Best Time to Visit
May to November (austral winter — dry, cooler, ideal for hiking); whale watching June-October
Language
French (official), Reunion Creole
Currency
Euro (EUR) — Reunion is a French department, fully in the Eurozone
Time Zone
RET (UTC+4)
Airport
Roland Garros Airport (RUN) near Saint-Denis
Population
~870,000 (island)
Climate
Tropical oceanic; coastal avg 24-30°C, mountain areas 10-20°C; cyclone season Jan-Mar
Safety Rating
Generally Safe (Level 1) — French standards of infrastructure and safety; shark risk in ocean
UNESCO Status
Pitons, Cirques and Remparts — UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, covering 40% of the island
One of the world's most active volcanoes, erupting roughly every 9 months. The hike across the lunar Plaine des Sables to the crater rim takes 5-6 hours round trip. Free access when the volcano is not actively erupting — check the OVPF observatory site before going. Start from Pas de Bellecombe at dawn. Bring warm layers — it's 2,600 m altitude.
The most remote of Reunion's three cirques — accessible only on foot or by helicopter. No roads, no cars, just tiny ilets (hamlets) connected by hiking trails. The GR R2 trail traverses Mafate in 3-5 days. Stay in gites (mountain lodges, ~40-60 EUR/night with dinner). Book through reunion.fr. The isolation is the point — and it's breathtaking.
A spectacular amphitheater of 1,000+ meter cliffs reached by a winding road with 400 hairpin turns. The town of Cilaos is a hiking base, thermal spa resort, and producer of excellent lentils and wine. The canyoning here is world-class — guided half-day trips from ~60-80 EUR. The Piton des Neiges summit hike (3,070 m, Reunion's highest point) starts here.
The iconic Reunion experience — a 45-minute helicopter flight over all three cirques, the volcano, and waterfalls. Operators include Helilagon and Corail Helicopteres, from ~250-350 EUR per person. Book days in advance, especially in peak season. Morning flights have the clearest conditions. The scale of the cirques from above is staggering.
The lushest of the three cirques, with waterfalls cascading from every cliff face. The village of Hell-Bourg (ironic name — it's gorgeous) is a Creole heritage town. The Trou de Fer ('Iron Hole') is a 300 m waterfall plunging into a vertical gorge — viewable via a 3-hour hike through cloud forest or by helicopter.
Reunion produces some of the world's finest Bourbon vanilla. Visit a plantation in Sainte-Suzanne or Saint-Andre to see the hand-pollination process and 9-month curing method. Tours cost 5-15 EUR. Buy vanilla pods directly — 10-15 EUR for a tube of 5 pods, far cheaper than export prices. The vanilla rum (rhum arrange) is a popular souvenir.
A unique fusion of French, Indian, Chinese, African, and Malagasy flavors. Must-tries: cari poulet (chicken curry with rice, lentils, and rougail), rougail saucisse (spicy sausage stew), bouchons (steamed Chinese dumplings), and samosas. Meals at local restaurants (roulottes and tables d'hotes) cost 10-18 EUR. The Sunday market in Saint-Paul is a food lovers' paradise.
Arrive at Roland Garros Airport (RUN) near Saint-Denis. Pick up a rental car — essential for exploring. Reunion is a French department, so infrastructure is excellent.
Pick up rental car(45 minutes)
Agencies at the airport. From 25-40 EUR/day. Roads are excellent French-standard tarmac. Mountain roads are narrow and winding. Drive on the right
Drive to Saint-Gilles-les-Bains(1 hour)
Head to the west coast — Reunion's sunniest side with lagoon-protected beaches. The coastal highway is fast
Check into hotel(30 minutes)
LUX* Saint Gilles (~€150-250) or Le Récif (mid-range ~€80). Saint-Gilles has the best beach access
Lagoon beach swim(1.5 hours)
L'Hermitage beach has a coral lagoon with shark nets — safe swimming. Warm Indian Ocean water. The only safe swimming beaches on the island due to shark risk elsewhere
Dinner at a roulotte (food truck) in Saint-Gilles(1 hour)
Roulottes serve Creole food at great prices. Cari poulet (chicken curry), rougail saucisse (spicy sausage stew), samosas. 8-15 EUR for a full meal
Drive across the island to one of the world's most active volcanoes. The moonlike landscape of the Plaine des Sables is from another planet.
