Calebasses

Calebasses is an inland settlement situated in the Pamplemousses District of northern Mauritius, located 11 km northeast of the capital, Port Louis. Named after the calabash gourds traditionally grown in the surrounding agricultural fields, the village spans roughly 5.7 km² and has a population of approximately 5,400 residents. It functions primarily as a quiet residential and farming community surrounded by sugarcane plantations.

The village sits directly alongside the M2 motorway corridor, positioning it adjacent to major cultural landmarks in the northern plains, including the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden in neighbouring Pamplemousses village and the Beau Plan sugar heritage complex. While not a conventional beach resort, Calebasses provides convenient road access to both the central business district in Port Louis and the northern coastal strip.

The local climate is tropical maritime. Sea-level and low-altitude plains experience daytime highs averaging 24°C to 31°C across the year, with mild winter evenings and warm, humid summer conditions.

By Bus

United Bus Service (UBS) operates Route 251 connecting Calebasses directly with Port Louis (Plaine Lauzun and Immigration Square bus stations). Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes from 05:30 to 19:30 daily. The 11 km journey takes 25 to 35 minutes depending on traffic along the northern corridor. One-way fares cost MUR 35 to MUR 45 ($0.75–$1.00 USD), payable in cash to the onboard conductor.

By Train

No train service. The Mauritius Metro Express light rail network operates exclusively between Port Louis, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and Curepipe in the central corridor and does not run to the Pamplemousses District.

By Car

Calebasses is situated directly off the M2 motorway (Northern Motorway) at the Calebasses roundabout and connects to the B18 (Calebasses Branch Road) and A4 road. From central Port Louis, drive northeast along the M2 for 11 km (15 to 20 minutes outside peak commuter hours). From Grand Baie in the north, take the M2 south for 15 km (about 18 minutes).

By Air

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is located at Plaine Magnien in the southeast of the island, approximately 55 km south of Calebasses. The drive takes 50 to 60 minutes via the M2 and M1 motorways. The airport is served by international carriers including Air Mauritius, Emirates, Air France, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, and IndiGo. A private airport taxi transfer to Calebasses costs MUR 1,800 to MUR 2,500 ($39–$54 USD).

• On Foot: The residential center of Calebasses and its local grocery shops are manageable on foot, though road verges often lack dedicated pavements.
• Local Buses: UBS buses run along the main B18 branch road toward Pamplemousses and Terre Rouge, with single fares costing MUR 20 to MUR 35 ($0.45–$0.75 USD).
• Taxis: Licensed taxis operate from stands near major road junctions and the Calebasses roundabout. Short trips to Pamplemousses village or Triolet cost MUR 150 to MUR 300 ($3.25–$6.50 USD). Ride-hailing apps operating in Mauritius include Yugo and Alalila.

• Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden (3 km east on Royal Road, Pamplemousses): A 37-hectare botanical reserve created in 1770 by French horticulturist Pierre Poivre. Key highlights include the central pond of giant Amazon water lilies (Victoria amazonica), 85 varieties of palm trees, and an enclosure of giant Aldabra tortoises. Entry costs MUR 300 ($6.50 USD) for non-residents, MUR 25 for residents, and is free for children under 5. Open daily 08:30–17:30.

• L'Aventure du Sucre (2.5 km northeast in Beau Plan): An interactive museum housed within a restored 18th-century sugar factory. Exhibits trace the history of sugarcane cultivation, slavery, indentured labor, and industrial milling in Mauritius. Tickets include guided tastings of unrefined sugars and artisanal rums. Non-resident adult entry costs MUR 1,200 ($26 USD); children aged 6–13 cost MUR 600 ($13 USD). Open daily 09:00–17:00.

• Mahogany Shopping Promenade (2 km north in Beau Plan): An open-air lakeside commercial complex built around an old factory reservoir, featuring boardwalk paths, local craft shops, cafes, and open courtyards. Free access.

• Calebasses Shivala & Local Kovils (Calebasses Branch Road): Traditional Hindu mandirs with brightly painted carved gopurams and shrines serving village devotees. Free entry; visitors must remove their shoes before entering prayer halls.

