Chamarel: Curious Mauritius Entry Ticket

Curious Corner turns a visit to Chamarel into a playful test of your eyes, balance, and common sense. More than 40 exhibits fill a 5,000-square-meter attraction, with the Mirror Maze, Ames Room, Upside Down Room, and Laser Music Room providing the main thrills.

I like the mix of quick visual tricks and hands-on puzzles, and I especially like that the experience works for children and adults together. The main caution is that parts of the site may be under work: a snack area was being renovated and one room was still in construction in October 2025, with no clear notice online.

Key points to know

• More than 40 interactive exhibits turn optical illusions into activities rather than objects you only look at.
• The Mirror Maze uses reflections, corridors, and light effects to create a disorienting but picture-friendly stop.
• The Ames Room makes two people appear very different in size, making it one of the best places for a funny photo.
• The Upside Down Room gives you a simple way to create gravity-defying pictures and test your balance.
• The Laser Music Room lets you play tunes by moving through laser beams.
• The Puzzles and Things Shop adds brain teasers and gift ideas to the visit, with English and French support available.

Why Curious Corner works as a Chamarel stop

Chamarel is known for scenic and unusual sights, but Curious Corner offers a different kind of discovery. Instead of asking you to admire something from a viewpoint, it asks you to question what your eyes are telling you.

That makes the attraction a useful change of pace during a day in the area. You can move from visual illusions to physical challenges, then spend time with puzzles that reward patience rather than speed. The result is less like a traditional museum and more like a large play space built around perception.

The attraction is described as the first of its kind in Mauritius, with exhibits designed to show how easily your senses can be misled. That idea gives the visit more purpose than a collection of random photo rooms. You are not only taking pictures. You are also seeing how perspective, reflection, and room design alter what looks obvious.

The ticket costs $15 per person. I consider that fair if you use the attraction as a full stop on your Chamarel day and spend time at many of the exhibits. It is less compelling if you expect a formal cultural museum or a guided tour with detailed explanations at every display.

Entering a house of illusions

The central experience is a gallery of interactive illusions and art. You are encouraged to touch, test, pose, and try again, so this is not a place where you need to keep your hands behind your back.

The 40-plus exhibits are spread across 5,000 square meters. That gives the visit a broad scope, though the supplied information does not provide a fixed route or exact time needed inside. Plan around the fact that some exhibits take only a few minutes, while others become more entertaining when you experiment with several poses or bring a companion into the scene.

I would approach the first section with an open mind and a camera ready. The attraction depends heavily on your participation. A person who simply walks past each display may finish quickly, while someone who tries the puzzles, tests the rooms, and takes photos will get more value from the same ticket.

Because the activities suit all ages, families can use the visit in different ways. Children can focus on movement and simple visual tricks. Adults may get more enjoyment from figuring out why a room or reflection produces a certain effect.

The Mirror Maze and its infinite reflections

The Mirror Maze is one of the most distinctive parts of the visit. Mirrors create the sense of endless corridors, while light effects make it harder to tell where a passage really goes.

This is not just a standard funhouse mirror where you glance at a distorted image and move on. The appeal comes from finding your way through a space that keeps changing in your perception. You might see repeated versions of yourself, lose track of the actual route, or hesitate before walking toward what appears to be an open passage.

I like this stop because it gives you an activity rather than a single photo opportunity. It also works well for pairs and families, since you can watch someone else make the same wrong guess about the maze.

Keep your pace calm. The point is not to rush through. Reflections can make a small movement look larger or place a person somewhere your eyes do not expect. If you are prone to feeling disoriented, spend less time here and move on to the more stationary displays.

The maze also shows why Curious Corner is best enjoyed with another person. You can compare what each of you thinks is real, help one another find the route, and take turns making photos. Solo visitors can still enjoy it, but the social side is a big part of the fun.

The Ames Room makes size unreliable

The Ames Room is a clever perspective trick. Two people stand in the same room, yet one appears much larger or smaller than the other.

This is the kind of exhibit that needs very little explanation. Once you see the effect, you understand how room shape and camera position can alter your sense of scale. It is also one of the easiest places to create a memorable photo with a partner, friend, or family member.

I would save a little time for several attempts here. The best picture may depend on where each person stands and how the camera is held. The supplied information does not specify photography rules or whether staff take pictures, so you should be prepared to handle your own camera or phone.

The Ames Room is especially good for mixed-age groups because the trick is immediate. Young children can enjoy the silly result, while adults can appreciate the design behind it. It also gives the visit a clear lesson: what looks like a fact may only be a carefully arranged viewpoint.

Turning the world upside down

The Upside Down Room is built for photos that make gravity appear to have taken a day off. Furniture and room details are arranged to create the impression that you are standing on a ceiling or hanging above the floor.

The attraction describes this as a chance to defy gravity and Newton’s law. In practical terms, you pose in the room and use the camera angle to make the scene look impossible. You may also test your balance as you adjust your position and find a pose that reads clearly in a photograph.

This room is a good companion to the Ames Room. The Ames Room changes your apparent size, while the Upside Down Room changes the apparent direction of the room. Together, they provide two different lessons in visual trickery.

Do not expect an actual physical ride or a mechanical effect. The fun comes from the room design, your pose, and the final image. That is part of the attraction’s appeal, but it also means the experience may feel brief if you are not interested in taking pictures or trying different positions.

