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Are you a digital nomad looking to escape the grind of daily life in a big city as rising prices plague most of America amid the ongoing economic turmoil, or are you simply hoping to have something beautiful to view from your office instead of clusters of uninspiring skyscrapers?
Maybe move to a remote tropical island that has yet to be overrun by fellow American expats, more than 10,000 kilometers from homewith an abundance of natural resources, breathtaking landscapes and a completely different culture, is just what you need to find your sparkle again.
We know it may sound like a drastic measure, but you’re about to be convinced that this offshore destination in Africa is perfect for adventurous remote workers like you:
Have we been overlooking Mauritius this whole time?
The country in question is Mauritius, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africafamous for being the only one on the continent where Hinduism is the most practiced religion, as well as one of the most stable states in Africa.
Americans tend to often associate Africa with poverty, malnourished children and failing democracies, and while numerous countries in the group have been struggling with social problems for decades and wouldn’t exactly be a playground for nomads, Mauritius couldn’t be further from that have been removed.
As a result of more than a hundred years under British control, local government has been inspired by the acclaimed Westminster system, with a working democracy and lower levels of corruption compared to its African counterparts.
Additionally, the World Bank officially considers Mauritius a high-income economy, which sounds nice enough, but if you’re not familiar with the classification, it’s a status granted almost exclusively to Western states like the United States and Canada.
@travelguyss Most beautiful places in Mauritius 🤩✨ #adventure #trip #nature #to discover #mauritius #mauritius🇲🇺 #🇲🇺 #USA #🇺🇸 #Canada #🇨🇦 ♬ Sail – AWOLNATION
Furthermore, Mauritius’very high‘ in the Human Development Index, and it has a robust welfare state, with citizens and residents benefiting from free, universal healthcare, free education up to a third level, and even free public transport across the islands for seniors and students.
While this information is unlikely to be relevant to you as a visitor in the medium to long term, it does highlight how highly functional Mauritius is, and as any true nomad will know: stability just as relevant a factor such as the cost of living and safety:
No one wants to live somewhere where their status as a foreigner with more money than the average person will put a target on their back, in conflict zones or in countries with poor sanitation or widespread poverty.
Certainly Mauritius has problems, and like most countries there is poverty, but within the context of Africa, the poorest continent on earth, where violence rates are skyrocketing and social development is decades behind the international average, it’s the real Shangri-La.
We don’t just throw that term around either.
Mauritius is literally a paradise on earth
At least when it counts natureMauritius is a utopian earthly paradise, and that’s when we get to the most exciting part.
Then there’s the best part: these islands are packed with natural wonders, and with their hot temperatures and year-round accessibility, you’ll want to take the time to explore.
Think dizzying peaks offering sweeping views of lush vegetation as far as the eye can see, beautiful white sandy beaches surrounded by a turquoise, warm Indian Ocean, protected jungle reserves which have been left largely undisturbed amid the development boom and majestic waterfalls.
As the capital and largest city, home to around 147,000 of Mauritius’ 1.2 million inhabitants, Port Louis is one of the best places to stay as a nomad due to its good connections to smaller towns on the island and the wider archipelago, the high concentration of cafes and a more vibrant social scene.
What are some of the top attractions in Mauritius for digital nomads?
Port Louis is also known for its colonial architecture and the bustling Caudan Waterfront, a hotspot for dining and shopping, but it’s certainly not the only attraction Mauritius has to offer.
If you are staying in the country as a nomad, for however long, you should definitely get out into the wild Mauritian nature and see some of the amazing sights, such as Trou aux Cerfs, a volcanic crater dotted with houses and crossed by tourists. -friendly footpaths and hiking trails.
Bring a water bottle and your best sneakers, because despite the overwhelming heat you’ll want to climb to the top to admire the panoramic view of the center of the island from above the crater.
Pont Bon Dieu is also not to be missed, with its series of lava tubes formed during volcanic eruptions that occurred centuries ago, as is Chamarel, a charming Mauritian village with unique geological features including natural multi-colored dunes and the landmark Chamarel Waterfall.
@jessmelu Don’t miss this beautiful waterfall 🇲🇺 #mauritius #ilemaurice #maurititustiktok #trip #bestplaces ♬ original sound – Cut Birds
A 100 meter high waterfall, the water cascades over the edge of a basalt cliff creating one of Mauritius’ most memorable postcards.
The Ebony Forest is also a popular attraction for visitors to Chamarel, and you certainly shouldn’t underestimate Chamarel’s potential as a wellness destination: it may lack the infrastructure of Port Louis, but it’s full of lodge and chalet stays and even luxury spas.
Elsewhere, there are two more incredible peaks to add to your bucket list: Le Morne, a UNESCO-protected mountain range in the south of the main island, and Le Pouce, in central Mauritius, which is noticeably more rugged and stands out from the coastal areas .
Ile aux Aigrettes is located off the east coast of the main island of Mauritius perfect for nature loversbecause it houses a 27 hectare reserve under the supervision of the MWF (Mauritian Wildlife Foundation) where endangered species are protected, from rare birds to giant tortoises.
If it’s the sight of palm trees, white sand and clear blue seas that gets your heart racing, boy, then you’re in for a treat, because you’re never far from paradise in Mauritius:
From north to south, east to west, and further afield towards the smaller islands and islets that make up the archipelago, there are too many pristine sandy beaches and swimming and snorkelling spots to count.
Again, this is an island nation, and what is it surrounded by? A blue-green colored Indian Ocean, also known as the Caribbean of the Eastern Hemisphere.
Mauritius is cheap to live in
As if the high level of development and the beautiful nature were not enough incentives, Mauritius is incredibly cheap to live.
According to Nomad listit costs an average of $1915 per month to live and work remotely from the island, with Port Louis ranking highest in cost of living, internet speed, weather and all other statistics relevant to nomads.
With the cost of dinners on average an almost negligible $6.10and the average price of a night at an AirBnB is $41, Port Louis is the perfect home base for exploring Mauritius’ wild nature, while also being within walking distance of shops and internet cafes.
Finally, Mauritius has launched one of the easiest to apply for digital nomad visas on the market today.
This means that Americans can move to Mauritius for a full year, provided they have made long-term residence plans, such as booking accommodation, and meet the following criteria:
- You must be a digital nomad or business owner whose income comes from abroad
- You must provide proof of health insurance covering the duration of your stay
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months
- You have to earn a minimum USD$1500 per month when traveling alone, and an additional $500 per dependent
- You must provide an official police report
The best thing about it is the Mauritius Premium Travel Visa free applications, unlike any other Digital Nomad Visa out there, and even extensions are free.
Read more:
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
- Must have an official police report from the country of residence showing no criminal record
- Must have proof of return
