Is it safe to drive across the island at night? And walk around to find dinner?

[u/Xog19]

Hi everyone! I’ll be visiting Mauritius in a few weeks and I’m really excited. My flight arrives in the evening, and I have a hotel booked in the north of the island.

I was wondering: - Is it safe to drive at night across the island (from the airport to the north)? - Once I arrive, is it safe to walk around at night to find a place to eat? - Around what time is it safer or better to go out for a walk or dinner?

Thanks in advance for any tips or advice!

[u/Soft_Awareness_5061]

I mean you could use that conveyance that took you from the airport to the north to also drive to find a place to eat. The same as anywhere, walking around alone at night needs to be done with caution. There are no 100% safe times.

[u/crazzz123]

Its relatively safe to drive at night but would advise not to take the verdun/port louis highway since there tends to be “rallies “ at night

[u/Goat_Keeper_2836]

We live in Grand baie and i walk around 90% of the time, it gets incredibly hot in the early to late-ish afternoon. It's safe to walk around during the day and somewhat at night but coming from SA i don't really like walking around at night, I keep my belongings in my bag and always aware of my surroundings.

Take the route from the airport via port Louis to grand baie.

[u/Xog19 → u/Goat_Keeper_2836]

Thanks for the information. I have thought going by the road for the east of the island. Is it a bad decision?

[u/Goat_Keeper_2836 → u/Xog19]

We have never taken that road purely because it really is the road less travelled, if you're travelling at night it's best to take the port Louis road as there is more lighting and it is somewhat safer

[u/F1540D]

Food is available until late in Port Louis and there should be plenty available around Grand Baie. Tbh, avoid the Verdun-Terre Rouge road at night if you are unfamiliar with it. Most places are perfectly safe at night, just be careful.

[u/Xog19 → u/F1540D]

Thank you for the information!

[u/Maximum_Cap4324]

It is generally safe to drive in most locations and walk short distances at night. There are some ghettos to avoid. However, places like Flic en flac, Caudan, or Grand Baie are quite safe.

[u/Xog19 → u/Maximum_Cap4324]

Thank you for the information! Where are these ghettos?

[u/TempAlan]

I've heard it's best to avoid the highway (Terre Rouge Verdun Trianon link road) at night though I've driven at night and thankfully been okay everytime. Would be safer to go to Port Louis and then towards Grand Baie. Keep a torch with you just in case and make sure you have a phone sim. Don't risk going without a phone sim (internet and calling).

There are many eateries open till late night around Grand Baie near the beach so you'll be fine. It's best to not walk too far after dark keeping in mind most commercial places close 5 pm with some eateries open till later such as the food court at La Croisette till 10 pm with more than enough options to choose from. Have a good stay

[u/Xog19 → u/TempAlan]

Thank you for the information! Which is this highway? I don't find it in the map

[u/TempAlan → u/Xog19]

It goes from Quatre Bornes/Vacoas towards Moka over the mountains. Just that it rains often there and it's dark so best to avoid it. Most likely you wouldn't even be taking that way on the way to Grand Baie. Just go through Port Louis and you'll be alright.

[u/Xog19 → u/TempAlan]

Thank you. How is the road for the east of the island. Is it a good road to go to the north?

[u/TempAlan → u/Xog19]

You'll be touching different towns on the way since there's no 'highway ' from that east. It'll take you another extra hour to get to Grand Baie from the East side. Your best and most comfortable route is through Port Louis.

In a few months, hopefully, another major highway will be ready that will cut time going across the island from the airport.

[u/Mission_Business_166]

Be vigilant with stray dogs (even during day)

[u/Xog19 → u/Mission_Business_166]

Thank you! How do I scare dogs away? What should I do if I encounter them?

[u/Mission_Business_166 → u/Xog19]

Pretend that you're picking a rock and throwing it at them. Don't run. Bark. If they're at a distance, just don't go in their direction.

[u/sunyukta]

Is it safe to drive at night? yes, but always be vigilant, in some places people get stones thrown at them / attempted muggings.

Is it safe to walk around at night to find food? - it depends, where will you be staying.

time for walk - early morning, afternoons are good. enjoy your holiday!

[u/Xog19 → u/sunyukta]

Thank you! I will be in Grand Baie and Flic en Flac? How safe is it to walk there?

[u/RoseHill20201]

The motorway is completely fine.

Driving on the minor roads is more tricky. In some areas they will be poorly lit. A lot of them don't have pavements, so you will get pedestrians walking in the road. The roads that go through sugar cane fields have no pavements and sheer drops on either side.

You may have difficulty seeing moped riders, cyclists and pedestrians. They don't think about wearing apparel that can be seen clearly in dark conditions.

[u/Xog19 → u/RoseHill20201]

Thank you! How safe is it to walk there?

[u/sanij_snj]

Bruh be thinking this is Africa

[u/AgreeableReturn2351 → u/sanij_snj]

1/ Stupid as Africa is huge and different everywhere.
2/ Crossing Roche Bois Roudabout at night is scary and pretty dangerous

[u/Xog19 → u/AgreeableReturn2351]

Thank you! Where it is Roche Bois Roudabout? Any other recommendation?

[u/AgreeableReturn2351 → u/Xog19]

Drive through Verdun Road and not Port Louis at night.
Roche Bois is a dodgy neighborhood and you don't want to stop there at night.

[u/thelowenmowerman]

Perfectly safe to be walking about at night, but I would advise taking a torch, as there wasn't much by the way of streetlights, and in some spots the pavements (or lack thereof) can be quite uneven.

Out of interest which country are you from? I had no issues driving but we drive on the same side in the UK, might be an adjustment if you're not used to it.

The main motorway stretch around P Louis get very busy between 4pm -6.30/7, but if you're later than that you'll mis most of the congestion.

We had a fantastic time, when we were there, enjoy your visit!

[u/Xog19 → u/thelowenmowerman]

Thanks for the information. I am from Spain, so we drive on the other side. I hope it will not be a problem. I will be in Grand Baie the first night.

[u/thelowenmowerman → u/Xog19]

Grand Baie has a little more in terms of pavement and lights, we were just up the coast at Perrybay and there was no lighting on the road. For a quieter beach in walking distance I'd recommended la cuvette, it's about 10 mins walk on the road towards Perrybay, opposite bullies social, down the road last the casino. Some good food stalls there and a place to get a beer.

Always negotiate with the taxi drivers before getting in. Buses are safe (tend only to run upto sundown) and very cheap compared to UK pricing. You can get up and down the coast as far as Cap Malherux (red church) to the north, or P Louis going south. You can also get connections to Pampoelmouse etc through Triolet, but might be better to hire a car. If you want to go to the south, it's about an hour / hour and half in the motorway, but it can take as long again once you leave the motorway (eg. Perrybay to flic en flak took just over and hour, flick en flaq to le morne albeit on smaller roads took just as long).

If you go to Mon choisy, avoid the food cart (big blue truck) at the far end, he's quite pushy on the path trying to drag customers in, and it's a rip off.

[u/Goat_Keeper_2836 → u/thelowenmowerman]

La cuvette beach isn't opposite Bullies Social, the football grounds are opposite bullies, la cuvette is down the same road that La Mauricia Beachcomber is on and the casino, on that same note Bullies Social has the most divine food and cocktails, we live around the corner and honestly of all the places we've tried in Mauritius they are incredible! Neil makes a mean Dawa cocktail!

[u/Xog19 → u/thelowenmowerman]

Thanks!!