Mauritius for New Year and Christmas: features of the local winter, where to stay, what to try, what to be prepared for

The tropical island of Mauritius traditionally does not evoke associations with the Christmas and New Year holidays. But if you are one of those who are used to breaking traditions, exotic islands in the Indian Ocean, where summer is in full swing during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, will suit you perfectly.

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Do they celebrate Christmas and New Year in Mauritius? Chinese and Hindu New Year

In fact, Mauritius has quite the classic attributes of a good old European Christmas: Christmas trees in shopping centers and hotels, garlands and Christmas tree decorations on palm trees, elves, reindeer, sleighs, polar bears, snow and, of course, Santa Claus. Despite the exotic status of the island, Christmas is actually celebrated here; it is not a decoration for tourists.

The fact is that throughout its history, Mauritius has changed hands more than once: the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, the British. But it was always Europeans who brought their traditions and customs to the island, including the tradition of celebrating Christmas December 25th. In Mauritius, this day is an official public holiday, that is, a day off. There are also public holidays and official weekends here on January 1 and 2.

The Hindu New Year is celebrated here. It is difficult to name the exact date of the celebrations, since Ugadi (the day of the beginning of the era) is calculated according to the lunar calendar. This is usually the period from late March to mid-April.

There are only 3 percent of Chinese, and therefore adherents of Chinese traditions, in Mauritius. But Chinese New Year is celebrated here on a grand scale. Like Hindu, it does not have a fixed date and falls on the day between January 21 and February 20.

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Features of holidays in Mauritius

Christians in Mauritius are not the overwhelming majority, but there are still a lot of those who celebrate Christmas - 32 percent. This is worth considering when you plan a shopping trip or any other leisure activity with the participation of locals on December 25, and even on the eve, in the evening of the 24th. A third of the population will definitely not work on Christmas Day. The fact is that for local residents, Christmas is a family holiday ; they spend it quietly, at home, with loved ones and relatives.

At the same time, there is a special emotional atmosphere on the streets, because Mauritians love to organize family gatherings on the beach. At the same time, you will not see alcohol, riotous and loud feasts, round dances around the Christmas tree, and especially drunk people.

You shouldn’t count on tourist activity for the New Year either. On January 1 and 2, the Christmas scenario of events repeats itself. For tourists in hotels, the staff arranges festive dinners and even fireworks, paying tribute to the European tradition of celebrating the New Year.

Chinese and Hindu New Years are celebrated on a grand scale in Mauritius. This is primarily due to the fact that the religions of the Far East themselves are bright, diverse, based on legends about fantastic transformations, various mythological creatures from the higher and lower worlds, and about a whole host of gods to whom nothing human is alien. A riot of colors, a range of different emotions, laughter, songs, dances, costumed processions, fireworks, offerings and prayers to the gods - all this is accompanied by the sounds of drums and other percussion, ringing and buzzing instruments. If you want to plunge into real exoticism, then you should wait a little to celebrate the New Year.

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Features of the rainy season

If you are planning a trip for the traditional New Year in early January, then it is worth considering several geographical and meteorological nuances associated with this period.

Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere in an area with a tropical climate, so there is never a pronounced seasonality here, but temperature changes are still felt throughout the year. While winter reigns in the northern hemisphere, summer reigns in Mauritius. And summer in the tropics is the rainy season. But it is the rainy season in Mauritius that is the most popular and expensive. The fact is that, thanks to its geographical location, the island is not flooded with downpours from morning to evening for many weeks. It rains for a maximum of an hour or two during the day, and a short time after the downpour there are not even puddles left.

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Where to stay in Mauritius in winter

Despite the lighter format of the rainy season, a cyclone still dominates over a small island lost in the Indian Ocean. It is especially noticeable on the east and south coasts. To prevent winds and rain from spoiling such a long-awaited Christmas vacation, you should choose a villa or hotel in the northern or western part of the island.

There are fewer winds, but no less precipitation - in the center of Mauritius, there, on the plateau, almost all the clouds gather and the bulk of the precipitation falls. There is noticeably less rain on the beaches, and it is warmer there than on the plateau.

