Mauritius vs Mauritania: An Honest Comparison in 2025

Last Updated: January 30th, 2025

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Suppose you are seeking a far-flung destination that offers an immersive cultural experience, a range of fun activities, and unique natural attractions. In that case, you may have a few countries on your list. In this article, we will explore the tropical island of Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean, and the African country of Mauritania, known for its Arab culture and desert landscape.

Of course, both of these destinations could not be more different, so we will uncover the key differences, which will narrow down which destination best suits you and your interests.

For example, Mauritius is a relatively small island in the Indian Ocean. It is well known for its tropical beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and wide range of fun activities suitable for all ages. In contrast, Mauritania offers many unique experiences, albeit very different.

Visitors to Mauritania will be impressed by the country’s sand dunes, desert landscape, and variety of stunning mosques and historical sites, which set it apart from Mauritius.

While both destinations offer an incredible experience, the truth is that they are best suited to a specific type of traveler; for instance, Mauritania would not be the perfect choice for an all-inclusive family beach holiday, while Mauritius may not be ideal for a wildlife enthusiasts or dessert seekers.

With that in mind, we will dive into the ins and outs of these incredibly unique and different destinations to find out which suits you, so let’s begin.

A Brief Overview & Comparison: Mauritius Vs Mauritania

Le-Morne-Brabant-in-Mauritius
Mauritius is a popular tropical destination

Mauritius

  • Tropical Climate
  • Known for its tropical beaches
  • A small, accessible island
  • A popular vacation destination
  • A more expensive option

Mauritania

  • Desert Climate
  • Known for its dunes and deserts
  • A large country in West Africa
  • An off-the-beaten-path location
  • More budget friendly

As you can see, these two destinations could not be more different, yet both countries offer tourists the chance to have an unforgettable vacation – depending on what you have in mind. Mauritius is a well-established holiday destination you may have heard family or friends talking about occasionally.

At the same time, Mauritania is an off-the-beaten-path destination geared towards adventure seekers and those looking for a unique journey.

In terms of size, you might notice that Mauritius is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, which makes it ideal for exploring, enjoying the beaches, and getting around quite easily. Mauritania is much larger, and while it may offer more budget-friendly options, getting around is not as straightforward or safe as it would be in Mauritius, which is generally driven by tourism.

If you value activities and landscape, you should decide what you are excited to see since Mauritius is the ideal destination for coral reefs, pristine beaches, and hiking in the mountains. In contrast, Mauritania is the best place for desert safaris, cultural tours, and unique natural landscapes.

Mauritius Vs Mauritania: A Quick Guide to Choosing

A-Couple-on-a-Tropical-Beach
Mauritius is a popular spot for couples and newlyweds

Mauritius Mini Guide

  • Location Size – 2,040 km2 (about the area of Yosemite National Park)
  • Population – 1.3 million
  • Rainy Season – November – April
  • High Season – May – October
  • Top Sights – Black River Gorges National Park, St Louis (the capital city), Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark, Flic En Flac Beach, Ile aux Cerfs (island)
  • Major Airports – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport

We don’t blame you for considering a tropical vacation on the island of Mauritius; after all, it is one of the most popular places in the region. In fact, it is well known worldwide for its stunning beaches, which make it an excellent destination for families, honeymooners, and even sun-seeking budget travelers. Mauritius boasts cultural diversity in terms of religion, ethnicity, cuisine, and a diverse range of activities suited to all ages. Still, honeymooners and couples can also easily find fantastic beachfront resorts to enjoy some luxury.

Here, you will easily find many day trips, food markets, thrilling activities, luxury high-end shopping, spas, and dining experiences, which make a well-rounded destination for just about every traveler.