Drive to Pas de Bellecombe (volcano trailhead)(2.5 hours)
Cross the island via the Route des Plaines. The landscape shifts from tropical to alpine to lunar. The Plaine des Sables is a vast lava field — surreal
Hike to the crater rim(5 hours)
5-6 hour round trip from Pas de Bellecombe. Free access when not actively erupting — check OVPF observatory website. Descend into the Enclos Fouqué caldera and walk across lava fields to the crater rim. Bring warm layers — 2,600 m altitude, cold and windy
Lunch at Gite du Volcan(1 hour)
Mountain lodge near the trailhead. Simple meals — sandwiches, soups. 8-15 EUR. The only food near the volcano
Return to west coast(2.5 hours)
Drive back via the Plaine des Palmistes for a different route through cloud forest
Drive to Cilaos — a spectacular mountain amphitheater reached by a road with 400 hairpin turns. Hiking, thermal baths, and lentils.
Drive to Cilaos (400 hairpin turns)(1.5 hours)
The road from the coast to Cilaos is one of the most dramatic in the world — narrow, clinging to cliff faces, with waterfalls everywhere. Not for nervous drivers
Cilaos town walk(1 hour)
A charming thermal spa town surrounded by 1,000+ meter cliffs. The church square, the Maison de la Broderie (embroidery house), and the lentil cooperative
Canyoning or hiking(3 hours)
Canyoning in the Cirque is world-class — guided half-day from 60-80 EUR with operators like Cilaos Aventure. Or hike the Bras Rouge trail (2 hours, moderate)
Thermal baths(1 hour)
Cilaos has thermal springs — Irénée Accot thermal spa. Entry ~5 EUR. Hot mineral water soothes post-hike muscles
Dinner in Cilaos(1.5 hours)
Try Cilaos lentils — unique to this cirque. Cari lentilles or gratin de lentilles at Chez Noël, 12-18 EUR
The lushest cirque — waterfalls cascading from every cliff. The village of Hell-Bourg is a Creole heritage gem.
Drive to Salazie(1.5 hours)
Via the coast. The approach road passes the spectacular Voile de la Mariée (Bridal Veil) waterfall — pull over and photograph
Hell-Bourg village walk(1.5 hours)
Despite the name, it's gorgeous. Creole heritage houses with ornate balconies and verandas. The Maison Folio garden is a botanical treasure — entry ~5 EUR
Trou de Fer hike(3 hours)
The 'Iron Hole' — a 300 m waterfall into a vertical gorge. The hike through cloud forest is 3 hours return. Muddy but magical. The view into the chasm is vertigo-inducing
Lunch at Le Relais des Cimes in Hell-Bourg(1 hour)
Creole table d'hote (set menu). Cari poulet, rougail, achards (pickled vegetables), rice. 15-20 EUR
Return via chouchou (chayote) fields(1 hour)
Salazie is famous for chouchou — you'll see it everywhere. The drive back passes more waterfalls
A slower day on the west coast. Sunday market at Saint-Paul (if timing works) and lagoon snorkeling.
Saint-Paul market (Friday and Saturday mornings)(2 hours)
The island's best market. Tropical fruit, spices, vanilla, Creole prepared food, and fabrics. On the waterfront promenade. Try samosas, bonbons piment, and fresh mango
Lagoon snorkeling at L'Hermitage(2 hours)
The coral lagoon has tropical fish, sea turtles, and safe swimming. Snorkel rental from beach shops ~10 EUR
Lunch at a table d'hote in Saint-Gilles(1.5 hours)
Table d'hotes (home-style restaurants) serve Creole meals in family homes. Book through your hotel. 15-25 EUR for a multi-course Creole feast. The most authentic food experience
Vanilla plantation visit(1.5 hours)
Visit a plantation in Sainte-Suzanne or Saint-Andre (east coast, 1 hour drive). See hand-pollination and the 9-month curing process. Tours 5-15 EUR. Buy vanilla pods directly — 10-15 EUR for 5 pods
The iconic Reunion experience — see all three cirques, the volcano, and the waterfalls from above.
