Goodlands, Mauritius Travel Guide

City City in Mauritius known for its beaches

A northern market town with bustling Saturday markets and curry shops; visitors come for Hindu temples, local street food and as a low-key base to explore Pamplemousses gardens and Grand Baie’s beaches.

Costs
Affordable-midrange: $40-120/day
Affordable to midrange: $40-120/day depending on lodging choices.
Safety
Generally safe with low violent crime
Mauritius is generally safe; minor petty theft can happen in busy areas.
Best Time
Dry season (May-Dec)
Dry, cooler season May-December is most comfortable for visitors.
Time
Weather
Population
21,063
Infrastructure & Convenience
Decent road and bus connections; English and French widely spoken; basic tourist services nearby.
Popularity
Mostly a local commerce hub; attracts budget shoppers and regional visitors.
Known For
Goodlands Market, sugarcane history, multicultural shops, Hindu temples, local cuisine, proximity to Grand Bay, busy street life, textile and retail trade
Goodlands grew around sugar estates and still hosts one of the island's busiest local markets.

Why Visit Goodlands, Mauritius? #

Goodlands is a bustling Mauritian town where Indo-Mauritian culture, market life and sugarcane landscapes converge. The Goodlands market is a sensory highlight-expect dholl puri and gateau piments from street stalls, colorful sari shops and aromatic spice sellers-while nearby sugar estates and Hindu temples reveal local roots. It’s a practical entry point for exploring northern Mauritius and sampling the island’s creole-Indian food traditions.

Top Things to Do in Goodlands, Mauritius

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Goodlands Market - Bustling local market where vendors sell produce, spices, and everyday household goods.
  • Rue Dr. Hurreman food stalls - Street-side eateries offering Mauritian snacks, curries, and popular local dishes.
  • Local Hindu temples - Neighborhood temples reflecting the island's cultural diversity, open to respectful visitors.
Hidden Gems
  • Rochester Falls viewpoint - Quiet roadside viewpoint giving pleasant views of the surrounding sugarcane landscape.
  • Small rum distilleries - Nearby artisanal rum producers welcome visitors for tastings and behind-the-scenes tours.
  • Community craft cooperatives - Local cooperatives producing woven goods and souvenirs supporting village artisans.
Day Trips
  • Pamplemousses Botanical Garden - World-famous garden showcasing giant water lilies and centuries-old tropical plant collections.
  • Grand Baie - Coastal resort hub for shopping, snorkeling trips, and lively waterfront dining options.

Best Time to Visit Goodlands, Mauritius #

Goodlands sits in northern Mauritius with warm temperatures year-round. The drier months (May-October) are best for outdoor activities; November-April is wetter and includes the cyclone-prone peak months.

Dry Season
May - October · 18-26°C (64-79°F)
Cooler, breezy, and relatively dry months are ideal for beaches, snorkeling, and hiking - lower humidity and calmer seas.
Wet Season
November - April · 24-30°C (75-86°F)
Warm, humid weather with frequent afternoon showers - great for lush scenery and fewer crowds, but expect sporadic downpours.
Cyclone Peak
January - March · 25-31°C (77-88°F)
Highest storm risk months can disrupt travel; if visiting, watch forecasts, have flexible plans, and prefer beachfront stays with evacuation plans.

Best Time to Visit Goodlands, Mauritius #

Climate

Goodlands, Mauritius's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with hot summers (peaking in January) and warm winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1559 mm/year), wettest in February.

Best Time to Visit
SeptemberOctoberNovember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (237 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

237 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
3.0
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

February

February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (260 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

260 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.8
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

March

March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (204 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 29°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

204 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

April

April is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (179 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

179 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 27°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

124 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
11.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 25°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
18° 25°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
18° 25°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 26°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 27°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.4h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 29°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

157 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.9
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

How to Get to Goodlands, Mauritius

Goodlands (Rivière du Rempart District) is best reached from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport via Port Louis by public bus or taxi; buses are cheap but require at least one change and take longer. Taxis are faster and more direct for door-to-door travel.

By Air

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU): The island’s international airport is the arrival point for most visitors. From MRU you can reach Goodlands in the north by a combination of public bus via Port Louis or by taxi. Public bus options require a transfer in Port Louis and take around 1.5-2 hours total; typical single-bus fares on the island are low (roughly MUR 20-70). Taxis from MRU to Goodlands take about 1-1.5 hours and commonly cost around MUR 1,200-1,800 depending on negotiation and peak times.

Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport (MRU secondary note): There are no other major international airports serving northern Mauritius - MRU is the primary gateway for Goodlands.

By Train & Bus

Train: Mauritius does not have a functioning national passenger rail network.

Bus: The island has an extensive bus network (public buses and private operators) connecting Port Louis, Goodlands and other northern towns. Buses between Port Louis and Goodlands take roughly 20-40 minutes depending on route and stops; fares are typically MUR 20-70. Expect crowded buses at peak times and check departure points in Port Louis.

How to Get Around Goodlands, Mauritius #

Goodlands is small and easy to get around on foot in the town centre. Public buses serve the area and shared/private taxis are common for getting to larger towns like Port Louis or Grand Baie. If you plan to travel at night, arrange a taxi in advance; bus frequencies fall in the evening and on Sundays.

Where to Stay in Goodlands, Mauritius #

Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury

Where to Eat in Goodlands, Mauritius #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Goodlands, Mauritius's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Italian
Regional
Indian
Seafood
International
Chicken
French
Mauritian
Fish
Local
Burger
Chinese
Pizza
Thai
Asian
Pasta
Sushi
Cr Ole
Japanese
Sandwich

Nightlife in Goodlands, Mauritius #

Nightlife in Goodlands is restrained, with a few local bars and hotel restaurants. For a livelier evening scene you’ll need to travel to Grand Baie or Port Louis.

Shopping in Goodlands, Mauritius #

Goodlands Market is the town’s main shopping spot-busy in the mornings with vendors selling produce, spices and ready-to-eat snacks. Beyond the market there are small grocery stores and textile shops serving daily needs.

  • Goodlands Market - Busy local market known for fresh produce and simple street-food stalls.

Nearby Cities #