Chinguetti-Mosque-Mauritania
Chinguetti, Mauritania

Mauritania Mini Guide

  • Location Size – 1.031 million km2 (about half the area of Alaska)
  • Population – 4.61 million
  • Rainy Season – July – September
  • High Season – November – April
  • Top Sights – Chinguetti, Ardrar Plateau, Nouakchoutt, Banc d’Arguin National Park, Terjit Oasis
  • Major Airports – There are two international airports in Mauritania, Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport and Nouadhibou International Airport

Let’s talk about Mauritania, a country often overlooked regarding vacation destinations. Mauritania is ideally suited to those who want an immersive cultural experience, off-the-beaten-path tours through the desert, and a budget-friendly option where crowds are almost nonexistent. Mauritania generally has a dry season when travelers visit the country, yet this cannot be compared to a ”high season” in places like Mauritius, Maldives, or Seychelles. This could be a perfect option for those seeking a rare and quiet escape.

The Five Key Differences Between Mauritius Vs. Mauritania

How do the beaches and landscape compare?

A-Sandy-Mauritius-Beach

Mauritius

Mauritius wins hands down for beaches since it is up there with the best beach destinations worldwide. This is an excellent place for swimming, watersports, snorkeling, and diving; there are some wonderful beachfront resorts to choose from. The landscape in Mauritius is green and lush, making it an excellent place for hiking and trekking, so if you like beaches and adventure, this is a great choice.

Mauritania

What can we say? Mauritania may have 700km (434.96 mi) of Atlantic Coastline featuring a few rugged desert beaches, but the country’s highlights certainly lie in its desert landscape. Nouakchott Beach is a beautiful place in Mauritania, but perhaps not ideal for a tropical getaway. At the same time, the unique landscape of the Sahara Desert and rocky plateaus is one reason visitors are captivated by this hidden gem in West Africa.

Which destination is better for activities?

Adrar-Mountain-Mauritania
Typical desert landscape in Mauritania

Mauritius

In this category, we must admit that both countries have a wide range of excellent activities, yet they are very different experiences. In Mauritius, you can expect to enjoy activities like hiking, water sports, cultural tours, family-friendly adventures, and food tours; plus, one of the top activities involves marine life, which is a fantastic experience when visiting this tropical destination.

Mauritania

Compared to Mauritius, Mauritania has a much different style of activity catered towards adventure seekers. These include safari adventures, camel trekking, star gazing, and interactions with nomadic cultures like the Moorish and Berber communities. In terms of unique and extraordinary activities, Mauritania wins hands down, especially if you are searching for something quite different from what you have experienced.

Which destination is better for a cultural experience?

A-Jungle-Paradise-of-Mauritius
Mauritius is a jungle paradise

Mauritius

Both countries have their own identity and cultural aspects; for instance, in Mauritius, you will have the chance to witness aspects of Hindu, Christian and other cultures within this diverse nation. The cultural influence is also apparent in the cuisine, which is exceptional, especially if you are a fan of curries, spicy delights, and seafood-based dishes.

Mauritania

Mauritania is a fantastic choice for a more in-depth, immersive cultural experience since you can interact with nomadic desert communities. In more urban settings, you can visit mosques and other historical sites, too, to get an overview of the Arabic culture of the country. One of the top things to do is to stay with nomadic communities to learn the traditional ways of life and local hospitality. This experience makes Mauritania an exceptional destination.

Which country is safer to travel to?

City-Buildings-in-Mauritius

Mauritius

This is one of the top questions people ask when deciding on their upcoming destination. Mauritius is a well-established tourist destination and is regarded as being relatively safe. With that in mind, care should be taken at night and in less built-up areas, but it is pretty easy to stay safe if you stick to the tourist regions and around your resort. Safety measures are in place here, and the crime rate is low, which is good to know before traveling there, whether traveling with your family, solo or as a couple.

Mauritania

Mauritania is quite different regarding safety compared to Mauritius, and the country faces certain security challenges compared to Mauritius. Travelers are often urged to exercise caution when visiting Mauritania and stay updated on security measures and warnings, especially regarding terrorism. If you plan to visit here, it is wise to research your desired locations, contact your local department of foreign affairs for advice, and opt for a tour rather than traveling by yourself if possible.

Which destination is better for nightlife?

