Port Louis

Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, is one of the most popular destinations to visit in the country. It is a melting pot of glitz and glamour harmonising beautifully with traditions and customs from its 300-year-old past. Port Louis is fascinating in terms of its mix in culture, tradition and history.

Things to Do in Port Louis

The Le Caudan Waterfront

Also known as the Port Louis Waterfront, it is one of the best places in the city to enjoy panoramic views of the sea. It is a long boulevard stretching entirely across the 1.5-kilometre long harbour. of Port Louis.

Highlights of the Place
It has plenty of restaurants, boutiques and shops lining the waterfront. They sell everything from local handicrafts to high-end fashion clothing. You can even try out your luck at a casino. Coupled with a stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the casino is one of the most visited places in the Le Caudan Waterfront Complex.

The Natural History Museum

It is one of the best places to visit if you’re a history aficionado and wish to learn more about the local flora and fauna. It is the oldest museum in Mauritius that is renowned for being home to a replica of the now extinct Dodo which was native to Mauritius. Assembled by Scottish scientists using the one and only Dodo skeleton that is still in existence, the dodo reconstruction is one of the most popular exhibits of the museum.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden

One of the most-visited tourist attractions in Port Louis is the Mauritius National Botanical Garden, also formally known as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. Named after the first prime minister of Mauritius, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the garden sprawls over hundreds of acres of land.

Flora
Home to over 650 different kinds of plants, including the very famous Baobabs and the Giant Water Lilies, the botanical gardens house hundreds of different species of plants, all in their natural ecosystems, without the need for any glasshouses.

Attractions in the Garden
One of the most visited attractions in the gardens is the exhibit of over 85 varieties of palm trees brought over from different parts of the world, such as Central America, India, and Africa. Other than an original collection of plants, the Mauritius National Botanical Garden is also home to many kinds of fish, lizards, turtles and even birds.

Shopping in Port Louis

Port Louis is exceptionally well known for its multitude of bazaars located right in the heart of the city, and a visit to the capital of Mauritius is incomplete without shopping.No matter what you’re looking for, be it local handicrafts, souvenirs, or even clothing, these vibrant and colourful markets have it all. For every three shops that are selling clothing or souvenirs, you will find an eatery selling local delicacies and beverages, so don’t forget to stop at one of those to savour a taste of the local Mauritian cuisine.