Reunion Travel Guide

Best Time To Visit

When to go

Réunion has a hot sub-tropical climate with sea temperatures that rarely drop below 23°C. The dry season is May to October, with temperatures 20-25°C. November to March is more humid, with most rain and occasional cyclones in January and February. The interior uplands have an almost temperate climate. It can be cool in the mountains and it's advisable to have some warm clothing for the evenings. In October 2006 it did actually snow on the Piton des Neiges which is over 3,000 metres high.

Getting there

Air France operates a daily overnight service to Réunion via Paris. Air Austral flies daily from Paris. Air Mauritius flies to Réunion regularly via Mauritius. With frequent daily flights between Réunion and Mauritius and a regular service to Madagascar, it is easy to visit two contrasting islands. Ask for more information.

Time Zone

GMT +4 hours

Visas

As a French department, Réunion is part of the European Community. There are no visa requirements for UK citizens.

Health

There are no health requirements for Réunion. Always consult your doctor at least six weeks before travel and refer to this useful NHS Website -  for details of recommended vaccinations for travel in Reunion.

Things To Do

• Relax on the stylish St Gilles beach
• Explore Cirque de Salazie on foot
• Browse the local Saturday morning market in the capital, St Denis
• Book in for lunch at Villa Angelique after browsing the Modern Art Museum
• Get up close to active Piton de la Fournaise
• Fill up with a traditional lunch at a Creole village, high in the mountains
• Take a helicopter trip over the Cirques if funds permit – you won't regret it

Réunion is ruggedly beautiful, an island of contrasts. Three cirques or amphitheatres dominate the topography and the climate is temperate in the mountains. The east coast is characterised by verdant, tropical vegetation and wild, black volcanic beaches. The west coast is generally dry, with golden, sandy beaches.

The island is a French department and has the most sophisticated infrastructure in the Indian Ocean. Over 1000 kilometres of hiking trails cross the interior uplands, with gîtes or mountain houses along the way.

Outdoor pursuits

The island caters for almost every sporting interest. Popular outdoor pursuits include canyoning (abseiling in waterfalls), paragliding, horse-riding, and mountain biking. The coral reefs off the lively west coast town of St Gilles-les-Bains attract scuba divers, while the famous ‘left hand waves’ of nearby St Leu beckon surfers from around the globe.

Fauna, flora & birds

The luxuriant mountain forest of Bébour Bélouve will attract any nature enthusiast and birders may ‘tick off’ most of Réunion’s endemic birds in the course of a single walk. No visitor should miss the awe-inspiring experience of standing in the crater of Piton de la Fournaise.

Hotels in Réunion

Our hotels have been chosen for their charm, attentive service and good food, whether in a sophisticated, 4-star hotel at St Gilles or in a simple inn overlooking Piton des Neiges, the Indian Ocean’s highest peak. See the traditional Creole houses when you visit the street market at nearby St Paul, or hike from Maido, the amazing ‘balcony’ overlooking Mafate. The helicopter trip over the rugged interior is unforgettable.

If you want to explore the spectacular scenery, we recommend a self-drive tour. You can follow our sample itinerary or we will arrange the itinerary of your choice.

Our Product manager Candice Buchan answers some of the questions we are most frequently asked about a holiday in Reunion. 

Why go on holiday in Reunion?

I was enchanted by Reunion and its many contrasting landscapes, from its lush forests-clad mountains, barren volcanic moonscapes to its black volcanic and golden sand beaches. The extraordinary central volcanic peak, the Piton de Neiges, dominates the island and its claimed that the volcano can be seen from Mauritius on a clear day.

How do we get there?

There are two options, either travelling on Air France via Charles De Gaulle with an inter-airport change between Orly or fly directly on Air Mauritius, to Mauritius and take a short, easy connecting flight on to St Denis. These scheduled flights operate on certain days of the week. If you fly on Air Mauritius, you can then combine a stay on this island as well at the end of your trip.

How do we travel around the country?

The most popular way of travelling around the country is by self-drive as this gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore the different regions of the island.  The roads are in good condition although they become narrower in the remoter areas. You drive on the right , as you would in France. Alternatively, you can hire an expert guide for the day which is great fun as you learn a lot at the same time. We can recommend our favourites.

If there were one thing I shouldn’t miss, what would you recommend?

La Reunion is a great holiday destination if you enjoy the outdoors. There are some very pleasant French style bars and attractive beaches on the West Coast but the island is mostly about the spectacular mountain scenery. A short hike on the verdant slopes of one of the cirques or a hike to the volcanic cone - Piton de la Fournaise – really allows you to immerse yourself in the island's dramatic landscapes. For those who love adrenalin sports I would suggest a day canyoning, parasailing or white-water rafting - we can help arrange this for you.  I would also highly recommend a helicopter ride if budget permits, which gives you the chance to take in the extraordinary vistas of the island.  

Is English widely spoken?

French is the main language, with Creole as the second choice. Some English is spoken but the road signs and information will all be in French. It’s useful if you do have the rudiments of even school level French.

Are the hotels in similar to those in Mauritius?

The accommodation in Reunion tends to be simpler than in Mauritius. The top hotels tend to be smaller and whilst often very stylishly designed, the level of facilities is not quite the same as its neighbour. Many of the properties in the mountains are three-star gites ( guesthouses) but they are comfortable, clean and friendly.  Breakfast is included and is often a sumptuous affair!

What is the local cuisine like?

The local cuisine blends influences from Africa, India, China, and Europe.  As an island the cuisine includes a wide variety of local fish. If you prefer more western-style food, you can find this in both gourmet and fast food establishments across the island.  There are also a wide variety of local fruits, vegetables, herbs and other ingredients not usually found in French mainland cuisine such as Manioc, Mangue (mango), Goyavier (guava), Chevaquines (dried shrimp), Baba-figue (banana flowers which are stuffed and fried), Songe, and Ti-jacques (jack fruit).

Do I need to get any vaccinations ahead of travel and/or malaria tablets?

Reunion doesn’t require any vaccinations or malaria precautions – just remember to drink lots of water as its tropical!

I am pregnant, can I travel to the Reunion Island?

There are no reasons why you shouldn’t travel, but you should always consult your local GP for travel advice.