Cilaos City
City in Réunion, known for its natural beauty
Set in a volcanic cirque, Cilaos draws hikers tackling Piton des Neiges, drivers daring the hairpin 'Route de Cilaos,' and food-minded visitors sampling Creole stew, local lentils and mountain-made wine.
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Why Visit Cilaos?#
Tucked into Réunion’s dramatic cirques, Cilaos appeals to hikers, thermal-bath seekers and food lovers who prize local products. The town sits in the Cirque de Cilaos and provides access to trails, mountain vistas and natural hot springs, while lentils from Cilaos and local wine are culinary highlights. Mountain guesthouses and embroidery workshops add cultural texture, so plan for active days on foot followed by simple, well-made island fare.
Best Things to Do in Cilaos#
Cilaos Bucket List#
Cirque de Cilaos - Mountain-ringed cirque with winding roads and village offering panoramic hiking and local crafts.
Piton des Neiges hike - Climb Réunion’s highest peak from Cilaos for sunrise and expansive island views.
Thermal baths of Cilaos - Soak in natural thermal baths beside the village after long mountain hikes.
Local broderie workshops - Small embroidery studios demonstrating Cilaos’ traditional needlework and selling handcrafted pieces.
Lentil farms and tastings - Visit local producers to sample and buy the famed Cilaos lentils and mountain honey.
Scenic mountain roads and viewpoints - Drive or walk narrow mountain roads to discover lesser-known overlooks and village perspectives.
Cirque de Mafate (access by trail or helicopter) - Remote cirque reachable by hike or helicopter offering rugged trails and isolated hamlets.
Cilaos-Piton des Neiges ascent - Full-day hike option to Réunion’s highest peak with dramatic volcanic and island panoramas.
Best Time to Visit Cilaos#
Cilaos is nicest between May and October when conditions are drier and pleasantly cool for mountain hikes. Avoid the November-April wet/cyclone season if you dislike heavy rain and mud.
May - October
10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F)
Cool, clear days and crisp nights - ideal for hiking, canyoning, and exploring the caldera without heavy rain interruptions or humidity.
November - April
15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F)
Warm, lush and frequently rainy; trails get slippery and waterfalls roar. Great for dramatic scenery but expect mosquitos and muddy paths.
June - August
8°C to 18°C (46°F to 64°F)
Coldest months at altitude; mornings can be brisk and misty. Perfect for clear mountain views and quieter trails, often with crisp air.
Cilaos's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 11°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1457 mm/year), wettest in March.
January
January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Heavy rain (222 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Heavy rain (223 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (227 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Cilaos#
Cilaos (on Réunion island) is reached by road from the island’s airports - Roland Garros (RUN) in the north or Pierrefonds (ZSE) in the south - using steep mountain roads into the Cirque de Cilaos. There is no rail; expect winding, sometimes slow, but very scenic drives.
Roland Garros Airport, Saint‑Denis (RUN): RUN is Réunion’s main international airport; most international flights arrive here. From Saint‑Denis you can continue by road to Cilaos but travel is lengthy: first travel to Saint‑Pierre (or Cilaos-facing routes) and then across mountain roads - total travel time by car is typically 2.5-4 hours depending on route and weather. Domestic flights to Pierrefonds (ZSE) serve the south (Saint‑Pierre) and may shorten the road leg.
Pierrefonds Airport, Saint‑Pierre (ZSE): ZSE handles domestic flights and can be more convenient for reaching the southern side of Réunion; from Saint‑Pierre the drive up to Cilaos is steep and narrow and takes around 1.5-2.5 hours depending on conditions.
Train: Réunion has no railway network.
Bus / Car: The only public options to Cilaos are regional buses and private shuttles from Saint‑Pierre or Saint‑Denis; routes use mountain roads into the Cirque de Cilaos and can be slow but scenic. Driving yourself or hiring a private transfer is common; check local bus operators for schedules as services are limited and can be affected by weather or roadworks.
How to Get Around Cilaos#
There is no rail on Réunion; Cilaos is reached by road from Roland Garros (RUN) or Pierrefonds (ZSE) using scenic but steep mountain routes. Private transfers, car hire or limited bus services are the practical options; on arrival the village is very walkable.
- Private transfer / taxi - Most comfortable way to reach Cilaos from either airport, especially if you have luggage or arrive late. Drivers are experienced on mountain roads; transfers are pricier than buses but direct and reliable.
- Intercity / regional bus - Budget option: a few scheduled buses and minibuses run into Cilaos from Saint‑Pierre and other towns, but frequencies are limited and timetables can change. Check local operator notices and seasons for up-to-date info.
- Car (driving / rental) - Renting a car and driving into the Cirque gives full flexibility. Roads are narrow and winding with many hairpin bends; good driving experience is recommended. Allow extra time for bad weather or road maintenance.
- Hiking / walking trails - Cilaos is a hub for hiking in Réunion; many trails start or pass through the town for multi-hour or multi-day treks. Prepare with proper gear and check trail conditions and weather forecasts.
- Local taxis / shuttle services - Operate within the cirque for short transfers and excursions; handy for reaching trailheads or local attractions when public buses aren’t convenient.
- Walking - Cilaos village is compact and best explored on foot - shops, restaurants and accommodations are concentrated in the centre and easy to reach by walking.
Shopping in Cilaos#
Cilaos has a small but busy tourist shopping scene focused on local specialties: lentils de Cilaos, small artisanal food products and embroidered textiles from local craftspeople. Shops cluster around the village centre and sell regional souvenirs geared to hikers and visitors. For a wider retail selection you’ll need to travel off the plain, but Cilaos is a good place to find authentic local food products.
Nightlife in Cilaos#
Evenings in Cilaos are relaxed and geared toward visitors: hotel bars, cosy restaurants and a few cafés are the main options. There’s some seasonal activity linked to tourism, but the nightlife is never extensive. If you’re after live music or a livelier scene, larger towns on the coast have more evening entertainment.
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