Exchanges & Transfers: how it works in Mauritius — first-hand
Real experience of people from chats on «Exchanges & Transfers» in Mauritius — as it is, no fluff. For your case — ask Luky.
From real experience
In Mauritius, the best currency exchange rates are typically found at the airport. Local currency (Mauritian Rupee) is necessary for transactions.
Currency exchange in Mauritius: airport rates are competitive compared to local street kiosks. Local kiosks in towns close early. Belarusian/Russian bank cards issued by sanctioned banks generally do not work; carry cash (USD/EUR) to exchange.
When booking airline tickets, consider the difference in refund and change policies between direct airline bookings and online travel aggregators (OTAs). Emirates, while sometimes slower with refunds (up to 30 days), offers direct payment options like office payment and bank transfers, and generally handles changes smoothly. OTAs like KupiBilet and Trip.com have shown mixed results: KupiBilet took 7 days for flight refunds and 30 for seat upgrades, while Trip.com managed to reschedule a non-refundable hotel booking. Direct booking with airlines is often recommended for smoother issue resolution. Russian Mir cards may not be accepted for direct purchases with some airlines like Emirates.
Airport currency exchange kiosks are available but rates are generally lower than in city centers. Recommended local service: Shibani Exchange. Note: USD banknotes must be the latest issue (with blue security strip) to be accepted.
Old-format US dollar bills may not be accepted everywhere in Mauritius. While some exchange points in the airport might accept them, it's advisable to use newer bills. MCB bank exchanges any currency without commission.
There is a currency exchange office located in the old part of Cascavelle Mall in Mauritius, reportedly to the right of the main entrance. It is a dedicated exchange point, not an MCB bank branch. Information is based on recent observations.
When renting a car in Mauritius, be aware of potential delays in deposit returns. One user reported not receiving a €600 deposit back for two weeks after returning a car rented through Localrent, despite the company stating a 30-day return period is standard due to banking processes. Localrent is an aggregator; the deposit is handled by the local rental company. It is crucial to check all terms and use filters during the booking process, as options without deposits are available.
Old series USD banknotes are often rejected at Mauritius airport currency exchanges. Recommended banks for exchanging older USD bills: MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank) and SBM (State Bank of Mauritius). Specifically, a bank near the bus stop opposite the Grand Baie public beach is reported to accept older series notes.
For small money transfers from Mauritius to Russia (in RUB), a common method is to find tourists who need Mauritian rupees. A direct exchange can be made: transfer RUB to the recipient's Russian card in exchange for Mauritian rupees in cash. Warn users about unsolicited private messages offering transfer services, as they are often scams.
In Flic en Flac, Mauritius, Euros can be exchanged at most hotel reception desks. Additionally, dedicated currency exchange offices are available; users can locate them using Google Maps.
For currency exchange on Mauritius, it's most advantageous to do so upon arrival at the airport. For potentially better rates, head to Grand Bay where multiple exchange offices are located. The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) often offers the most favorable rates. For example, the EUR to MUR rate was 53.45 on April 27th, which was significantly better than hotel rates.
Air Mauritius has a history of slow refund processing and poor customer service, with some passengers reporting delays even after their travel dates and difficulties in communication (e.g., language barriers). Travelers are advised to research reviews regarding refund experiences and be aware of potential issues. Partnering with airlines like Emirates might offer some mitigation of risk, but direct issues with Air Mauritius persist.
Official currency in Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Currency exchange rate reported by travelers is approximately 1 EUR = 54 MUR. Russian Rubles (RUB) are not accepted or exchangeable at favorable rates outside CIS countries; travelers should carry EUR or USD.
Provide recommendations for advantageous locations or methods to exchange EUR to MUR in Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius. Include information on official exchange bureaus or banks.