I only spent
a few days in Mauritius 3/03, IMO one of the most overpriced, overrated
and boring places on the planet. I could find no interesting action in Port
Louis, the capital, even around the waterfront area at night there were
just a couple of gangs of young Asian sailors roaming around looking for
some action, but all I saw that were open were a couple of almost empty
pubs and 1 or 2 rough looking hookers/ladyboys on the promenade. I tried
Grand Bay but this is just an over-commercialized tourist trap with half-empty
expensive restaurants, some boutiques, moneychange bureaus and tour agents.
I went to a couple of discos/clubs but these again were almost empty (even
at midnight) with a couple of mixed groups and one or two pairs of local
women dancing with themselves and playing hard to get. They were accompanied
by a local guy and seemed only interested in dancing. I even tried the local
taxi drivers who couldn't come up with anything better, except another dark
disco with a few unattractive whores (too rough for my taste). One taxi
driver promised to hook me up with a local non-pro but never delivered on
it. In short, one of the most dismal nightlife experiences I've ever had.
The beaches are nothing special, the beach resort hotels very expensive,
can cost up to 600+ euros a night. Mauritius is not a place for single men,
just European couples and families on expensive package tours paying through
the nose for the island's name and exotic 'tropical paradise' image (the
reality is different). Save your money, bypass this soul-less place and
go to Madagascar instead, you'll have much more fun at a fraction of the
price (but take a French phrasebook if you don't speak French).