Mauritius is an island nation which is known for its stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts. In this article, we will unveil three hidden gems in Mauritius that you will undoubtedly wish you had seen earlier.
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Pont Naturel
Located in Gris-Gris in the south of the island, Pont Naturel which has a French name and meaning Natural Bridge in English is not known to many tourists. The volcanic rock formation is impressive in itself but when this is combined with the whistling sound that the wind makes as it blows through the holes on the bridge, your sense of sound will definitely thank you for the visit.
I remember initially not really looking forward to this trip but as our taxi driver picked us up from the hotel, his mauritian charms involuntarily made us want to see this. When his curiosity got the better of him and we started talking about how driving in the US seemed less chaotic than the island roads here, I realised the oral driving test in Mauritius was essentially the same thing us Americans had to undergo before getting our car licence. It was just slightly different in format with a somehow weird naming to it.
Marie Reine de La Paix
While this may have been the best hanging out spot for the locals in the 90s, most people are now seen in shopping malls like Caudan or Bagatelle. However, when you look carefully at the artwork of all those stone stairs leading up to the statue of the Queen of Peace, that is undeniably stunning in its own right. Once buzzing with merchants selling roasted peanuts and pickled fruits, this is now more quiet but in a good way.
Once at the top, you can see sit down and take it easy. The sea is in view to the left, and right in front of it, Port-Louis, the capital of the country, manifests itself in a very daring way. Don’t forget to bring some snacks when you go up there as you could be there for a while.
Le Morne Viewpoint
Did we save the best for last? I don’t think so. There are so many beautiful places to see but this one is just magnificent. You are basically at the edge of the island and you can make out the contour; this gives you a different kind of sensation as you realise how small the country really is. Standing there, you can see the beautiful lagoon glistening in the warm sun. Your sense of right and left gives you imagery indication of different directions to the route, each leading to unique experiences in terms of flora and fauna.
Don’t forget to bring a drone if you have one as aerial views are absolutely spectacular here. You may need to watch out for strong winds but if luck is on your side, you may see stingrays looking for food close to the shore.
Also read: Gorilla Safaris: Do You Need It? This Will Help You Decide!
All in All
The best way to experience Mauritius is by renting a car as taxis can cost quite a lot for frequent trips. You get the freedom on what time to leave and come back and it will allow you to get to more places like waterfalls (Rochester Falls is a must), hiking on the mountains (Pieter Both is exilarating) and sandy beaches like Pereybere (near Grand Baie in the north).
So don’t just look at popular tourist attractions as you may miss out on more satisfying experiences.