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Mauritius

Mauritius (French: Maurice, Mauritian Creole: Moris) is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about from the African continent. Mauritius is mostly appreciated by visitors for its natural beauty and man-made attractions, multi-ethnic and cultural diversity, tropical climate, beautiful beaches and water sports.

Cities

 * — capital of Mauritius
 * , the country's second biggest settlement.
 * is the largest highland city in Mauritius.
 * , bluest water and most amazing white sand beaches you will ever see.
 * one of the most important villages in Mauritius. This meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts the country's largest open air market. This extremely colourful market attracts a lot of people.
 * Grand-Baie, a shopping and leisure paradise. With adjoining Pereybère beach resort.
 * , a local fishing village that has expanded to become a popular destination for tourists and expats.
 * is one of the main fishing villages on the island.
 * village in the district of the same name
 * A small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne district. Nearby La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes.
 * The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.
 * — Located in the east, visitors may easily visit L'Ile aux Cerf from there
 * A small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne district. Nearby La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes.
 * The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.
 * — Located in the east, visitors may easily visit L'Ile aux Cerf from there
 * — Located in the east, visitors may easily visit L'Ile aux Cerf from there

Other destinations

 * — a pair of outer islands 1000 km north of the main island; home to about 300 people, and now leased to the Indian military
 * — a separate island 500 km east of the main island, but under the political control of Mauritius
 * Antoinette Phooliyar- This place is highly symbolic as it here that the first batch of Indian Immigrants came to Mauritius during British period also known as the great experiment.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antoinette+Phooliyar+Lotus+Monument/@-20.1446697,57.5630609,12.33z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sAntoinette+phooliyar+visual+map+Barlow!3m5!1s0x217c558aec158b75:0x177de495f1dc8702!8m2!3d-20.1254549!4d57.6422066!16s%2Fg%2F11fzcyq64f?entry=ttu
 * Antoinette Phooliyar- This place is highly symbolic as it here that the first batch of Indian Immigrants came to Mauritius during British period also known as the great experiment.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antoinette+Phooliyar+Lotus+Monument/@-20.1446697,57.5630609,12.33z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sAntoinette+phooliyar+visual+map+Barlow!3m5!1s0x217c558aec158b75:0x177de495f1dc8702!8m2!3d-20.1254549!4d57.6422066!16s%2Fg%2F11fzcyq64f?entry=ttu
 * Antoinette Phooliyar- This place is highly symbolic as it here that the first batch of Indian Immigrants came to Mauritius during British period also known as the great experiment.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antoinette+Phooliyar+Lotus+Monument/@-20.1446697,57.5630609,12.33z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sAntoinette+phooliyar+visual+map+Barlow!3m5!1s0x217c558aec158b75:0x177de495f1dc8702!8m2!3d-20.1254549!4d57.6422066!16s%2Fg%2F11fzcyq64f?entry=ttu
 * Antoinette Phooliyar- This place is highly symbolic as it here that the first batch of Indian Immigrants came to Mauritius during British period also known as the great experiment.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antoinette+Phooliyar+Lotus+Monument/@-20.1446697,57.5630609,12.33z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sAntoinette+phooliyar+visual+map+Barlow!3m5!1s0x217c558aec158b75:0x177de495f1dc8702!8m2!3d-20.1254549!4d57.6422066!16s%2Fg%2F11fzcyq64f?entry=ttu
 * Antoinette Phooliyar- This place is highly symbolic as it here that the first batch of Indian Immigrants came to Mauritius during British period also known as the great experiment.https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antoinette+Phooliyar+Lotus+Monument/@-20.1446697,57.5630609,12.33z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1sAntoinette+phooliyar+visual+map+Barlow!3m5!1s0x217c558aec158b75:0x177de495f1dc8702!8m2!3d-20.1254549!4d57.6422066!16s%2Fg%2F11fzcyq64f?entry=ttu

Understand
The country consists of the main island of Mauritius and the smaller islands of Rodrigues, the Agalegas and the Cargados Carajos shoals. The British Indian Ocean Territory is claimed by Mauritius and recognised as part of Mauritius by the United Nations, but remains under de facto British control, so we do not cover it here.

History
The island of Mauritius was first discovered by Arab sailors in the 9th century, though the exact date is unknown. At that time the island was uninhabited and covered in a dense forest. The Arab sailors were not interested in settling on the island which they named Dina Arobi or Dinarobin. Fernandez Pereira, a Portuguese sailor saw the island in 1505 and decided to give it the name of Cerne. However, the Portuguese did not settle permanently on the island either.

The first to colonise the island were the Dutch, who took possession of the island in 1598. The Dutch settlers landed on a bay in the southeastern part of the island which was named Warwyck Haven after the commander Van Warwijck; the bay is now known as Grand Port. Mauritius also got its modern name during this period; the island was named after the Stadtholder of Holland, Maurits van Nassau.

In 1710, the Dutch abandoned the island, leaving behind macaques, the java deer, sugarcane, fugitive slaves and, also, irreversible damage to the endemic and indigenous flora and fauna of the island. The dodo was, by then, extinct due to extensive hunting, the bird being very easy to capture, while the once abundant black ebony tree population was almost completely depleted due to its timber being overexploited.

The French settled on the island in 1712, also landing at the bay in the southeast. They renamed the bay Port Bourbon and renamed the island Ile de France. They settled and established their main harbour on the northwestern side of the island, which was to become Port Louis, the present day capital of the country. The French colonial period led to the economic development of Mauritius. Mahé de Labourdonnais, whose statue can be seen across from the harbour in Port Louis, is known as the founder of the capital city and the island prospered under his governance from 1735 to 1746.

In August 1810, the British tried to take over the island but lost after a fierce battle against the French in the famous Battle of Grand Port – the only naval victory of the French over the British during the Napoleonic period. However, the British came back in December 1810 and defeated the French. From then on, the island was renamed Mauritius and remained under British rule until it attained independence, although the British agreed to allow the locals to continue using the French language.

In 1835, slavery was officially abolished and, as most of the African slaves chose to abandon the agricultural fields and move to small coastal villages, indentured labourers ("coolies") were brought in from India to work in the growing sugarcane industry. To this day, ethnic Indians form the majority in Mauritius, and Mauritius is the only country outside South Asia to have a Hindu majority.

On 12 March 1968 Mauritius became an independent nation within the Commonwealth. Three years before though, the British separated the administration of the Chagos Archipelago from the rest of Mauritius and formed the British Indian Ocean Territory. The government of Mauritius has claimed these islands now used as a joint American and British military base ever since, making the archipelago a disputed territory. Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in favour of Mauritius in 2017, the British government does not accept the ruling has refused to hand the islands over to Mauritius.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam also known as the "Father of the Nation" led the island to independence and did a lot to develop the country. During his reign however, Mauritius faced economic difficulties and political turmoil following the postponement of elections for more than 9 years. On 12 March 1992, Mauritius became a republic under the leadership of the then Prime Minister Sir Aneerood Jugnauth.

A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record means that it has attracted considerable foreign investment and has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes.

Climate
Tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May); Natural hazards : Tropical cyclones can occur between November and April, however are most likely from late December until March. Mauritius has only two seasons, winter and summer. Temperatures do not differ greatly over the seasons. The climate on the central plateau is cooler than on the coastal areas.

 * The hottest and driest part is the west coast
 * The windiest and wettest part is the east coast
 * December to February are the hottest months of the year
 * The driest month of the year is October
 * The coolest months are from June to August
 * Mauritius Weather - Current weather report from the Mauritius region.

People
Mauritius has a population of 1 million inhabitants. While there are no indigenous people on the island, its multiethnic society comprises a mix of Creoles, Chinese, Indians and French who are descendants of colonialism and labour. Mauritius is the only country outside South Asia with a Hindu majority.

Tourist information

 * Mauritius Travel website

Talk
Although the official language of Mauritius is English, in practice French is by far the most commonly spoken language, and is widely used in professional and formal settings. English language television programmes are usually dubbed into French. Most subjects are taught in and examined in British English in the education system, meaning that you will be able to communicate with locals in English with varying levels of difficulty.

Mauritian Creole is a French-based creole which has incorporated some words from diverse sources including English, Dutch and Portuguese, and has slight pronunciation differences from French. Although locals generally converse with each other in Creole, standard French is also universally spoken and understood. Virtually everyone working in the tourism industry will be able to speak fairly decent, albeit heavily accented English, and all government departments will have English-speaking staff on duty. Other languages spoken by much smaller numbers include: Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri and Mandarin.

Tamils constitute around 10% of the population and speak Tamil.

Visa requirements
Citizens of many countries, including Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and most other OECD countries do not need a visa in advance. For more information, visit the Passport and Immigration Office website.

If you require a visa to enter Mauritius, you might be able to apply for one at a British embassy, high commission or consulate in the country where you legally reside if there is no diplomatic post of Mauritius. For example, the British embassies in Al Khobar, Amman, Belgrade, Guatemala City, Jakarta, Jeddah, Pristina, Rabat, Riyadh, Rome and Sofia accept Mauritius visa applications (this list is not exhaustive). British diplomatic posts charge GBP50 to process a Mauritius visa application and an extra GBP70 if the authorities in Mauritius require the visa application to be referred to them. The authorities in Mauritius can also decide to charge an additional fee if they correspond with you directly.

As of June 2023 visitors are required to provide a form called "Mauritius All in One", accommodation and return ticket details to the immigration service on arrival.

If you arrive in Mauritius from a country where malaria is endemic, you may receive a visit from the government health service and be required to give a blood sample for malaria screening.

By plane

Air Mauritius is the home carrier and operates a network of routes to the local islands and international destinations in Africa, Australia, Europe and Asia.

Regional airlines: Air Austral, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles, FlySafair, Kenya Airways and South Africa Airways connect Mauritius with continental Africa and the surrounding islands.

