Celebrating Christmas and New Year in Mauritius: atmosphere, prices and tips
Updated: December 2023
December in Mauritius: high season in full swing
December-January is peak high season in Mauritius. Hotels have been fully booked for months. Prices soar. Beaches fill up. And paradoxically, it’s one of the liveliest and most festive times on the island.
If you’re considering spending Christmas or New Year in Mauritius — or wondering whether it’s a good idea — here’s what you need to know, with no sugar-coating on the prices and with concrete tips to help the magic truly happen.
At a glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Where | The whole island, with an extra festive buzz in Grand Baie, Flic-en-Flac and Port Louis for New Year’s Eve |
| Budget (2 people, 1 week) | About €3,500-5,000 all-in for mid-range accommodation |
| Climate | Hot, humid austral summer, 28-32°C, start of cyclone season |
| How to book | Ideally 4-6 months ahead for flights and hotels |
| Best alternative timing | Late November or early January, prices still high but fewer crowds |
Year-end seasonality: what varies month by month
| Period | Prices | Crowds | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late November | High, rising | Moderate | Hot, still dry in places |
| 15-24 December | Very high | Heavy | Hot and humid, possible storms |
| 25 Dec - 2 Jan | Peak of the year | Peak | Hot and humid, heart of cyclone season to watch |
| Early-mid January | High, falling | Heavy to moderate | Hot, humid, cyclone risk present |
To track the climate risk over this period, our guide to cyclones in Mauritius and our article on cyclone season — should you still go? explain what to check before booking.
The Christmas atmosphere in Mauritius
The first surprise for French travellers: it’s hot at Christmas. Very hot. 28 to 32 degrees, blazing sun, tropical humidity. No sweaters, no mulled wine, no chance of snow.
That may sound obvious when put like that, but the psychological shift is real. Many travellers feel slightly thrown off in the first few days by a Christmas without the usual markers. Then they relax, and that’s when the magic of Christmas in Mauritius starts to work.
The decorations: contrary to what you might fear, Mauritius decorates for Christmas with real enthusiasm. Shopping centres, hotels and even villages sport artificial trees, fairy lights and snow-white plastic Santas under a tropical sun. The mismatch between the decorations and the climate is amusing, sometimes kitsch, but always warm-hearted.
The religious dimension: Mauritius is a multicultural island where Catholics, Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists all live side by side. Christmas is a Christian holiday, but its social and festive dimension goes well beyond religious boundaries. Hindu and Muslim families join in Christmas lunches and exchange gifts. It’s a syncretic, open Christmas that perfectly reflects the Mauritian spirit.
Midnight Mass: in the coastal villages of Mahébourg, Grand Baie or Tamarin, midnight Christmas Mass is a moment of real atmosphere. Creole churches decked in tropical flowers, choirs singing carols in Kreol, the fellowship uniting parishioners under the coconut palms — it’s a deeply moving experience, even for non-believers. The Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice church in Cap Malheureux, with its red roof and view over Coin de Mire, is one of the loveliest for this occasion.
Where to spend Christmas depending on your trip
With children
Families with children will find what they’re looking for in the big resorts of the north and west coasts. Establishments in Trou aux Biches, Belle Mare and Bel Ombre offer special holiday kids’ programmes, Creole entertainment, beach fireworks and Christmas lunches with Santa.
Our guide to family activities in Mauritius and our family itinerary cover the best options for a successful Christmas with children.
As a couple for the holidays
For couples, Christmas in Mauritius is a romantic experience. Deserted beaches early on Christmas morning, with just the sound of the waves and an endless horizon, have something magical about them. The luxury resorts of Le Morne and Bel Ombre offer special holiday packages including spa treatments, candlelit dinners and sunset on the beach.
For a dream Christmas as a couple, our guide to couple activities in Mauritius and our honeymoon itinerary include suggestions specific to the holiday season.
For travellers on a tight budget
Spending Christmas in Mauritius without breaking the bank is possible, but takes some savvy. Our Mauritius budget guide explains how to optimise your spending. In short: choose a villa rental or a family guesthouse over an all-inclusive resort, cook some of your own meals with ingredients bought at the market, and enjoy free local festivities instead of hotel-organised evenings.
