Best things to do in Port Louis
Find out more about those top places in Port Louis
Easy to fall in love with, Mauritius is paradise on earth for most. The island is located on the Indian ocean, 2,000 km off the southeast coast of Africa. With an area of just 2,040 km2, it is regarded as one of the smallest nations in the world, but what Mauritius lacks in size it more than makes up for it in beauty.
The island is one of the top destinations for tourists and has enough attractions and activities to make visitors never want to leave. Its major attractions include the Blue Penny Museum, Chamarel Waterfalls and Aapravasi Ghat.
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Blue Penny Museum
The Blue Penny Museum in Mauritius is dedicated to display the rich heritage of the country. Called the Blue Penny Museum because of its collection of “Post Office” stamps that date as far back as 1847. The Museum exhibits are divided into different rooms such The Age of Discovery and Engraved memory, and they all tell the combined story of Mauritius from precolonial era to modern times. Some items on exhibition include maps, sculptures, paintings and old documents. There is also a shop at the museum for purchasing souvenirs.
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Chamarel Waterfall
Probably Mauritius’s most breath-taking spots, the Chamarel Waterfall showcases the nature brilliance. The waterfall which gets it sources from the River St. Denis has a height of 272ft (82.91 m) and is located in the village of Chamarel, hence the name. Tourist visiting the waterfalls can choose to view the falls by hiking to the top or staying below at the base.
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Aapravasi Ghat
The monumental building played a crucial part in the history of Mauritius. The Aapravasi Ghat was created after abolishing of slavery (1834 -1920) and the sugar plantations owners were seeking cheaper labor. It served as an immigration depot by the British, where indentured laborers were housed before being relocated. Most of the laborers included immigrants from China, India and Madagascar, this is one of the reasons why Mauritius is so diverse population. The Aapravasi Ghat is currently mostly in ruins now and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Maison Eureka
This wonderful piece of architectural brilliance is one of Mauritius oldest colonial buildings. The Maison Eureka located at the river of Moka was built in 1830 and owned by the British and French colonialists. The building is currently used as a museum to display different historical artifacts of Mauritius such as maps, arts and music. Around the buildings are waterfalls, river banks and gardens. After touring this amazing site visit the souvenir shop and “the Old Kitchen” for a taste of the local cuisines.
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Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery
The island of Mauritius is famous for its rum production and one of its important factories is the Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery situated in the south western part of Mauritius. A visit usually features a tour of the various parts of the distillery, with brief lectures about the history and production of rum in the country. The main activity is the rum tasting afforded to the visitors.