• Maheswarnath Mandir (4 km northwest in Triolet): Built in 1888, this is the largest Hindu temple complex in Mauritius, dedicated to Shiva and adorned with white-and-gold spires. Free admission; modest dress required.

• Pieter Both Viewpoint (Southern outskirts): Clear panoramas across sugarcane fields toward the 823-metre basalt peak of Pieter Both with its iconic balancing boulder summit. Free viewing.

• Sugar & Rum Tasting at Beau Plan: Sample twelve varieties of unrefined sugar and aged New Grove estate rums inside the tasting cellar at L'Aventure du Sucre.

• Cycle Country Lanes: Rent a bicycle to ride along paved secondary agricultural tracks connecting Calebasses with Khoyratty, Arsenal, and Terre Rouge through sugarcane estates.

• Lap Swimming at Souvenir Pool: Swim at the public 25-metre pool on Calebasses Branch Road, operated by the Mauritius Sports Council. Public session entry is MUR 50 ($1.10 USD).

• Lagoon Day Trip to Trou aux Biches: Drive 11 km northwest to Trou aux Biches public beach for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and glass-bottom boat excursions to the offshore coral reef.

• Le Fangourin (Beau Plan Sugar Estate, 2.5 km away): Set in a garden within the old sugar estate, this restaurant serves French-Mauritian dishes such as roasted duck breast with sugarcane honey, fresh palm heart salad, and grilled sea bass. Mains cost MUR 650 to MUR 1,400 ($14–$30 USD). Upscale.
• Ki Pou Manze Food Court (Mahogany Promenade, Beau Plan, 2 km away): A lakeside food pavilion with independent vendors serving Mauritian street food, including dholl puri, mine frire (stir-fried egg noodles), chicken briani, and samosas. Mains cost MUR 120 to MUR 350 ($2.60–$7.60 USD). Budget.
• The Guj Restaurant (Pamplemousses / Calebasses Road junction): An Indian eatery preparing North Indian specialties, including paneer tikka masala, dal makhani, butter chicken, and tandoori garlic naan. Mains cost MUR 250 to MUR 600 ($5.50–$13 USD). Mid-range.
• Restaurant La Ville Bague (Pamplemousses village, 3 km away): Casual dining room serving traditional Creole stews, including octopus vindaye, fish rougaille, and wild boar curry with lentils and rice. Mains cost MUR 300 to MUR 700 ($6.50–$15 USD). Mid-range.

• Villa Paille en Queue / Local Guesthouses (Calebasses & Pamplemousses): Self-catering apartments and family guesthouses featuring private kitchenettes, air conditioning, and garden verandas. Nightly rates: MUR 1,800 to MUR 3,200 ($39–$70 USD). Budget.
• The Address Boutique Hotel (Port Chambly, Baie du Tombeau, 6 km southwest): A 4-star boutique property located along a river inlet, offering modern en-suite rooms, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and two restaurants. Nightly rates: MUR 5,500 to MUR 9,500 ($120–$205 USD). Mid-range.
• The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa (Turtle Bay, Balaclava, 8 km west): A 5-star beachfront resort situated on a marine protected bay, offering ocean-view suites, multiple swimming pools, tennis courts, and several dining venues. Nightly rates: MUR 18,000 to MUR 35,000 ($390–$760 USD). Upscale.

• Pamplemousses Village (3 km east via B18): The administrative center of the district, home to the SSR Botanic Garden, the historic 1756 Church of St. Francis of Assisi, and fresh produce markets.
• Triolet (4 km northwest via Triolet Road): A major regional center featuring the historic Maheswarnath Mandir temple, retail shops, and street-food stalls along its central thoroughfare.
• Port Louis (11 km southwest via M2): The national capital, offering the Aapravasi Ghat UNESCO site, the Central Market on Queen Street, Fort Adelaide (Citadelle), and the Caudan Waterfront.
• Balaclava & Turtle Bay (8 km west via B33): A coastal area known for the Turtle Bay Marine National Park, protected reefs for snorkeling, and the ruins of the 18th-century French arsenal.
• Grand Baie (15 km north via M2): The main tourist hub of northern Mauritius, featuring catamaran cruise departures to northern islets, scuba diving operators, retail centres, and beachside restaurants.