General Information

Sim Cards

There are two trusted GSM operators in Mauritius: My.T (Orange) and Emtel. All GSM operators offer 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE, available for prepaid lines. You will be able to buy a sim card at either a My.T or Emtel store. For the purchase of a SIM card, you will need to show your passport for registration at the store.

Banks & ATM's

There are many banks in Mauritius. The State Bank of Mauritius (SBM) and the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) are the most widely used banks, having  branches and ATMs around the island. International banks such as HSBC and Barclays Bank are also available.
 
All major bank ATMs in Mauritius take all major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard. Please note that many banks will deduct a fee when you withdraw cash at the ATM with another bank’s card.

Exchange Rates

The currency is Mauritian Rupees (Rs) and is currently at an exchange rate of 35 Rs. to 1 USD. We advise that you bring US dollars unless you are sure that you will be able to change your local currency in Mauritius.
 
If you decide to bring cash into the country, we recommend that you change money at the airport, as they offer the best rates.

Costs to Expect

The biggest cost of your trip to Mauritius is most likely going to be your flight. Beyond that you can budget for the following for your stay on the island:

  • Accommodation: $150 to $300 per night
  • Airport pick up/drop off: $60 per ride
  • On the ground transportation: $20 per ride from your accommodation to ALC campus if you stay in the North.

Please note that these figures are approximate numbers and might not be accurate in every situation.