1. Introduction - Slow Travel in Mauritius
So, what is slow travel, exactly? Picture this: fewer flights, more fruit stands. Less sightseeing, more soul-seeking. It’s called many things—sustainable travel, mindful travel, low-impact travel—but at its heart, slow travel is about skipping the highlight reel and diving headfirst into the bloopers, the real, messy, beautiful day-to-day life of a place.
Instead of ticking off must-see spots like a caffeinated tourist, you stay put for longer—weeks, even months—so you can blend in with the locals, learn the rhythm of the streets, and maybe even get a nod of recognition from the guy at the coconut stall.
When we planned to explore the Indian Ocean, our budget laughed at our dreams of weekly island hopping. Flying around would’ve cost us a fortune and drained the joy out of our trip. So, we thought, why not try the slow route? With renewable tourist visas (Mauritius lets you stay up to six months!), we found better accommodation deals, fewer transport headaches, and even snagged a local rental car for the price of a nice dinner for four out in Europe. Win-win.
2. The Destination & First Impressions
We considered it all—Madagascar, Seychelles, Rodrigues, Sri Lanka. Madagascar had its infamous power cuts (not ideal when you work online), Rodrigues has luggage limits that scream "minimalism or bust," Seychelles was a little too far for our budget and my husband thought we still had much to learn before heading into the wild jungles of Sri Lanka.
Mauritius ticked all the boxes: tropical beauty, proximity to Réunion, long-stay visas, and good infrastructure. We landed, wide-eyed and ready for paradise.
Reality? Slightly different.
We started in Trou aux Biches, in the northwest. Yes, the beaches were dreamy—but they were also crowded. Stray dogs outnumbered tourists, local vendors were relentless with their sarongs and "local" jewelry (thanks, China), and the roads were more pothole than pavement. Our fantasy of quaint Creole charm and tranquil beaches took a beating.
Cue mild existential travel crisis.
3. The Shift from Tourist to Temporary Local
The turning point? Living like a local while traveling. Renting a scooter for a long week-end and getting lost—intentionally.
We drove to towns like Triolet and Saint-Pierre, grabbed street food, and struck gold: a full meal for two at just 75 rupees (about €1.50). That’s not just budget travel in Mauritius—that’s ultra-budget deliciousness.
Outside the tourist hubs, we found genuine warmth. People stopped trying to sell us things and instead gave us mangoes and local advice. With every friendly face, we peeled back another layer of Mauritius—and slowly, it started to feel like home.
4. The Unexpected Lessons
In the bubble of fast tourism, you're a wallet with legs. Outside it? You're a guest.
As soon as we stepped into local neighborhoods, people treated us differently. We shared stories over dhal puri, and were invited into homes. There were no sales pitches—just real human connection. It was a whole different country than the one sold in glossy brochures.
Had we only stayed a week, we would've missed it all.
5. What a Month Can Do
Slowing down does something weird to your brain—it makes space.
Back in Réunion, I began to feel it. In Mauritius, I embraced it fully. I stopped chasing landmarks and started chasing light for photography. I volunteered at a horse-riding club, grooming and mucking in exchange for sunrise beach rides.
That’s something you can't buy in a guidebook. But you can earn it—if you take your time.
6. Challenges of Slow Travel
It’s not all mangoes and mindfulness.
Slow travel has its hurdles. Loneliness can sneak in, especially if you’re solo. Funny enough, solo travelers often make friends faster than couples (we're guilty of looking too cozy to approach).
Accommodation can be tricky—especially during high season. Booking long stays? Go direct. Find listings on Airbnb.com, or Booking.com, locate them on Google Maps, and call. Cash is still king. We scored a 3-bedroom apartment with a garden, BBQ, and an 8-minute walk to the beach for €700/month—down from €1200. Throw in a car rental from the same owner for €300 and voilà: full tropical setup for €1000.
If you’re planning on working remotely while traveling, reliable internet is a must. In a related post, I share how we manage online work and even explore house-sitting to save on accommodation — check it out here
Transport? When we didn’t have a car, we used scooters or the Dodo Taxi app (yes, like the bird). One driver introduced us to his uncle, who became our personal DJ/historian on a drive south. We stopped for rotis, endured a live performance of "My Heart Will Go On" via car karaoke, and played pétanque in a parking lot. It was chaos. It was perfect.
7. Why I’d Do It Again
Would I slow travel again? In a heartbeat.
Less flying means more savings. Cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and ditching the all-inclusive resorts lets you stretch your budget and deepen your experiences. You learn more about a place’s history, people, and politics. You make friends—the real kind.
We met a couple in Réunion we're still in touch with. We’re hoping they’ll visit us in Mauritius. That kind of bond doesn’t happen on a five-day itinerary.
Six months in, and we can’t imagine traveling any other way.
8. Tips for First-Time Slow Travelers
Thinking of joining the slow travel tribe? Ask yourself:
What kind of experience are you craving—mountains, beaches, street food, cultural tourism?
What’s your budget? Asia and South America stretch your euro/dollar further than Europe.
Will you camp, Airbnb, or house-sit?
Backpack or wheelie suitcase? Depends if you're going rugged or renting wheels.
Working online? Double-check the Wi-Fi. Power cuts are a deal-breaker.
Once you've narrowed things down, plan your balance: exploration and relaxation. Go on a snorkel trip, then sit by a river and watch the birds. It’s not about doing less—it’s about doing things more meaningfully.
Soak in the moments. The sunsets. The roti stalls. The unexpected karaoke detours. Because those moments? They’re the real souvenirs.
9. Final Reflection
Slow travel is a rebellion against the rush. It's about building memories, not just collecting photos.
When you give a place time to unfold, it gives you back stories you’ll never find in a guidebook. You learn to live in the moment, savour the ordinary, and connect more deeply—with locals, with landscapes, and with yourself.
Sure, fast travel gives you the postcard. But slow travel gives you the letter home.
And that, my friends, is worth its weight in flight tickets.
Read Next: How We Transitioned from Yoga to Travel – Tips on House-Sitting & Remote Work Curious how we went from teaching yoga to living on the road? This post dives into the early days of our journey and how we found ways to fund long-term travel.
Ready to experience Mauritius (or anywhere) differently? Pack light, stay long, and travel slow. You just might find everything you didn’t know you were looking for.
