10-Day Mauritius Itinerary on a Budget - Money-saving Tips+ Stunning Beaches🌴

Looking for tropical paradise without the resort price tag? This 10-day road trip across Mauritius is your go-to guide for beaches, waterfalls, street food, and eco-lodges - perfect for backpackers, digital nomads, and adventure-loving couples. You can explore the whole island on less than £70/day, and live your best island life.

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🚗 Quick Tips for Budget Travel in Mauritius

First things first, this is not the itinerary for the all-inclusive or resort lovers. We spent 10 glorious days driving around the tiny island - and I really mean tiny, you can drive from the East to West coast in less than a full gas tank - can you find a more ideal budget road trip? 🤩

If you love this itinerary, download our customisable Mauritius itinerary and budget planner and get ready for your island escape.  

• When to go: May - October (best weather), or November shoulder season for fewer crowds and slightly cheaper prices.
• Car Rental: Book local early to secure a lower-cost car - compare prices to get the best deal using Holiday Autos 
  
• SIM Cards: Pre-order a My.T or Emtel eSIM and activate at the airport.
  
• Average Daily Spend: ~£60–£70 per person incl. food, stays, and activities.
  

💸 Top Budget Hacks:

• Book guesthouses & Airbnbs (~£20–30 pp/night)
• Save on food by having some meals at your apartment (pack a lunch for beach days) and eat local (dholl puri & mine frite for under £5!) 
• Most ‘things to do’ are free (public beaches, hikes, incredible viewpoints)
  

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🗺️ Your 10-Day Mauritius Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Land in Mahébourg and head straight for Blue Bay Vibes

After a 12-hour flight from London, we arrived at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International. Just a 15 minute drive away you’ll find yourself at this stunning Blue Bay beach - we drove straight there and were met with quiet pristine beaches, perfect cure for the jet lag.

• Arrive at MRU, grab your car, eSIM, and take out some cash.
• Relax at Blue Bay Marine Park – epic snorkeling right off the beach.
• Stroll the Mahébourg Waterfront and grab street food at the market.
• Stay: Mahébourg guesthouse
  

💡 Budget Tip: Use airport ATM + grab snacks before leaving.

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Day 2 - 3: Waterfalls & Le Morne Beaches

On the next day we headed to Black River Gorges National Park, just a 30-40 minute drive. There are many hikes to choose from depending on your adventure level. We hiked Alexandra Falls but don’t let the short distance fool you - this 1.5km was straight vertical at some points and scrambling over the river. It was well worth the view, just don’t be afraid to get a little dirty! 

• Black River Gorges National Park: Hike Alexandra Falls or explore viewpoints.
• Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth: Add this natural wonder to your drive.
• Stay: La Gaulette or near Le Morne Brabant - these areas are easily accessible and cheaper than resort strip in the main Le Morne area, just be prepared for quiet nights. 
  

Day 3: Full beach day at Le Morne. Try kitesurfing if you're up for a challenge. If you're not tired of hikes yet, Le Morne Brabant has incredible views and even better at sunrise (if you’re the sunrise hike type, I certainly did not make this). 

🏝️ Beach Tip: Don’t be scared off by the lines of resort chairs - it's a public beach, just bring your own towel and find a spot on beautiful stretch of beach to relax. 

Day 4: Flic en Flac

Flic-en-Flac is definitely worth visiting, with more amenities (e.g. beach chair and umbrella rentals, restaurants, shops, etc.) compared to Le Morne. If you had to compare the two, Le Morne has a more peaceful, off-the-beaten-track feel whereas Flic en Flac has more life.

• Swim at Flic en Flac Beach and enjoy the stunning west coast sunsets 
• Relax, snorkel, or dive – we opted to dive later in the trip, but were told its great here too.
• Stay: Beachside apartment

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Day 5: Port Louis → Trou aux Biches

Quick stop in the capital city, Port Louis. The biggest city worth visiting, but we skipped staying a night here. 

• Check out the waterfront shops, Chinatown, Central Market & street food.
• We had a delicious Dholl Puri from a stand in Central market for less than £2 Drive 30 mins to Trou aux Biches for golden hour beach vibes.
• Stay: Budget apartment we loved Residence Capri for a spacious, well-equipped apartment where we could cook our own dinner. 

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Day 6 - 7: Grand Baie & Diving

Between Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie and Pereyber you could easily spend a week relaxing and exploring this area. We stayed two nights in Trou aux Biches and one in Grand Baie, but both are great for exploring the area as everything is a short drive.

