Let's be honest: Port Louis is hot, sticky, traffic-clogged, and not particularly photogenic (the spot above is a short drive up the coast).
But that's precisely why it's worth visiting.
Because tucked between those chaotic streets and colonial-era buildings is the actual soul of Mauritius. Not the manicured resort version where staff rake the beach every morning and cocktails appear on command – the real, messy, deeply multicultural version.
French colonial architecture sits next to Chinese shophouses. The ornate Jummah Mosque (built in the 1850s) shares the skyline with modern glass towers. Central Market buzzes with vendors selling everything from fresh tropical fruit to mysterious herbal remedies, while Chinatown hums with steaming dumplings and sizzling woks.
Port Louis isn't always comfortable. You'll sweat. You might get lost. But if your entire Mauritius experience consists of a beachfront resort and organized excursions, you've basically been to a very pretty version of nowhere in particular.
Our tip: join the queue (there's always a queue, but this one is worth it) at Dalpuri Maraz on Bourbon Street for dholl puri – Mauritius's beloved street food of split-pea-filled flatbread served with generous curries. It'll cost you pocket change, and tastes infinitely better than anything at the buffet. |
