Réunion Travel Guide

Réunion sits in the western Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, and feels more like a miniature mountain island than a typical tropical atoll. The interior is dominated by dramatic volcanic relief: the active Piton de la Fournaise and a trio of deep, amphitheatre-like cirques carved into the older shield volcano give the island a jagged, vertical profile. Much of that interior is protected within La Réunion National Park, where steep ridgelines, cloud forests and waterfalls spill down to coastal plains and patches of black- and white-sand shore.

The island’s character is a tight, layered mix of French administration and Creole life with visible Indian, African and Chinese influences. Small towns and markets pulse with Creole flavours and street food built around Indian spices and locally grown produce, while town centres retain French cafés and architecture. The capital, Saint-Denis, is the administrative and cultural hub; coastal resorts such as Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and quieter stretches like Grand Anse Beach offer the island’s limited - but diverse - sea access.

Reunion is best known to travellers as a hiking and volcano destination rather than a beach playground. Treks into the Cirque de Mafate and Cirque de Cilaos reveal remote hamlets, vertiginous ridgelines and long, satisfying walks; excursions to Piton de la Fournaise draw visitors who want to experience recent lava flows and lunar slopes. Along the coast, reefs and surf breaks create pockets for snorkelling and surfing, but the island’s real appeal is its inland topography and outdoor adventure.

Practically, Reunion operates to European standards: infrastructure, public services and safety are generally good, and the island uses the euro. It tends to be pricier than many Indian Ocean islands because of that connection to France, though everyday meals and local transport remain reasonably affordable. The dry season from May to November is the most reliable for hiking and volcano outings; the December - April wet season brings higher humidity and intermittent storms, which can make mountain tracks slippery.

• West Coast: Snorkel protected lagoons, boat dolphin trips, relax on sheltered beaches, visit Saint-Paul market.
• South and Plateau: Hike to Piton de la Fournaise, walk La Plaine des Sables, scenic coastal drives from Saint-Pierre.
• Cirques and Interior: Multi-day trekking into Mafate, thermal baths and rim hikes from Cilaos, waterfall walks in Salazie.
• North and East Coast: Explore colonial Saint-Denis, coastal drives, small-town markets and river gorges around Saint-Benoît.

Réunion offers a wide mix of French-style hotels along the coasts and locally run gîtes and mountain refuges inland. Expect higher prices in seaside resorts (Saint-Gilles) and limited, rustic options in Mafate and volcanic zones; book early for hiking season.

Réunion’s volcanic, mountainous interior and deeply incised cirques make travel very different from typical lowland islands: there are no trains and many roads are narrow, steep and occasionally closed by rockfall or weather. Most movement happens along the coastal ring road and a handful of major expressways, so expect longer travel times to interior attractions and plan transfers in advance.

Réunion is reached almost exclusively by air: the island’s international gateway is Roland Garros (RUN) at Saint‑Denis. Long‑haul services link Réunion with Paris and other French airports, while shorter regional flights connect via Mauritius (MRU) and Madagascar. There are no regular international passenger ferries; most freight and some inter‑island links use Port de La Pointe des Galets (Le Port).

Air travel

Most visitors arrive at Roland Garros (RUN) airport near Saint‑Denis; regular services operate from metropolitan France and regional hubs. Carriers with scheduled services include Air France, Air Austral and French Bee; flights from Paris are long‑haul (~11 hours) while connections from Mauritius (MRU) are about 40-50 minutes.

Rental Car

There is no rail network - a rental car is the most practical way to explore. The coastal Ring Road (RN1) links major towns; the Route du Littoral and the newer Route des Tamarins are the main west‑coast arterials, while mountain roads into the cirques are steep, winding and subject to rockfalls and occasional closures.

Buses & shuttles

Local and interurban bus services serve coastal towns and Saint‑Denis but frequencies drop outside peak corridors; airport shuttles and intercity coaches run between the major towns. If you plan to visit the interior (Cilaos, Mafate), look into local shuttle providers or guided transfers.

Typical mid-range travellers spend about $80-150 per day; coastal resorts and organised volcano or boat trips are priciest, while self-catering in gîtes and using buses is cheaper.

• Hostel dorm bed: €18-31
• Basic gîte or budget room: €44-70
• Mid-range hotel double: €79-141
• Upscale seafront hotel: from €158
• Market or street-stall meal: €5-11
• Bottle of local beer: €3-6
• Organised tour or activity: €35-79
• Local bus ride: €1-3

For current prices on hundreds of everyday items, see Numbeo’s Réunion cost of living, a crowd-sourced database that is updated often.