International airlines such as Austrian, Air Belgium, Air France, British Airways, Condor, Corsair International, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Eurowings, Evelop Airlines, Saudia, TUI Airways, Turkish Airlines and Vistara serve Mauritius from their home bases.

The arrivals hall can get congested in the morning when most of the flights from Europe arrive. Immigration officers tend to be quite slow and the whole immigration process can be a frustrating experience.

By sea
Vessels that arrive at the port are mainly cargo ships. The Mauritius Pride and the Trochetia are the Mauritian vessels that usually sail to and from Réunion Island, Rodrigues Island and Madagascar. Costa Cruises ships have started an Indian Ocean cruise including a visit to Mauritius.

In 2008, one-way passage prices from Tamatave in Madagascar to Mauritius by boat were €275 first class or €255 second class, compared to €212 to fly from Antananarivo on Air Madagascar. The journey takes at least four days, more if transiting through Réunion. A boat leaves every other Wednesday.

If you are going directly to the port in Tamatave you can negotiate with a boat captain for a non-cabin berth. Visiting the Nautical Club in Tamatave to enquire about yachts that might be heading to Mauritius rarely yields positive results.

By plane

 * Air Mauritius operates daily flights connecting Plaisance Airport and Rodrigues (flight time - 1 hour 15 minutes).

By train
The modern Metro Express light rail links Port Louis and Curepipe, stopping at Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes and Vacoas-Phoenix along the way. Trains run every 10 minutes from 6 AM to 7 PM, taking around 40 minutes from end to end (Rs 50).

By bus
Several fairly good bus services ply the island. Taking the bus is the most economical way of travelling. As of 2023 one way fare costs MUR 44. Air-conditioned buses have been introduced on some routes.

The major bus companies are:

Buses are manned by a driver and a conductor who walks around collecting fares and issuing tickets after passengers have boarded. Most conductors are helpful in providing directions to tourists. In the local Creole dialect, the conductors are called con-tro-lair (literally controller).

Bus routes and schedules are available from the Ministry of Land Transport and Mauritius Buses who list all the main operators and their schedules. Keep in mind that the bus driver may skip some stops or change itinerary if the number of customers is too low.

Try to pay with exact change. Intentional over-charging of tourists is not common.

By taxi
Taxis are the best way to tour the island. Various tours are available as from Rs2,500: The holy lake, Chamarel 7 coloured earth, Le Morne, dolphin tours in Tamarin and Ile aux cerfs are among the most appreciated by visitors.

Taxis in Mauritius do not use meters. Negotiate the price of your trip before you enter a taxi; otherwise, you may be overcharged.

By car
One major highway runs north to south, otherwise a good network of paved, if sometimes narrow, roads cover the island. Traffic drives on the left and priority is for vehicles coming from the right.

Numerous car hire firms include major international and local car rental agencies. There are various cars and vehicles for every budget. Some of the most popular rental cars categories are, compact (small Japanese cars), SUV, Sedan, 4x4 and luxury models.

Car rental prices in Mauritius average around €25/day. Some unlicensed car owners can offer lower prices, but you should be wary because this is not safe and often comes with numerous additional costs. To be on the safe side, with full insurance, visitors should rent cars from companies holding a tourism enterprise license. These cars are identifiable by their yellow number plates, while private cars have black plates. If you hire a car at the airport keep in mind that you will need to pay a MUR 30 charge when you are leaving the car park, and this has to be paid in cash.

Regulations: drivers are required to be over 18 years old. Most car rental companies in Mauritius require 2 years of driving experience or drivers above 21 years. Speed limits are 110 km/h (68 mph) on the motorway and 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas. Seat belts are compulsory. Foreign licences are accepted but should be readable in English or French. If your driving license is in another language, a certified translation (like an International Driving Permit) may be required to rent and drive on the island.

Approximate travel times from Port Louis to other major cities, towns, and resorts in Mauritius:
 * Curepipe 30 min
 * Grand Baie, North 25 min
 * Mahebourg, Southeast 55 min
 * Flic-en-Flac, West 30 min

Northern tourist zone
Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay is also where Mauritians go when they want a fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars and discos). La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit as well as the wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

The SSR botanical garden, Pamplemousses, is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. It was founded by Pierre Poivre (1719 – 1786) in 1770, contains some flora unique to Mauritius and covers an area of around 37 ha. It also has several animals, being especially famous for its fish, deer and tortoises, as well as an old replica of a sugar mill.

East
The eastern part of the island is known for its long sand bank beaches and famous hotels such as "The Coco Beach Hotel" and the 5-star "Le Touessrok". Centre de Flacq is one of the most important villages in Mauritius. This meeting point for inhabitants of the East boasts the country’s largest open air market. This extremely colourful market attracts a large number of people.

Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for water sports and has one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius. You cannot afford to miss this tiny island, delicately poised on the ocean, a real pearl in the Mauritian landscape. Price conscious visitors would be well advised to take ample food and drink, as the only bar and restaurant on the island primarily targets well-heeled tourists. Boats depart regularly from Trou d'Eau Douce village in the East (which has some of the best seafood restaurants on the island). There is a variety of vessels that serve the route including catamarans, yachts and "pirate-ships". Some serve food (usually barbecue, especially seafood) on board included in the price and tend to take a detour to the Grand River South East waterfalls for a visit. The island also has a 5-star hotel (Le Touessrok) and a golf course.

Southeast
Mahebourg is one of the main fishing villages on the island. Built on the magnificent Grand Port Bay, it was founded in 1804 by the French Governor Charles Decaën. The Monday markets are among the biggest and best on the island and are held right next to the main bus station. Just of the coast, as a result of the remarkable work accomplished by the Mauritius Wildlife Fund, Ile aux Aigrettes has become an international standard for the protection of natural resources and endangered species. A few of the world’s rarest birds, including the kestrel, can be seen there. You can also see the extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise. Also nearby at Vieux Grand Port, the oldest settlement in Mauritius, you can see the ruins of the first Dutch fortifications.

Souillac, a small seaside resort along the rugged coast of the Savanne district. A notable feature is the garden overlooking the sea and named after Dr Charles Telfair. A popular viewpoint at the southern end of the village, right on the cliff top: Gris Gris.

Blue Bay, bluest water and most amazing white sand beaches you will ever see. Take the trip across the island from Port Louis and see what this quiet place has to offer. Very busy with the locals on weekends. Try to go during the week. Glass bottom boats are an excellent outing. Part of Blue Bay has been designated a Marine Park, and the snorkelling trips by boat to this area, offered for sale on the main public beach, are well worth trying.

West
The west coast has some of the best and longest white sandy beaches on the island. These include Trou aux Biches, winner of the World's Best Beach in the 2011 World Travel Awards; and Le Morne Beach which is shared by a number of 5-star resorts including Paradis Hotel & Golf Club (2012 World Travel Award winner 'Mauritius Leading Golf Resort'), the all-suite Dinarobin Golf & Spa, and Lux Le Morne. There is also a dedicated public beach between Dinarobin and Lux Le Morne. (All beaches in Mauritius are public.) Flic en Flac, a local fishing village that has expanded to become a popular destination for tourists and expats. Flic en Flac has a very long white sandy beach stretching down the west coast to Tamarin which is enjoyed by locals and tourists. Scuba Diving is the main attraction with excellent diving just a few minutes from the beach. There is a reasonable supermarket and a variety of accommodations and restaurants to suit all budgets.

At Tamarin's beach of white sands and crystal clear waters both novice and expert surfers visit for some of the best waves on the island. The bay also has its own dolphin pod and dramatic views across to the Montage du Rempart, an extinct volcano. Owing to the exceptional high level of sunshine the district receives, Tamarin is the heart of salt production in Mauritius. Just south in La Preneuse are the Martello Towers, a milestone in the island’s history symbolising the end of slavery and the beginning of Indian immigration.

A winding road leads from Case Noyale village to the Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel, an undulating landscape of different and contrasting shades of colours. The different shades of blue, green, red and yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The neighbouring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life. The site possesses a rare beauty. An adventure park has also been opened at Chamarel.

Le Morne is a peninsula and an eponymous mountain in the southwest of Mauritius. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Do