Helicopter tour(45 minutes)
Helilagon or Corail Helicopteres, 250-350 EUR per person. Book days in advance. Morning flights have the clearest conditions. The scale of the cirques from above is staggering — Mafate is only accessible on foot or by air
Post-flight brunch(1 hour)
Celebrate the flight with a meal at Le Saint-Alexis hotel restaurant. Creole brunch with ocean views
Afternoon at Kelonia Sea Turtle Observatory(1.5 hours)
Saint-Leu. Entry 7 EUR. Rehabilitation center for sea turtles with interactive exhibits. Good for families and turtle lovers
Sunset at Cap La Houssaye(1 hour)
Near Saint-Paul. Rocky headland with views of the coast. The sunset over the Indian Ocean is the best on the west coast
Farewell dinner at Le DCP(1.5 hours)
In Saint-Gilles. One of the island's best restaurants. Créole-French fusion, fresh fish, vanilla-sauced dishes. Mains 18-30 EUR
Final morning. Pick up last vanilla and rhum arrange, then drive to the airport.
Morning beach swim(1 hour)
One last lagoon swim. The warm Indian Ocean is hard to leave
Souvenir shopping(1 hour)
Vanilla pods, rhum arrange (fruit-infused rum, 5-15 EUR), Reunion spices, and Bourbon Pointu coffee (one of the world's rarest). The Saga du Rhum museum shop in Saint-Pierre is excellent
Drive to Roland Garros Airport and departure(1.5 hours)
Return car at RUN airport. Flights to Paris (11 hours), Mauritius (45 min), or Madagascar. Allow 2 hours before your flight
Reunion is a fully integrated French department, so EU/EEA citizens need only an ID card. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days (same as mainland France). Non-Schengen visitors may need a specific 'DOM-TOM' mention on their visa — confirm with the French consulate.
A rental car is essential for exploring Reunion. Rates start at 25-40 EUR/day from agencies at Roland Garros Airport (RUN). Roads are excellent French-standard tarmac but mountain roads are narrow and winding. The coastal highway connecting Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, and Saint-Paul is efficient. No railway exists. Car Jaune buses cover main coastal towns but not the cirques.
Reunion has over 900 km of marked trails, including the GR R1 (cirques circuit) and GR R2 (coast to coast via the volcano). Register multi-day hikes at the ONF (Office National des Forets). Book gites at reunion.fr well in advance — popular ones fill up months ahead. Bring waterproof layers, headlamp, and sun protection. Trails are well-maintained but steep.
Reunion uses the Euro and prices are comparable to mainland France — sometimes 10-20% higher due to import costs. Gites (mountain lodges): 40-60 EUR/night with dinner. Hotels: 60-150 EUR. Supermarkets are well-stocked (Leclerc, Carrefour). Self-catering saves significantly. Budget travelers should plan for 60-100 EUR/day.
Local rum infused with fruits, vanilla, or spices is found everywhere — from supermarkets (5-15 EUR) to artisanal producers. Visit the Saga du Rhum museum in Saint-Pierre (entry 9 EUR) or Distillerie Savanna for tastings. Reunion's sugarcane rum (rhum agricole) is excellent. You can bring up to 1 liter duty-free to mainland Europe.
Reunion has experienced a series of bull shark attacks since 2011, and swimming and surfing are banned on most beaches outside the lagoon-protected areas (Saint-Gilles, l'Hermitage, Boucan Canot with shark nets). Obey the flags — red means no entry. The lagoon beaches on the west coast are safe and beautiful. This is not a beach-centric destination — the mountains are the star.
Reunion's population is a mix of French, African, Indian (Tamil and Gujarati), Chinese, and Malagasy heritage. This diversity is reflected in the food, festivals, and architecture. Hindu temples, Catholic churches, and mosques stand side by side. The island celebrates both French national holidays and local ones like the Fete de la Musique and Dipavali (Diwali).
Get AI-powered recommendations for your trip
Plan a Trip to Reunion IslandStoriesMarie-Ange runs a gite in Cilaos, speaks four languages, and has watched her volcanic island transform from a forgotten colony to a hiking paradise. She has thoughts.
Travel GuidesWait, it's actually France? Can I swim in the ocean? How active is the volcano? Everything you've been wondering about this Indian Ocean outlier.
StoriesDay 1: I drove 400 hairpin turns to reach Cilaos. Day 3: I walked into a village with no roads. Day 5: I hiked across a moonscape to an active volcano. Reunion is the hiking trip nobody talks about.
