The Mauritius rupee (currency code: MUR) is the official currency of the Republic of Mauritius, issued and regulated by the Bank of Mauritius. One rupee divides into 100 cents. For visitors arriving at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, understanding the mauritius rupee — how to get it, where to spend it, and how it compares to your home currency — makes the practical side of your trip much easier. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Mauritius rupee before and during your visit. Note that your Mauritius airport transfer can be pre-paid in your home currency, so you don’t need local cash at the moment of arrival.
Currency Code
MUR — Mauritian Rupee. Issued by the Bank of Mauritius. Not pegged to any foreign currency.
Cards Accepted
Visa and Mastercard accepted at hotels, restaurants, and major shops. Cash needed for markets, tuk-tuks, and tips.
ATMs Available
ATMs dispensing MUR are widely available at the airport, in Grand Baie, Port Louis, and near all major tourist areas.
The Mauritius rupee is a free-floating currency, meaning its exchange rate moves with global market conditions and is not fixed to any major currency. Exchange rates fluctuate daily. As a general reference for travellers: 1 Euro has historically exchanged for approximately 45–50 MUR, 1 British Pound for approximately 52–58 MUR, 1 US Dollar for approximately 42–46 MUR, and 1 South African Rand for approximately 2.2–2.6 MUR. Always check the current rate from a reliable financial source before your trip, as rates change. The Bank of Mauritius publishes daily reference exchange rates on its website. The best rates for exchanging cash are typically found at bank branches and the airport change desks run by MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank) and SBM (State Bank of Mauritius).
The most convenient place to obtain Mauritius rupees on arrival is the currency exchange counter or ATM at SSR International Airport. MCB and SBM both operate exchange desks in the arrivals hall and are open on flight arrival. The rates at the airport are generally competitive — significantly better than hotel exchange desks. ATMs at the airport dispense MUR directly from international Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards. In the Grand Baie and Flic en Flac tourist areas, ATMs are widespread and available 24/7. Banks are open Monday–Friday approximately 9:15am–3:15pm; many have Saturday morning hours. Avoid exchanging money at hotels — their rates carry a significant markup.
Major hotels, restaurants in tourist areas, shopping centres, and car rental companies accept Visa and Mastercard without issue. American Express has more limited acceptance. For smaller establishments — local restaurants, market traders, street vendors, tuk-tuks, and tips — cash in Mauritius rupees is required or strongly preferred. It is practical to carry a mix: use cards at hotels and major restaurants, and have MUR 500–2,000 in cash for daily incidentals. There is no official restriction on bringing foreign currency into Mauritius, but amounts over USD 10,000 (or equivalent) must be declared on arrival. Mauritian rupees may not be exported in significant quantities.
Common banknote denominations are MUR 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000. Coins come in 1, 5, 10, and 20 rupees, and 5, 20, and 50 cents. The MUR 25 note is unusual internationally and sometimes confuses first-time visitors — it is a genuine legal tender banknote. When paying by cash, smaller denominations (100 and 200 rupee notes) are most useful for everyday transactions; large 1,000 and 2,000 rupee notes can be difficult to break at small vendors. Request a mix of denominations when withdrawing from an ATM.
Mauritius is not a cheap destination but it is also not excessively expensive for international visitors — the mid-market cost of living depends heavily on where you eat and stay. A local “dholl puri” flatbread from a street vendor costs MUR 10–20. A restaurant meal for two in a tourist area costs MUR 1,200–2,500. A bottle of local Phoenix beer costs MUR 80–120 at a restaurant. Local bus fare costs MUR 25–50 for a typical route. A taxi from Grand Baie to Port Louis costs approximately MUR 600–800. Organised excursions and tours are typically quoted in euros on booking platforms, but local guides accept MUR. Tipping is not mandatory in Mauritius but appreciated at 10% in restaurants.
The official currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR). It is used for all local transactions. Major tourist establishments also accept euros, and some accept British pounds or US dollars — though you will receive change in MUR. It is always better to pay in MUR to avoid unfavourable conversion rates applied by vendors.
Some hotels, resorts, and tour operators accept euros, particularly for large transactions. However, euros are not universally accepted by local shops, restaurants, and transport. It is best to exchange euros for Mauritian rupees at the airport or an MCB/SBM bank branch on arrival.