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What will tourists enjoy during the winter and rainy season in Mauritius: an abundance of exotic fruits

December - February is the lychee harvest season on the island . In Mauritius, this fruit is considered the king of fruits and is a kind of calling card of the state. Also harvested here in winter are pineapples, watermelons, mangoes, longans , dwarf bananas, coconuts, papaya, Java apples and plums. In February (if you stay late for the Chinese New Year), in addition to the mentioned fruits, you will be able to enjoy carambola .

Despite the abundance of local fruits, most of them are imported to Mauritius. Therefore, even in the off-season, you can find here almost everything your heart desires. But whether you will be able to fully enjoy the fruits of heaven is a question. Still, each fruit must ripen and fill with juice in due time.

For seasonal fruits, it is better to go to local markets and street vendors. Merchants will be happy to select the best fruit for you. At the same time , be sure to say when you plan to eat the fruit: if on the day of purchase, the seller will select the ripest fruit, which will not last “until tomorrow” even in the refrigerator.

Pay attention to the prices - sometimes they are indicated per pound, not per kilogram, this is about half a kilogram (a consequence of the influence of British colonialists).

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Local nature in December - January

In winter, the air temperature in Mauritius does not fall below +30 degrees, but does not rise above +35. The water in the ocean warms up to +29, and sometimes to +33. This temperature ratio will not allow you to cool down, because there is practically no difference between moist hot air and the same water. But this is an ideal time for water activities from morning to night: snorkeling, surfing, etc.

Coral reefs protect Mauritius from strong ocean currents, and they also prevent predators from swimming into coastal waters. There are many calm and shallow bays on the west coast , which are perfect for children and those tourists who cannot swim. There are no sharks or other marine life in the waters surrounding the island, encountering which can seriously ruin your vacation and discourage any desire to enter the clear turquoise waters, no matter how alluring they may be. There are also no dangerous animals or poisonous insects in Mauritius itself . All this is an excellent prerequisite for hiking around the island and enjoying the local nature.

In the Mauritian summer, that is, in December - January, plants bloom wildly. So don’t linger on the beaches and hotel grounds, go hiking through tropical parks and forests. Just take a raincoat and shoes that will be comfortable for walking on wet ground - it’s rainy season, after all. It is during this season that a huge water lily blooms on the island - Victoria Amazonica . You will find it, as well as hundreds of other exotic plants, in the Mauritius Botanical Garden . It is located in the northern part of the island and is one of the largest in the entire Southern Hemisphere.

In the west of the island there is a stunningly beautiful Chamarel waterfall , which becomes fuller and more beautiful during the rainy season. Nearby is another natural attraction of Mauritius - the seven-colored dunes. The best way to admire the multi-colored sands is at sunset; at this time, their colors are most saturated and contrasting. And if you consider that the west coast in general has the most beautiful sunsets , then you will get doubly pleasure from such leisure time.

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Leisure in Mauritius at any time of the year

Mauritius is not a place where you can count on a vibrant nightlife; most of the country begins to “fall asleep” after nine o’clock in the evening. This is an ideal vacation spot for families with children, grandparents, athletes and other people who lead a healthy lifestyle and follow a sleep and rest schedule. But if you still want to spend a restless night and pass the time after midnight, then in the north and west of the island you will find a dozen discos and even a casino .

But still, Mauritius is a day vacation: relaxing and wellness spa treatments, leisurely walks through natural and cultural attractions, beach relaxation. For lovers of active recreation - deep-sea fishing, sea marlin hunting, golf, hiking, diving, snorkeling , surfing , windsurfing and many other types of water activities.

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If for some reason diving and snorkeling are not suitable for you, but you want to see marine life, then go to the capital, Port Louis, where there is a submarine in which you will safely descend to a depth of 35 meters.

Casela Nature Reserve awaits animal lovers in Mauritius Natural Park , where you can even meet tigers. Yes, it was discussed above that there are no wild or dangerous animals on the island. And this is true, because local tigers are kind - you can even hug them.

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Celebrate the New Year in Mauritius, surrounded by evergreen palm trees and snow-white sands, and even a few hours earlier than at home (the difference with Greenwich is +4 hours). These winter holidays will be remembered for a long time. Perhaps you will enjoy it so much that a holiday in Mauritius will become your good Christmas tradition.