All You Need To Know About Mauritius Currency
Traveling for the first time may be stressful and perplexing, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the local customs. You could be apprehensive about spending your own money, whether it’s paper or plastic, in a foreign country where the currency is represented by unfamiliar banknotes and coins. You can get the most out of your money in Mauritius by learning everything there is to know about the country’s currency.
The Mauritian Rupee, the island nation’s national currency, is split into 100 cents for each rupee. Monetary unit symbol: Rs. Currency code: MUR. For all that Mauritius is on the African continent, it utilizes the rupee as its official currency, which can be found in a number of Asian countries like India. The currency is now available in thirteen different denominations, seven of which are paper notes and the others are coins.
The Mauritius rupee is the basis of the local currency. After the immigration of Indian labourers to work on sugar plantations, the island experienced a surge in the value of the Indian rupee. A new national currency was introduced in Mauritius in 1876 and has been in use since. It replaced three previous currencies – Indian Rupee, Mauritius Dollar and British Pound Sterling (GBP).
Mauritius Currency Symbol
Mauritius’ money is a mix of banknotes and coins that’s found nowhere else. Monetary notes worth up to 2,000 Mur are routinely accepted and traded. The highest denomination of these notes is 2,000 Mur, which is quite unusual. The colors and sizes of the currency notes differ.
One side of each banknote has a picture of the Bank of Mauritius headquarters and the Justice Statue. On this side, you’ll also find portraits of some of Mauritius’ most notable historical figures. The opposite side displays many characteristics of Mauritius and the worth of Indian-written notes such as Hindi and Tamil. The back of the MUR 200 bill, for example, depicts a photograph of Mauritius’ former Minister of Finance, Abdool Razack Mohamed. It’s easy to spot the pattern in all the notes because they all have distinct images.
Mauritius’ currency is based on coins, with the most common denominations being MUR 1, MUR 5, MUR 10 and MUR 20. The 5 cents, 20 cents, and 50 cents (or 12 rupee) coins are still in existence, although they are no longer in circulation. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, often known as the ‘Father of the Nation,’ appears on the obverse of all the coins, while symbolic images appear on the reverse. The reverse of the MUR 5 coin, for example, depicts a seascape with palm palms, while the reverse of the MUR 10 cent shows a worker cutting sugarcane in the field.
What is the exchange rate in Mauritius?
To establish the value of the Mauritius currency against foreign currencies, the Mauritius Rupee (MUR) has been using the managed float’ or ‘dirty float’ rate since 1994. This means that the currency is free to fluctuate based on the value of other currencies, and the central bank of the nation can do so at any time.
Is it possible to make a payment in a foreign currency?
Most businesses in Mauritius do not take foreign money, and locals prefer to be paid in their own currency. However, even if major institutions like hotels take currencies like USD or EUR, the exchange rate will be unfavorable, and you will lose money in the process. Additionally, you will receive your change in Mauritian rupees rather than the currency of your choosing.
Depending on your budget, you may want to carry more or less. Also, the duration, lodging, chosen method of travel and holiday activities all have a role. Others, on the other hand, may opt to spend their vacation in luxury by staying in a 5-star hotel, dining at gourmet restaurants, and shopping for hours while others choose to spend little on shopping and food and more on activities like water sports. As a result, determining how much you’ll need is a personal choice.
Accommodation, transport, activities, and food will be the most expensive parts of your vacation budget. Because the hotel and flights are already paid for, you’ll need to set aside money for things like activities, meals, and local transportation. To give you an idea of what you may expect to spend on necessities while visiting Mauritius, the following is a breakdown of the prices of some common products.
Meal at an affordable price: Rs 150-Rs 300
A bottle of water: Rs 15- Rs 40 (Tap water is safe to consume)
Beer Bottle: Rs 55- Rs 150
Milk (1 litre):Rs 40- Rs 200
Bread: Rs 3-Rs 40
Taxi (1 km)- Rs 60- Rs 100
Bus(Depends on the destination): Rs 12-Rs 40
Petrol(1 litre): Rs 51
ATMs and Credit Card Facilities in Mauritius
There are no restrictions on the types of credit or debit cards you may use in Mauritius. This includes Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. However, you should always double-check with your bank to make sure your card will work in Mauritius before traveling there. Instead of paying with cash, it’s smart to use a credit card for major transactions.
ATMs like those of the State Bank of Mauritius (SBM) and the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) are readily available. These may be seen in major city centers, outside banks, supermarkets, shopping malls, and even airports. If you have a global debit card, you can get cash from one of these nearby ATMs. Banks may charge a fee for processing cash withdrawals from ATMs located outside of the country.
Traveler’s checks have fallen out of favor due to the availability of more convenient payment methods like credit cards and ATMs, and their use is on the decline. Despite the fact that there are a few banks and hotels that accept them, travelers’ checks are no longer widely recognized and will be difficult to exchange in Mauritius.
Where to exchange currency in Mauritius?
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius has many exchange bureaus in the arrival and departure sections where travelers may exchange their money at a better rate after arriving. ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) from Barclays Bank, HSBC, and Mauritius Commercial Bank are all available at the airport.
If you want to get local currency on the island, there are a few exchange bureaus like Thomas Cook and Shibani Finance that have branches all over the place. All major currencies are accepted.
Banks including Barclays Bank, Mauritius Commercial Bank, and State Bank of Mauritius accept foreign currency, traveler’s checks, bank debit cards, and credit cards for withdrawals.
Travelers Tips
- It’s highly suggested that you exchange your money for local currency when you get to the airport to get the greatest deal. You may go to Mauritius from India by converting Indian Rupee to US Dollars in India, and then exchanging your US Dollars for Mauritian Rupees once you arrive.
- When compared to Mauritius’ banks, local Forex companies like Shibani Finance and Thomas Cook provide the greatest rates.
- Make sure you exchange all of the money you plan to spend at the same time.
- If you don’t know how much money you’ll be spending in Mauritius, you’ll lose a lot of money if you convert it back to your local currency.
- If you’re planning to use your debit or credit cards in Mauritius, be sure they have international banking capabilities. Check with your bank to see whether your card will work in Mauritius before you leave.