 * Views — For a spectacular 360⁰ view of Port Louis and the north, climb Le Pouce or ‘the thumb', at 812 m (2,664 ft). It is an easy 2-hour climb from the village of Petit Verger (near St. Pierre), and takes another 2 hour to walk into Port Louis (map). The top of Signal Mountain also offers a spectacular view of Port Louis and the North. It is much easier to climb Signal Mountain from Labourdonnais Street as there is a tarred jogging track and it takes around 45 minutes to walk to the top. Starting from Saint Louis is also possible.
 * Tour the Moka mountains — by quad bike, horse or 4-wheel drive at the accessible 1,500-hectare (3,700-acre) nature park of Domaine Les Pailles. Travel to the sugar mill and rum distillery by train or horse-drawn carriage before dining in one of four restaurants.
 * Deep sea fishing — Mauritius is ideally positioned for game-fishing. Depending on the time of year it is possible to catch blue or black marlin, sailfish, wahoo, yellow fin tuna, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, bonito, dolphinfish, sharks and many more. The majority of the big game fishing boats are well equipped with VHF radio, mobile telephone, GPS navigation system, radar, radio telephone, safety equipment, Penn International reels, life jackets, medical kits, fire extinguishers, flares, and all related fishing equipment such as fighting chairs and rods (usually 9). You can choose between half day and full day fishing trips . Big game fishing is best on the west coast of Mauritius because the currents swirl around the foot of Le Morne, creating a marine environment attractive to bait fish, which in turn attracts the larger fish. Boats usually accommodate up to 5 anglers and full day trips typically include breakfast and lunch in the price.
 * Head to Grand Baie — For watersports such as parasailing, an underwater walk, submarine and semi-submersible scooters, or to La Cuvette, a long beach with clear water between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux, for sailing, windsurfing and waterskiing.
 * Safari jeep trips — The Safari Jeep trip takes place in Yemen natural reserve park on the West Coast of Mauritius. It hosts two of the longest rivers on the island – Rivière Rempart and Tamarin River – and is a haven for all sorts of native and exotic wildlife. The actual size of this natural reserve is of around 4,500 hectares. The Yemen Park is the setting for Safari trips where you will have a thrilling ride and will be able to see many beautiful animals such as Zebras, ostriches, African antelopes, Java deer, monkeys, ducks and geese, and will see extraordinary panoramic views of this breathtaking part of the island.
 * Safari quad biking trips — Experience an adventurous Quad biking activity in the most amazing natural setting quad-biking activity in the 4,500 ha of Yemen natural reserve park. More than a quad bike outing as it includes a safari. During the trip it is possible to see deer, zebras, ostriches, African antelopes and wild boars.
 * Swim — At the northern beaches such as Trou aux Biches, shaded by casuarinas, Mont Choisy, a 2-km (1.2 mi) narrow white stretch of sand curving north from there, and Péreybère, a little cove between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux.
 * Diving — When you dive in Mauritius you can explore coral reefs, multi-coloured marine life, ship wrecks dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, or some ships sunk more recently which create beautiful artificial reefs. There are numerous dive sites strewn all around the island, as well as some near the offshore island of Rodrigues. One of the well-known and popular dive sites in Mauritius is the cathedral, which is located off the Flic en Flac on the western coast of Mauritius. Other dive sites in Mauritius include the Whale Rock and Roche Zozo that is an underwater rock pinnacle, and the submerged crater near Ile Ronde. Mauritius is almost completely encircled by a barrier coral reef which is home to many sponges, sea anemones and a variety of brightly coloured fish such as Damselfish, Trumpet fish, Boxfish and clown fish, as well as the orange Mauritian scorpionfish. Most of the dive sites are located on the west coast around Flic-en-Flac or in the north, at Trou aux Biches or at the Northern Islands. The best time to go diving is from November to April with very good visibility underwater.
 * Speedboat — Rides are available from Trou d'eau Douce to the popular island playground of Ile aux Cerfs for beaches, golf and watersports. Or, for a quieter day, a catamaran to the Northern Islands - Gabriel Island, Flat Island and Gunner's Quoin.
 * Hiking and trekking — In Mauritius with breathtaking views of mountains, rivers, and forests. Enjoy a hiking trip through the fields, trekking on a zip line or on a bike, and discover this magnificent nature paradise Mauritius being a volcanic island has several breathtaking summits and valleys to explore on foot. You can visit the Black River Gorges National Park, a 6,794-ha (16,788-acre) forest, to see indigenous plants, birds and wildlife. Black River Peak trail goes to Mauritius' highest mountain, while the Maccabee Trail starts nearby and plunges into the gorge to Black River.
 * Tandem skydiving — Experience a skydive in Mauritius. Enjoy a spectacular scenic flight and a tandem skydive. Tandem skydiving refers to a type of skydiving where a student skydiver is connected via a harness to a tandem instructor. The instructor guides the student through the whole jump from exit through freefall, piloting the canopy, and landing. The student needs only minimal instruction before making a tandem jump.
 * Horse racing — The Mauritius horse racing club commonly called the Champ de Mars was founded in 1812, making it the oldest horse-racing club in the Southern Hemisphere. Horse racing is the most popular sport in Mauritius, and attracts about 30,000 visitors on each race day. The horse racing season usually starts in April and ends in late November. There are an average of 9 and a maximum of 12 horses per race. On average some 60 horses participate on each racing day. It is highly recommended to go and experience the electric atmosphere of horse racing in Mauritius. For those interested it is also possible have a VIP treatment in one of the VIP suites while enjoying snacks and drinks and a clear view of the race from your private balcony
 * Parasailing — For those looking for a fun sea-air activity, you can try parasailing. You will be rewarded with a breathtaking bird's eye view of the beautiful lagoon and beaches. The parasailing begins with a short safety briefing. Then you will be taken by boat to the launch pod where you will take off and start the parasailing. No steering is necessary as the sail follows the course of the boat
 * Water ski — Water-skiing is one of the most popular water sports in Mauritius. You can enjoy water skiing along several of Mauritius’ coasts or in a few of the lakes. The best area for water skiing is considered to be the north area of the island, along the coasts, where the lagoon provides full protection from the big waves of the open sea and offers ideal water skiing conditions of very calm sea
 * Watch dolphins — Go on a speed boat trip and watch dolphins in the open sea. You can choose between 2-hr trip, half-day and full-day trips where you will get to watch with the bottlenose dolphin and the spinner dolphin, which have made of the West Coast of Mauritius a place for them to rest before going to the deep sea for their fishing.
 * Walk with lions & cheetahs — Experience a one-on-one encounter with lions and cheetahs. Viewing the lions from very close, see them playing and hopping on the rocks of the river banks and scaling the trees. The lions roam freely amongst the participants giving visitors a rare opportunity of being in close contact with them.
 * Blue safari submarine — See the wonderful underwater tropical fish without even getting your feet wet. Going underwater to 35 m depth on board of a real submarine. You will get to visit a shipwreck, explore the rich coral reefs, and observe and encounter various species of fish. The submarine is air-conditioned with transparent-glassed cabin so you will enjoy exceptionally clear panoramic views of the extraordinary underwater world.
 * Underwater submarine scooter adventure — Pilot your own underwater scooter, or as a couple, to 3-4 m depth. Comfortably seated one behind the other, you breath freely and naturally in a transparent and panoramic cupola which allow you to enjoy the view of the reef and marine life. In advance you will receive a briefing about the control of the underwater scooter, and will be equipped with a diving suit.
 * Sea kayaking — A great way to explore the fine greenery of the lagoons, or the open waters of the Indian Ocean. It is possible to find wide range of sea kayaking trips and packages from breezy, calmer routes, to a few days trip surrounding the island in the deep ocean waters. This is also possible to have a kayak trip to any of the small islets surrounding the main island such as Ile D'Ambre Island.
 * Rock climbing — Rock climbing on the South West coast of Mauritius. You will get to experience rock climbing in a beautiful setting Of the Belle Vue Cliffs, where the caves of "La Pointe aux Caves" are nestled and in close proximity from the famous lighthouse of Albion. This a great outdoor sport where you will learn the basic techniques of knots, safe climbing and rock progression from Mauritius’ top professional guides.
 * Canyoning — For those seeking more of an adrenalin rush and thrill, canyoning is abseiling down the steep walls of the canyons using nature watercourses and canyoning gear. The canyoning is offered in few locations in Mauritius. The canyoning (known also as canyoneering) in Mauritius consists of travelling in canyons using a variety of techniques that may include walking, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and/or swimming
 * Rodrigues island — Tiny, rugged, volcanic it lies 550 km (340 mi) northeast of Mauritius and is known as the ‘anti-stress' island. The capital, Port Mathurin, is only seven streets wide, with a Creole population. Rodrigues offers walking, diving, kitesurfing and deep sea fishing.

Money
The Mauritian rupee (French: roupie mauricienne) is denoted by the symbol "Rs." or "₨" with or without a full stop and placed before or after the amount (ISO international currency: MUR).

Banknotes come in denominations of Rs 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000. Coins come in denominations of Rs 1, 5, 10 and 20.

Shop
Mauritius is not at all like Bali or Thailand. Don't expect the local merchants to be interested in prolonged bargaining. Many shops will not reduce prices, and even at the markets don't expect more than a 10-20% reduction. There are some bargains however as many large brand names clothing companies manufacture in Mauritius, and you can often find over-runs or slightly flawed items at a fraction of the European prices. It is also a good place to find unusual jewellery and handicrafts such as artificial flowers, model boats and wooden art. It is possible to reach the main shopping centres by public transport, or to take a full day shopping tour which includes a driver to take you to the main centres and handicraft workshops.

The Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis offers a variety of shops (including designer shops) and is an ideal place for shopping by tourists. For traditional crafts, a good place is Port Louis Central Market (Bazaar Port Louis).

Eat
Don't hesitate to go to the various restaurants around the island. Although many of them advertise a specific ethnic cuisine, like everywhere around the world they have their own mix of traditional and local. You might discover that 'fried rice' can have more than one flavor. Gastronomes will find a variety of flavors and aromas inherited from the different migrations through its history. Culinary traditions from France, India, China and Eastern Africa have been passed on through generations.

Depending on the region, rice or a variety of flat bread called chapattis or roti, called farata (paratha) by the local people, is eaten with curries. The extensive use of spices like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves and herbs such as thyme, basil, and curry leaves are the common ingredients that provide some powerful, yet subtle, flavor. Dal, a variety of lentil soup, are many and varied according to the type of lentil used; vegetables, beans, and pickles accompany the dishes. Dholl puri, originally an Indian delicacy, has become the fish and chips for Mauritians.

Biryani from Mughal origins is a dish prepared by the Muslim community, where meat is mixed with spiced rice and potatoes.

You can buy many snacks on the street including the famous gateaux piments (a variant of the Indian vadai; literally, chilly cakes), and vegetable or meat samosas (puffs), along with octopus curry in bread. The tomato and onion based dish called Rougaille (pronounced rooh-guy) is a variation of the French ragoût. The dish usually consists of meat or seafood (corned beef and salted snoek fish rougaille are very popular with the locals). Mauritians eat this dish often if not daily.

Mauritians have a sweet tooth and make many types of 'gateaux', as they are called. You can find a variety of cakes, including some that are very much like those in France and others similar to Indian sweets like gulab jamun and rasgulla.

