Car Rental in Mauritius in Mauritius: real experience from chats

Accommodation in Mont Choisy offered a good beach and mall but was far from main sights; Flic en Flac is suggested for budget travelers with a car. Key activities: multiple whale watching trips recommended; book seaplane/helicopter in advance (weather cancellations common, refunds issued; seaplane 25 min solo with pilot costs 205). At Casela Park, the 'golden package' Eco Rider is cost-effective; giraffe feeding is available daily except Tuesdays/Thursdays. Port Louis is not highly recommended; Pamplemousses Park, Pointe Naturelle, and Gris Gris are. Le Morne mountain hike is dangerous, requiring a guide, trekking shoes, and 1L water. Dolphin kayaking is enjoyable but raises concerns about boat crowding. Catamaran trips to northern islands with BBQ are highly rated. Payments were mostly by Kazakh card, with cash for tips.

While some users claim that Russian national driving licenses are sufficient and cite the Vienna Convention, others recount experiences where police checkpoints specifically requested IDPs. There's a consensus that rental agencies might not always ask for IDPs, but police checks can be stricter. Experiences from other countries like Turkey, UAE, and Europe are mentioned, highlighting varied requirements. One user shared a costly experience of needing to have their national license couriered to Turkey because their IDP was not accepted. The general advice is to check country-specific regulations and have both national and international licenses for a smoother experience, as requirements can vary and are not always consistently enforced by rental agencies versus law enforcement.

Key information points include: - Flights: From Uzbekistan via Dubai with Emirates. - Accommodation: RIU Palace, with good food and entertainment. - Transportation: Rental car available for ~$35/day, international driving permit accepted. - Activities: - Helicopter tour: ~$290 for 25 minutes, booked 3 weeks in advance via official email. - Le Morne mountain hike: Access restricted to guided tours ($20), due to a past incident. - Whale watching tour: "Privat" tour mentioned positively. - National Park visit: Tickets purchased on-site, no queues. - Visits to waterfalls and colored sands. - General impression: The island is beautiful, with a variety of activities leading to an active vacation rather than just beach relaxation.

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.

International driving permits are highly recommended, even if local Russian licenses with Latin characters might sometimes be accepted. Ensure your car has a fire extinguisher with a valid expiration date, as this is frequently checked by police during road checks. International permits simplify potential interactions with authorities.

For car rentals without airport counters, contact the provider via the number in the voucher. Avoid navigating inland national parks at night due to serpentine roads; coastal roads are safer. Mauritius gets dark by 18:00, so plan arrivals accordingly.

Advance booking is recommended.