From the rum-breathed heat of Chamarel’s shaded distilleries to the briny tang of Grand Baie’s morning fish stalls, Mauritius greets you with a chorus of scents and colors.

The crushed grass of Pamplemousses gardens mixes with vanilla steam from market stalls while the lagoon’s turquoise rim and the ochres of the Seven Coloured Earth at Chamarel press images into your memory like postcards.

Wandering Port Louis Central Market, you’ll hear vendors call out over clinking tins, see sega dancers’ shuffling feet at a roadside square, and run your fingers over glossy mother-of-pearl and carved ebony.

Whether it’s a spool of Bois Chéri tea, a hand-beaten ravanne, or a bottle of local rum, these small things are the best Mauritius souvenirs you can tuck into your suitcase. Here’s what to buy in Mauritius to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Chamarel & New Grove Rums

Why pick this up:
Mauritian rum captures the island’s sugarcane history — from molasses to the rich, spiced bottles produced by distilleries like Chamarel and New Grove. A sip evokes lush hills and plantation trails that shaped the island.

What to look for:
Seek aged single-estate rums or limited-edition spiced varieties, and check for distillery tasting notes and vintage years on the label. Bottles with clear provenance (Chamarel, New Grove) fetch better flavours and stories.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 450–2,500

Where to find it:
L’Aventure du Sucre shop, Chamarel Distillery visitor centre, Le Caudan Waterfront, liquor sections in Grand Baie and airport duty-free.

2. Vanilla Pods (local grade)

Why pick this up:
Real vanilla beans carry the floral, caramel perfume of Mauritian plantations and make any kitchen feel like an island spice garden. They’re a taste memory that lasts far longer than sweets.

What to look for:
Choose glossy, oily pods that bend without snapping and smell floral and sweet; avoid dry, brittle sticks which are often imported or old. Ask vendors about harvest dates (freshness matters).

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 600–2,000 per 50 g

Where to find it:
Flacq Market, Mahebourg Market, specialty stalls at Port Louis Central Market, farmer stands near Bois Chéri and Chamarel.

3. Bois Chéri Tea & Tea Blends

Why pick this up:
Tea from the Bois Chéri estate is a direct sip of the island’s highland breezes — aromatic broken-leaf teas and flavored blends reflect Mauritian terroir. A tin makes a refined, travel-friendly souvenir.

What to look for:
Look for single-estate labels, special blends (ginger, vanilla, citrus), and vacuum-sealed tins that preserve aroma. Estate shops often offer tasting notes and pairing suggestions.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 200–800

Where to find it:
Bois Chéri Tea Estate shop, museum shops, Port Louis Central Market, airport gift shops.

4. Artisanal Cane Sugar & Syrups (from L’Aventure du Sucre)

Why pick this up:
Sugar shaped Mauritius’ economy — artisanal cane sugars and syrups (brown cane, muscovado, cane jus) are edible souvenirs that tell that story. They make excellent gifts and cocktail ingredients.

What to look for:
Buy locally produced muscovado or unrefined cane syrup in sealed jars and check for L’Aventure du Sucre provenance or small-batch labels. Avoid generic supermarket sugar if you want distinct flavor.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 150–600

Where to find it:
L’Aventure du Sucre museum shop (Beau Plan), Port Louis Central Market, Flacq Market.

5. Ebony & Indigenous Wood Carvings

Why pick this up:
Polished wood carvings—often from tamarind, mapou, or sustainably sourced ebony—capture Mauritian motifs, from turtles to dodo silhouettes, carved by Curepipe and Port Louis artisans. They’re tactile keepsakes evoking island craftsmanship.

What to look for:
Inspect grain, joinery and finishes; genuine pieces have natural variations and tool marks. Avoid items labeled “ebony” without clear sourcing—ask about timber origin to ensure legality and sustainability.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 300–4,000

Where to find it:
Curepipe craft stalls, Port Louis Central Market, Le Caudan Waterfront craft kiosks, artisan studios near Grand Baie.

6. Ravanne (Sega Frame Drum)

Why pick this up:
The ravanne is the heartbeat of sega music — a hand-held frame drum whose skin and tone are integral to Creole celebrations. It’s as much a musical souvenir as a cultural one.

What to look for:
Choose a ravanne with taut animal hide and a sturdy wooden frame; smaller travel versions are available but larger ones produce fuller sound. Ask craftsmen about tuning techniques.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 500–2,500

Where to find it:
Mahebourg waterfront, Grand Baie craft markets, Port Louis Central Market, weekend cultural markets.

7. Handwoven Baskets & Rodrigues Craftwork

Why pick this up:
Handmade baskets and mats from Rodrigues and Mauritius are woven from pandanus and local reeds, offering durable, beautifully patterned homewares. They reflect island life and inter-island trade.

What to look for:
Look for tight, even weaving and natural dyes; authentic Rodriguez pieces often have distinctive color patterns and signed workmanship. Avoid perfectly machine-made, identical pieces.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 200–1,200

Where to find it:
Flacq Market, Rodrigues craft stalls, Port Louis Central Market, artisan fairs in Grand Baie.