When leaving Mauritius, don't wait until you go through passport control if you want to have a snack. The coffee shop after passport control is expensive. You would be better off visiting the snack bar before check-in and taking your purchases with you. Remember that you can only take limited amounts of liquids through passport control.

Drink
Mauritius produces a wide range of cane rum. It is very cheap and is a nice drink when mixed with cola and ice. A popular drink is coconut water with a dash of lime and a splash of local rum over ice.

The local beer, Phoenix, costs around Rs30 for a pint. Usually served very cold. The local Black Eagle beer, brewed in Nouvelle France is also good. A local beer called Flying Dodo also offers beer with tropical fruits mix.

The Medine Estate Refinery shop at Bambous (4 km from Flic en Flac), on the west of the Island, has a wide variety of locally produced rums and liquors.

Sleep
There are many international brand hotels in Mauritius but there are some luxurious hotels which are owned by Mauritian companies. An increasing trend is for tourists to choose self-catered bungalows and apartments, many of them located directly on the beach.

Foreigners can buy villas, many of them in compounds located on the beach, through the IRS or RES Scheme.

Learn
Mauritius offers several study options for international students. The country has a growing education sector with a range of institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Higher education

 * University of Mauritius, located in Réduit, offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in various fields including arts, science, engineering, and law. International students can obtain a postgraduate degree for approximately US$1500 per year of study, that can sometimes be completed online as well.
 * University of Technology Mauritius, located in Pointe-aux-Sables, offers degrees in engineering, applied sciences, and management.
 * Open University of Mauritius, located in Réduit, offers distance learning courses in a range of subjects including business, education, and science.
 * Middlesex University Mauritius, located in Cascavelle, offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in business, law, media, and psychology.

Language schools
Mauritius also offers several language schools for those looking to improve their language skills. Some popular options include:

 * Alliance Française de Maurice, located in Port Louis, offers French language courses for all levels.
 * Confucius Institute at University of Mauritius, located in Réduit, offers Chinese language courses for all levels.
 * Mauritius Institute of Education, located in Réduit, offers courses in English language teaching for non-native speakers.

Study Visa
International students may require a study visa to study in Mauritius. The visa application process can be completed online through the Passport and Immigration Office website. It is important to check the visa requirements and eligibility criteria before applying.

Stay safe
The crime rate has fallen, and Mauritius is a much safer country for visitors than most other destinations. The Tourism Police and Coast Guards patrol regularly in areas frequented by tourists, and most cities, beaches and other major attractions are under camera surveillance. Nevertheless, you should look out for suspicious behavior.

Stay healthy
Mauritius is a risk area for infection with dengue fever, also known as "breakbone fever" from the muscular convulsions it causes. No vaccine is available. Dengue re-emerged in 2019 after several dengue-free years, so be sure to take precautious against mosquito bites.

Since 2005 during the high season a certain type of mosquito called the Aedes albopictus causes the viral illness Chikungunya and the insect is more likely to be around in the daytime.

It is important to use anti-mosquito protection at all times. Mosquitoes are more prevalent in rural areas but they can also inhabit the beach in the tourist zone and may lead to swollen joints and/or rashes. Symptoms last from one week up to several months depending how seriously you are affected. Some people recover quickly but it can take several months to recover completely.

In 1991 86% of the population had antibodies indicating that they had been exposed to the hepatitis A virus, following an epidemic of the disease in 1989. Hepatitis A vaccination is generally recommended for travel in East Africa (and most other places) by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Depending on the time of the year, many of the beaches are infested with sea urchins, and it is not uncommon to see broken glass on the beach or in the water. It is a very good idea to either buy or bring plastic/wet shoes when venturing into the water. This is generally not a problem at the big hotels as the designated swimming areas on the beaches are regularly cleaned of urchins and debris. Use wet shoes nonetheless.

Reef fish in Mauritius have been found to contain a neurotoxin similar, but not identical, to that found in Caribbean reef fish.

It is important not to eat peanuts or drink alcohol if you eat coral or reef fish like sea bass, snapper, mullet, and grouper. The fish eat the toxic algae that grows on the coral reefs. Don't eat intestines or testes of the fish as higher concentrations of the toxin collect here. The symptoms include gastrointestinal upset, vomiting and diarrhoea and sometimes loss of feeling in the limbs.

The tap water is generally considered potable and most Mauritians drink it, but for visitors who aren't used to it, bottled water is recommended.

At nearby island Réunion you can get treatment with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Connect
Mauritius has a few telecommunications companies, the main ones being Emtel and My.t. They both sell sim card and E-sim at the airport from 700 MUR per month. Passport is required.

title: Mauritius


text:
Mavrovo National Park

Mavrovo National Park is in the Polog region of Western North Macedonia. With over 73,000 hectares it is the largest national park in the country. This mountainous region contains Macedonia's highest peak, as well as lakes, rivers, and caves. The park is more or less contained within Mavrovo and Rostuša Municipality, which consists of 42 villages. Therefore, Mavrovo also features many cultural and historical attractions, including some of Macedonia's best-known villages.

Understand
Mavrovo is the name of the national park, a village within the park, and the park's largest lake. The municipality that covers most of the park is called Mavrovo and Rostuša Municipality.

People
Mavrovo has an interesting mix of peoples. Ethnically, it is populated by Macedonians (half the population), Turks (nearly one-third), and Albanians (17%). Notably, a relatively large proportion of ethnic Macedonians are Muslim (some identify as Turks or Albanians). Conversely, a relatively large, though still small, proportion of Albanians are Christians.

The Mijaks, a subgroup of ethnic Macedonians, originate from this region including near Debar. They are historically known for their building and artistic skills, as evidenced in the traditional homes and churches of their villages.

History
Mavrovo National Park was established on 18 April 1949 “on account of outstanding natural beauties, historical and scientific values of the forests and the forest land around Mavrovo Field”. Its boundaries were increased in 1952 and have been unchanged since. A section of forest near the village of Žužnje was submitted as a tentative World Heritage Site by Macedonia in 2019 as an extension of the existing Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe listing.

Landscape
Mavrovo features mountains, including Macedonia's highest, valleys, lakes, rivers, forests, and fields. Dozens of villages also dot the landscape.

Tourist information

 * Mavrovo National Park website

Get in
A minibus runs between Debar and Skopje. Best to ask at the bus station or locals for timetables and stops.

Get around
The road network in Mavrovo National Park consists of the motorway M4 Skopje-Ohrid, four regional roads, and local roads of varying quality.

See

Mijak villages
Mijaks are a group of ethnic Macedonians who originate from several villages in and around the Mavrovo region. They are known for their ecclesiastical architecture, woodworking, iconography, and other rich traditions, which have made their villages some of the best-known in the country. The two most prominent among these are Galičnik and Lazaropole.

Mountaineering
The national park also contains many other hiking trails that can be found on its website, as well as at info centers throughout the park.

Eat
Fish from Mavrovo Lake.

Sleep

Go next
Shishtavec

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Mavrovo National Park


text:
Mawei

Mawei (马尾 Mǎwěi) is in Southeast China, about 20 kilometres southeast of Fuzhou, downstream along the Min River. It is a small town by Chinese standards; its population was 232,000 in the 2010 census. Administratively, Mawei is a district of Fuzhou. It is the port area of Fuzhou, and has been a center of shipbuilding for centuries.

Understand
To 19th-century seamen, what is now Mawei was Pagoda Anchorage and the pagoda was often the first conspicuously Chinese thing a sailor saw. In that period, Fuzhou shipped more tea than any other Chinese city and nearly all of the loading was done at Mawei.

The name Mawei came from a legend that in the river there was a huge stone which looked like a horse (ma), whose tail (wei) was toward the town.

By plane
If you arrive via Fuzhou International Airport in Changle, Mawei is the midpoint on the way to downtown Fuzhou.

By bus
Fuzhou Municipal Government has built a broad and beautiful avenue along the Min River. It now takes only 15 or 20 minutes to drive from downtown Fuzhou to Mawei. Taking a bus from Fuzhou is also possible; it is very cheap (only ¥1 one-way). The lines include Route 37, 58, 73 and 131.

Get around
The downtown area is small enough to make getting around on foot reasonable. There are also busses, taxis and (for the adventurous) motorcycle taxis.

See

If traveling from Mawei Town to Langqi Island, then in Tianluowan, Minan and Tingjiang the visitors will find the relics of old batteries built in the Qing Dynasty, which were important part of the Minjiang defense line.

Do
Because of Mawei's geographic location (on the bank of Min Jiang River and facing the East China Sea), it is a wonderful place for fishing and swimming.

There is a long walkway companied the avenue along the Min Jiang River. People can walk, jog or run on it.

Buy
A factory in Mawei makes shoes for Adidas and Reebok. There are some stores with cheap shoes, possibly factory seconds. Check quality carefully and bargain hard.

Shopping places include Huanyu Baihuo, Zhongshan Shangchang, and Xinrong Baihuo Shangchang.

Eat
Tianfu Restaurant: the best Szechuan style food in Mawei

Xinbada Coffee: mainly offering western style food

Shangdao Coffee: mainly offering western style food

Wanglou Restaurant: Fujian Cuisine and Seafood

Sleep
Mawei does not have many hotels. Some are: It is also possible to stay in downtown Fuzhou.

Go next

 * Wenfu Railway — from Fuzhou to Wenzhou.
 * Airport Highway I & II — from Fuzhou to Changle International Airport.
 * Shenhai Highway — northbound to Zhejiang and Shanghai, southbound to Guangdong.
 * Cruise — from Mawei Port to Matsu Port and Taiwan Island; northbound to Shanghai, Qingdao, Tanggu and Dalian; southbound to Xiamen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore.

title: Mawei


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Mawlamyine

Mawlamyine (also spelled also spelled Mawlamyaing) or Moulmein (Burmese မော်လမြိုင်မြို့) is the capital of Mon State in Southeastern Myanmar.

