The French Indian Ocean Island of Reunion is a hidden tropical gem that is home to mighty volcanic mountains with excellent trekking, secluded beaches, coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, and chic towns with an interesting blend of cultures. Not well known outside France, Réunion is an unspoiled tropical paradise with modern facilities and services, perfect for those looking for an exotic beach holiday with outdoor activities.
Large volcanic island and a French overseas territory, Réunion is located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. The island has a similar history with the nearby Mauritius and Seychelles and is inhabited by an interesting ethnic mixture with people of Indian, African, Chinese, and French ancestry. As part of France, Reunion belongs to the Euro zone and the European Union. The island has become a popular holiday destination for French people, but does not receive much tourism outside mainland France.
Réunion cities. The capital city of Réunion, Saint-Denis has interesting architecture, many nice restaurants, and the best possibilities for shopping in Réunion. The city of Saint-Pierre is also a vibrant lively city with interesting colonial history and architecture. The town of Cilaos hosts interesting natural spas in Réunion.
Volcanic mountain areas in the interior of the island offer excellent opportunities for trekking in Reunion. Especially the caldera areas known as the Cirques, mainly Cirque de Salazie and Cirque de Cilaos are excellent for outdoor activities, offering stunning views, forests, cliffs, and waterfalls. Diving and snorkeling in Reunion is pleasant on the reefs surrounding the island, and deep-sea fishing and sailing in Réunion are also available.
How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Reunion is by air.
Large volcanic island and a French overseas territory, Réunion is located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. The island has a similar history with the nearby Mauritius and Seychelles and is inhabited by an interesting ethnic mixture with people of Indian, African, Chinese, and French ancestry. As part of France, Reunion belongs to the Euro zone and the European Union. The island has become a popular holiday destination for French people, but does not receive much tourism outside mainland France.
Sights and activities in Reunion: volcano treks, beaches, diving and adventure sports
Réunion offers a myriad of things to see and do from beach resorts and cities to the scenic volcanoes of Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges, reaching into the height of over 3,000 m / 10,000 ft above sea level. The main beach holiday areas in Réunion are Saint-Gilles and L'Hermitage on the island’s drier west coast. They are home to white sand beaches, restaurants, and nightlife, and get crowded especially on weekends and during the major French holidays.Réunion cities. The capital city of Réunion, Saint-Denis has interesting architecture, many nice restaurants, and the best possibilities for shopping in Réunion. The city of Saint-Pierre is also a vibrant lively city with interesting colonial history and architecture. The town of Cilaos hosts interesting natural spas in Réunion.
Volcanic mountain areas in the interior of the island offer excellent opportunities for trekking in Reunion. Especially the caldera areas known as the Cirques, mainly Cirque de Salazie and Cirque de Cilaos are excellent for outdoor activities, offering stunning views, forests, cliffs, and waterfalls. Diving and snorkeling in Reunion is pleasant on the reefs surrounding the island, and deep-sea fishing and sailing in Réunion are also available.
Reunion travel tips and practical information
The climate of Réunion is tropical with major local variations due to the mountainous topography of the island. The two main seasons in Réunion are the rainy and hot summer from December to April and the cooler but still warm and dry winter from late April to October. There is a cyclone season in Reunion from November to April with occasional tropical cyclones occurring especially in February and March. The West coast of Reunion is drier than the East coast.How to get there. The easiest way to travel to Reunion is by air.
Photo: Zigar, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
There are two airports on the island with regular flights to Reunion from France, South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Mayotte, and Madagascar. You can also travel to Réunion by a ferry or by your own yacht.
Local transport. The main ways to get around in Reunion are by bus or by taxi. The comfortable yellow buses regularly tour around the island and local buses can also be found in the main towns in Réunion. Taxis are well available and can also be hired for the day. Car rental on Reunion is easy and affordable and roads on the island are in good condition.
Visitor services. There are plenty of hotels in Reunion to choose from, and other accommodation options such as rental villas can also be found. Restaurants on Reunion are plentiful, offering mainly French, Chinese, Indian, and local cuisines. There are also a good range of nightlife options available throughout the island. Few people in the French-speaking Réunion understand English, so it is very useful to learn some phrases of French before traveling to Reunion.
Safety. Reunion is a fairly safe destination. However, crime does occur also here, so it is not recommended to walk around alone at night in the cities of Réunion or to carry expensive cameras or jewelry with you.
