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Dangerous areas

Last activity 27 March 2017 by Leslie Jarrett

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Maria Ad

Hello everyone!!

I am going to work in Mauritius for a year and among my doubts there are:

-Are there dangerous areas? Are there places where it is not recommended to go?

-In general, how is the people? Are they open, or is it difficult to talk to people? Due to my work I will have to talk to a lot of local people, so I would like to know about it, and what is your opinion about the mauritian people.

Thank you so much for your answers!

rigare gumbo

the people are very friendly .for safety here its better than other countries .
the people are so friendly

Expatblogusername

(deleted)

Julien

Hi Maria,

I've been living in Mauritius for more that 7 years now, after a few years between London and Madrid.

Mauritian people are very friendly, open minded and it's easy to integrate. We foreigners are generally appreciated because Mauritius is a very multicultural island + in every family there is an uncle, a brother or a sister abroad. That's very common.

Regarding safety, as a woman you shouldn't walk alone in the streets on evenings ... as everywhere else I guess ? I never felt really unsafe in Mauritius.

Expatblogusername, sorry to hear that you're having such a bad experience in Mauritius

Vedel

Advice please on best area for a holiday stay . North /South, East /West ? Safety , beach , restaurants/ bars and  Golf are our interests . Young girls in the group so safety is an issue .
Thank you usernameme for your honesty . I would rather know now if it  is an unsafe place to visit -and choose somewhere else -than go and find out its  not what I expected . If its just a few "pockets "like grand bay and Port Louis  then its good to know where to avoid .

gurj

Its been mentioned MANY times before on this forum but once again: there are good and bad in all countries. I wouldn't walk anywhere on my own at night.
I have not found any problems with safety in  Mauritius, but I do take sensible precautions, just as I would do anywhere in the world. I have not had a problem when being with a group of friends at bars etc at night in Mauritius, we are fairly sensible and yes you do see prostitutes around, and could get offered some "substances" but if its clear you're not interested you don't get hassled.
You have to have a certain amount of confidence to travel anywhere and get out and about, do you normally feel a bit apprehensive about getting out of your comfort zone?  :top:

Vedel

Hi Gurj
I understand there is good and bad everywhere and that is why I asked for advice . As I have no local knowledge I am just trying to narrow it down to an area that covers most of our wish list .  I know from my own research that we don't want to be anywhere near Port Louis  and will  probably rule out anything North of it .
I am hopeing to get a home swap for 3 weeks or so in 2015 and would like to be in an area where we can wander about without being worried about crime .
I have had offers where "24/7 security "is offered and photos are showing bars on all windows . I would not be used to such levels of security ( and obviously wonder why is it needed) living in Ireland and Portugal . Of course there is crime in Dublin/Albufeira  too but I know the ( very few ) areas to avoid .
This is the sort of advice I am looking for . Avoid  XY and Z  and concentrate on areas AB and C .
Thanking all in advance .

gurj

I'm curious as to why you rule out the North.

I live in the North and its great - lovely beaches and weather here always a bit warmer than rest of island. Lots to do and great mix of all communities up here - maybe that helps.

I would suggest coming first and having a good look round before you actually settle somewhere, get a feel for the different areas and decide what suits you. It wouldn't take long and you may be surprised.

Good luck anyway!  :)

Dlarj

This is an interesting forum to join....will be in port louis ,Mauritius.... Can someone receive me at the airport

BernardCayeux

Hi,

Although there are areas that can be declared as "dangerous" you are not likely to find yourself there at the wrong time, as they are not places you'll have to drive or walk through.

Outside those places, Mauritius is fairly safe if stay in the middle of the road. Petty thefts and roberies are fairly common but rarely violent.

The best way to interact with Mauritiuans is to smile, in work relationships friendliness and goodness are often taken for stupidity so often abused ; be firm but respectful but never tell a Mauritian that you know better or thatin your country it is better or different.

Otherwise Mauritians tend to prefer and better trust people from abroad than their fellows.

This is just a glimpse but I hope it helps.

Enjoy your life in Mauritius

rigare gumbo

yes just sent your email add

korn1

Mauritians? Probably the friendliest people ever! They helped me with directions etc when we got lost :P I asked my cousin about violent crime in Mauritius and well no they don't seem to have any (few rare times).

4Sami

Mauritian people are very friendly or at least most of whom I met, I heard it is a bit dangerous to walk alone in grand bay at night but apart from that I think it is pretty safe I think

k3n

i totally agree with bernard

laicon

Hi all.
I spent a few days in Grand Baie on holiday a few years ago.
I took a cab to a casino and to a nightclub after 12pm from the Verandah Hotel on one occasion. I was amazed to see the cab driver by my side in a night club. He made me feel safe and my experience was without incident.
I must just add that I was also quiet drunk at the time.

Laicon

clintonjay

Everyone rules out grand baie.  Saying is dangerous at night but to the best of my knowledge, its safe here in grand baie. You also gets to meet lots of expats as well.
In general Mauritius are friendly people. :top:

nocturna

I didn't know Grand Baie was considered "dangerous" at night. What about Trou aux Biches? That's where I'll be moving in about 1 week...

fmurray77

In general Mauritian people are friendly and family orientated.

However, it is my experience that Mauritian men are a true pain in the neck when it comes to women alone.
It does not matter whether they are on the street or in suits or uniforms. You will be asked for your personal phone number and when is your husband not at home. True!!! Even the police and taxi drivers are guilty of this.

Be safe, do not travel alone after 6 pm. If alone in a taxi etc always phone someone to show you are in contact with another person, this is what Mauritian women do.

luis999

if u walk alone with gold jewels on u and expensive mobiles,b sure u will have problems.... There are people who are extremely poor here and with no jobs...the government shud try to help more by taxing the rich more....dont walk with sexy clothes that shows ur legs provokatively....good people dont walk alone at night!

Leslie Jarrett

I don't have any problems with local people and I have been about late at night sometimes .  What I don't understand is expats at times saying how wonderful it is to live in certain parts of the island but if you go to see where they live haha.  If it is so safe and nice then why do they live it what looks like a prison , high walls with barbed wire on top. These types of residential compounds are best left in the country they came from probably South Africa.  Really in Mauritius they are not necessary and are more of an eyesore than a need.  What do the expats do when they are outside of their compound do they travel in armour-plated cars with armed body-guards I don't think so they sit on the beach like the rest of us .

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