Essentials
- City
- Port Mathurin, Rodrigues Island, Mauritius
- Population
- Approximately 43,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-50 Mbps via Mauritius Telecom Fiber and 4G
- Currency & Banking
- Mauritian Rupee (MUR). 1 USD ≈ 46 MUR, 1 EUR ≈ 50 MUR
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled or filtered water
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C / G (British standard common)
- SIM Card
- my.t (Mauritius Telecom) or Emtel; widely available in Port Mathurin
- Banking for Expats
- MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank), SBM (State Bank of Mauritius), ABSA
- Accommodation
- Local guesthouses (Gîtes), small hotels, and Airbnb rentals
- Cashless Friendly
- Mostly cash-based; cards accepted in larger hotels and supermarkets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Rodrigues Home
- Budget Accommodation
- Auberge de la Montagne (approx. 1,800 MUR/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Pointe Coton for beaches or Saint Francois for scenery
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Port Mathurin for proximity to services or Mourouk for kitesurfing
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None dedicated; The Hub in Port Mathurin (Service center vibes)
- Best Cafe for Work
- Kafe d'Art, Port Mathurin (Quiet corners, decent coffee)
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at Mourouk Ebony Hotel bar
- Social Events for Expats
- Rodrigues Kite Surf Festival or local Facebook groups like 'Expats Mauritius/Rodrigues'
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No ride-sharing apps; taxis available at Port Mathurin stand (Negotiate prices)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- 2000 Rodrigues (Scooter approx. 600-800 MUR/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Trou d'Argent (Accessible by hike or boat from Saint Francois)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Mauritius (Operates multiple flights daily from MRU)
- Top International Airline
- Air Mauritius connects through Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Intl
- Highway Access
- One main paved road circling the island; no highways
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Port Mathurin Bus Station (Central hub for all island routes)
- Public Transport Passes
- Cash-only on-board; very inexpensive (approx. 20-40 MUR per trip)
- Regional Travel
- Catovre ferry or Air Mauritius flights back to the mainland
Business
- Corporate Tax
- 15% (Standard Mauritius rate)
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,200 per m² (Example: 40 m² = €48,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €800 per m² (Example: 40 m² = €32,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,100 per m² (Example: 60 m² = €66,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €750 per m² (Example: 60 m² = €45,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,000 per m² (Example: 80 m² = €80,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €700 per m² (Example: 80 m² = €56,000)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Mauritius doesn't tax dividends)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for tax residents (183+ days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 15% (Simplified flat rate system)
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Mauritius tax laws
- Property Tax
- No municipal tax on residential property for many brackets
- Property Transaction Tax
- 5% Registration duty
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- The Mauritius Premium Visa (1 year) offers 0% tax on foreign income if not remitted
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Crève Coeur (Public facility)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Wellness sessions at Tekoma Boutik Hotel
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Regional Sports Complex at Camp du Roi
- Laundry Services
- Local dry cleaners in Port Mathurin near the market
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No apps available; local restaurants offer occasional take-away
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Rodrigues Octopus Curry (Ourite) or Local Honey
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Le Pandanus (Vegetable curries available on request)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Tarte Rodriguaise (Papaya/Coconut tart) found at the central market
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Port Mathurin Saturday Market (Fresh produce and local goods)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None local; shipping from Mauritius via PriceGuru is slow
- Grocery Delivery
- No formal delivery; shop at Roussety Supermarket
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Very limited; weekends at Port Mathurin or beach hotels
- Local Brewery
- No brewery; local 'Ti-Punch' with Rodriguan limes is the staple
- Wine Bars
- L'Atelier Gourmand (Decent wine list for the island)
- Street Food Stalls
- Snack baskets at the bus terminal (Gato Piment)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mourouk Ebony (International/Creole fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve
- Museums & Art Venues
- Rodrigues Tourism Office small exhibit in Port Mathurin
- Historical Sites
- Cannon Hill (Viewpoint with historical cannons)
- Religious Sites
- Saint Gabriel Cathedral (One of the largest in the Indian Ocean)
- Annual Events
- Festival Rodrigues (October celebrating Creole culture)
- Cultural Districts
- Port Mathurin (Administrative and cultural heart)
- Theater Venues
- Occasional performances at the Malabar Cultural Centre
- Local Markets
- Port Mathurin Market (Vibrant Saturday mornings)
- Music Scene
- Sega Tambour (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)
- Street Art
- Local murals in Port Mathurin depicting island life
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes arranged at Gîte Le Relais de la Montagne
- Art Galleries
- Local craft workshops at Craft Aid, Camp du Roi
- Historic Buildings
- Old Colonial Administration building in Port Mathurin
- Local Heritage
- The Solitaire bird (extinct relative of the Dodo) legacy
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Île aux Cocos (Bird sanctuary islet)
- National Parks Nearby
- Grande Montagne Nature Reserve
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal trail from Graviers to Saint Francois
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mont Limon (Highest point at 398m)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Île aux Cocos for fairy terns and noddies
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permit required; usually restricted to private beachfronts
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Mauritius Post (Port Mathurin Central Post Office)
- Tech Repair Services
- Small electronic shops in Port Mathurin street market area
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local community centers in Malabar
- Language Classes
- Rodriguan Creole; usually learned informally from locals
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library branch in Port Mathurin
- Community Centers
- La Ferme Community Centre
- Gaming Lounges
- None; very limited tech-based entertainment
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None; illegal or not present on the island