Living in Mauritius is a dream come true for many. But beyond the postcard-perfect images, life here comes with its own set of surprisesāsmall details, habits, and emotions that only those who truly live on the island come to know. Here are 10 things only expats in Mauritius can shareā¦ always with a knowing smile.
1. Time has its own rhythm here
Do you know what being on time means? Think again. In Mauritius, time is more of a guideline than a rule. A casual āSee you around 10ā could mean 11āor even noon. It's not about being rude; it's just a different relationship with the clock.
Here, life follows the sun, the tides, the trafficāand whatever else the day brings. Sylvie, 52, from Quatre-Bornes shares: āMy first culture shock? The AC repair guy said, āI'll be there in an hour'ā¦ and turned up three days later like it was no big deal.ā
2. Sticky airā¦ and stealthy mosquitoes
They mentioned the gentle tropical climate, right? What they probably skipped is the humidityāthe kind that soaks your bedsheets the moment the rain starts. Then there are the mosquitoes. Mauritian ones don't buzz around your earsāthey sneak in silently at sunset, just when you're finally unwinding on the terrace.
Eventually, you stop grumbling. You get a good mosquito net, give thanks for ceiling fansā¦ and accept it as the small price of paradise.
3. Work moves at a gentler pace
Yes, people work in Mauritiusābut not quite like in the big cities. The pressure seems to have melted into the lagoon. There's time to chat, to breathe, to take things in stride. Deadlines? More flexible. Meetings? Often informal.
At first, it feels strange. Then it clicks. You realise you can get things doneāwithout feeling wrung out like a sponge.
4. Kindness here is the real thing
In Mauritius, there's a warmth that catches you off guardāespecially if you're used to big city life. Smiles are sincere. Strangers greet you on the street. People stop to help if you're lost or dealing with a flat tireāand they expect nothing in return.
You're invited in, offered a taste, introduced to friendsānot out of politeness, but because that's just how people are. It's genuine, deep-rooted kindness. And it feels incredibly good.
āThe first time a stranger offered to carry my shopping without asking for anything, I thought he was trying to rob me. He justā¦ wanted to help. I was nearly in tears", says EloĆÆse, 42, from Grand Baie.
5. Multiculturalism isn't a concept ā it's everyday life
In Mauritius, you'll hear Creole, French, English, and Hindiāsometimes all before lunchtime. Schools are diverse, and religious holidays are celebrated by everyone, and temples, mosques, and churches often share the same street.
And it justā¦ works. No fuss, no visible tension. This mix of cultures isn't something to manageāit's simply the way things are. As an expat, you ease into it. Before long, you're greeting people with āki manierā and wishing friends āHappy Divaliā like it's second nature.
6. Honks and headlights have their own code
In France, a honk usually means someone's angry. In Mauritius, it's more like a language. Two short honks? āHi.ā One long one? āHeads up, I'm coming through.ā Three quick taps? āLet's go, already!ā It takes time to decode this road symphony. But once you realize no one's actually shouting, just navigatingāand not in a hurry to fightāit starts to feel surprisingly smooth.
Headlight flashes have meanings, too. One flash: āGo ahead.ā Two flashes: āCarefulāsomething's upā (think: radar, accident, or police). Sometimes, it's just a silent wave between passing drivers.
Thibault, 34, from Flic en Flac, relates: "In Marseille, a honk means war. In Mauritius, people honked at me, and I responded with the fingerā¦ until I realized they were just saying hi. I've since changed which finger I use.ā
7. Nature is never far ā even in the city
In Mauritius, nature has a way of finding you. A gecko in the bathroom. Birds lining the power lines. Monkeys joining the school run. The island is green, alive, untamed.
From the city, it takes minutes to reach a quiet beach or stumble upon a hidden waterfall. One moment you're at your desk, the next you're barefoot in the sand. This constant closeness to the natural world shifts your perspective. You slow down. You notice more. You feel more groundedāand maybe even a little wilder yourself.
āWe're lucky to live near the Black River Gorges. Monkeys visit our garden almost every day. We never get tired of watching them", shares AurĆ©lie, 33, from Tamarin.
8. Everyone knows someone who knows someone
Mauritius is smallāreally small. And it doesn't take long to realise just how connected everyone is. Chat with a taxi driver, and he might know your daughter's dance teacher. Need a notary? Your hairdresser's cousin's neighbour probably is one.
It's handyā¦ and occasionally bewildering. You quickly learn to be discreet, to think before you speak. But most of all, you learn the value of good relationships. Here, word-of-mouth travels fasterāand hits harderāthan the internet.
9. Bureaucracy will test your inner calm
Administrative life in Mauritius has its own tempo. A missing photocopy, a signature that's nowhere to be found, a form no one's ever heard ofāit all turns into a quest. Patience becomes your best asset. Diplomacy helps. Sometimes, a dash of creativity does too.
But when that stamp finally hits your file, it feels like a hard-won victory.
āIt took me three trips just to open a bank account. I thought I'd never manage it!ā, says Lucy, 36, from Curepipe.
10. You come for the view, you stay for the rhythm
At first, it's the dream of a tropicalāor maybe taxāparadise that pulls you in. The beaches, the sunshine, the warm air. But what makes you stay isn't the landscape. It's the rhythm. The people. The simplicity.
You start eating more slowly, checking the time less often, and chatting with neighbors just because. Your priorities shift. And often, without even noticing, the thought of going back fades.
Mauritius is an islandābut also a mirror. It reflects back to what we often forget: the essentials. Being an expat here means living between two worlds: the one you came from and the one you're still getting to know. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes disorienting. But once you've settled in, you realizeāthis island shapes you more than you shape it. Mauritius isn't just a place you talk about. It's a place you live.