Ways to save

• Use buses and shared transfers.: Intercity buses and route taxis are far cheaper than private transfers for island travel.
• Cook or eat at gîtes.: Self-catering and gîte meals cut restaurant costs, especially inland near the cirques.
• Book guides and car hire in advance.: Reserve cars and popular guided hikes before high season to avoid premium prices.

Full trip budgets are in Réunion Itineraries.

• Electricity: 230V, 50 Hz; plug types C, E.

Yes, for most visitors; violent crime is uncommon but the main risks are road accidents, volcanic activity, strong sea currents and occasional severe weather.

Staying healthy is relatively straightforward if you take standard tropical precautions - watch mosquitoes, avoid risky swimming, and be prepared for heat and storm-related disruptions.

Long‑term life on Réunion feels like living in a French region on a tropical island - many residents are French or EU citizens relocating for climate, outdoor lifestyle and family ties. The island offers strong public services and healthcare but carries higher prices and some isolation from mainland Europe.

Long-Term Visas: As an overseas department of France, French residence permits apply; EU citizens move freely, non‑EU need French long‑stay visa (VLS‑TS).

Working There: Non‑EU workers require a French work permit; main employment sectors are public services, tourism, agriculture and healthcare.

Cost of Living: Prices are generally higher than mainland France for imported food, fuel and electronics; euros are used locally.

Health & Wellness: Residents are covered by French social security (CPAM), with public hospitals in Saint‑Denis and Saint‑Pierre.

Banking & Finance: Euro currency, branches of major French banks operate locally (BNP, Crédit Agricole, La Banque Postale).

Taxes: French tax rules apply - income and social contributions are handled under the French system.

Popular Places to Live in Réunion

The choice comes down to whether you want beaches, a big town, or mountain quiet. For beaches head to the west coast near Saint‑Gilles, for administrative services and transport pick Saint‑Denis, and for hiking and a slower pace choose Cilaos in the interior.

• Saint‑Denis - Island capital, best for services and transport, tradeoff is urban bustle and higher rents
• Saint‑Gilles‑les‑Bains - Beach and leisure hotspot, fits surfers and sunseekers, tradeoff is seasonal crowds
• Saint‑Pierre - Market town with lively community, good mid‑island access, tradeoff fewer specialised services
• Cilaos - Mountain retreat for hikers and quiet living, tradeoff is limited shops and slower internet
• Salazie - Lush valley village, ideal for nature lovers, tradeoff is remoteness and fewer amenities

The remote‑work scene is small but stable - most digital nomads are French or EU residents working from Saint‑Denis or coastal towns. Good connectivity in urban areas and abundant outdoor activities attract those who value nature and a slower pace over a large nomad community.

Nomad Visa: No dedicated nomad visa - EU citizens move freely; non‑EU use French long‑stay visas and residence permits (VLS‑TS).

Long Term Rentals: Long‑term furnished apartments are common in Saint‑Denis and coastal towns, seasonal demand peaks in summer.

Internet: Fiber and ADSL are available in main towns via Orange Réunion and local ISPs, mobile 4G widespread.

Monthly Cost: Budget roughly €1,200-€2,000 monthly for one person in town areas, higher in resort zones.

Coworking: A few coworking spaces in Saint‑Denis and Saint‑Pierre, plus cafés with reliable Wi‑Fi.

Fitness & Wellness: Gyms available in towns, strong outdoor activities: hiking, surf, diving and trail running.

Community: Small international expat community, mostly French nationals and Reunionnais, limited formal nomad meetups.

Time Zone: UTC+4, typically 2-3 hours ahead of Central Europe depending on DST there.

Popular Nomad Hubs in Réunion

Choosing where to live comes down to whether you want urban services, beaches, or mountain isolation. For town amenities and coworking head to Saint‑Denis, for beaches pick the west coast near Saint‑Gilles, and for hiking or a quieter pace choose mountain villages like Cilaos.

• Saint‑Denis - Administrative and service hub, best for logistics and healthcare, tradeoff is urban density and traffic
• Saint‑Gilles‑les‑Bains - Beach and tourism centre, great for water sports and cafés, tradeoff is tourist crowds in high season
• Saint‑Pierre - Lively southern town with market culture, good mid‑island access, tradeoff fewer high‑end services
• Cilaos - Mountain village, ideal for hikers and quiet life, tradeoff is limited public transport and shops
• Salazie - Green, quieter valley community, fits nature lovers, tradeoff is slower internet and fewer amenities