Understand
Mawlamyine is the fourth biggest city in Myanmar (population about 326,000) and famous for its nearby sights and attractions, especially the largest reclining Buddha in Myanmar 18 km south and the golden rock 20 km north of the city. The first stop for many coming from Thailand, and it is a good starting point for the rest of Myanmar.

Get in
Coming in from Yangon, Naypyidaw, Mandalay or Bagan with any of the following transports, don't miss out on Bago and/or the Golden Rock in Kyaiktiyo. An overnight stop resting with thousands of other pilgrims on top of the mountain is a great opportunity, but bring ear plugs and a warm sleeping bag. Alternatively, just stay in a guesthouse in Kinpun, the "base camp".

By bus
is on Maung Rd which bypass the city to the east. Most buses will stop (and start from) here, such as:

 * Hpa-An – From the clock tower the bus takes 2 hr for 1,000 kyat.
 * Myawaddy – The bus is about 5,000 kyat and takes 3-5 hr.
 * Yangon – From Aung Mingular Bus Station northwest of Yangon several buses a day leave between 07:30 and 21:00, taking about 5½-7 hr, for about 6,000-8,000 kyat.
 * Naypyidaw – A Scania bus leaves from the Bawgathiri Highway Station east of Naypyidaw at 19:00 and arrives at 05:00 for about 11,000 kyat.
 * Mandalay – A quite luxurious (Swedish) overnight bus (company: Shwe Mandalar) leaves at 18:00 from the Highway Bus Station south of Mandalay. It includes a towel, pillow, blanket toothbrushes and water, and arrives in Mawlamyine at 05:00, with at least two stops on the way. It does most of its way on the new highway between Mandalay and Yangon. Up to 15,000 kyat.
 * Dawei – The bus leaves Dawei at 10:00 and 17:00, and costs 12,000 kyat.

By pick-up/shared taxi
Most non-bus transportation into Mawlamyine coming from the northeastern main road will drop off their passengers at from where also most traffic travels further south.

The trip from Myawaddy is about 12,000 kyat (shared taxi) and a very bumpy ride, taking somewhere between 3-5 h. A big part of the distance is gravel road. You can pay in Thai ฿ (but there are plenty of currency exchange people and ATMs close to the border control). Shared taxis will drop you off at your lodging.

By train
The has up to three (bumpy) trains a day coming in from Yangon, Bago and Kyaikto, arriving at 04:00, 06:00 and 16:30. and starting in Yangon and Bago about 9 h or 7 h earlier, respectively. The price for upper class is only 4,250 kyat for the full distance of 281 km from Yangon. Tickets go on sale 3 days before departure at the downtown ticket office.

By boat
There are boats travelling between Hpa-An and Mawlamyine, but they're more expensive than bus or train: 70,000 kyat (private charter) or 10,000 kyat per person (shared, still this price as of Feb 2019). Nevertheless, they provide a scenic trip up/down the river. Elegant Myanmar sell tickets on their 08:30 sailing from their office next to Ykko, south of the night market. Alternatively ask at your own guest house, or at Breeze Inn Guesthouse who may still operate a boat. Journey times are listed as 4 hours. In the dry season it could be as little as 2 hours, or it could take 5 hours including a mandatory stop at a small village to visit a monastery + temple (Feb 2019).

On foot
Walking around can be an option in the centre, but Mawlamyine stretches over 5.5 km along the river.

By motobike
Motorbike-taxis, trishaws, pick-ups are available all over town, especially at the central market. Just "appear" to be lost and someone will offer you a ride, which should cost no more than 350 kyat in town.

Do not pay more than 700 kyat for the transport from the bus station, train station or the main junction to the city centre (motorbike/trishaw). Tuk-tuk drivers might ask up to 3,000 kyat for the two mile ride, which is too much.

By tour
You can also take a tour with a tuktuk around the area for 25.000 Kyat (3-4 hr)—but half of that is probably more reasonable. You can tell the driver which places you want to visit.

See
Many of Mawlamyine's famous sights are outside of the city, but visiting all sights in the city (including the markets and restaurants) can take a day.

 * Churches: St Patrick's (1829); St Matthew's (1887), abandoned & locked; First Baptist (1827); Holy Family (1954)
 * Churches: St Patrick's (1829); St Matthew's (1887), abandoned & locked; First Baptist (1827); Holy Family (1954)

South
The best way to explore the surrounding and especially southern area and sights is by scooter or motorbike. In the order of distance from Mawlamyine are these destinations:

A one-way pick-up to the Buddha should be around 500 kyat, at least for locals. A taxi is about 4,000 kyat one way or 7,000 kyat return.

Do

 * Rent a scooter or motorbike and explore the surrounding area, especially south.
 * Take a boat up or down the river.

Buy
The and the  are in the north part of the city, near the river.

Drink
Faluda, a drink made of ice cream, jelly, syrup, basil seeds and pudding. Found at the night marked or Deli France Bakery.

Sleep
There are plenty of places to rest in Mawlamyine.

Go next
When going to the bus station by taxi ask whether you will be dropped off at the bus station or at the (the former/old bus station) in the city along Anauk Tart Myei Rd, which offers free shuttles or so called "ferries" to the main bus station, at least for buses to Hpa-an. Pay accordingly or simply walk to the bus ticket counter.

 * Hpa-An – Famous for its caves and green landscape. Old, no air-con bus, several a day, 1,000 kyat, 2 hr. There is also a boat available (70,000 kyat private or 8,000 kyat shared per person, 5 hr)
 * Myawaddy – For Mae Sot (Thailand), bus (5,000 kyat) or shared taxi (10,000 kyat), 3-5 hr. Most departures are in the morning.
 * Kyaiktiyo – Famous for the golden rock, the most famous sight of the Mon State. 07:30 & 09:30, 7,000 kyat, 3-4 hr. There are direct buses to Kinpun, the "base camp".
 * Bago – Famous for the highest pagoda in the world, the Shwemawdaw Pagoda. Bus 07:00/08:00/09:00 and 12:30, 5-10,000 kyat.
 * Mandalay – Famous for the U Bein Bridge, the Buddha face washing, as well as the nearby mountains and train. Quite luxurious (Swedish) overnight bus (company: Shwe Mandalar). Up to 15,000 kyat. Includes a towel, pillow, blanket, toothbrushes and water.
 * Yangon – Famous for the Shwedagon Pagoda and the city itself. Several buses a day.
 * Ye – Bus 06:30/09:15/11:45 & 15:30, 4-5 hr, 6,000 kyat. Minibus 4,000 kyat.
 * Dawei – Famous for its authentic and underdeveloped experience, large Buddha and remote beaches (Maungmagan). Bus 05:00 13:00/14:00/16:00, 8-10 hr, 12,000 kyat.

The train for Yangon leaves at 08:00, 19:30 and 20:55. passing by Kyaikto near Kyaiktiyo and Bago, arriving 9 hr later. The trip to Yangon is 2,150/5,500 kyat (ordinary/upper class). For more details see Seat61.com, or book at the train station.

The train for Dawei Port leaves at 04:00 and arrives 15 hr later.

title: Mawlamyine


text:
Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in North-Eastern India.

Understand
Located in the state of Meghalaya, Mawlynnong, also referred as ‘God’s own garden’ has won the acclaim of being the cleanest village in Asia in 2003.It was again declared the cleanest village in India in 2005. The village known for its cleanliness is located around 90 km from Shillong and is a community based eco-tourism initiative. The community has made collective effort to maintain the ambience of a clean village.

The adage "Neighbours envy, owners pride' is apt for Mawlynnong as it has earned the distinction of being one of the cleanest villages in Asia, a fact that every Mawlynnong villager is proud of and other villagers are envy of.

The village is quite pretty, especially in the monsoons when there is lush greenery all around, with waterfalls paving the way to small streams and abundance of flowering orchids dangling from the trees and hedges add to the beauty of the village.

The main occupation of the villagers is agriculture. They mostly grow betel nut. About 82 households live in Mawlynnong. Keeping the surrounding environment clean is an age old tradition. Discover India magazine declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003.

The onus to keep the village clean lies with every person residing in the village. Local cleaning the roads, picking up leaves and throwing garbage in the bin is a very common sight. Bamboo garbage bins adorn every nook and corner of the village highlight the consciousness of cleanliness among the villagers. Cleanliness is an age old tradition and a way of life for all villagers.

The village also offers breathtaking view of Bangladesh plains as it is located on the Indo-Bangla border. Surprisingly, the village has hundred percent literacy and most of the villagers are conversant with the English language. The village offers a number of small tea shops, where you can relish a hot of cup of tea with some snacks.

Mawlynnong village has set an example for others that needs to be replicated in other villages.

The world salutes to the 'spirit of cleanliness' exhibited by the villagers through their self sustained efforts.

Get in
Mawlynnong, located about 90 km from Shillong and 92 km from Cherrapunjee can be reached by road.

The nearest airport is Shillong. From Shillong airport you can take a taxi till Khasi Hills Sumo stand at Bara Bazaar market. From here shared sumo run till Mawlynnong.

Mawlynnong can also be visited as part of package tours along with other destinations of the North East. You can visit it as a day's trip from either Shillong or Cherrapunjee or you can opt to stay there.

Get around
It is a small village. Take a walk across the clean streets.

See
The village offers picturesque natural beauty, a trek to the living root bridge at a neighbouring village Riwai. The village also offers a sight of natural balancing rock, a strange natural phenomenon of a boulder balancing on another rock.

Another interesting feature not to be missed is the "Sky Watch". This 85 feet high bamboo structure created with bamboo and natural ropes offers a lovely view of the Bangladesh plains.

Do
Take a trek to the Living Root bridge at a neighbouring village Riwai. Visit the bamboo bridge.

