Curepipe
Curepipe is a sprawling town in the centre of Mauritius. At an altitude of 561 m, it marks the top of the ridge on the road between Port Louis and Vieux Grand Port, and the name may indicate that travellers rested here for long enough to smoke then clean out their clay pipes. The town is frankly ugly and ill-planned but is near natural attractions, especially the Botanic Gardens, where the cooler wetter hill climate supports unusual trees and flowers.
Get in
Curepipe is 30 km south of Port Louis by car. The Metro Express light rail is the easiest way to get here, with trains every 10 min and the trip taking about 40 minutes.
Get around
Curepipe has bus services operated by NTC, UBS and Independent Bus Operators.
See
- 🌍 Trou aux Cerfs (Murr's Volcano). This volcano crater dormant for 700,000 years is the main attraction in Curepipe.
- 🌍 Botanic Gardens, Route des Jardins. Daily 6AM-6PM (except some public holidays). The gardens have the rarest palm tree, Hyophorbe amaricaulis, of which there is only one specimen in the world.
- Monvert Nature Park. The park is full of interesting trails with endemic trees and flowers.
Do
- 🌍 Stade George V (George V Stadium), Barry Rd. A football stadium with a capacity of 6,500.
Buy
Curepipe is a lively market town with a mix of boutique shops and larger malls. There is a variety of shops selling local ethnic wear and as well as modern Western clothing. The upmarket stores have fixed prices while you can bargain (though not excessively) in the touristy street markets.
Eat
- Bistro Barbu, arcades currimjee, ☏ +230 5746 7302. This restaurant is small in size with a retro vibe. A good place to get your burger and salad fix.
- 🌍 Blue Ivy Café, Melrose Palace Royal Rd, ☏ +230 5968 8124. A vintage, arty café with wooden decor. Try the creamy milkshakes.
Sleep
- Le Plaza Hotel, N. P. Building - Pot de Terre Street, ☏ +230 6701518, plazahotelltd@intnet.mu. There are 82 rooms altogether. Ask for a non-smoking room if you don't want to smell tobacco during your stay.