New Year’s Eve on 31 December
New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, has no particular religious colour in Mauritius — it’s a universal celebration everyone joins in.
In hotels: the big hotels put on New Year’s Eve parties on the beach or terrace, with a gala dinner, shows, fireworks and a DJ or live band. It’s lavish, festive, and very expensive — expect between €150 and €400 per person for a New Year’s Eve at a luxury establishment. The 31 December all-inclusive package usually includes unlimited drinks.
On public beaches: beaches such as Flic-en-Flac, Grand Baie and the capital’s Public Beach put on fireworks open to everyone. Mauritians come with family and friends, with picnics, music systems and bottles. The atmosphere is festive, warm and free. Flic-en-Flac beach is especially recommended for its outstanding sunset on the night of the 31st.
Restaurants: the island’s good restaurants are fully booked weeks in advance for 31 December. Book in November if you have particular addresses in mind. Many offer a single set menu, pricier than usual — but that’s the game.
The Port Louis fireworks: the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis generally puts on a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour at midnight. Accessible by public transport from most tourist areas.
The prices: let’s be honest
The year-end holidays in Mauritius are expensive. Very expensive. Here’s the reality of the prices:
Accommodation: hotels charge high-season rates that can triple or quadruple compared to low-season prices. A 4-star hotel costing €120 a night in May can rise to €300-400 a night in December. Guesthouses and short-term rental apartments follow the same trend, though somewhat less dramatically.
Flights: this is the item that goes up first. Round-trip Paris-Mauritius tickets for the 20 December to 5 January window need to be booked well in advance and can exceed €1,500 per person at the last minute, versus €600-800 in low season.
Activities and restaurants: catamaran excursions, restaurants and water activities also charge high-season rates — generally 20-30% more than in low season. A swimming with dolphins excursion in Tamarin or a catamaran trip to the northern islets costs more in December.
The realistic budget: a week in Mauritius for two people over the Christmas-New Year period, in mid-range accommodation, easily comes to €3,500-5,000 all-in. That’s a significant holiday budget.
Special seasonal activities
Festive marine excursions
Excursion operators offer special outings for the holidays. An Île aux Cerfs catamaran cruise with lunch in December is an unforgettable experience — the waters are warm, marine life is active, and the Creole lunch on board takes on a special feel under the Christmas sun.
For a festive day on the water, a catamaran cruise to the northern islets from Grand Baie is a festive and memorable option. Book well ahead.
Holiday food
Christmas in Mauritius is also a culinary invitation. Local markets fill up with seasonal produce: fresh mangoes, lychees (an iconic fruit of the Mauritian summer), passion fruit, and all the ingredients for a locally-flavoured festive meal.
The island’s table d’hôtes offer authentic Mauritian Christmas menus: goat cari, fish grilled with local herbs, tropical fruit desserts. It’s a far more flavourful alternative to the standardised buffets of the big resorts. Our guide to Mauritian gastronomy lists the best tables for the holidays.
December sunsets
December offers some of the finest sunsets of the year on the west coast. Flic-en-Flac and Tamarin are the best spots for this daily ritual, with an open ocean horizon and the warm light of the austral summer painting the sky in extraordinary shades. On the night of 31 December, the Flic-en-Flac sunset followed by the midnight fireworks is a perfect combination.
Should you still go during the holidays?
The answer depends on your priorities.
Yes, if you’re lucky enough to have young children who don’t yet care about year-end holidays, if your leave only falls then and nowhere else, if you’re after a Christmas experience that’s a real change of scenery you won’t forget, or if you can afford the luxury Mauritian hotels offer during this period.
Maybe not, if your budget is tight, if you’re sensitive to crowds (beaches and restaurants are at their busiest), or if you’re attached to your usual family Christmas traditions back home.
The best alternative: if you can choose, go in late November or early January. Prices will still be high (high season) but with fewer crowds and slightly more accessible deals.
Practical tips for a great holiday in Mauritius
Book everything early. Early means 4-6 months ahead for flights and accommodation. The best deals disappear by October. If you start looking in November, you’ll pay full price. Our guide to Mauritius hotels will help you find the establishments with the best value for money in high season.
