Working remotely from Grand Baie, Mauritius

If you Google Mauritius, you’ll mostly see those glossy, postcard-perfect shots — powder-white beaches, turquoise water, and palm trees swaying like screensavers.

Not to make you jealous, but those pictures are spot-on. The beaches really are that dreamy. It feels like stepping straight into the cover of a travel magazine.

Mauritius is often portrayed as a honeymoon island filled with luxury resorts where everything revolves around romance and relaxation. But, as with many tropical islands, that “perfect world” barely scratches the surface of what life here actually looks like.

In this insider’s guide to Mauritius, I take you behind the scenes of my first three weeks living and working in the northwestern part of this tropical island in the Indian Ocean. Not as a tourist in a five-star hotel. Not as an expat behind the gates of a villa community. But as a digital nomad, simply staying in Airbnbs among the locals.

Expectations vs Reality

Before arriving, I tried to imagine what Mauritius might look like beyond those glossy resorts, but it was hard to picture. You’ll find endless postcard-perfect photos online, yet hardly any that show what everyday life on the island actually looks like. So, with little reference to go on, my mind filled in the blanks: mud huts, dusty roads, and a few wandering goats — echoes of rural Morocco, my first trip to Africa eight years ago.

Me — the person who always laughs at people who think Indonesia is nothing but rice and chicken — had this time created my own naïve, primitive picture. One that turned out to be completely wrong.

Mauritius is lush and green, with stunning flora and fauna, and it’s one of the most developed and safest countries in Africa. It’s a tropical island with a stable democracy, a growing economy, and a colonial past that now results in a colorful mix of African, Asian, and Western influences.

Hindus, Christians, and Muslims live peacefully side by side, and most people speak three languages: French, English, and Creole. Roads and infrastructure are well maintained, and facilities are good across the island.

All of this makes Mauritius a beautiful, interesting, and genuinely pleasant place to spend a few months as a digital nomad. The soft climate, the singing birds, the calm traffic, even the neatly landscaped flowerbeds along the roads — they all make this island feel both surprising and unique.

There are so many things I didn’t expect. And that’s exactly what makes arriving somewhere new so fun.

The other day, I found myself in Super U (hypermarket), standing in the biggest organic food aisle I’ve ever seen. Around me were people of Indian descent dressed in beautiful traditional clothing, asking a staff member of Chinese descent something in French. For a moment, my brain short-circuited. “Wait… I’m in Africa, right?”

Another thing that surprised me was how much construction is happening across the island. Driving around, some parts reminded me of the rapid growth I’ve seen in Bali over the past few years. Nearly all of the trendy cafés, restaurants, and concept stores we visited felt brand new, and more are popping up everywhere.

If that pace continues, Mauritius will look very different five years from now.

Of course, I hope that local communities will share in that growth, and that culture and traditions will be preserved along the way. But I also hope more digital nomads will start to find their way to this incredible island. There’s so much untapped potential here.

Slow Travel in Northern Mauritius

For me, a nomadic lifestyle means slow travel — staying somewhere long enough to really experience a place as it is. To soak up the culture, uncover the real hidden gems, and still find time to focus on work — because yes, between all those adventures, there’s still a business to run.

Leroy and I started our Mauritius journey in the northwest of the island. From the apartments we rented in Pereybere, Grand Baie, and Trou aux Biches, we could easily explore the north on our rented scooter.

Having your own transport in Mauritius is essential  if you want the freedom to move around, so make sure to rent a car or scooter when you visit.

Unlike the mountainous south, this part of the island is flat and open. You’ll find sugarcane fields stretching across the landscape, calm bays, and soft-sand beaches perfect for a swim in the warm Indian Ocean. Every bay and village has its own character, which makes exploring endlessly fun.

I’d honestly recommend not settling in one place. Move around a little so you can experience the diversity of Mauritius and see how different each area feels.

A stay on the west coast is a guaranteed sunset fix. Especially in Trou aux Biches, where the sky turns gold and pink in a way that never gets old. From Grand Baie, several boat tours depart for the uninhabited islands up north, often with a snorkeling stop and beach barbecue, and there are plenty of great dive spots in this region.

Unfortunately we didn’t meet any other digital nomads here — or even other Dutch travelers, for that matter. Most foreigners we came across were expats from France, the UK, or South Africa, many of whom have settled in Pereybere and Cap Malheureux.

Tourism in this part of the island felt pleasantly quiet. That peaceful rhythm gave us both a sense of calm and the focus we needed for work.

What It’s Like to Work Remotely in the Northwest of Mauritius

Mauritius is a couple of hours ahead of Europe, that allowed us to create a rhythm I personally love. It gives me slow, spacious mornings to start the day at my own pace.

