Overview
Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, is a mid-size town.
About 155,000 people live here.
It lies in the southern hemisphere, in Africa.
The nearest airport is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), about 35 km away.
Key facts
| Country | Mauritius |
|---|---|
| Population | 155,226 |
| Timezone | Indian/Mauritius |
| Nearest airport | Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), 35 km |
| Currency | MUR |
Where Port Louis is
Port Louis sits in Mauritius, in the southern part of Africa.
Beau Bassin-Rose Hill lies about 9 km to the south-west, Centre de Flacq lies about 23 km to the east and Vacoas lies about 15 km to the south.
Getting there
Most visitors arrive by air. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is the closest airport, about 35 km from Port Louis.
Use the Find flights link to search live fares for your dates.
Find flights to Port Louis →arrives MRU (35.3 km away)
Getting around
The town is easy to cover on foot, with taxis handy for longer hops or reaching nearby spots. If you drive, remember traffic here keeps to the left.
Best time to visit
The climate here is broadly tropical (southern hemisphere): hot for much of the year with a distinct wet season; the cooler, drier window is the most comfortable time to travel.
Reasons to visit
A few reasons Port Louis is worth your time: a handy base for the surrounding area, with several places within day-trip reach; straightforward access by air through MRU.
Day trips & nearby
Port Louis works well as a base. Within about 22 km you can reach Beau Bassin-Rose Hill (9 km to the south-west); Centre de Flacq (23 km to the east); Vacoas (15 km to the south); Curepipe (17 km to the south); Quatre Bornes (12 km to the south).
Good to know
The currency is the MUR (Rupee).
The main language spoken is English.
Clocks run on Indian/Mauritius time.
Traffic drives on the left.
How long to stay
Plan on 3–5 days here; that suits most visitors on a first trip.
Where to stay in Port Louis
Hotels are booked on Booking.com (a third party, off this page). You book and pay them directly — Head Your Way is not the seller.
Getting around Port Louis
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Common questions
- What is the nearest airport to Port Louis?
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is the closest airport, about 35 km away.
- When is the best time to visit Port Louis?
- The drier season is generally the most comfortable time to visit.
- What is near Port Louis?
- Beau Bassin-Rose Hill is one of the closest places, about 9 km away, with others within day-trip range.
- Which country is Port Louis in?
- Port Louis is in Mauritius.
On the map
Keep exploring
Nearby places
Similar destinations
Plan the wider trip
Sources & method
- GeoNames — population · retrieved 2026-09-18
- OurAirports (derived) — nearestAirports · retrieved 2026-09-18
- Imagery — Wikimedia Commons
Data compiled 2026-09-18 · editorial checks: passed. See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.