A small paradise in the Indian Ocean and a playground for hikers, Reunion Island is a jewel a few hours flight from the metropolis. A mixture of colours and scents, the one we call "the intense island" is a marvel for the five senses. The eyes never tire of admiring the waves of the coral reef crashing into the sand in the varied colours of the beaches of the Hermitage, Saint-Pierre, Grande-Anse or Boucan-Canot, while the rhythm of the Sega and the intensity of the Maloya, the ancient song of the slaves, rock your ears. The tourist guide of Reunion Island takes you along the coast where the markets go up every day to offer the traveller's taste buds the chance to taste the countless exotic fruits and vegetables of which one trip will not be enough to discover: guava, pitaya, chouchou, longani or even the letchi which makes the joy of the Reunionese every summer. The sun heats up and the skin revels in the freshness of the waterfalls of Salazie, Langevin or Saint-Benoît. Finally, along the coasts, the intoxicating smell of frangipani titillates the nostrils and finishes capsizing the hearts. From beaches to mountain peaks, Reunion Island is steeped in dramatic landscapes, including the highest peak, the Piton des Neiges, which rises to an altitude of 3,070 m and is undoubtedly the best place to observe the sunrise over the sea in the East or its setting in the West. From there, above the sea of clouds, points the summit of the Piton de la Fournaise, whose eruptions are the delight of the luckiest travellers.

The must-see places in Réunion

Suggested addresses Réunion

The best travel agencies

More agencies

The best hotels

More hotels

The best restaurants

More restaurants

When to go to Réunion?

The high tourist season extends from October to April, at least for Metropolitans who come to Reunion Island for the sun when it is cold at home. But there are also the school holidays of the Reunionese, who fill planes and hotels and raise prices, especially from 20 December to the end of January and from mid-July to mid-August. These two cumulative effects make the period from the beginning of November to the end of January the period when booking is most imperative for any accommodation, car or plane, because otherwise it remains only the most expensive

Namely that a New Year's Eve in Reunion Island is an unforgettable moment, to be celebrated on the beaches of the West Coast.

  • Weather forecast
  • Budget
  • Procedures
  • Health
  • Discovery
Weather at the moment
Weather all year round

Reunion being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to the Metropolis: winter is in July August and summer in November-December. That being said, it is never cold on Reunion Island, except in the heights where the temperature can drop below zero. It should be noted that the hurricane season extends from January to March and may delay flights. Finally, Reunion Island has two very distinct climates between its west coast, which beats sunshine records, and its rainy coast.

Budget

Reunion Island uses the euro. By adding the price of the ticket and the cost of the stay on site (about the prices of the French Riviera in summer), Reunion Island appears to be a relatively expensive destination, but the standard of living is essentially the same as in Metropolitan France. However, considerable savings can be made by buying food at the market or by using the very reliable buses.

Procedures

Anyone of French nationality can enter and leave Reunion Island at will, and stay as long as they wish, provided they present their identity card. Reunion being a department, the administrative services are the same as in Metropolitan France, very practical for any possible problem or to settle there.

Health

The level of care is equivalent to that of the Metropolitan area, reliable and extremely functional. Your metropolitan prescription is valid in local pharmacies. All products and reimbursement rates are identical to those in metropolitan France, despite the higher fees charged by private doctors. Everything works with the same procedures and quality of service as in France. If you have time, get a medical certificate before you leave: most diving clubs and other sports facilities require it.

Mosquitoes: in summer don't forget your mosquito repellent, cases of dengue fever are regularly reported.

How to go to Réunion? Our advice & tips

  • Organised trips
  • Going alone
  • Moving around

Many tour operators offer thematic tours: hiking, culture, beaches, volcanoes. The stays generally last between 10 and 15 days and give you a very nice overview of the island and its richness. Stays are sometimes offered with an excursion to the neighbouring islands: Mayotte, Mauritius, Rodrigues or Madagascar.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Reunion Island does not present any difficulties for independent travellers. Hotels and restaurants are extremely varied and operate as in metropolitan France. In the same way, travel is easy and the locals are happy to offer their help in case of difficulty. Hiking enthusiasts should ensure that they monitor weather forecasts and report their intentions if they are travelling alone

By bus. The yellow bus network serves most of the island, and sometimes combines with other more localized companies. Anyway, any destination is reachable for a few euros

In the car. It is the means of transport that gives you the most freedom and will allow you to access hiking departures. There are many car rental companies but in high season it is better to book well in advance to avoid surprises.

