A spark of an idea

U.S. citizens are required to present a valid passport that has at least one blank visa page and the passport should not expire within six months of the last day you are in the country. U.S. citizens are not required to secure a visa in advance of travel to the country. You may stay in the country without a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. This can be extended for another 90 days with the proviso that you have a return ticket upon entry. So max 6 months and you are not allowed to take employment.

You are allowed a maximum stay of 6months in a calendar year. There is no visa required. If you are leaving America the airport will check the length of your stay. If your plane ticket is more than 2 months then they will ask for some kind of approval from Mauritius - this happened to me in December 2008. I was able to produce my Mauritius resident permit at the airport. So I suggest booking a two month ticket. And, when you are in Mauritius extend the plane ticket.

I just moved here in July. I have a retirement visa, which is for one year and renewable each year. A retirement visa requires you to transfer $40,000 yearly to a local bank account.

A tourist visa can be extended for up to 6 months.

An employee visa can be had for one year but you must be employed by a Mauritiian company and paid at least $1000/month.

The investment visa requires a one time $500,000 investment in what they call an IRS or RES development.

Almost all apartments, bugalow and villas are furnished. Most can be had monthly or yearly. Nightclubs, bars and casinos abound.

The people here are great. There is much to do , especially if you like water sports. No jet skis.

Eating out in a nice family restaraunt will cost about $20. There is also KFC just about everywhere but no other American fast food.

Welcome to Expat.com, Robin
Enjoy your stay in Mauritius; you're right it's great to live there! and quite reasonable in term of costs!