We began most days with a peaceful walk along the beach before opening our laptops, splitting our work hours between the kitchen table “at home”, a co-workingspace and a few cafés nearby.

Every café we visited was nomad and laptop-friendly, and it was easy to find quiet spots to work. Still, you can tell that Mauritius isn’t fully digital-nomad-ready yet — and that, in turn, most nomads have no idea what kind of gem is waiting for them here in the Indian Ocean.

Finding a place that checked both boxes — strong Wi-Fi and great coffee — wasn’t always easy. But we made it work. Our eSIMs gave us 5G almost everywhere (even on the beach!), so we could tether our laptops to our phones and work without a hitch.

Because there’s no nomad community — only a fairly closed French expat scene — meeting like-minded people was trickier than in other places we’ve lived. For us, as a remote-working duo, that wasn’t a big deal. But for solo travelers, it might feel a little isolating.

We loved having the peace and space to focus on our business goals during the day, and to enjoy this dream destination in our downtime. Whether you’re traveling with a partner or solo, the white-sand beaches and gentle island rhythm might be exactly what you need to find your flow again. We did — and left feeling fully recharged.

Nomad verdict : A true paradise for slow island living. Ideal for beach life and focused work, but don't expect a buzzing nomad scene.

Another major plus: the weather in October is perfect. Warm, sunny days around 26°C (79°F), clean air, low humidity, a light sea breeze, and surprisingly few mosquitoes. After sunset we sometimes threw on a thin jacket — especially on the scooter — but it never got cold. Warm enough to swim and sunbathe, fresh enough to work without breaking a sweat.

Safety Is Mauritius

Mauritians are warm, friendly, and respectful. They let you be. No staring, no hassling, no pushy vendors trying to sell you things you don’t need. Tourists here are generally calm and well-mannered too, which adds to the overall sense of peace on the island.

Of course, you should still keep an eye on your belongings, as you would anywhere else, but Mauritius feels genuinely safe — even after dark. Walking home from dinner or riding your scooter at night rarely feels uncomfortable.

The real danger, if any, lies in traffic. Buses and cars often drive 60 km/h (around 37 mph) through residential areas, and there aren’t always sidewalks. The roads can be uneven, with cracks and potholes, and lighting is poor in many places. Add a few stray dogs, and you’ve got the occasional adrenaline moment on a scooter.

When a local dressed in dark clothing rides an unlit bike or scooter ahead of you on a pitch-dark road, you’ll only see them at the very last second — because when it’s dark here, it’s really dark.

If you’ve driven comfortably in Southeast Asia, though, you’ll probably find Mauritius’ traffic very relaxed in comparison.

Mauritius is also a great destination when it comes to food safety — you won’t run into any problems here.

Is Mauritius Expensive

Mauritius’ honeymoon reputation might make some nomads hesitate, but we actually found the island quite affordable. Sure, accommodation can be pricey, and overall costs are higher than in Asia, but life here is still cheaper than in most parts of Europe. It really depends on your habits — and your budget.

Gas is inexpensive, while taxis can be surprisingly expensive. A good cup of coffee costs around €2.50, but a delicious roti from a roadside stall will only set you back about 25 cents.

Eating out varies widely. For a main course, dessert, and two drinks, you’ll spend roughly €35 per person in a mid-range restaurant. Local produce at markets and supermarkets is often very cheap, but anything imported — from oat milk to Italian pasta — comes with a steep markup. Which, on a small island in the Indian ocean, makes total sense.

So ultimately, it’s up to you. You can go all-out and live the luxurious resort life, or keep things simple by cooking your own meals and still enjoy the island’s beauty on a budget.

This is Mauritius Too

The beaches and roads in Mauritius are impressively clean. Everywhere you go, you’ll see municipal workers sweeping, raking, and emptying bins. When you buy fruit or vegetables at the supermarket, they often hand them to you in biodegradable bags. Most Mauritians genuinely care about keeping the island tidy, and it shows.

Still, Mauritius is a place of contrasts. Tourist areas are spotless, but outside those bubbles, you’ll find neighborhoods that are messy, poor, and unkempt.

For me, hygiene is one of the biggest challenges of nomad life. My personal standard is high — too high sometimes — and I struggle to accept that not everyone feels the same way. Here in Mauritius, I once again found myself scrubbing a kitchen because food remnants from previous guests were still visible on the counter and in the pans.