Prepare for your trip Réunion

Transportation
  • Airport/Station car parks
Accommodations
  • Find a hotel
  • Airbnb rental
  • Holiday rental
Stays
  • Tailor-made trip
Services / On site
  • Book a table
  • Activities & visits

Réunion travel inspiration

7 days
Average budget
  • When to go?
    Printemps, Eté, Automne
  • With whom?
    Solo, Couple, Famille, Amis, Groupe
  • Themes :
    Culture / Patrimoine , Faune et flore, Découverte, Aventure / Sports et loisirs, Farniente, Détente / Bien être

Unmissable events in Reunion Island
Quotatrip
All tours
14 days
Average budget
  • When to go?
    Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver
  • With whom?
    Solo, Couple, Famille, Amis, Groupe
  • Themes :
    Culture / Patrimoine , Faune et flore, Découverte, Aventure / Sports et loisirs, Farniente, Détente / Bien être

Around the island in two weeks

Pictures Réunion

More pictures

Discover Réunion

Practical information
When to travel?

The high tourist season extends from October to April, at least for Metropolitans who come to Reunion Island f...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Reunion being in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to the Metropolis: winter is in July Augu...
Read more about it

Budget

Reunion Island uses the euro. By adding the price of the ticket and the cost of the stay on site (about the prices of...
Read more about it

Formalities

Anyone of French nationality can enter and leave Reunion Island at will, and stay as long as they wish, provided they...
Read more about it

Health

The level of care is equivalent to that of the Metropolitan area, reliable and extremely functional. Your metr...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

Reunion Island does not present any difficulties for independent travellers. Hotels and restaurants are extremely var...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Many tour operators offer thematic tours: hiking, culture, beaches, volcanoes. The stays generally last between 10 an...
Read more about it

Getting around

By bus. The yellow bus network serves most of the island, and sometimes combines with other more localized com...
Read more about it

Featured articles Réunion

Les destinations nature à découvrir en 2020

Natural destinations to discover in 2020

This year, it's decided, we're going green! But not just anywhere! While being attentive to our carbon footprint and avoiding jumping on the first plane when other alternatives are possible, we will enjoy choosing the best destination to travel responsibly. That's why we have selected ten destinations to see this year. Let's now discover mythical and still impressive sites such as the piton de la Fournaise in Reunion Island and others still ...

Read more about it
Les 10 plus beaux lieux à visiter en France en hiver

The 10 most beautiful places to visit in France in winter

The cold has indeed arrived with its share of snow, hail and icy rain. But this bad weather does not stop travellers! On the contrary, some places are even more beautiful when you discover them in winter. For that, there is no need to travel for miles: France and its varied landscapes, from the mountains to the coastline and the vast plains, contain treasures. The mythical Alps and Pyrenees will attract skiers, while the Côte d'Azur will ...

Read more about it
La Réunion, un Nouvel an au paradis

Reunion Island, a New Year's Eve in paradise

Reunion Island, an "intense" island, the word has not changed and remains engraved in everyone's memories. Between the sea and the mountains, between the lagoon and the volcano, between a forest teeming with life and a cosmopolitan city, this small paradise will not stop delighting us. We come and go again, because the island does not reveal all its secrets in two weeks. Each time of year has its share of surprises: from guava trees to ...

Read more about it
Le GR R1 de La Réunion élu

The GR R1 of Reunion Island elected "Favourite Long Hiking Tour of the French"!

After three weeks of voting on the MonGR.fr website, the GR® R1, which surrounds the Piton des Neiges in Reunion Island, has been designated as the "GR® preferred by the French" for this year 2019, with almost twice as many votes as the second in this ranking! A strong plebiscite, therefore, for this long-distance hiking itinerary, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2019. The GR® 400 volcanoes of Cantal and GR® 800 valley of ...

Read more about it
More articles
To discover on Petit Futé
Review