kind of nice actually because then it’s paid for before your trip even starts.

My Actual Advice

After dealing with this stuff for years, here’s what I really think:

Pick a service that communicates well from the start. If they answer your emails or WhatsApp messages quickly and professionally before you book, that’s probably how the actual service will be too.

Don’t go for the absolute cheapest option expecting great service. Mid-range pricing usually means reliable cars, experienced drivers, and companies that actually care about reviews.

Read recent reviews from real people. Look for comments about showing up on time, car condition, driver knowledge. A company with dozens of recent positive reviews is usually safe.

Ask questions before you commit. Good companies welcome questions about vehicles, routes, policies. Companies that try to rush you or give vague answers? That’s a red flag.

Conclusion

Getting around Mauritius shouldn’t stress you out. The right taxi service means you spend your time enjoying beaches and waterfalls and amazing food instead of worrying about transportation.

Book ahead, communicate what you need, be respectful to your driver. Do that and you’ll have way better stories about Mauritius than just the beaches.