Buy
There is nothing to buy here, except some souvenir. Small cute broomsticks sell for little over a dollar. This a place where you can enjoy nature and the clean beautiful, ideal village.

Eat
Tea Chappati and Rice is available in odd two three stalls. The quality of the food offered in quite tasty and enjoyable. Local Chicken prepared in local style is available. The food offered is not spicy and is great way to fill up your hunger after you have visited by trekking along the village, visiting the Living Roots Bridge and Sky View and the cleanliness of the village is the greatest attraction. This village is now also a smoke free zone.

Sleep

 * India Beacons Sojourn, 1 Indra Roy Road, Room No. 8 (1st Floor), Kolkata - 700025, Phone: +91 9903295920, +91 2419 1976, email: info@indiabeacons.com. Arranges homestays.

You can also book Mawlynnong guest house by calling Deepak Laloo or Carol Nongrum (0364-2502420, 09863115302). The price as of Jan 2012 is ₹3000 for a larger room (4 person) and ₹1500 for a smaller room (2 person).

title: Mawlynnong


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Max

Max is a small town in the Lakes and Gardens area of North Dakota. It is less than 30 miles south of Minot and has a population of about 280 people.

Understand
Max was founded in 1906 and was named after the son of the first postmaster of the town. The town's history is linked to the expansion of the Soo Line Railroad.

Get in

 * By car: about 60 miles north of I-94 and Bismarck, via US Hy. 83.

title: Max


text:
Maxwell (Nebraska)

Maxwell is a small town in rural Lincoln County Nebraska.

Go next
Grand Island- 80 East. About 2 hours away.

North Platte- 80 West. About 20 minutes away.

title: Maxwell (Nebraska)


text:
Mayaguana

Mayaguana (pronounced May-guana) is the most southeasterly, least developed, and most unspoiled of the Bahamas' inhabited islands. It is 27 miles long and 6 miles wide at its widest. The population is 300.

Understand
The island is largely undeveloped.

Make sure to bring plenty of cash and sunscreen, and be ready for an adventure away from the resorts and tourists that characterize many of the other more well known Bahamian islands.

This is a cash economy. There are no banks or ATMs on the island and credit cards are only accepted at Shorty's Hotel in Pirates Well. The few shops on the island offer only a limited (and expensive!) selection of goods; as a general rule it is best not to plan on buying additional supplies on the island.

Settlements

 * Abraham's Bay
 * Betsy Bay
 * Pirates Well

Talk
English is the rule but for a little fun ask the locals to teach you some of the local dialect, which they often speak when talking amongst each other.

By plane
Bahamas Air flies to the island from Nassau three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

By boat
Charter a ride or take the mail boat if you want to save some cash and are up for a little extra adventure.

Get around
Although much of the island remains untouched and lacks roads, many hiking, diving, and fishing destinations are too spread out to reach on foot.

If you are a little more flexible with your time, are interested in meeting more of the friendly locals, you can arrange rides with the locals. For USD20-40/day (2009) (depending upon your generosity) they will gladly drop you off and pick you up (or at least get someone else to) at an arranged time later in the day.

See

 * Flamingos
 * Iguanas
 * Pristine reef system with accompanying tropical fish and many larger, pelagic species lingering in deep water just outside the reef
 * Thousands of conch littering shallow portions of the bays.

Do

 * Abraham's Bay - Ask for "Dootch" at the Paradise Villas in Abraham's Bay and he will gladly take you out in his skiff to explore the reef protecting the bay. Swim among the reef fish and around giant coral heads looking for lobster or dive for conch. Ask him to take you outside the reef for some exciting deep water experiences.
 * Curtis Creek - swim or paddle a canoe (talk with Shorty from the Baycaner and he'll be sure to let you use one of his canoes that he stores on the beach) through the mangroves to bone fish and see the amazing diversity of life including baby barracuda, sharks, sea turtles, rays, trumpet fish, etc., living in the tidal zone.
 * North Beaches - With good road access the North Beaches provide your typical Bahamian beach atmosphere with deserted white sand beaches looking out over crystal clear water and the reef break out in the distance.
 * Bone Fishing - many visitors to the island come for the excellent bone fishing.
 * Talk with Glen and "Zoom" to set up an island tour complete with wild almonds, coconuts, and native culture.
 * Floyd "Zoom" Farrington - bird watching, bone fishing, reef and diving adventures - 1(242)439-4171
 * Attend the weekly parties each Saturday afternoon at the airport to taste all types of local food, listen to a little reggae, play some dominoes, and experience being part of the Mayaguana family.

Eat
Mayaguana is a seafood paradise. Many types of tropical fish are caught fresh daily by the locals. Fresh conch and lobster from the reef also make a welcome addition to the rice, beans, and chicken that form a large part of the local diet.

Although the island farms are not producing to the extent of the past, the land is extremely fertile and locals grow limited amounts of their own watermelon, sweet potatoes, peanuts, corn, and peas as well as an assortment of other fresh fruit and vegetables.

Drink

 * Have a beer with the locals at Velva and Elvin's place in Pirates Well - 1(242)339-3068

Sleep
If you are interested in meeting and living with the locals (highly recommended!), you will get the experience if you decide to stay anywhere other than the Baycaner with its semblance of a "resort" type atmosphere - and even at the Baycaner you can obviously arrange opportunities to immerse yourself in the local community.

Stay safe
With its tiny population, everyone on the island knows everyone else and the entire island behaves as one large extended family, visitors included. The people of the Mayaguana family are some of the friendliest you will ever find. Doors are rarely if ever locked, and concern about safety will become an idea you only vaguely remember from home.

Go next

 * Inagua comprises the southernmost islands in the Bahamas
 * Turks and Caicos, a British Overseas Territory, lies southeast of Mayaguana

title: Mayaguana


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Mayagüez

Mayagüez is the largest city on the Western side of the island of Puerto Rico, in the Porta del Sol region. It has roughly 90,000 inhabitants (2010), plus a floating population of about 15,000, on weekdays, particularly when the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPR-M) is not in recess. In its heyday, Mayagüez was a major manufacturing center, particularly famous for food processing (tuna canning and beer). Besides being a college town, it has an industry mostly based on trade of goods and services. Tourists may use it as a base for exploring the western coast of Puerto Rico.

Get in

 * San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
 * Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
 * Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By car
Mayagüez is served by PR-2, a primary four-lane road that links San Juan and Ponce and passes through most towns in the northern, western, and southwestern coasts of Puerto Rico. Should you drive into it from the north, you'll enter the municipality through the bridge over the Río Grande de Añasco; from the south, you will enter town by driving past the Mayagüez Mall, right after the overpass that serves as the terminus to road PR-100, which leads to the resort town of Cabo Rojo.

Other roads link Mayagüez to smaller towns in the area. From the south, visitors can enter Mayagüez through road PR-102, a coastline road with a particularly scenic view of Mayagüez Bay, the city, and coastal towns such as Rincón.

By plane
International charter flights from Spain, Canada and the United Kingdom arrive at nearby Rafael Hernández Marín International Airport, , about north of Mayagüez.

By boat
You can travel by ferry from the Dominican Republic from the city's port. Please check schedules, since the ferry alternates arrivals and departures between Mayagüez and San Juan.

Get around
Mayagüez is a small city, roughly shaped like a crescent. Many of its landmarks are within walking distance of each other, but the location of some will demand that you use alternate means of transport. The downtown section roughly follows a grid pattern. The main thoroughfares of the grid are the Calle de La Candelaria (from west to east) and Calle Méndez Vigo (from east to west), which run parallel to each other. They are closest to each other near the town square, the Plaza de Colón (Christopher Columbus Square), whose four corners are still called Las Cuatro Esquinas by some older mayagüezanos. City Hall (whose bell tower is roughly modeled after New York's) and the local Roman Catholic cathedral, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria are located at opposite sides of the square. Slightly west of the city center the Avenida Ramón Emeterio Betances runs across the city from north to south. Towards the north, the Avenida Betances makes a sharp turn towards the northwest, becomes the Boulevard Alfonso Valdés Cobián, and borders part of UPR-M.

Towards the north of the city square you will find three residential subsections (barrios): Paris and Antonio de Balboa (working class) and the student district of Barcelona. South of the square you'll find the subsections of Salud, Santurce and Liceo, among others; towards the west you will find Mayagüez Playa, by now mostly a business district, and the barrios of Dulces Labios and Trastalleres. All these subdivisions are at least 100 years old, and many of their inhabitants have lived there for generations.

Public transportation is scarce. Parking is even more scarce. Parking meters abound in the downtown section, but parking laws are not consistently enforced. You are advised to cover your stay by using them, though; fines cost $25-250 depending on the infraction. There are private parking lots around town, whose hourly rates are relatively cheap (roughly $1/hr), but most are small, and many close by 5PM. Should you be staying at a downtown hotel you may be entitled to use a parking space at one of these for the night.

If you need to travel reliably through town your best bet is to book a taxi, which is relatively cheap compared to San Juan's (a drive within the downtown section is approximately $7). There are two taxi companies: Yellow Cab (just south of the Cathedral) and White Cab (on Calle José de Diego, two streets north of the Plaza de Colón)

There's a free municipal trolley which makes a short circuit between its terminal just north of City Hall and the Palacio de Recreación y Deportes, which has a large, free parking lot. It mostly runs 7AM-5PM.

If you are adventurous, you may walk to the Terminal de Carros Públicos and take a publico (fixed-route public car). Most likely you will have to wait until the vehicle is full of passengers before the driver departs. Most routes cover nearby towns as well as Mayagüez Urbano, defined roughly as the expanse covered by Betances Avenue, and PR-2 up to the Mayagüez Mall. The rides are cheap, but as the routes are fixed, please discuss your plans with the driver before boarding.

Travel by bicycle, although convenient, may be limited by the availability of parking facilities. Assume that, if you travel with one, you will have to lock and fasten your bike securely. Many drivers are not used to sharing the road with cyclists, although there is at least one dedicated bike trail on road PR-3108, near the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez.

