The popularity of Mauritius as a tourist destination can often be said to be inversely proportional to the size of the small Indian Ocean island. Mauritius, which is smaller than London and which holds a mere one and a half million inhabitants, is indeed one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It is one of those few destinations that are 
recommended for every type of holiday you could ever imagine. Whether you are looking to travel to an exotic place to get married, want to spend your honeymoon on a romantic island, or are simply going on a normal mid-year holiday, you are bound to hear a recommendation of Mauritius at one point.
Mauritius has retained its popularity and even become more famous during all these years thanks to the sheer number of unique attractions the island offers. It is also often considered as one of these select few destinations that have the delicate yet perfect combination of raw beauty and a thriving lifestyle suitable for tourists from all over the world. Since Mauritius has an unbelievable number of fantastic attractions, those persons traveling to the island for only a few days may not have enough time to visit each of these. In such cases, you should know which attractions are the main ones so you can make the trip a truly memorable one.
Obviously, it is hard to mention Mauritius without talking about its beaches. As an Indian Ocean island, it is almost mandatory for Mauritius to have beautiful beaches and the island never disappoints. Unsurprisingly, there exist a large number of beaches there but you should always make sure you at least visit the top 2 beaches, which are Pereybere and Flic en Flac. Pereybere is widely considered as the finest beach in Mauritius and is consequently always packed with both tourists from all over the world and the local population. Its crystal clear lagoon and fine white sands are an incredible sight that has made the cover of more than one magazine. Flic en Flac is another stunning beach and is mainly known for the magnificent waves that randomly come crashing in.
Although many people care to think only about the beaches whilst in Mauritius, it would be a mistake to ignore the other attractions. Mauritius is also famous for its wildlife and harbors quite a few major parks such as the Casela, where you can find most of the island’s unique fauna and flora, and the La Vanille Crocodile Park, which, as its name implies, focuses mainly on aquatic life. There are moreover a few unique species of fish that can be observed there, and visitors are encouraged to learn more about the various forms of aquatic life found throughout the La Vanille Crocodile Park (which is quite huge).
If parks are not really your thing, rest assured that there are other extraordinary things to see while visiting Mauritius. One town you should particularly care about is Grand Bay, which is basically the Mauritian equivalent of London. With a never-ending nightlife and the island’s most amazing collection of restaurants, bars, and clubs, Grand Bay is often described as “paradise within paradise” and is the town where most tourists will want to spend their nights. Or you can shun Grand Bay and instead visit the Caudan Waterfront, located in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. Both areas will allow you to taste these delicious Mauritius recipes as the number of restaurants there is extraordinary. Since Mauritius has a multicultural population with people from Indian, Chinese, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds live happily together without any conflict whatsoever, there is a wide range of food to enjoy and there’s something to really enjoy, regardless of your personal preferences.
Ashvin Sawmynaden is an expert travel author currently living in Mauritius and is a regular contributor to the leading Mauritius spa hotel blog. He also frequently travels to Petite Ile Reunion for a trip to the Domaine du Relais.