Mahébourg is the largest city in southern Mauritius and we recommend a stop here for at least an hour during your road-trip around the island.

Being a major transport hub, Mahébourg can also serve as a base for accommodation if you want to get around Mauritius by bus.

Find a cheap hotel in Mahébourg

What to see and visit in Mahébourg?

Mahébourg has a pretty promenade along the sea, ending with the Monument to the Abolition of Slavery.

Along the promenade you will find many stalls selling clothes, ice cream and small snacks.

Promenade Mahebourg

Mahebourg

Mahebourg Market

The promenade offers views of, for example, the small island of Mouchoir Rouge, which used to be a restaurant but is now not normally open to the public.

Mouchoir Rouge

Authentic market lovers can visit the centre of Mahébourg, where there is a large covered building near the bus station selling fresh fruit, vegetables and several small stalls selling hot food and souvenirs.

The local market is open every day from 07:00-16:30.

Mahebourg Market

Prices on the marketplaces

The rest of the town is not as touristy, but serves as a useful base for shopping for groceries, medicines, drugstores or visiting offices such as banks and post offices.

Mahebourg

Boat trips

The town is one of the centres for boat cruises along the south-east coast, where snorkelling, diving and sightseeing "5 Islands Tour" excursions are particularly popular.

Mahébourg is home to the following companies:

We describe what the prices are, where the cruises are headed and other embarkation points in the What to do in Mauritius chapter.

Our accommodation tips

Mahébourg is a popular town for backpackers who want to discover Mauritius on their own. You'll find plenty of cheap guesthouses and hotels, as well as good access to public transport.

We recommend these accommodations:

Admiralmahé - a small hostel with clean rooms right in the centre just 1 minute walk from the bus station and the local market, prices from 40 usd
Orient Guesthouse Auberge - popular budget guesthouse about 10 minutes walk from the centre with prices from 30 usd
Preskil Island Resort **** - also in Mahébourg you will find large beach resorts, the best of which is this one south of the centre with prices from 200 usd

Public transport and parking

While there are no large public car parks in Mahébourg, you can generally park anywhere on the street for free.

Compare car rental prices

There is a large bus station right in the centre of town (see location on map), with buses to all parts of the island. These are the busiest routes from Mahébourg:

towards the airport - lines 9, 10, 198 (on average 3-4 times per hour - not all lines go via the airport!)
direction Port Louis - line 198 (approx. 3-4 times per hour)
direction Curepipe - lines 9, (on average 3-6 times per hour)
direction L'Escalier, Souillac, Riviere des Galets - line 10 (approx. 2-3 times per hour)
direction Old Grand Port, Pointe Diable (Grand Sable), Bel Air, Central Flaq - line 18 (approx. 1-2 times per hour)
direction Pointe d'Esny, Blue Bay - line 46 (approx. 1-2 times per hour)
direction Le Bouchon - line 99 (approx. 1x per hour)