Where to Stay in the North of Mauritius: A Complete Guide by Budget

The north of Mauritius: the most touristy, most complete area

The north coast of Mauritius is the most popular destination for international travelers, and for good reason: it concentrates the best accessible beaches, the widest range of restaurants and accommodation, the best offering of sea excursions, and well-developed tourist infrastructure. It’s also the easiest area to reach from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport — about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.

The north spans roughly thirty kilometers of coastline running from Pointe aux Piments in the west to Cap Malheureux at the northern tip, taking in Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Grand Baie and Pereybere along the way. Each village has its own character, its own beach, and its own accommodation profile. Our north vs south comparison guide puts the differences between the island’s main areas into perspective to help you choose your base.

At a glance

Where	North coast, from Pointe aux Piments to Cap Malheureux (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Pereybere, Mont Choisy)
Price	Roughly EUR 50–300/night depending on village and category, up to EUR 800 for 5-star properties in Trou aux Biches
Getting there	About 45 minutes to 1 hour’s drive from SSR Airport
Best time	March to May and September to December, avoiding the July–August crowds and the humid heat of January–February

Getting around between the northern villages

One of the north’s biggest strengths is how close the villages are to each other: Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Pereybere, Mont Choisy and Cap Malheureux are all connected by 10 to 25 minutes’ drive or taxi ride. That opens up a strategy that often pays off: stay in a quieter, more affordable village like Pereybere, while still enjoying the restaurants and nightlife of Grand Baie just a short drive away in the evening. A car rental guide or regular use of local taxis makes this strategy easy to pull off.

For travelers without a car, public buses serve the entire north coast at low cost, though with irregular frequency in the evening. Our Mauritius bus guide and our with-car vs without-car comparison can help you decide based on your travel style.

Grand Baie — nightlife, restaurants and the popular beach

Grand Baie is the beating heart of northern Mauritian tourism. The bay itself is large, lined with moored catamarans and water sports rental shops. The commercial area is dense: supermarkets, pharmacies, currency exchange offices, car rental agencies, restaurants of every cuisine, and bars that come alive as evening falls.

What we like about Grand Baie: having everything concentrated in one place. You could spend an entire week in Grand Baie without ever needing a car and still have access to a wide range of restaurants, activities and beaches. The Thursday evening craft market, catamaran excursions departing from the marina, evening outings — it’s all here.

What can be a downside: Grand Baie is loud on weekends, particularly around Royal Road. The beach at Grand Baie itself isn’t the north’s finest — it’s better suited to water sports than lounging. For fine sand beaches, head to Trou aux Biches or Pereybere.

Types of accommodation available:

• 3-4 star hotels on full or half board, most with a pool and beach access
• Villas for weekly rental, suited to families or groups of friends
• Increasingly numerous short-term rental apartments
• Boutique hotels for couples looking for a more intimate setting

Budget: expect EUR 80–150 a night for a decent 3-4 star hotel in high season, EUR 120–300 for a 5-star hotel. Villas start at EUR 800 a week for a two-bedroom.

Our where to stay in Grand Baie guide breaks down each neighborhood in the area and picks out the best places by category.

Trou aux Biches — the north’s best all-round compromise

Trou aux Biches is 8 kilometers west of Grand Baie. Its name — “the deer’s hole” — evokes unspoiled nature, and the beach that made it famous is indeed remarkable: fine white sand, shallow turquoise water, coconut palms leaning out over the sea. It’s regularly ranked among the finest beaches in the entire Indian Ocean.

What we like about Trou aux Biches: the beach is beautiful, the water is calm and ideal for families, and the vibe is more relaxed than Grand Baie without feeling isolated. Basic services are available (restaurants, grocery stores, beach gear rental), and Grand Baie is a 15-minute drive away.

What can be a downside: upmarket establishments tend to monopolize the best beachfront spots. In high season (July–August, December–January), the beach can get quite crowded at peak times.

Types of accommodation available:

• The Trou aux Biches Resort and Spa, the iconic 5-star property with direct beach access
• Several charming boutique hotels 100–200 meters from the beach
• Villa and apartment rentals for multi-week stays
• Small family-run guesthouses for tighter budgets

Budget: the 5-star hotels in Trou aux Biches are among the most luxurious on the island (EUR 300–800 a night). The 3-4 star alternatives let you enjoy the area for EUR 80–160 a night.