It is usually not necessary and often not cost-effective to buy MUR before leaving your home country, as exotic currency exchange margins are typically high. The airport exchange desks at SSR International offer competitive rates on arrival, and ATMs are immediately available in the arrivals area. Pre-paying your airport transfer online means you need no cash at the moment of arrival.
Managing the Mauritius rupee efficiently can make a significant difference to your holiday budget. The MUR (ISO code) has remained relatively stable against major currencies over recent years. As of 2026, the rupee trades at approximately MUR 47–50 per EUR 1, MUR 38–42 per GBP 1, and MUR 42–45 per USD 1 (check a real-time source such as the Bank of Mauritius for current rates before travelling). These rates apply to interbank transactions; bureau de change and hotel rates typically offer 2–5% less.
ATMs are widely available at the airport, in Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, Port Louis, and most major tourist areas. Both VISA and Mastercard work reliably at MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank) and SBM (State Bank of Mauritius) ATMs, which dispense rupees in MUR 100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 denominations. Withdrawal fees from international ATMs typically range from MUR 200–400 per transaction; using higher single withdrawals is more cost-effective than making multiple small ones.
Card payments are accepted at hotels, large restaurants, supermarkets, and most tourist attractions. However, several important situations require Mauritius rupee cash: beach vendors, local bus fares, street food stalls, market purchases, and tips for hotel staff and tour guides. It is advisable to carry MUR 1,000–2,000 in small denomination notes (MUR 100 and 200) at all times for these incidental expenses.
Tipping culture in Mauritius: restaurant service charges of 5–10% are sometimes added automatically; if not, MUR 100–200 per person for a meal is appropriate. Tour guides expect MUR 200–500 for a full-day tour, and hotel porters typically receive MUR 50–100 per bag. Your taxi or transfer driver from Taxis Mauritius does not require a tip (our fixed prices include full service), but it is always appreciated for exceptional service.
The best exchange rates for the Mauritius rupee are typically available at airport arrival hall bureaux de change (comparable to town rates) and at licensed money changers in Grand Baie, Port Louis, and Quatre Bornes. Hotel exchange desks are convenient but usually offer poorer rates. Never exchange money with informal street vendors — unlicensed exchange is illegal and commonly involves counterfeit notes. Retain your exchange receipts, as some establishments require proof of legal currency purchase when reconverting rupees at departure. Taxis Mauritius airport transfer prices are fixed in euros for your convenience, eliminating the need to carry rupees for your first journey.
Understanding real costs in mauritius rupees helps you budget realistically. A typical sit-down lunch for two at a mid-range restaurant (not hotel) costs MUR 800–1,500 including soft drinks. A Mauritian street food lunch (dholl puri, gato piment, samosas from a local stall) costs MUR 50–120 per person. A 750ml bottle of Phoenix beer costs MUR 90–130 in a supermarket, MUR 150–250 in a bar. A 1.5-litre bottle of water is MUR 35–60 at supermarkets. Bus fares anywhere on the island are MUR 25–45 — the cheapest transport option available. A local SIM card with 10GB data costs approximately MUR 250–400 from Emtel or Mauritius Telecom shops at the airport or in major towns.
For activities: a boat trip to Île aux Cerfs (full day catamaran with lunch) costs MUR 1,800–2,500 per person booked locally, or MUR 3,000–4,000 through a hotel. A scuba diving entry-level course costs MUR 3,500–5,000. A zip-line or quad-bike tour runs MUR 1,500–2,500. Glass-bottom kayak rentals at Blue Bay average MUR 300–500 per hour. Tipping: waiters MUR 100–200 per table, hotel porters MUR 50–100 per bag. Taxis Mauritius fixed-price transfers are agreed upfront in euros with no surprise charges in local currency.
To summarise: the mauritius rupee (MUR) is the only legal tender on the island. Bring some euros or pounds to exchange on arrival at the airport (rates are fair), withdraw larger amounts at MCB or SBM ATMs using your debit card to avoid multiple fees, and keep MUR 500–1,000 in small notes for daily cash expenses. Card payments work reliably at any hotel, supermarket, or mid-range restaurant. Budget approximately MUR 3,000–5,000 per person per day for a comfortable mid-range holiday including meals, activities, and incidental costs — excluding pre-booked transfers and accommodation.
KNOW YOUR COSTS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
All Taxis Mauritius prices are quoted in euros at a fixed rate. No haggling, no currency confusion. See the full price list for every route.
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