Making music with beams of light

The Laser Music Room adds sound and movement to an attraction that could otherwise rely only on mirrors and visual effects. You play music by interacting with laser beams, using your movements to trigger notes or sounds.

The supplied details do not name the exact songs or explain the instrument setup, so you should think of this as a playful music experiment rather than a full performance area. You can test your timing, create a simple tune, and let children take a turn.

I like the way this exhibit changes the pace. After the visual confusion of the Mirror Maze and the photo tricks in the rooms, the laser setup gives you a more active task. It is also a good option for people who enjoy making noise and trying something new without needing musical skill.

The word frustration is part of the attraction’s own description, and that is fair. Some interactive exhibits are easy to understand at once. Others may need a few attempts before you work out how the effect responds. Treat the process as the activity, not as a test you must pass.

Puzzles and Things for a slower finish

The Puzzles and Things Shop offers a quieter part of the experience. It contains puzzles and brain teasers for children and adults, along with items that can work as gifts or take-home pastimes.

This shop adds value because it extends the idea behind the attraction. You are not limited to looking at illusions for one visit. You can choose a puzzle that lets you continue testing your patience and problem-solving skills later.

I would not treat the shop as a reason to buy the ticket on its own, but it is a pleasant final stop. It also gives parents a chance to find something more lasting than a photograph. The information provided does not give prices or specific products, so check the available selection when you arrive rather than planning a particular purchase.

How long to allow and how to plan your visit

The ticket is valid for one day, with availability and starting times shown when you check. The experience is not described as a guided tour with a fixed departure, so your visit is built around exploring the exhibits at your own pace.

You can make a short visit by focusing on the main rooms. To get better value from $15, take time with the Mirror Maze, repeat the Ames Room poses, try the Upside Down Room from different angles, and spend a few minutes on the puzzles and laser activity.

There is no stated duration inside the attraction, so I would avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward. The number of exhibits and the interactive format make the pace depend on your group. Children may want extra time at certain displays, while adults may move faster through exhibits they recognize.

English and French are the listed languages for the host or greeter. That matters if you want a basic introduction or help understanding an activity. The exhibits themselves are designed around visual and physical participation, so you do not need advanced language skills to enjoy the main effects.

The practical drawback: unfinished areas

One specific issue deserves attention before you book. A verified visit in October 2025 noted that the snack area was under renovation and that one room was still being built. The same information says this was not clearly shown on the website.

That does not erase the attraction’s main features, but it can affect your expectations. If you are counting on buying a snack or seeing every advertised area in finished condition, check the current situation before arrival.

The construction note is also a reminder to treat the $15 ticket as access to the available exhibits, not a guarantee that every corner will look polished on a particular day. The attraction may change as work finishes, but the most useful way to plan is to confirm current conditions if a snack stop or a complete route matters to you.

Who will enjoy Curious Corner most

I would recommend this experience to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who likes taking unusual photos. The activities do not depend on specialist knowledge, and the combination of illusions, puzzles, and movement gives different age groups something to do.

It is also a good choice if you want a break from scenic stops around Chamarel. The attraction asks for curiosity rather than hiking ability, weather luck, or a long attention span.

I would be more cautious if you want a serious museum, a cultural lecture, or a carefully narrated tour. The information provided focuses on hands-on entertainment and mind games. You should expect playful experiments, not a detailed presentation about the history of Mauritius.

People who dislike mirrors, disorientation, or pose-based attractions may find parts of the visit less appealing. The Mirror Maze in particular can feel confusing, while the Upside Down Room is most successful when you are willing to perform for the camera.

Is the $15 ticket good value?

At $15 per person, Curious Corner offers reasonable value when you treat it as a substantial stop rather than a quick photo booth. The ticket covers more than 40 exhibits, the Mirror Maze, the Ames Room, the Upside Down Room, the Laser Music Room, and access to the puzzle shop.

The value is strongest for a group. You can share the experience, compare what each person sees, and take photos for one another. A solo visitor can still enjoy the exhibits, but some of the best effects are designed around two people or a willing photographer.

The price is less attractive if you only want one or two pictures. It also deserves a small deduction for the reported renovation and construction issues, especially since those conditions were not clearly flagged online at the time.

Still, the four-star overall rating and one especially positive five-star response fit the experience described: it is a fun, unusual attraction with a broad range of simple interactive activities. The one three-star response points to a practical weakness rather than a failure of the core idea.

Should you book Curious Corner?

Book it if you want a light, hands-on stop in Chamarel where you can laugh at optical tricks, take strange photos, and challenge your friends with puzzles. The Mirror Maze and Ames Room are the strongest reasons to go, while the Laser Music Room gives the visit extra variety.

I would confirm the renovation status if you need a snack area or want every room to be complete. If that detail does not bother you, $15 is a fair price for a family-friendly attraction that can fill a good part of your day and offer something quite different from Mauritius’s outdoor sights.

FAQ

Where is Curious Corner located?

Curious Corner is located in Chamarel, Mauritius.

How much does the entry ticket cost?

The ticket costs $15 per person.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day.

How many exhibits are included?

Entry includes access to more than 40 interactive exhibits and illusions.

Is the Mirror Maze included?

Yes. Entry to the Mirror Maze is included in the ticket.

Are the Ames Room and Upside Down Room included?

Yes. The ticket includes entry to both rooms.

Can I use the Laser Music Room?

Yes. Access to the Laser Music Room is included.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter support is available in English and French.