The 8 Best Places to Live in Mauritius (100% livable cities)

Best Place to Live in Mauritius for YOU

Here are the best cities to live in Mauritius, according to what you’re looking for.

So, here’s the answer to “Where to live in Mauritius?”. To get more details about these places and discover the pros & cons of each of them, keep reading! 

That’s me having fun in Grand Baie at sunset

Cheapest Place to Live in Mauritius: Curepipe

• Average living cost: $  
• City size: about 84k people
• Expat presence: medium 
• Who’s it for: expats, outdoor lovers 

Curepipe is located in the center of Mauritius, about 20 kilometers south of the capital. The town’s elevated position results in a cooler and wetter climate than the coastal regions. While this can be a concern during the winter, it becomes an incomparable advantage during the summer, offering relief from the country’s high temperatures.

The town is well-equipped, with very good schools and all the amenities you could need. Locally, Curepipe is mainly known for its factory outlet and duty-free stores, making it a hotspot for locals seeking bargains. But the town’s most interesting feature is its extinct volcano, Trou aux Cerfs, which provides a surprising and unique view from its summit.

Curepipe is very charming, thanks to its few colonial houses, and its very green surroundings make for a quieter lifestyle than elsewhere with lots of opportunities for outdoor activities, such as hiking and nature walks. 

Safest Place to Live in Mauritius: Goodlands

Chuckas_McFly / CC BY-NC-ND

• Average living cost: $$
• City size: 21k people
• Expat presence: low
• Who’s it for: solo travelers, outdoor lovers  

In the charming village of Goodlands, situated in the northernmost part of the island, you’ll find yourself immersed in the nostalgic essence of old Mauritius, experiencing the warmth of a typical village where everyone is familiar with one another providing incomparable safety.

Although it’s a village, Goodlands is a melting pot of cultures, boasting a diverse population that allows to embrace a rich blend of traditions, religions, and cuisines. In terms of facilities, the village has its fair share of markets, transport services, restaurants, and even a casino.

Among the village’s attractions is the market, authentic with plenty of tropical colors and flavors, and offering truly affordable prices. The Demeure Saint-Antoine colonial house and Historic Marine are also worth visiting.

With its favorable location, Goodlands provides quick access to both the sea and the mainland, offering swift journeys to the island’s main sights like Pereybere Beach or La Cuvette. 

Best Place for Expats to Live in Mauritius: Moka

• Average living cost: $$$$
• City size: 9.5k people
• Expat presence: medium
• Who’s it for: expats, students, families 

Located in the center of Mauritius, just 15 min from the capital Port-Louis and 10 min from Ebène, Moka is a prime urban destination offering exceptional quality of life, especially for workers. It’s the best city in Mauritius if you’re an urban and keep beach and nature for the weekends.  

Moka is a lively city, with plenty to do: sports clubs, cultural events, shopping malls, boutiques… it’s impossible to get bored. And unlike Port-Louis, Moka is just as lively by day as it is by night, with lots of restaurants and bars.

Embracing sustainability and environmental consciousness, Moka has positioned itself at the forefront of green urban development, setting an example for the island. The town is also a Smart City since 2017, providing lots of job opportunities and attracting investors from all over the world. Definitely a great city for living and working in Mauritius. 

Best Place to Live in Mauritius for Families: Beau Bassin-Rose Hill

• Average living cost: $$$
• City size:  111.3k people
• Expat presence: high
• Who’s it for: expats, families 

Beau Bassin-Rose Hill is one of the largest residential towns in Mauritius, around 25 min from Port-Louis and 20 min from Moka Smart City, ideal for those who come to work and live in Mauritius with their families. It was born from the merger of 2 formerly separate towns, Beau Bassin and Rose Hill.

Given its size and population, the town has all the infrastructure (hospitals, banks, swimming pool, theater, etc.) needed to live comfortably without having to travel too far. Schools are plentiful and education is of a high standard, for example at St. Andrew’s School or St Marys College.

Beau Bassin-Rose Hill benefits from the cool breezes of the Moka Mountains, so the climate is slightly more pleasant than elsewhere. Its position in the central-western part of the island provides easy access to the coast, the nearest beach being Albion, some 8 kilometers away.

Best Area to Live in Mauritius for Retirement: Grand Baie

• Average living cost: $$$$ 
• City size:  11.5k people
• Expat presence: high
• Who’s it for: retirees, night owls, expats 

If you’re thinking of moving to Mauritius for your retirement, well look further: Grand Baie is the place to be! 

Grand Baie is located on the north coast of the island and is known as a major tourist hub with a plethora of hotels, restaurants, bars, and boutiques offering a dynamic lifestyle and attracting both international and local tourists. But that doesn’t mean you can’t relax here – quite the contrary!

First of all, the expatriate community here is strong and numerous, making it ideal for networking and making friends (which is pretty important when you’re planning to spend your golden years here!). On the other hand, as you might guess, living here is quite expensive, so you’ll need careful financial planning before making relocating.

Grand Baie has exactly what you’re looking for when you come to Mauritius: long stretches of pristine white sandy beaches and lagoons bordered by intense turquoise-blue waters unlike any other in Mauritius. It’s a true paradise on earth, and the climate is perfect, with hot summers and almost non-existent winters.

If from time to time you’d like to immerse yourself more in the local culture, just head a little further north to Cap Malheureux, a beautiful little fishing village.