Plan a different kind of Christmas. Accept that you won’t be recreating a French Christmas. Have your Christmas Eve dinner on the beach, with grilled fish and a ti-punch instead of the yule log. Attend Creole midnight Mass instead of your usual church. Embrace Mauritian customs rather than importing your own.
Budget extra for the holidays. New Year’s Eve, Christmas dinner at a good restaurant, extra activities — it all costs more in December. Plan for this in your overall budget.
Keep one evening free. Amid the organised festivities, keep at least one evening with no plans — to sit on the beach, look at the stars (the southern hemisphere offers an exceptional night sky) and simply enjoy being there.
Protect yourself from the sun. December in Mauritius marks the start of the austral summer. The sun is stronger than back home, and the brightness can catch out those used to a grey winter sky. SPF 50, a hat, shade between midday and 4pm.
Book your rental car in Mauritius in advance. During the holidays, the rental car fleet often sells out. If you plan to explore the island independently, book your vehicle at the same time as your accommodation.
Christmas under the palm trees: what really stays with you
I spent a Christmas in Mauritius a few years ago, as much by chance as by choice. Christmas lunch was shared with a Mauritian family who had invited us spontaneously after a chat on the beach. Chicken cari, brèdes, rice, achard — served in the shade of a flowering mango tree in a garden in Mahébourg.
No turkey, no yule log, no snow. But laughter, human warmth, the sound of waves in the distance, and that particular lightness you feel when you’re far from home and yet feel at home all the same.
That’s what Christmas in Mauritius is like. It’s like nothing else. And for that, it’s worth the price.
Holiday-specific activities
The year-end holidays in Mauritius are also a chance to make the most of favourable weather conditions for certain marine activities. December-January is peak warm season — the water sits at 29-30 degrees, ideal for diving and snorkelling.
Catamaran excursions for the holidays
Catamaran cruises to the northern islets are especially popular during the holidays. Some operators offer special New Year’s Eve outings with dinner on board, music and fireworks watched from the lagoon. It’s an original way to celebrate the turn of the year between sea and sky, away from the crowded beaches.
For 25 December, an Île aux Cerfs catamaran excursion with Creole lunch on board is one of the most sought-after activities of the season. Christmas lunch in the sun, surrounded by a turquoise lagoon — hard to find anything more of a change of scenery.
Beaches during the holidays
The north coast beaches — Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie, Mont Choisy — are at their busiest during the holidays. If you’re after more peace and quiet, head to the east or southeast coast beaches — Blue Bay or Pointe d’Esny — which see fewer tour groups.
New Year’s Eve at Flic-en-Flac on the west coast is a local tradition: Mauritian families gather on the beach, with music, barbecues and impromptu fireworks. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming — passing tourists are generally made to feel welcome.
Water sports in December-January
While the wind is less steady than in the dry season for kitesurfing, conditions from December to January are ideal for light sailing, paddleboarding and snorkelling. Water temperature is at its peak, coral reefs are at their best visibility, and sea turtles are especially active.
For families with children, the calm lagoons of the north and west coasts are perfect in December-January — no strong wind, warm water, ideal conditions for learning to swim in the sea. Our guide to family activities in Mauritius suggests activities suited to all ages during the holiday season.
Year-end holiday budget in Mauritius
Let’s be honest: the year-end holidays in Mauritius are expensive. Here are some rough figures to help you budget your trip.
Flights: from Paris CDG, expect €1,200-1,800 per person for round-trip flights in December. Prices climb steadily from September onwards, and Christmas week flights are often the most expensive of the year.
Accommodation: hotel rates are marked up 30-50% during the holidays compared to low season. A decent 3-star hotel is hard to find under €150-200 a night. For 5-star hotels, New Year’s Eve rates can reach €800-1,200 a night all-inclusive.
Festive meals: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners at hotels and restaurants cost between €100 and €300 per person depending on the establishment. Some resorts offer all-inclusive New Year’s Eve packages covering dinner, drinks and entertainment.
Activities: catamaran excursions, dolphin outings and other marine activities need to be booked 2-3 weeks ahead during the holidays — slots fill up fast.
Our Mauritius budget guide compares costs across seasons and traveller profiles, with tips for optimising your budget in high season.