A wide range of French and South African wines, beers and spirits are available at prices which compare favourably with those at home. There are many excellent boutiques in this area as well as craft shops. All the major hotels have their own boutiques, which sell a wide variety of goods, including designer wear and a selection of holiday items. They frequently hold exhibitions of silk carpets from India, jewellery and textiles. There are of course many villages throughout the island which have small Chinese and Indian stores which cater for the local population, Beautiful silks, hand woven and hand printed locally, are at already very low prices, so that bargaining power is limited but sill possible. Children’s clothing is available through a number of retailers, Gecko Kids, Pomme d’api and Tara offer a wide selection of garments for newly born babies to fifteen year old children. This is just a sample of what is available in Mauritius. There is something to suit all tastes an shopping here will not break the bank!

The sign "DutyFree" appears on many shops in Port Louis, but the official outlets have a certain procedure. Goods can be purchased at duty free prices in currency other than Rupees, but the purchaser has to go beyond the barrier of the departure lounge at the airport before being able to pick them up. The main shops which have this facility are the jewellers, Adamas, Charles Lee, Shiv Jewels and Poncini: Montali sells designer clothes such as Moschino, Brioni, etc. generally the amount of tax rebate on these goods is about 40%. Hazara, the carpet dealers, who will pack and despatch your purchase by air freight (the price of which is included in your purchase) have a reduction of 100 – 108 % tax on their wares. These goods are all of the highest quality and the resulting prices make them very good ‘buys’. Other shops such as Oasis in Grad Bay sell duty free goods also, where you can pay the full price of your goods at the time of purchase and are given documentation to claim a rebate in whichever currency you paid (not rupees) at the airport, this way you are allowed to take your goods with you. In all cases, in order to qualify you have to produce passports and on-going air tickets as proof of temporary residence.