8. Mother-of-Pearl & Shell Jewellery

Why pick this up:
Mother-of-pearl necklaces and shell inlay pieces echo the lagoon’s shimmer and are crafted into modern and traditional jewelry. They’re lightweight and travel-friendly reminders of the sea.

What to look for:
Seek natural iridescence and solid settings; beware of cheap plastic imitations or painted shells. Ask if pieces are made from sustainably collected shells.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 300–2,500

Where to find it:
Grand Baie Bazaar, Mahebourg Market, Le Caudan Waterfront, beachside stalls.

9. Mauritian Chocolates (vanilla- or rum-infused)

Why pick this up:
Local chocolatiers combine high-quality chocolate with island flavors—vanilla, rum, and tea—to create distinct truffles and bars. They’re a luxurious edible souvenir and great for gifting.

What to look for:
Choose sealed boxes from recognised producers (Chamarel Chocolaterie, local artisan brands) and check ingredients for vanilla or rum infusions. Buy in temperature-controlled shops if possible.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 150–800

Where to find it:
Chamarel, Port Louis boutiques, Grand Baie speciality stores, airport duty-free.

10. Model Sailing Ships & Maritime Miniatures

Why pick this up:
Handcrafted model dhows and sailing boats nod to Mauritius’s seafaring past and make striking decorative pieces. They’re an homage to the island’s trade routes and fishing heritage.

What to look for:
Pick finely detailed models with real wood and fabric sails rather than glued plastic parts. Ask about the maker—many are local woodworkers in Port Louis and Grand Baie.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 400–3,000

Where to find it:
Port Louis Central Market, Grand Baie craft stalls, Le Caudan Waterfront, Mahebourg maritime vendors.

11. Dodo-themed Prints, Textiles & Ceramics

Why pick this up:
The dodo is an island icon—playful prints, ceramics, sarongs and postcards emblazoned with the bird are cheerful, locally made mementos that celebrate Mauritian identity. They’re perfect for casual gifts and home decor.

What to look for:
Go for hand-printed textiles, locally-painted ceramics, or artworks that credit Mauritian artists. Mass-produced tourist trinkets tend to lack artisan signatures and quality.

Price bracket (2025):
Rs 100–1,200

Where to find it:
Le Caudan Waterfront artisan stalls, Port Louis Central Market, weekend maker markets in Grand Baie and Curepipe.

Tip: Carry a reusable tote and small notes for bargaining at open-air markets like Flacq and Port Louis — a friendly haggle can be part of the experience! 🧭

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Mauritius’s shopping culture is a blend of Creole, Indian, Chinese and European influences. Weekends bring crowds to Flacq Market, where fruits, spices, textiles and household wares spill into lanes.

Port Louis Central Market buzzes daily with butchers, fishmongers and artisans selling everything from mother-of-pearl to hand-carved statuettes. Visitors should also note the island’s artisan villages and estate shops (Bois Chéri, Chamarel, L’Aventure du Sucre) that tie products directly to plantations and distilleries.

Bargaining is common in open-air markets and small stalls, vendors expect a polite, good-humored negotiation, while fixed prices are typical in museum shops, boutiques and duty-free.

Weekend craft markets and seaside bazaars often feature live sega performances, allowing you to buy while soaking up local music and dance.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Check materials and provenance: genuine Mauritian tea will be labeled with estate names (Bois Chéri), rums should state distillery origins (Chamarel, New Grove), and vanilla should feel pliant and fragrant.

For wood and shell items, ask about species and sourcing, sustainable or local timber and natural mother-of-pearl will show variation in grain and sheen.

Look for artisan marks, hand-tooling, or signatures on carvings and textiles; machine-perfect symmetry often signals mass-produced imports. With food items, confirm packaging dates and seals, and prefer vacuum-packed or sealed jars for long trips.

When in doubt, ask where and how an item was made, artisans and estate staff usually welcome questions and can point to authenticity.

Where to Shop in Mauritius

• Port Louis Central Market (for produce, spices, textiles and crafts)
• Flacq Market (largest open-air market for bargains and local goods)
• Le Caudan Waterfront (craft kiosks, museum shops, duty-free)
• Grand Baie Bazaar and seaside markets (jewelry, mother-of-pearl, souvenirs)
• L’Aventure du Sucre and Chamarel (sugar museum and distillery shops)
• Bois Chéri Tea Estate (estate shop and tastings)
• Mahebourg Market (authentic coastal crafts and seafood stalls)
• Airport duty-free shops (for rums, chocolates and packaged goods)

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Mauritius expensive?
A: Prices range widely—open-air markets like Flacq offer budget finds, while estate shops and galleries sell premium single-estate products; expect mid-range prices for genuine artisanal items.

Q: Is bargaining common in Mauritius?
A: Yes, bargaining is customary at street stalls and open-air markets; approach with a smile and start around 20–30% below the asking price to leave room for negotiation.

Q: How do I know if food items can pass customs?
A: Buy sealed, commercially packaged foods (vacuum-packed teas, sealed jars of syrup, factory-wrapped chocolates) and check your home country’s import rules—fresh produce and unsealed goods are often restricted.

Explore the markets and estates of Mauritius and bring home the flavors and crafts that tell the island’s stories, celebrating Mauritius souvenirs.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!