Published: May 29, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Mauritius Travel Advisory and Mauritius Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Port Louis:
4th floor, Rogers House, President John Kennedy Street, Port Louis.
Tel: +230-202-4400; +230-5253-3641 (for emergencies outside of normal working hours).
Hours: 0730-1630 Monday-Thursday, 0730-1200 Friday.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The U.S. Embassy to the Mauritius and Seychelles has an OSAC Country Chapter. Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Mauritius Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Mauritius.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Louis as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mauritius. The national crime rate continues to be low, but the increase in drug use remains a growing problem.
Most criminal activity directed against foreigners is non-violent. Foreigners are not specific targets for criminal activity but may become targets of opportunity due to the failure to take minimal precautions. Economics is the primary motivation for most crimes (e.g., pickpocketing, purse snatching, and other petty theft), which often occur in crowded outdoor shopping areas, at public beaches, as well as near ATMs. Remain alert for petty scams by street vendors and inflated “tourist prices” in markets.
Violent crimes (e.g., assault, murder, rape) occur but are uncommon compared to other African countries. Mauritius has seen a steady decline in violent crime over the last few years. Most violent crimes are “crimes of passion,” or attacks resulting from the escalation of domestic or neighborhood disputes. While violent crime involving tourists or business travelers is not common, there were a few high-profile violent crimes against foreigners in recent years:
- In May of 2025, a French national was the victim of an attempted sexual assault while jogging on an empty public beach. Stray dogs came to her rescue, causing the perpetrator to flee. The man was arrested several days later. While uncommon, this is an example of an assault that can occur, even in broad daylight in public.
- In February 2024, two tourists were assaulted in their rental property by three males armed with knives. Wallets, phones, and other personal effects were taken and the tourists suffered minor injuries. The investigation is ongoing.
- In November 2022, a male assaulted two female tourists hiking Le Pouce with battery acid and stole their phones and wallets. Police suspect he originally intended to sexually assault them. Through use of CCTV, the suspect was quickly identified and arrested.
In a few cases, tourists were victims of theft from their hotel rooms without any direct confrontation. In one instance, two similar robberies occurred on the same night at a hotel. The victims were asleep at the time of the break-ins. The police arrested the criminals the next day. Residential break-ins occur on occasion, but most burglars are keen to avoid confrontation. Break-ins do not typically involve violence, though some burglars have brandished weapons (e.g., knives, machetes) when confronted. Keep valuables locked in a hotel room safe.
Port Louis and the areas of Flic en Flac, Grand Baie, or any other places tourists frequent are likely to have higher petty crime rates, especially at night. Exercise caution when walking alone at night outside hotel grounds, on beaches, and in unknown areas. Public beaches are generally safe, though thefts do occur. All beaches are public by law and are often crowded on weekends and holidays. Women walking by themselves may be at greater risk for verbal harassment and criminal targeting.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mauritius.
There have been no reported incidents of kidnapping in Mauritius for more than 15 years.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Louis as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mauritius.
The Mauritian government and community leaders have publicly stated their support for U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Mauritius has not been involved in any terrorist incidents. There are no known terrorist organizations operating in Mauritius.
There are reports of extremist rhetoric circulating due to one active Imam on the island. There have been several pro-ISIS graffiti incidents at Hindu and Tamil temples with no claims of responsibility or arrests.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port Louis as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mauritius. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Elections are mostly peaceful in Mauritius; there have been incidences of political violence or civil unrest, but they have never been large in scale or violent.
General elections were held in November 2024. As a result, opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam secured victory with 62.6% of the vote, earning him a fourth five-year term as prime minister. In the days leading up to the election, Mauritius restricted access to all social media platforms, a practice that is not common and likely contributed to the landslide election of the opposition.
Protests & Demonstrations
Most protests, scheduled or spontaneous, are peaceful. However, in the past, protestors have obstructed major roads using burning tires and other material, including disrupting traffic on the M2 highway, the main route into Port Louis. Mauritius security forces used tear gas in many locations to disperse the crowd. In at least one instance, police used live ammunition, resulting in one seriously injured protestor. Rubber bullets were used in other locations. Protests of this nature are not common and have not occurred in some time. Avoid large crowds and gatherings that appear to be political.
Former inhabitants from the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago, islands that include Diego Garcia), known as Chagossians, conduct occasional demonstrations directed against the Mauritian government and the British High Commission. These demonstrations have been non-violent. Chagossians have also peacefully delivered petitions to the U.S. Embassy to gain attention and garner support for their cause.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There have been few indications of anti-U.S. or anti-Western sentiment. Anti-U.S. demonstrations have not resulted in violence. In the wake of the Israeli response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, there have been a number of pro-Palestine marches in Port Louis. All have been peaceful in nature and well controlled by police. They have featured anti-U.S. slogans, banners or chants, including some brief demonstrations in front of the U.S. Embassy.
Law Enforcement
The emergency line in Mauritius is 999. Report crimes by calling 148 and make administrative inquiries at +230-208-1212.
A commissioner heads the police force, and has authority over all other security forces, including the Coast Guard and Special Mobile Forces (a paramilitary unit that shares responsibility with police for internal security). The national police report to the Defense Ministry. The Coast Guard and police handle external security, also reporting to the Defense Ministry.
The Mauritius Police Force (MPF) has provided excellent protection to the U.S. Embassy and responds positively to the needs of the U.S. community. The U.S. Embassy currently has an armed police officer present in the lobby. Additional police often respond to Embassy special events at the request of the Regional Security Office.
The Mauritian Police Intervention Team (GIPM) has practiced hostage rescue scenarios at the Chancery and the Chief of Mission Residence.
Police Response
The MPF is generally well-trained, professional, and generally responsive national police force by regional standards. The MPF has a history of speedy compliance with requests for security assistance.
If an incident were to take place, one could expect an initial police response in less than five minutes, with a 30-minute response time from a specialized unit such as the Special Mobile Force's Bomb Disposal Unit or GIPM. The GIPM can deploy via helicopter if necessary.
The MPF has approximately 13,000 officers in total, more than enough personnel available to assist with any type of crisis. The MPF has modern communications, via cell phone and radio. They are trained and equipped to handle bomb disposal, riot control, and hostage taking. However, the MPF lacks trained hostage negotiators.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Mauritius, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Mauritius.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but there is a strong perception that the law is not implemented fairly and effectively. Particularly when huge procurement contracts are involved wherein the government often uses confidentiality clauses to refuse to answer questions in parliament and to disclose information for investigative purposes. In some instances, public agencies have even declined to provide information to the National Audit Office, an independent body constitutionally mandated to inquire into government use of public money. The lack of transparency and accountability sometimes leads to public officials engaging in corrupt practices with impunity. Moreover, certain law enforcement agencies are perceived to be biased, especially when there are corruption allegations against people connected to the ruling political party.
Cybersecurity
Instances of serious cybercrimes are low. The Mauritius Police Force (MPF) has a capable Cyber Crime Unit, which has received U.S. government training. Organized hacking operations by indigenous criminal groups are very limited, although the extent of hacking operations conducted by external actors is unknown.
Import/Export Restrictions
It is illegal to bring into Mauritius the following: drugs (including cannabis and cannabis oil) and drug paraphernalia; spear fishing equipment; plants and fruits; pepper spray, mace, and similar substances; and guns. Sentences for drug-related offenses tend to have significant punishment times associated with the violation of law.
A permit is required to import and use a satellite phone.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