• Diving: We went with Pro Dive Mauritius – top gear, friendly crew - though there are plenty of options in the area.
• Beach days: Trou aux Biches for a long stretch of space, Grand Baie for proximity to shops and food, more touristy options, Pereyber for a beautiful cove-like beach.
• Markets: Stroll through the Grand Baie Bazar for some bargain souvenirs
• Eat: Try La Rougaille Creole for amazing local food (book ahead!)
• Stay: Guesthouses by the beach 

📌 Nightlife Tip: Grand Baie is your best bet for restaurants + bars. Have drink at La Kaza for beautiful sunset views over the port

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Day 8-9: Eco-Lodge + Hidden Islands

The last few days we checked out the Eastside of Mauritius, equally as beautiful but we found the West Coast more lively. 

• Drive 1 hour from Grand Baie to Belle Mare Beach for the morning.
• Stay: Otentic Eco Tents - this one is a little more expensive than the budget guest houses but this was one of our favourite, unique travel experiences. Supporting eco-friendly travel, Otentic is solar-powered, zero-waste and they offer free kayaks and boat trips to Île aux Cerfs
• Day 9: Take a day trip to Île aux Cerfs - pure, remote, beach bliss. If you like off-the-beaten path experiences, this offshore island is a must-see in Mauritius. The boat trip is included if you’re staying at Otentic, otherwise there is a boat shuttle from Pointe Maurice. 

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Day 10: Final Dip + Flight

On the final day, we went for one final dip in the beautiful turquoise sea before heading back to the airport. 

• Pointe d’Esny Beach for one last swim before your flight, or back to Blue Bay where we began. 
• Eat in Mahebourg if you missed this the first day
• Return the car near MRU Airport

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🏖️ Top 5 Budget-Friendly Beaches in Mauritius

These stunning beaches in Mauritius are perfect for backpackers and budget travelers looking for sun, sand, and sea without the splurge.

Le Morne Beach

Scenic mountain views, tranquil waters, and world-class kite surfing.

Pereybere Beach

Clear blue water, social vibes, and street food galore.

Trou aux Biches

Soft white sand, peaceful vibes, and perfect sunset views.

Blue Bay

Perfect for snorkeling and located just minutes from the airport.

Île aux Cerfs

Stunning lagoon island with calm waters and cheap boat trips.

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🍛Best Cheap Local Foods in Mauritius (under £5)

Travelling to Mauritius on a budget? Don't miss these delicious local street foods - all under £5! For under £5, you can eat like a local - and trust me, it’s some of the most flavourful food I’ve ever tried on my travels. Here are a few dishes I fell in love with (and keep dreaming about).

• Dholl Puri – I couldn’t get enough of this! It’s a soft, flaky flatbread filled with yellow split peas, topped with bean curry, spicy chutneys, and sometimes a little pickled veg. I found the best one from a guy near the Port Louis Central Market. Just £0.80 for a wrap of heaven.
• Mine Frite – Stir-fried noodles, Mauritian style. You’ll find versions with veggies, chicken, or shrimp. It’s fast, filling, and tasty. Great grab-and-go beach meal, especially around Grand Baie.
• Gâteaux Piment – Little lentil fritters with a spicy kick. Locals snack on these with tea, and so did I! They’re crunchy, addictive, and usually cost about 10 rupees a piece (~£0.20).
• Alouda – Mauritius’ answer to bubble tea! It’s a sweet, milky drink with basil seeds, jelly bits, and often rose syrup. So refreshing on hot afternoons. I grabbed mine from a small stall in Mahebourg.
• Roti Chaud – These warm wraps are everywhere. Think curry-in-a-wrap, with fresh pickles and loads of flavor. Ideal post-beach snack from roadside stalls or vans.
• You’ll find most of these at Port Louis Central Market or Grand Baie Bazaar 

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🎒 Mauritius can be budget backpacker paradise

Mauritius isn’t just for honeymooners - it's an affordable, laid-back adventure destination with world-class beaches, warm people, and zero-stress vibes. Whether you’re road-tripping solo or with friends, this island makes it easy to explore with natural beauty around every curve. We were travelling as two females and found the island safe to walk around, though I would suggest covering up your bathing suit once you're off the beach.

Let us help you enjoy your trip without stressing about your budget - download the complete Mauritius travel planner here. 

💬 Have questions or want the map pins? DM us on Instagram @tribefeel – we’ve got you covered! 

✅ Don’t Forget to Pack - your beach essentials

• Quick-dry towel
• Reusable water bottle
• Reef-safe sunscreen