Poor hygiene is my biggest irritation — and therefore my biggest mental challenge — because it forces me to be flexible again and again. I’ve learned it’s usually pointless to ask someone to “clean again.” If it’s not clean when you arrive, it never really will be. So when that happens, I just roll up my sleeves and get it over with. It costs less energy that way, and at least I know it’s done properly.

Sometimes I honestly can’t understand how people have the nerve to welcome paying guests like that. Take a look at the photo below — those were the pans in our “new luxury studio” during our first week on the island. How do you offer that? Seriously.

When you start looking for accommodation in Mauritius, you’ll see the wildest listings. So bare, so outdated. You can find better furniture at a random thrift store in Europe than in the average Airbnb here. It’s almost comical. I’ve rarely seen places this basic and old-fashioned.

That said, there are gems. And most of the Airbnbs we stayed in were perfectly fine, even under €65 a night. Still, experiences like these make me extra grateful for all the beautiful, clean homes we’ve stayed in around the world. It really puts things in perspective.

Best Spots in the North and Northwest of Mauritius

Planning to explore the north or northwest of Mauritius, like we did? Save yourself some time and mark my personal favorites on Google Maps for the best spots in Cap Malheureux, Pereybere, Grand Baie, Mont Choisy, and Trou aux Biches.

Best Cafés & Restaurants in the North and Northwest of Mauritius

• Bloom, Pereybere — Healthy food and great coffee
• Pains et Moulins, Grand Baie — Pâtisserie (and amazing sandwiches!)
• The Good Life, Cap Malheureux — Healthy food restaurant and eco lodge
• Happy Rajah, Grand Baie — Flavorful Indian food
• Botteghita, Grand Baie — Italian dining in a higher price range
• La Rougaille Creole, Grand Baie — Traditional Creole dishes and local specialties
• Florensuc, Trou aux Biches — Pâtisserie and breakfast spot
• Cup O’ Noe, Trou aux Biches — Cozy breakfast café
• The Trojan Horse, Grand Baie — Greek restaurant
• Karaï Kreol, Grand Baie — Local Creole comfort food
• Ti Kouloir, Grand Baie — Simple Creole eatery with street food vibes

Prettiest Beaches in the North and Northwest of Mauritius

Trou aux Biches Beach — Soft white sand and palm trees; especially near the Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Mont Choisy Public Beach — Long, calm beach, perfect for a walk

Grand Gaube Public Beach II — A little slice of paradise in the northeast

Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice, Cap Malheureux — Beautiful bay behind the island’s famous red-roofed church

Where to Buy Groceries  in the North and Northwest of Mauritius

• Super U, Grand Baie — Hypermarket with everything you could possibly need
• Intermart La Croisette, Grand Baie — Supermarket inside the La Croisette shopping area
• Gasson & Sons Bazar Fruit Stall, Pereybere — Local fruit and veggie stall

  Best Work Spots in the North and Northwest of Mauritius

• Workshop17 The Precinct, The Vale — Modern coworking space with flexible desks
• Bloom, Pereybere — Great coffee, good Wi-Fi, laptop-friendly tables
• Sweet & Brunch, Grand Baie — Brunch café with reliable internet
• Kuumba Coffee, The Precinct, The Vale — Café with a quiet atmosphere and solid Wi-Fi

Best Fitness, Health & Wellness spots in the North and Northwest of Mauritius

• Xtense Spa, Grand Baie — Beautiful spa and the best massages we had on the island
• Misschawky Studio, Grand Baie — Yoga and Pilates classes in a peaceful setting
• RM Club Grand Baie, Grand Baie — All-inclusive sportsclub with fitness, paddle, squash and group lessons.

Transport Tips for the North and Northwest of Mauritius

• IKAR Car & Scooter Rental, Grand Baie — Great quality and service
• Kaly Taxi Service, Grand Baie — Reliable, friendly and afortable (+230 5824 5928) 
• DodoGo — Local ride-hailing app for nearby taxis (limited availability)
• Grubmates - For food and grocery delivery service in Grand Baie, Pereybere, Mont Choisy.

More about working remotely in Mauritius coming soon

I’ve worked from many places around the world, and each one teaches me something new. Mauritius reminded me of the value of calm, simplicity, and curiosity — to hold off on judging until you’ve seen something with your own eyes. And that paradise doesn’t always shout; sometimes it just quietly waits for you to notice it.

Soon we’ll head to the island’s southwest — where the nature gets wilder, the surf breaks are calling, and (hopefully) we’ll finally meet other nomads. Whether that actually happened… you’ll read in the next edition of Unfiltered Paradise.

Curious about working remotely from southwest Mauritius? Or just want to follow along with more honest stories from life on the road? Make sure to stay tuned for the next insider’s guide!

À bientôt!

Nicolette