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Mauritius - Consular Information Sheet
January 30, 2001
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Republic of Mauritius is an island
nation in the southwestern Indian ocean, with a stable government
and growing economy. Facilities for tourism are well developed.
English, French, and Creole are spoken. The capital city is Port
Louis.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport, onward/return ticket,
and proof of sufficient funds are required. The airport departure
tax is included in the price of a plane ticket. Travelers should
obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of
Mauritius at suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 244-1491/2, or the Honorary Consulate
in Los Angeles, telephone (310) 557-2009. Overseas inquiries may
be made at the nearest Mauritian embassy or consulate.
SAFETY/SECURITY: U.S. citizens should avoid crowds and
street demonstrations.
CRIME INFORMATION: Petty crime is a problem. It is unwise
to walk alone at night outside the immediate grounds of hotels.
There is a potential for pickpocketing at the central market in
Port Louis.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported
immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate. The pamphlets, A
Safe Trip Abroad and Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa,
provide useful information on personal security while traveling
abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available
by mail from the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are available,
but they are more limited than in the United States. Emergency
assistance is limited. While public hospitals and clinics provide
free care, visitors may choose to be treated by private doctors
and hospitals.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always
valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs
do not provide payment for medical services outside the United
States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment
for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care
overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether
your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical
evacuation, and for adequacy of coverage. Serious medical problems
requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United
States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Please ascertain
whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor
or if you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur.
Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric
treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas
insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau
of Consular Affairs brochure, Medical
Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via
the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations
and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international
travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX
(1-888-232-3299), or via the
CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign
country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ
significantly from those in the United States. The information
below concerning Mauritius is provided for general reference only,
and it may not be totally accurate in a particular location or
circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Fair
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Good
Availability of Roadside/Ambulance Assistance: Fair
In Mauritius, one drives on the left side of the street. Roads
are sometimes narrow and uneven with inadequate lighting. Speed
limits range from 30 to 50 miles an hour. Drivers and front seat
passengers are required to wear seat belts. Drivers and passengers
on motorcycles are required to wear helmets. There are no laws
regarding child safety seats.
Drivers involved in an accident are required by law to remain
at the scene until the police arrive. However, if an angry crowd
gathers and those involved in the accident feel threatened, police
and judicial authorities have in the past allowed them to leave
the scene if they proceed directly to a police station. While
there are organizations that provide emergency or roadside assistance,
their capabilities are limited. Service Aide Medicale Urgence
(SAMU) is a government organization that provides assistance to
anyone who calls 114. (Address: Volcy Pougnet Street, Port Louis.)
MegaCare is a private organization that provides assistance to
subscribers only. (Address: 99 Draper Avenue, Quatre Bornes; phone:
(230) 212-6270 or 42116)
Public transportation by bus is available between the main towns
until 10:30 p.m. and in remote areas until 6:00 p.m. Taxis are
also available.
For additional information about
road safety, including links to foreign government sites,
please see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
home page at http://travel.state.gov/road_safety.html. For specific
information concerning Mauritius driving permits, vehicle inspection,
road tax and mandatory insurance, please contact the
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority via the Internet at
http://www.mauritius.net. For more information on Mauritius, please
see the
web site of American Embassy Port Louis at http://www.usembassymauritius.com.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial
air service by local carriers at present, nor economic authority
to operate such service between the United States and Mauritius,
the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed
Mauritius' Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international
aviation safety standards.
For further information, travelers may contact the Department
of Transportation within the United States at telephone 1-800-322-7873,
or visit the
FAA's Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/. The
U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign
air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services.
For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers,
travelers may contact the DOD at telephone (618) 229-4801.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S.
citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which
sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States
and may not afford the protections available to the individual
under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe
than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating
Mauritian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or
imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal
drugs in Mauritius are strict, and convicted offenders can expect
jail sentences from 20 years to life.
IMPORT PROHIBITIONS: Spear-fishing equipment cannot be
imported into Mauritius. All warm-blooded animals must undergo
a minimum quarantine period of six months.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For
information on international adoption of children and international
parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site
at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone
202-736-7000.
REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living in
or visiting Mauritius are encouraged to register at the Consular
Section of the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius and obtain updated information
on travel and security within Mauritius. The U.S. Embassy in Mauritius
is located at Rogers House (fourth floor) on John F. Kennedy Street
in Port Louis, telephone (230) 208-2347 or 202-4400; facsimile
(230) 208-9534. The
U.S. Embassy's home page is located at http://www.usembassymauritius.com;
e-mail address:
usembass@intnet.mu.
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