Pereybere — authenticity at a reasonable price

Pereybere sits between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux, in a dip of coastline that forms a very pleasant small bay. It’s a village that has kept its local character despite the touristy pressure of neighboring Grand Baie: fishermen still push their boats out in the morning, children play by the water on weekends, and restaurant prices are noticeably lower than on Royal Road.

What we like about Pereybere: the value for money, the intimate, colorful beach, the authentic atmosphere, and the proximity to Grand Baie for evenings out. It’s the north’s best option for travelers on a moderate budget who don’t want to be right in the thick of tourism.

What might be missing: fewer services than in Grand Baie, some accommodations that could use a refresh, and a smaller beach than Trou aux Biches.

Types of accommodation available:

• Small, reasonably priced family hotels (EUR 50–100 a night)
• Rooms with locals, often very well located
• A handful of villas for direct rental with beach access
• Few upscale hotels — this isn’t the area for luxury

Our budget accommodation guide names Pereybere as one of the best areas in the north for traveling without spending a fortune.

Mont Choisy — the great family beach

Mont Choisy is a vast 3-kilometer beach between Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie. It’s one of the most popular beaches with Mauritians on weekends — and it’s easy to see why: the sand is excellent, filao trees provide shade over hundreds of meters, and the beach is very accessible.

What we like about Mont Choisy: the sheer size of the beach means there’s room to spread out even in high season. The water is calm and shallow, ideal for children. The area is less touristy than Grand Baie.

What might surprise you: on weekends in high season, Mont Choisy is packed with local picnickers — an authentic, joyful scene, but not necessarily what every traveler is looking for. Accommodation directly on the beach is limited.

Types of accommodation available: mainly weekly villa rentals and a handful of coastal hotels (including some of international standard in Pointe aux Piments, the neighboring area). For families, the villa option is often the best fit in this part of the island.

Cap Malheureux — the northern tip and its red church

Cap Malheureux is the northernmost point of Mauritius. Its red church, photographed with Coin de Mire island in the background, is one of the island’s most iconic images. It’s a quiet, low-key village with spectacular views over the northern islets.

What we like about Cap Malheureux: the calm, the beauty of the landscape, and the authenticity of the village. It’s an ideal jumping-off point for excursions to the islets (Ile Plate, Ile Ronde, Coin de Mire). The handful of local restaurants serve simple, good Creole food.

What might surprise you: very few tourist accommodations and a limited range of services. This isn’t the area for travelers who want everything within easy reach. Expect a 20-minute drive to reach Grand Baie’s restaurants.

Types of accommodation available: a few villas for rent, a handful of rooms with locals. The area suits independent travelers with a car more than first-time visitors.

Which northern village to choose, by profile

Profile	Recommended area
Family with young children	Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy
Couple wanting nightlife	Grand Baie
Moderate budget	Pereybere
Photographers, scenic views	Cap Malheureux
Water sports	Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches
Long stay, villa	Mont Choisy, Cap Malheureux

Tips for booking accommodation in the north

Book early in high season: July–August and December–January are the peak periods. The best hotels are fully booked months in advance. March–May is ideal for combining good weather with easier availability, without the stress.

Check the actual beach access: some hotels advertise “sea view” or “beachfront” but have limited or shared beach access. Before booking, check whether the beach is public or private, and whether your accommodation has reserved sun loungers.

All-inclusive packages are popular in the north of Mauritius. Our all-inclusive Mauritius guide details the pros and cons of this type of stay. If you have a car, going without meals gives you more freedom to explore the area’s local restaurants.

For travelers arriving by plane, the question of transfers comes up as soon as you step out of the airport. A private transfer to the north is comfortable and convenient after a long flight.

Book a private transfer from the airport to the north

Our general where to stay in Mauritius guide covers all areas of the island if you’re still torn between the north and other coasts. For activities from the north, our family activities guide and our selection of catamaran cruises round things out.

Book a catamaran excursion from Grand Baie