Best Place to Live in Mauritius for a Local Experience: Quatre Bornes

• Average living cost: $$ 
• City size:  81k people
• Expat presence: low
• Who’s it for: families, expats 

Quatre Bornes is located inland, between Beau Bassin-Rose Hill and Vacoas, and at equal distance from the capital city and Flic-en-Flac (the best closest seaside resort). It boasts exceptional weather, perfect all year round, making it a highly sought-after sector. 

The city is large and has several distinct neighborhoods, each with its own atmosphere. Sodnac, for example, is the chic residential district of Quatre Bornes.

There, you’ll find a wide range of shops, including a fairground and a fabric market, the city’s main interest with its colorful stalls of fabrics and clothes. This authentic and renowned market stands as one of the largest on the island, drawing locals (and some tourists) who gather here every Thursday and Sunday. There are also many good places to indulge in the flavors of Mauritian gastronomy among the many shops available there. 

And if you’re a nature lover, Quatre Bornes is the ideal starting point for off-the-beaten-track hiking trails in the surroundings. 

Best Place to Live in Mauritius for Digital Nomads: Tamarin

• Average living cost: $$$ 
• City size:  3.8k people
• Expat presence: high
• Who’s it for: digital nomads, retirees, outdoor lovers   

Tamarin, situated on the west coast, is a charming coastal town known for its picturesque beauty and stunning beaches. Its reputation as a surfing paradise attracts water sports enthusiasts and surfers from all corners of the globe.

Compared to more bustling urban areas, Tamarin offers a peaceful and laid-back environment, ideal for people looking for calm and a slower pace of life, close to nature. The town is indeed located close to some stunning natural gems including Black River Gorges National Park, Chamarel Seven Colored Park, and the famous peak of Le Morne. 

With these exceptional features, you can already understand why Tamarin is popular among tourists and foreigners relocating to Mauritius. The expat community is important, so socializing shouldn’t be a problem. 

There are several stores, supermarkets cafés, restaurants, and bars but it’s rather quiet at night and you would need to go to other cities for some services. Prices are however slightly less expensive than in other comparable towns.      

Best Place to Live in Mauritius for Nightlife: Flic en Flac

• Average living cost: $$$
• City size:  2k people
• Expat presence: high
• Who’s it for: night owls, digital nomads, outdoor lovers, expats

This quaint fishing village on the west coast of Mauritius is the second most important seaside resort after Grand Baie.

Flic-en-Flac is stunningly beautiful, especially its very, very long beach of white sand and warm, crystalline waters overlooking Tamarin. Fans of scuba diving and other water sports love this beach for its rich seabed. Dolphins are also numerous on this part of the island and can be discovered on a boat trip.

Of course, hotels, bars, and restaurants (and therefore tourists) are plentiful in Flic en Flac. And it’s particularly lively at night, with lots of nightclubs open until the wee hours. 

Although very touristy, Flic en Flac offers an excellent quality of life, with plenty of shops and convenient infrastructure nearby. The cost of living is, of course, higher than the Mauritius standard of living, but surprisingly slightly more affordable than in Grand Baie. 

Port-Louis, Mauritius’ capital city

FAQ About Living in Mauritius 

Is Mauritius a good place to live? 

Yes, Mauritius is often considered a fantastic place to live.

The living conditions here are simply outstanding: a warm, pleasant climate all year round, some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, a very green environment offering a whole host of outdoor activities close at hand wherever you are on the island, and delicious gastronomy. Seriously, if there’s a paradise on earth, it must be Mauritius.

Apart from the country’s natural beauty, there are some practical ones too, making Mauritius an ideal place to expatriate. Here are a few of them: 

1. Language: English is an official language of Mauritius and is widely spoken by the majority of locals, so you should have no trouble communicating or socializing. But French, another official language, is more spoken. 
2. Safety: the country is known for being safe, with a low crime rate.  
3. Favorable tax system: tax system in Mauritius is competitive with several benefits, which attract investors and individuals.  
4. Stable economy: Mauritius boasts a robust and thriving economy, presenting a wide array of business, employment, and investment opportunities.

No doubt there are even more great reasons to choose Mauritius as your home, but these are just a glimpse.

Of course, like anywhere else in the world, there are some aspects that you might dislike such as occasional power/water cuts, the awful traffic congestion, or the Mauritius driving style, etc. But it’s all about finding the right balance and weighing the pros and cons before making your decision. But Maurice has definitely far more advantages than disadvantages, that’s for sure! 

What is the cost of living in Mauritius? 

The cost of living in Mauritius is lower compared to some countries with a similar standard of living, but it remains that of a country that has to import practically everything. 

1. Housing: the cost varies depending on the area. But for example, the monthly rent for a 3-bedroom house in Flic en Flac would be around 850 USD. The utilities costs also vary, but count about 20-30 USD per month for 1 person. 
2. Groceries: food is expensive, count about 200 USD per month per person. 
3. Transportation: having a car in Mauritius is not optional as public transportation is very limited. The cost depends on several factors, but it’s expensive given that all cars are imported. Gasoline is about 1.5-2 USD/liter. 

Hope you’ve found where is the best place to live in Mauritius for you thanks to this guide. If you liked it, don’t hesitate to comment below, I love reading your feedback! 😉