See

 * University of Puerto Rico - The Mayagüez Campus is the college of Arts and Sciences. It has a renowned engineering school with companies recruiting graduates from the mainland United States.
 * The Roman Catholic Cathedral, Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, resides at the same spot where the founders of the city consecrated the town's first church in September 1760. The church has been rebuilt at least three times; the Cathedral in its current form was rededicated on New Year's Day, 2004. The latest remodeling was made to exacting requirements suggested by the then bishop (now bishop emeritus) Mons. Ulises Casiano Vargas. It features a main altar dedicated to the Holy Family and early events in the life of Jesus. It also features side altars to, among others, the Immaculate Conception, the Virgin of Perpetual Help, the Thrice Admirable Mother of Schoenstatt, and other venerated religious icons. It seats approximately 600 parishioners.
 * Visit the local parks: Parque de los proceres, Parque del tercer milenio.
 * Visit the museums: MuSA in the University of Puerto Rico and the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Museum in Rio Cañas area of the city.
 * Visit El Litoral, where Mayaguez 2010 took place.

Buy
Mayaguez is similar to most U.S. cities in that you will find multinational chain stores such as Sears, Wal-Mart, and KMart. Their presence, however, has determined that local commerce gravitate towards shopping malls and away from the city center.

The city's main shopping center is the Mayagüez Mall, at the southern edge of the city. The mall has about 100 stores; its anchor stores are Sears, JC Penney's and Wal-Mart. Two other large shopping centers are Western Plaza, at the northern side of the city (anchor stores are Home Depot, K-Mart and Sam's Club) and Mayagüez Town Center (whose larger retailer is Pueblo Supermarket)

Truly local to the town, however, are many eateries: Mayagüez and nearby Cabo Rojo are renowned for their gastronomy. There is also a once-a-month arts and crafts fair, set up on tents at the Plaza de Colón.

Eat
Mayagüez is known for its gastronomy: many popular Puerto Rican dishes and treats were either developed or popularized in town. Bread (French-style baguettes, and the local varieties pan soba(d)o and pan de agua) is the food staple Mayagüez is best known for. The Ricomini Bakery chain has by now become the best known provider, and its flagship store at Calle Mendez Vigo near the city's center (which dates from 1905) has become a popular meeting place for locals. It offers deli sandwiches, pastries, and local Puerto Rican fare.

Another revered institution, E. Franco y Co. (near the end of Calle Mendez Vigo) dates from 1850. Its jelly rolls ("brazo gitano", or Gypsy's Arm) are well known around Puerto Rico; they're sold in twelve flavor combinations (most popular are guava, Bavarian creme and cream cheese) and two sizes (the shorter one is sometimes called a "tuco gitano", or Gypsy's Stub). Franco also offers gourmet imports (particularly from Europe), deli sandwiches, and local Puerto Rican fare.

Another small eatery on Calle José De Diego also has a following: Siglo XX, known for its breakfast variety and reasonable prices. Siglo XX is favored by senior citizens and the many doctors whose offices line Calle De Diego. Further east, near the small Parque De Diego there is a Japanese-inspired restaurant, Bonsai, which opens four nights a week.

Before multinational ice cream eateries set camp in town, Mayagüez had two local establishments, named Rex Cream, which date from the early 1960s and still operate. One of them is just north of City Hall; the second one is relatively close at Calle Méndez Vigo. Their corn sherbet has a cult following; about twelve other fruit flavors are also served.

If you want pizza, there are two parlors at the Calle de la Candelaria that have a reputation for good value: Don Quijote and Sancho Panza. They are crowded quite often. (For a while there were three more eateries nearby with names taken from Don Quixote, and there was even talk about renaming the avenue after Miguel de Cervantes because of this.)

A small watering hole that offers wines, tapas and upscale fare is La Posada, at Calle Mendez Vigo.

Other establishments are:

If you prefer familiar fare, multinational chain restaurants such as Burger King, McDonald's, KFC, Taco Bell, Sizzler, Applebees, Krispy Kreme, Popeye's, and other can also be found here.

Drink
Mayagüez has the largest brewery in Puerto Rico: the Compañía Cervecera de Puerto Rico (CCPR), founded in 1937. Its flagship brand is Cerveza Medalla (Silver Key is another brand, and the company has plans to diversify its offerings in the future). The local brand is usually cheaper than imports, and it is decent enough to have deserved awards in Europe and New Zealand. A family business, CCPR sponsors the local baseball team, the Indios de Mayagüez (named after a revered former brand, Cerveza India) as well as various sport events and festivals through Puerto Rico.

Occasionally the CCPR also hosts events of its own, particularly their Yellow Pass events near the start of the University of Puerto Rico's start of term (late August), near Halloween (late October), and during the summer. International DJs such as Tiesto and Armin Van Buuren have been featured in some of these.

Another revered alcoholic concoction is Sangría de Fido. The heirs of Wilfrido "Fido" Aponte still bottle it: a powerful concoction inspired on sangria, but actually made with fruit juices, Bacardi 151 rum and burgundy-style wine (produced by E & J Gallo Winery in Modesto, California). It used to nri bottled by hand by the bartender in the mid-1970s, "Sangría de Fido" has a sizeable reputation outside Puerto Rico, and can claim tasters from as far away as California and Spain. E & J Gallo once awarded Aponte with a "Customer of the Year" award and flew him to their headquarters. (Aponte was reportedly offered $250,000 by Bacardi to sell his original recipe once, to which he refused.) The heirs have set up a small lounge at Calle Dulievre, in the Balboa subsection of town, very close to Aponte's original watering hole.

Sleep
Lodging in Puerto Rico tends to be more expensive than its value. There are alternatives for every budget, although not as many as you would expect.

Consulates

 * 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic

Go next
The nearby towns of Rincón, Añasco & Isabela offer beautiful beaches, surfing and accommodations. Head south to the bioluminescent bay at La Parguera.

title: Mayagüez


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Mayan Riviera

The Mayan Riviera (sometimes called Riviera Maya) is composed of the area just south of the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. It stretches along 120 km (75 miles) of the Mexican Caribbean coastline in the southeastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Weather is ideal, beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue waters make for a perfect vacation destination. Some marketers define the area to exclude Cancun because Cancun is more urban and has highly developed resorts that are densely clustered along the beach. Most destinations in the Mayan Rivera are smaller and sometimes more secluded. They include the seaside village of Puerto Morelos as well as places like Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, and Tulum. The Mayan Riviera ends about midway down the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve where the Costa Maya continues south to the border of Belize.

Cities
The major cities of the Mayan Riviera are:

Other destinations
Along the Mayan Riviera you will find at least four Eco Theme Parks. In other countries, like the USA, parks like these are usually provided and maintained by the State. In Mexico, concessions are granted to commercial interests to develop, maintain and profit (commercial) from these enterprises. This does not make them any less attractive, and provides much needed employment. The parks are located in protected bays, usually with stone, rather than sand under the water, this is not uncomfortable and makes for very clear, blue water. These bays or inlets are somewhat shallow, but flushed on a regular basis by the tides, making for much cleaner water than you find around resorts or municipal areas. You can rent snorkel equipment, inner tubes, rafts and such. These parks are excellent places to take a break from a day of exploring or driving in this warmer climate. Fish are plentyful and can be seen all around you. Avoid being in the middle of a feeding frenzy when someone buys and throws fish food into the water. Using Cheese Whiz works well, but brings in bigger fish, who may nip at the fingers, so count that idea out.

The first three parks below (Xcaret, Zel-Ha and Xplor) belong to the same company. Expect entrance fees around $100, more if you want to include the most exciting attractions or the evening show. Discounts can be had if you buy multi-park packages.

 * Xcaret. Set in a beautiful bayside location, this eco-archaeological park focuses on Mayan culture, with a restored Mayan archaeological site, traditional dance shows and a recreation of a Mayan village. The park has a host of other attractions as well, including a jaguar exhibit, a deer refuge, a regional wildlife farm, butterfly breeding facilities, a coral aquarium, a marine turtle conservation program, a wide range of flora, and opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.
 * Xel-Ha is an ecological theme park or natural aquarium. Here you can swim with dolphins, see sea turtles, bicycle, snorkel, cliff-dive, and scuba. If you choose to scuba you will get to pet stingrays and see larger fish. This park is quite large, so bring good shoes to walk up river, you bag your dry belongings and they will be driven back to the main area. There is a buffet restaurant and free drinks as part of the park entry-fee, as well as snorkel equipment and rafts.
 * Xplor. This nature park has a number of limestone caves, grottos and underground rivers for exploring on foot, on rafts, in amphibious vehicles, or by swimming. There are also some above-ground adventures to be had, including a 2.9-km-long adventure (1.8 mi) whizzing you through the trees on 11 ziplines.
 * Aviario Xaman-Ha is a beautiful Aviary where you will find different species, not just birds, other animal species like the butterflies, iguanas, turtles and small mammals. The animals and plants that live here are in their natural habitat and they live in semi-captivity. There are endemic, threatened and endangered species.
 * Tres Rios Nature Park is an ecological park in the Riviera Maya located inside the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort where three rivers converge and flow into the Caribbean Sea. The eco-friendly environment stretches across 132 ha (326 acres) of lowland jungles and subtropical mangroves. The nature park is an untainted and protected nature reserve that offers tourist the opportunity to kayak, snorkel, swim, bicycle and dive, while interacting and connecting with nature in unique and uncultivated ways.

