List of 16 public holidays in Mauritius for 2026, including New Year's Day, New Year (Day 2), Thaipusam Cavadee and more.
Mauritius is a vibrant melting pot where Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Chinese traditions coexist harmoniously. The island's holiday calendar is a colorful tapestry of festivals like Diwali, Cavadee, and Eid, celebrated with public fervor, communal feasts, and lively street processions.
On public holidays, most shops, banks, and government offices close. Public transport runs on a reduced Sunday schedule, making taxis more expensive and harder to find. Popular beaches like Trou aux Biches can become very crowded with local families.
Avoid scheduling high-stakes meetings during the weeks of Diwali or Chinese New Year, as many local partners may take extended leave. It is customary to offer small gifts of sweets (mithai) to business associates during major religious festivals to build rapport.
Visit in October or November to experience the Festival of Lights (Diwali) and the onset of summer. To avoid crowds and holiday-related closures, plan your trip for May or June when the weather is mild and there are fewer public holidays.
For Diwali, say 'Happy Divali'; during Eid, 'Eid Mubarak' is standard. For the Sega-infused National Day, 'Happy Independence Day' works well, and during the Chinese Spring Festival, 'Xin Nian Kuai Le' is appreciated.