Nouakchott-Capital-of-Mauritania
Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania is a good place for nightlife

Mauritius

Nightlife may be a big part of your desired vacation; if so, you will want to choose the best destination. Mauritius is the best place to do this if you are excited to try new restaurants, visit local bars and music venues, or enjoy a few cocktails on the beach at sunset. Overall, the nightlife in Mauritius is more diverse and vibrant, making it more suitable for travelers seeking evening entertainment.

Mauritania

In all honesty, Mauritania is not known for its nightlife scene; however, in more built-up areas, you may find cultural events, theatres, or live music venues, but once you are out of these areas, it will be hard to find such things. The capital city of Nouakchott is ideal for eating out, having a social drink, or meeting new people. Still, if you plan to venture further into the desert, you can expect stargazing to be your nighttime entertainment – which is not bad.

Three questions to help you decide

Waterfall-with-Amazing-Rocks-in-Mauritius
Mauritius has plenty of stunning hidden gems

Who are you traveling with?

This is one of the main questions to ask yourself when deciding between Mauritius Vs Mauritania. For example, if you are seeking a family-friendly vacation jam-packed with fun activities, Mauritius is the best choice; however, if you are a group of adventure seekers or a couple seeking a new destination, Mauritania might be more enticing. Honeymooners may prefer the tropical island of Mauritius since it is known for its luxury resorts, high-end spas, and stunning beaches.

What kind of vacation are you expecting?

Is it a beach or adventure kind of vacation? If you answered beach, Mauritius is for you; however, if you are searching for your next off-the-beaten-path destination, which includes rare and unique experiences, Mauritania could be a great option. Mauritius offers beach and adventure, which could be a great choice if you want the best of both worlds, but Mauritania’s beaches will not live up to the tropical coastline of Mauritius.

What time of year are you traveling?

Mauritius and Mauritania have two different high seasons, which may affect your decision too. Mauritius is best visited between May and October, while Mauritania’s dry season is from November to April. When planning your trip, it is always important to consider the seasons and other aspects of your journey to avoid being caught off guard by rainstorms or bustling crowds. An upside of visiting Mauritania is that it does not have a specific high season since it is a less visited country, so this could be a great place to visit for a low-key adventure without the crowds at any time of the year.

Mauritius Vs Mauritania: Which is the better choice?

Womens-in-Melhfa-Dress-at-Mauritania
Local Mauritanian women in traditional clothing

Now that we have explored both countries – Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and Mauritania in West Africa, you might have noticed quite a few differences. In fact, these countries have very few similarities apart from being culturally diverse. To sum it up, Mauritius may be an excellent choice if you seek a comfortable, safe, and familiar environment to enjoy budget-friendly or luxury accommodations and a wide range of activities.

Mauritania, on the other hand, is geared towards a particular type of traveler who seeks new adventures, unique landscapes, and cultural immersion without crowds. While both countries offer something special for each visitor, you may realize that one of these top destinations suits your needs better.

So, which one will it be – Mauritius Vs Mauritania?

About The Author

Jade is a seasoned traveller, yoga enthusiast, adventure seeker and travel writer passionate about seeing the world and sharing hidden gems with others. As well as having travelled to 91 countries thus far, she has written for several websites and published her first book ‘The Ultimate Irish Road Trip Guide’. She is a keen writer of satirical articles, as well as ‘The best things to do’ and ‘The best dishes to try’ around the globe. Jade is currently on a campervan adventure around Europe, where she continues to get her travel and food inspiration. She is excited to share what she discovers with her readers.

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Picture of Jade Poleon

Jade Poleon

Jade is a seasoned traveller, yoga enthusiast, adventure seeker and travel writer passionate about seeing the world and sharing hidden gems with others. As well as having travelled to 91 countries thus far, she has written for several websites and published her first book ‘The Ultimate Irish Road Trip Guide’. She is a keen writer of satirical articles, as well as ‘The best things to do’ and ‘The best dishes to try’ around the globe. Jade is currently on a campervan adventure around Europe, where she continues to get her travel and food inspiration. She is excited to share what she discovers with her readers.

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