Turquoise lagoons, white sand, and mountains that seem to rise straight out of the sea — it’s easy to see why so many travellers dream about Mauritius holidays. But before you start packing your swimsuit, there’s one question almost everyone asks: how much does it actually cost?
The good news is that Mauritius isn’t just for honeymooners with unlimited budgets. Whether you’re backpacking on a shoestring or booking a five-star all-inclusive escape, this island can flex to suit almost any wallet. In this guide, we’ll break down the real cost of a holiday in Mauritius so you can plan your trip with confidence — and figure out whether a package deal or a self-planned itinerary makes more sense for you.
What Determines the Cost of a Holiday in Mauritius?
Before diving into numbers, it helps to understand what actually drives the price of a Mauritius trip. The main factors are:
- Travel season — December to January and July to October are peak season, when flights and hotels cost noticeably more.
- Accommodation style — guesthouses and self-catering apartments sit at one end of the scale, while five-star beachfront resorts sit at the other.
- Length of stay — most travellers spend 7 to 10 nights, which is the sweet spot for value on flights.
- Meal plan — self-catering, half-board, and all-inclusive options can shift your daily spend significantly.
- How you book — booking flights and hotels separately versus choosing ready-made Mauritius holiday packages can change your total cost quite a bit, usually in favour of packages.
Keeping these in mind will help you understand why quoted prices for “a week in Mauritius” can vary so widely from one travel site to another.
Flights: Your Biggest Single Cost
For most European travellers, flights are the largest chunk of the budget. Return economy fares from the UK and Ireland to Mauritius typically fall somewhere in the €700–€1,000 per person range, depending on the season and how far in advance you book. Flying in shoulder season (May, June, or September) tends to bring noticeably better fares than the December–January peak or the July–August school holiday window.
Booking three to six months ahead, staying flexible on travel dates, and considering one-stop routes can all help bring this cost down.
Accommodation: From Guesthouses to Five-Star Resorts
Accommodation is where the biggest cost swings happen, and it’s the main lever for controlling your overall spend.
- Budget guesthouses and self-catering apartments: Roughly €30–€100 per night. These are common around Flic en Flac, Grand Baie, and Tamarin, and put you close to beaches, restaurants, and local transport.
- Mid-range hotels: Around €100–€200 per night, often on a half-board basis, offering a comfortable balance of comfort and value.
- Luxury resorts: €250–€500+ per night, typically all-inclusive, with private beaches, spas, and multiple restaurants on site.
A week at a mid-range hotel for two people, on half board, generally lands somewhere between €1,400 and €2,800 total — before flights.
Food and Drink: More Affordable Than You’d Expect
One pleasant surprise for many first-time visitors is how reasonably priced food can be outside of resort restaurants. Local eateries and street food stalls serving Mauritian classics like dholl puri or gateaux piments can cost as little as €4–€8 per meal. Mid-range restaurants typically charge €12–€25 per person, while resort dining and seafood specialities push higher.
If you’re staying at an all-inclusive property, meals are already baked into your Mauritius holiday packages price — which is worth factoring in when comparing self-catering versus all-inclusive deals.
Getting Around: Transport Costs
Public buses are the cheapest way to explore the island, with fares often under €1 per journey, though routes and timetables can be limited. Taxis are widely available but should be agreed on a fixed price before you set off. Many travellers who want flexibility opt to hire a car, which typically costs €25–€45 per day and makes it much easier to explore beyond your resort — from Chamarel’s coloured earth to Black River Gorges National Park.
Activities and Excursions
Mauritius offers plenty of low-cost or free experiences, from public beaches to hiking trails, alongside paid excursions for those wanting more. Catamaran cruises, snorkelling trips, and visits to Île aux Cerfs typically range from €40–€90 per person. Water sports like diving or deep-sea fishing sit at the higher end, often €60–€150 per activity. Budgeting €150–€300 for excursions over a week-long trip is a reasonable starting point for most travellers.
Typical Budget Breakdown for a 7-Night Trip
Putting it all together, here’s roughly what a 7-night holiday for two people might look like:
- Budget trip: €1,800–€2,800 total (guesthouse stay, local food, public transport, minimal excursions)
- Mid-range trip: €3,000–€5,000 total (3–4 star hotel, mix of local and resort dining, a car hire, a few excursions)
- Luxury trip: €5,500–€9,000+ total (5-star all-inclusive resort, private tours, water sports)
These figures include flights, and naturally shift with season, exact hotel choice, and how many extras you add on.
Why Mauritius Holiday Packages Often Work Out Cheaper
One of the easiest ways to control costs — and stress — is booking through ready-made Mauritius holiday packages rather than piecing together flights, transfers, and hotels separately. Packages bundle flights, accommodation, and often airport transfers or meals into a single price, which usually works out cheaper than booking each element on its own. They also remove a lot of the planning guesswork, which matters if this is your first trip to the island.
When comparing packages, check exactly what’s included — meal plan, transfers, and any resort fees — so you’re comparing like for like rather than just the headline price.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of Your Mauritius Holiday
- Travel in shoulder season (May, June, or September) for better flight and hotel rates.
- Book Mauritius holiday packages early, since prices generally rise as departure dates approach.
- Mix resort stays with a few nights at a smaller guesthouse to balance comfort and budget.
- Eat at local restaurants for at least some meals, even if you’re staying half-board or all-inclusive.
- Set a firm excursions budget before you arrive, so add-ons don’t creep up on you.
Final Thoughts
The true cost of a holiday in Mauritius depends far more on your choices than on the destination itself. Budget travellers can comfortably explore the island for under €3,000 for two people, while those chasing a five-star escape can expect to spend considerably more. Wherever you land on that spectrum, comparing Mauritius holiday packages against a self-planned itinerary is the smartest first step to getting real value from your trip.
FAQs
1. What is the average cost of a week-long holiday in Mauritius? For two people, a mid-range 7-night trip including flights, hotel, food, and some activities typically costs between €3,000 and €5,000, though budget travellers can spend considerably less and luxury travellers considerably more.
2. Are Mauritius holiday packages cheaper than booking separately? In most cases, yes. Bundled Mauritius holiday packages combine flights, accommodation, and often transfers or meals at a lower combined price than booking each element individually, while also simplifying the planning process.
3. What is the cheapest time of year to visit Mauritius? Shoulder season months like May, June, and September tend to offer the best combination of good weather and lower flight and hotel prices, since they fall outside the December–January and July–August peak periods.
4. Is Mauritius affordable for budget travellers? Yes. While Mauritius is known for luxury resorts, budget guesthouses, self-catering apartments, local restaurants, and public transport make it possible to enjoy the island on a modest daily budget.
5. Does the cost of a Mauritius holiday include meals? It depends on your accommodation type. Self-catering and room-only stays don’t include meals, half-board typically covers breakfast and dinner, and all-inclusive resorts bundle most meals and drinks into the total package price.