Archaeological sites

 * Tulum is the most popular Mayan site along the Mayan Riviera site with a beautiful seaside location
 * Coba is the largest Mayan site in the region, it is a few miles west of Tulum
 * San Gervasio is a small site on the island of Cozumel
 * Muyil is a small site in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Understand
Due to the construction of Cancún International Airport, this has become a popular and fairly inexpensive area to visit. You can fly in, pick up a car and explore the Yucatán Peninsula very easily. Most who visit the Mayan Riviera are staying at all inclusive resorts and are transferred from the airport to the resort along this path by bus or shuttle to their accommodations. It is a wonderful place for families or single visitors to visit. Tourism is the main industry and visitors are treated very well (almost too well). If you never leave the resort, you will likely be quite happy. If you choose to explore, it is a 120-km (75-mile) road, so be home by dark.

Talk
The official language is Spanish, like in the rest of the country. In the tourist areas, many locals also speak English, and some others French, German and Italian, as this area receives tourism from those places. However, some locals trace their heritage to the Mayans who settled the area before the arrival of the Spanish. The present-day Mayans tend to live inland and speak little Spanish. Mayan languages are very much still alive and even people in the tourist industry of Mayan heritage may speak them. While trying to speak a few words of one of these languages will certainly impress people, they invariably also speak Spanish and are just as happy to converse in that language with you.

By plane
The nearest international airport to the Mayan Riviera is Cancún International Airport, the second busiest airport in Mexico. The airport receives international flyers from most large Western Hemisphere airports and several major European gateways, though there are no non-stop flights to Asia or Australia.

A more convenient airport for many parts of the Mayan Riviera is the new Tulum International Airport, which opened in December 2023. It is initially serving only domestic flights but international flights are expected to begin in early 2024.

Travelers to Playa del Carmen or the southern end of the Mayan Riviera may find it convenient to fly to Cozumel Intnernational Airport. High-speed ferries connect the island of Cozumel to the Playa del Carmen on the mainland.

Once you arrive, you have a few options to get to your destination. There are several rental car agencies at the airport, or you get a taxi from the airport. (It's a good idea to agree upon a fare inside the airport terminal with one of the taxi providers, before heading out to an individual taxi.) There are also private transportation services that can be pre-booked directly, or that your hotel can help arrange. There is also service from the bus company ADO, which will be the cheapest option. (Check ahead of your flight to ensure bus timetables match your arrival / departure times, as they can be limited.) ADO buses serve all four terminals in the Cancun airport.

By bus
While Mexico boasts among the most comfortable buses in the world, a long distance bus ride from Mexico City to Yucatan, while possible, won't be much cheaper than a flight. However, if you are already anywhere in the Yucatan Peninsula, taking a bus becomes the vastly preferable option. ADO is the largest bus operator in the region with stations in Cancun, the Cancun Airport, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

By train
Quintana Roo is a major focus area for the new Tren Maya intercity rail service. The railway's largest station is Cancún International Airport. Other stations along the Mayan Riviera will open in early 2024, these include Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Tickets and information about services are available on the official Tren Maya web site.

By car
The major cities, such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen offer many car rental agencies. North American drivers will feel at home on the road here, despite some drivers' quirks. For example, on the main two-lane highway along the Riviera, it is common courtesy for slower drivers to pull over onto the shoulder to let faster drivers pass.

Rent a car at the Cancun airport. Playa del Carmen is roughly 45 minutes from the airport. Tulum is another 45 minutes. After passing through Playa del Carmen, the main highway (Rte 307) turns from a modern 4-lane highway into a "two and a half" lane highway. There are two regular lanes and an extra-wide shoulder to allow slower vehicles to pull over to let faster vehicles pass.

From the city of Tulum, the Boca Paiala road provides access to the beach-side hotels and areas further south, such as Punta Allen. This dirt road, if not freshly resurfaced, has massive potholes (commonly wider than a car). It is passable with a VW bug or a scooter, but the trip will be much more arduous than if travelled with a Jeep or other SUV/truck.

By collective van
Many collectivos (also called combis or peseros) run between the major cities and offer cheap transportation for local workers and budget-minded tourists. The collectivos run between the major cities like Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The thing to remember is that none go directly from one extreme to the other. If you are in Puerto Morelos (in the north) and you want to go to Tulum (in the south) you will go out to the southbound side of the highway and wait for the collective that will take you to Playa del Carmen and then change to another collectivo to get to Tulum (or Felipe Carillo Puerto). There are direct collectivos to go from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, or Playa del Carmen to Tulum, and of course the reverse. The collectivos stop frequently along the way to pick up and drop off passengers so a trip can take twice as long as a direct bus.

By bus
From the bus stations you can find first class bus service from bus station to bus station as well as limited bus service to the Cancun International Airport. ADO is one of the largest national providers of first class and luxury bus transportation and they are the major bus company in the Yucatan region. ADO has routes from Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum to most major cities, including Merida, Chetumal, and Mahajual. Travel within the region is frequently on the Mayab or Oriente bus lines, which are often just as new and comfortable as the first-class ADO buses. Mayab and Oriente are owned by ADO and buses depart from ADO bus terminals.

See

 * Mayan ruins at Tulum - right next to a beach where you can swim. While many people just go to the beach and do nothing else. A Mayan museum is in Cancun. Coba is the largest Maya site in the Mayan Riviera.
 * Cenotes (Karst caves with underground rivers and lakes). There are hundreds of these in the Mayan Riviera and Puerto Morelos is the start of an official itinerary called the Ruta de Cenotes that visits several of them.
 * Mesoamerican Reef is the second largest reef in the world. It lies just off shore along the entire Mayan Riviera. Dive shops offer scuba and snorkeling trips to see the reefs.

Do

 * Rio Secreto, discover one of the most incredible natural marvels found in the Riviera Maya. Rio Secreto is an underground labyrinth of endless passageways formed by ageless geological processes. Be transformed by this ancient, magical subterranean world that until now has remained unexplored for millions of years.
 * Snorkeling, A popular activity and many beach-side dive shops rent equipment for US$7-10. Even though all beaches in Mexico are public, some require fees to enter and use the facilities. Beaches with a rocky limestone shoreline on the west coast are the best for snorkeling or shore dives, less sand is disturbed and so visibility and coral growth are better.
 * Kitesurfing, Kitesurf the beaches of Tulum in Playa Paraiso and Puerta del Cielo, also Playa del Carmen at the Sandos Playacar and Coco Beach.

Eat
The Mayan Riviera is filled with all-inclusive hotels where the types of food varies from day to day, but you can count on a variety of international dishes from Italian, Argentine, and Continental as well as local Mexican dishes. There is nothing like getting out and tasting the local flavors, which you won't get in the all-inclusive hotel restaurants. Yucatan has a cuisine all its own and of course cities like Playa Del Carmen or Cancun enjoy a melting pot of both Mexican and International cultures who each bring their own flavors to their restaurants. You can find intimate restaurants with French or Italian cuisine dotting the city as well as Argentine steakhouses, and almost everywhere you will find typical American foods as well as Mexican food.

Drink
Beer is by far the most popular drink in the Mayan Riviera and there are several small artesanal craft breweries that can satisfy a traveler's taste for robust, full-flavored beers. New brewpubs open regularly and keeping a complete list up-to-date would be difficult, but here are a few of the local craft beers to start your beer-hunting journey:
 * Cerveceria Tulum (in Tulum on MEX 307 at km 230) - mostly light-bodied ales including a golden ale, pale ale, and brown ale
 * Cerveceria Akumal (in Playa del Carmen at Calle 38 y Av. 1) - hop-heads will enjoy the IPA and probably the American pale ale too, though their English robust porter is the maltiest and tastiest of the bunch
 * Puerto Juarez Brewery (in Cancun at Puerto Juarez waterfront, Calle 51 #85) - Couple different IPAs, a lighter golden ale and a sour saison, seasonal offerings may vary
 * Chela de Playa (in Playa del Carmen at E Nte. 17, Mundo Hábitat) - Microbrewery (not a brewpub) with hippie atmosphere and an assortment of ales, from IPA to a light poundable wheat beer

The traditional beers of the entire Yucatan peninsula are Montejo and Leon, both brewed by Modelo in the Yucatan. Montejo is a basic light lager and Leon (also known as Negra Leon or Leon Negra) is an amber colored lager that Texans will find similar to Shiner Bock. Not exactly bold, but they don't offend mainstream drinkers.

There are three liquers that you'll find along the Mayan Riviera that you may not be able to find elsewhere. All are worth trying if you run across them:
 * Balche - unusual drink found only in the Yucatan, made from melipona honey and the bark of the balché tree (Lonchocarpus violaceus). Used by the Maya for ceremonial rituals.
 * Xtabentun - unusual drink that is worth seeking out because it's generally not exported. Traditional Mayan liquer made from xtabentum honey and flavored with anise. The Mayans say it has hallucinogenic properties, but they're probably just trying to sell more Xtabnetun.
 * Kalani - coconut and rum liquer that's typically blended in cocktails

Stay safe
The majority of the swimming is done at pools located at the resorts. If you venture into the water along the shore, be prepared for large waves and rip-tides. It is not uncommon for there to be no lifeguards at the beach. The eco-parks tend to have better areas for one to swim, unless you prefer a pool. They are located in sheltered bays, with clear, clean water.

You should take care when driving: you will be sharing the road with cars, trucks, cattle and people. Take care and use caution and you should be fine. Driving after dark is a bad idea. Too many ways to have problems! The Policia are friendly, treat them with respect. Plan on being stopped at state borders and your vehicle may be searched. Just go along with it. The Federal Police patrol the area and they are a serious bunch. Be polite with them and do not photograph them, any military vehicles or establishments.

Due to problems in the past, spring breakers are not the favorite visitors with law enforcement. Don't push their buttons. Behave like an adult and you will have few problems. Behave like a drunken fool, and you may regret it, for a long time. Same goes for most places.

Go next

 * Costa Maya
 * Mahahual
 * Belize
 * Cozumel
 * Guatemala
 * Isla Mujeres

title: Mayan Riviera