Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Orientation
Port Louis is divided by Mauritius' only motorway, which runs by the harbour and Le
Caudan Waterfront. The Caudan side is a sanitised city with smart shops and bars, while
the vast majority of the city - dirty, colourful, chaotic - is on the other side of the road.
The two are connected by at least two underground walkways, one next to the Mauritius
Postal Museum that connects to the northwestern end of Sir William Newton St and the
other in Le Caudan itself.
Port Louis' two main bus stations are located either side of the city centre, each a few
minutes' walk from Place d'Armes. Arriving from the airport, you'll be dropped at the
more southerly Victoria Sq bus station.
Information
DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Port Louis is a city with a big underclass and as such is not safe at night. After dark all
travellers should stick to well-lit main streets and avoid the Jardins de la Compagnie
(
Click here
)
, a favoured hangout for all manner of unsavoury types. If you don't know
your exact route, take a taxi.
During the daytime it's a very safe city but beware of pickpockets anywhere, particu-
larly in the market and around the bus stations.
EMERGENCY
Ambulance
(
114)
Fire services
(
995)
Police
(
emergency 999, headquarters 203 1212; Line Barracks, Lord Kitchener St)
MEDICAL SERVICES
Dr Jeetoo Hospital
( 212 3201; Volcy Pougnet St)
Provides 24-hour medical and dental treatment
and has a 24-hour pharmacy. Staff speak English and French.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Head to
Lonely Planet
(
www.lonelyplanet.com/mauritius/port-louis
)
for planning advice, author recom-
mendations, traveller reviews and insider tips.
Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority
(MTPA; 210 1545;
www.tourism-mauritius.mu
; St Louis St, 4-5th fl,
Victoria House; 9am-4pm Mon-Fri, 9am-noon Sat)
Distributes maps of Port Louis and Mauritius,
and can advise on car hire, excursions and hotels throughout the country.
