Located over 30 miles from the capital city of Port Louis, the trek between Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International and the idyllic resort destination takes about an hour to get through. Leave the driving to someone else, reserving a shuttle through either local companies or area providers to enjoy the scenic in-between, which consists of lush terrain and dozens of small towns and villages.

Whether it’s coastal or within the region’s central jungles and waterfalls, finding the right neighborhood for your shuttle to drop you off is easy. For something close to the airport, stay within the Grand Port District, home to a wide variety of French coastal towns and beach resorts, while the southern Savanne District offers coveted access to Bel Ombre shores as well as expansive trails inside the Black River Gorges National Park. But by far, the most popular area is the Port Louis District, home to the capital city as well as stoic lookouts, from Le Pouce National Park to the idyllic stretch of peaks across Long Mountain.

Take what the day throws at you by organizing every part of your trip, down to the minute – start by printing out your shuttle reservation confirmation email, doing the same for any other special bookings, from the coastal sightseeing of Port Louis via My Moris Tours to scenic boat rides across Baie de Grand Port with Croisieres Turquoise. Back up any important personal documentation as well, scanning identification, passport, and prescriptions for added security, then making sure those scanned files are backed up on a cloud drive.

About Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
With the airport located on the south shore and Port Louis on the north end, finding your way to the capital city can be daunting. Save hours of drive time by booking a hotel closer to the airport instead, the nearest stays being Holiday Inn Mauritius Mon Tresor, a 4-star resort home to modern business perks, as well as the Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa, located on La Cambuse Public Beach and offering 5-star luxury minutes away from the airport. Cheaper stays just as convenient and just as secluded include Le Peninsula Bay Beach Resort & Spa as well as Astroea Beach Hotel.

Enjoy what’s within the airport as much as what’s around it, looking forward to a wide variety of shops, restaurants, and spa services ready to impress. For food, choose between the fresh ingredients at Tropical Break or classic sandwiches at Subway, or for something especially delightful, grab a cup of coffee with gourmet donuts, cupcakes, and cheesecake at Café LUX. Stores include duty-free shopping at the enormous Mauritius Duty-Free, which provides beach gear and name-brand clothing, while smaller shops provide locally-made goods, books, and souvenirs. For added relaxation, the airport also offers occasional live performances, game tables, a piano, express spa, and a lush atrium garden and vine wall near the stairwell.

With resorts and beaches practically walking-distance from the airport, finding something to do around the corner isn’t difficult, especially with the nearby city of Mahebourg to help. For a quick stroll, take a walk through Blue Bay Marine Park, a scenic beach with waters as blue as the sky and idyllic cabanas perfect for reading, while the Mahebourg Museum offers guests a tour through an old home filled with Naval artifacts, Dodo bird fossils, and other regional goodies. Just north of the city is the famous La Vallée de Ferney, a nature preserve away from the water and toward the island’s central jungles, filled with lush mountains and surreal waterfalls.

Port Louis Destinations
Known for its French-colonial architecture and international cuisine, Port Louis is the shining capital of Mauritius, offering stunning beaches through modern resorts as well as priceless glimpses into the past via historic forts and citadels. Experience the typical tourist’s treasures, starting at the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, home to dozens of acres of jungle-like terrain and the prize for the southern hemisphere’s oldest botanical garden. See great things by exploring the region’s many peaks as well, choosing between the 2nd-highest lookout on Mauritius island at Pieter Both or climbing up the famous trails that scale the thumb-like appearance of Le Pouce.

Another great way to get a view of the whole city is through Fort Adélaide, a 19th-century citadel fortress home to a walled-in courtyard as well as 360-views of the area. Keep the historic vibes going by visiting the Natural History Museum downtown, home to a rare collection of dodo bird skeletons as well as evening laser shows. Walk over to the nearby Les Jardins de La Compagnie afterward for palm-lined plazas, French-inspired architecture, and an on-site café perfect for people watching, finally ending the afternoon with some casual shopping at Port Louis Waterfront, a huge mall looking out at Trou Fanfaron Harbour and down the street from the famous Indian cuisine of Rozi Darbar Restaurant.

Lounges at Port Louis Airport
- Amédée Maingard Lounge: Located on upper level. Perks include free Wi-Fi, TVs, telephones, showers, reading material, fax machines, children’s play area, and drinks, plus disability access and flight information monitors.
- Salon Nénuphar: Located on upper level. Perks include free Wi-Fi, TVs, telephones, showers, reading material, and drinks, plus disability access and flight information monitors.
- ATOL Lounge: Located on upper level. Perks are unknown.
- YU Lounge: Located in VIP building. Perks include free Wi-Fi, TVs, telephones, showers, reading material, fax machines, printers, copiers, conference facilities, smoking area, premium food, snacks, and drinks, plus disability access and flight information monitors.