Mauritius customs / immigration times – recent experience?

[Greg]

If anybody is in Mauritius now, can you let us know how long it takes to get through customs / health checks, given the number of passengers requiring PCR tests on arrival? Thank you

• This topic was modified 54 years, 4 months ago by .

[Tracy100]

I’ve just returned. If you’re staying at an approved hotel you won’t be tested by until you get to the hotel. Only those staying in other accommodation are tested at the airport. We were off the plane and on our way to our accommodation in about 30 minutes including collecting our bags. Have a lovely time.

• This reply was modified 54 years, 4 months ago by .

[pbcold]

Thank you – this is so useful to know. Did you have any issues beforehand or were you able to upload tests etc easily?

[can]

I don’t think this topic should be in the daily chat category

[supergraeme]

We went six weeks ago and sailed through – it was exactly as Tracy said.

We had no issues and were able to complete all the forms easy enough. The day 1/day 5 lateral flows were a tiny bit of a concern but they were fine and the hotel said they’d had no positive cases.

[ambient]

Arrived in Mauritius last Thursday, as others said, 30 mins or less through the airport. Just make sure you have all your documentation to hand.

Testing will be done at every hotel you stay at on Day 0 and Day 5. Much stronger general mask mandate here, and you’ll be temperature checked at virtually every establishment you enter. Some ask for proof of the vaccination upon entry too – we’ve had no problems using our NHS Covid Pass.

All in all very easy. Enjoy your holiday.

[idontfly]

Is the Holiday Inn by the airport covered by this ‘approved hotel’ list, any idea if the list is online? many thanks

[Tracy100]

I stayed at the Intercontinental and they tested us on day 0 and day 5. They charged about £5 per test. I emailed them before I went to check costs for tests and what would happen if we tested positive. The requirement for a LFT before coming home was introduced whilst we were there and they arranged for our tests to be carried out at the hotel and we had the required written confirmation within 2 hours. The cost was about £20 each.

[Greg]

Is the Holiday Inn by the airport covered by this ‘approved hotel’ list, any idea if the list is online?

I filled in my Mauritian locator form last night and there is a drop-down of all the relevant hotels. We are staying at an apartment so will need to test on arrival and self test later, but the list seemed exhaustive. I guess Holiday Inn will be among them, but the list is there.

If it is not listed, you need to tick “my hotel is not listed”

[pbcold]

Thank you Tracy, this is extremely useful. How was the Intercontinental? I`m hoping to be there over New Year.

[Tracy100]

I booked the Intercontinental as I had a mixture of credit card nights and points. It’s a nice hotel but a bit isolated for me – there is literally no where to walk so you’re very much a captive audience. With hindsight I would have split my stay across two hotels. We did explore the island with a driver and this was about £60 per day. If you like wildlife I recommend birdwatching in the Ebony Forest and the dolphins in Tamarin Bay.

• This reply was modified 54 years, 4 months ago by .

[idontfly]

We are staying in a hotel for a few days when we first arrive, then a BnB on Day 5. Can we avoid airport PCR in this case? i.e. just do antigen with hotel on Day 0 and self test on Day 5? Does anyone know? Thanks.

[pbcold]

Apologies for elementary question but is my proof of double jab and locator form barcode really ALL I need before flying to MRU? Thanks.

[ambient]

pbcold wrote:

Apologies for elementary question but is my proof of double jab and locator form barcode really ALL I need before flying to MRU? Thanks.

You need some kind of proof with you that your travel insurance will cover you for Covid medical expenses whilst in the country, in the unlikely event (of course) of that materialising.

[pbcold]

That`s easily done – thanks so much for your reply.

[Tracy100]

You also need a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours.

[pbcold]

Thank you very much indeed Tracy. By the way, are you aware of any Spire or Ambassador benefits being extended to guests at the Intercontinental? Thanks again.

[Tracy100]

Sorry about the delay in replying. I considered joining the Ambassador Programme but got an upgrade to a jacuzzi room in any event so I thought I’d save it for another time. They also gave me a 6pm late checkout so they treated us well. I’m Spire.

[pbcold]

Many thanks Tracy.