Currency in Mauritius

An Australian Traveller's Money Guide to Currency Exchange in Mauritius

Deck chairs under umbrellas and palm trees on a tropical beach

Breathtaking powder-white beaches, lushly carpeted volcanic peaks and fields of swaying sugar cane mark out this gorgeous Indian Ocean island. With stunning mountainous sceneries, beautiful beaches and some of the best hotels, luxury spa and experiences in the world, Mauritius has something for everyone. If you're looking for a holiday full of fun and relaxation, look no further.

Check out our handy and comprehensive guide – perfect for finding the best way to take your money to Mauritius.

What Is the Best Currency to Use in Mauritius?

Papua New Guinean currency PGK banknotes and coins

The best currency to use in Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee. It’s represented by the international code MUR and the currency symbol ₨.

The Mauritian Rupee comprises a mixture of banknotes and coins. Mauritian currency come in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 notes and 1 Rupee is divided into 100 cents.

Can I Use Australian Dollars in Mauritius?

As the local currency is the Mauritian Rupee, bear in mind that Australian dollars are not accepted in Mauritius. In fact, the Aussie dollar has no value to locals and will need to be converted into Mauritian Rupee to make your trip a smooth one.

What Currency Do They Accept in Mauritius?

As the unit of currency in Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee, it is strongly recommended for you to acquire the local banknotes and coins prior to your trip. There are also foreign exchangers located at the airport to exchange currencies including Australia, US or New Zealand dollars for the local currency.

Using Your Bank Card in Mauritius

the picturesque city of Port Louis in Mauritius Republic

In Mauritius, ATMs are widely available in most towns in the island and at large shopping centres. Most hotels, restaurants and large retailers accept major credit and debit cards.

Whether you choose to pay with your card in Mauritius is still up to you, as long as you’re aware of the fees and charges incurred by the respective cards.

Debit Cards

Debit cards in Mauritius are best used for ATM withdrawals and card payments. They’re reliable, secure and convenient, which makes them a must-have while you’re out and about.

Depending on which card you use, you may face excessive bank fees for each transaction. These fees may include foreign ATM withdrawal fees and conversion fees.

To make your trip hassle-free, look for a bank card that’s designed for frequent travellers. Some travel-friendly debit cards that waive a portion of the charges include Wise, ING, Citibank and Revolut.

Credit cards are accepted as currency in Fiji

Credit Cards

You’ll be able to use credit cards at most locations around Mauritius and at ATMs, but remember to have cash on hand when you’re exploring smaller islands.

Some credit cards come with attractive features for frequent travellers, including complimentary travel insurance, rewards points, and additional security measures.

But the perks are countered by some exorbitant charges if you use your card overseas, including:

  • International transaction fees
  • High exchange rate margins
  • ATM fees
  • Potential ‘cash advance fees’ if you use an ATM

As with debit cards, there are some exceptions. Bankwest Platinum and 28 Degrees cards are designed for travellers and waive the currency conversion fees.

Prepaid Travel Cards

Lock in a favourable exchange rate with prepaid travel cards. Bonus: You also get a handy back-up card!

Even though they are convenient, you could end up with hidden fees. Some travel cards still impose the following:

  • Currency conversion fees
  • Uncompetitive exchange rates
  • International ATM withdrawal fees
  • Reload fees
  • Inactivity fees

Currency Converter for Mauritian Rupee

The Mauritian Rupee (MUR) is relatively stable to the Australian dollar (AUD) and the New Zealand dollar. Converting AUD to AED is easy with our currency conversion tool.

Simply enter in the value and currencies to figure out how much it would cost you to buy Mauritian Rupees with S Money today. We use the same mid-market rate you’d find on Google or XE.com.

AUD to MUR

Australian Dollars (AUD)
MUR

So is this a good rate?

30.9628
Low
29.5759
Average
30.7328
High
31.8897

Today's rate is higher than the average rate to buy MUR. This chart compares today's rate to the average rate from the past 90 days.

How to Exchange Currency in Mauritius

Having local bills in your wallet while you explore Mauritius would make travelling easy. Mauritius is an island nation with plenty of ATMs that widely accepts major credit cards, but you'll probably need cash for the small islands.

You can get currency in Fiji through the available ATMs

ATMs in Mauritius

There are ATMs scattered throughout Mauritius so it’ll be easy for you to find one. There are ATMs in banks, hotels, most towns in the island and at large shopping centres.

Important note: Make sure you notify your bank about your travels. If you don’t, they could consider any purchases in Mauritius as suspicious activity and freeze your card.

Currency Exchange in Mauritius

There are various ways to convert your AUD into MUR. At the airport, there are foreign exchange currency shops and ATM machines with reasonable exchange rates where you can withdraw funds using your credit card. There are also bank branches located around Mauritius for you to exchange currency as well.

For currency exchange in Fiji you can use a money exchange
Traveller's cheques are still accepted as currency in Fiji

Travellers Cheques

We would not recommend travellers cheques as they are hardly used in Mauritius and banks will charge a high commission and exchange rate. You’ll get more value out of alternatives such as ATM withdrawals and direct cash exchanges.

Buying Mauritian Rupee Before You Go

Buying Mauritian Rupees before you leave home can be a seamless process, with three main options to suit your needs:

  • Buy MUR online and have it delivered or collect it in-store.
  • Buy from a bureau de change.
  • Buy at your home airport.

Since bureau de change desks at Australian airports are renowned for their poor rates, we recommend avoiding them and picking up your currency ahead of time.

A fuss-free way to secure your travel money is to order it online. It can be delivered to your door or made available for pick-up at a convenient location. Online currency providers offer competitive deals you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. For example, S Money offers the same rate listed on Google and XE.com.

If you’re in the city, an alternative is to visit a CBD bureau de change. Suburban outlets don’t have the competition to keep prices low and banks often supply high fees and poor rates.

How Much Cash Should I Bring to Mauritius?

Jetty silhouette against beautiful sunset in Mauritius Island

Avoid having leftover foreign cash at the end of your trip! If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you. Simply calculate your budget and plan accordingly.

Now, your budget depends entirely on whether you prefer to backpack or a more luxurious experience. It’s also highly affected by your travel itinerary.

Here are some of the average costs to help you calculate your own budget (all quoted in Mauritian Rupees):

5,200 MUR

One night stay at a 3-star hotel

1,000 MUR

Meal at restaurant

95 MUR

Bottle of beer

38 MUR

Local transportation

275 MUR

A movie

Track the best time to buy currency

We match the currency exchange rate with the rate shown on Google or Xe. In real time.

This means you never pay over-inflated rates and can be 100% positive you are getting the most competitive rate for currency exchange.

  • Check out the daily rates:

Not ready to buy yet?
You can get a free rate tracker!

Updated: Posted on