Réunion is safe to visit, with no major travel advisories.
Changeable skies this November. Expect mixed coastal sun and inland showers; conditions shift through December to February, so check forecasts and book volcano or park trips early. Saint-Denis Réunion National Park
Come for big-mountain hiking and a live volcano, rather than a pure beach holiday. Most first trips base on the west coast around Saint-Gilles and L’Hermitage lagoon, then add the cirques and Piton de la Fournaise. Start and finish in Saint-Denis, with a rental car making everything easier.
Why Visit Réunion?#
Réunion packs a volcano, three dramatic cirques, and a protected lagoon into one steep little island. It feels very outdoors-first, with road trips and long walks doing most of the work.
Piton de la Fournaise. Hike across lunar lava fields to Piton de la Fournaise and the observatory. The classic starting point is Pas de Bellecombe, and eruptions are unpredictable.
The three cirques. Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie each feel different, from remote hamlets in Cirque de Mafate to thermal baths in Cilaos. Maïdo viewpoint is a top panorama over Mafate and the coast.
Big summit hiking. Piton des Neiges is the island’s highest peak and a classic sunrise hike above cloud-filled cirques. Plan for steep trails and cooler temperatures at altitude.
Lagoon and reef time. Snorkel the coral lagoon at L’Hermitage for calmer water and easy beach days. Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is the main west-coast resort base.
Waterfalls and canyoning. Salazie is packed with cascades and valley hikes, with Hell-Bourg as a good historic village stop. Canyoning trips run through river gorges with rappels, swims and natural pools.
Creole markets and food. Try cari and rougail at Saint-Paul’s market, and eat your way through Saint-Pierre’s street stalls. Look for vanilla stalls and island rum, including rum arrangé.
Things to Watch Out For#
Roads. Mountain roads are steep, winding, and sometimes closed by rockfall.
Cyclones. Dec to March is cyclone season, with storms and landslides.
Volcano rules. Respect exclusion zones and official closures at Piton de la Fournaise.
Currents. Swim only at supervised lagoon beaches, and heed red flags.
Mosquitoes. Dengue and chikungunya occur, so use repellent at dusk.
Who Is Réunion For?#
Couples
Cilaos and small mountain gîtes suit romantic trips with cirque villages and Saint-Gilles sunsets.
Families
L’Hermitage lagoon is calm for swimming, and Saint-Gilles is an easy coastal base.
Backpackers
Cirque de Mafate is made for multi-day trekking, with basic gîtes and big hiking days.
Adventure seekers
Do Piton de la Fournaise hikes, canyoning around Cilaos, and paragliding over Saint-Leu.
Party animals
Nightlife clusters in Saint-Denis and Saint-Gilles, with bars and live sega bands.
What you need to get in#
Entry works like France. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can enter visa-free, commonly up to 90 days, while non-EU travellers follow French visa rules and consular guidance. Most visitors arrive by air via Saint-Denis (Roland Garros).
Visa system
French visa rules apply, and EU citizens move freely.
Arriving by air
Fly into Roland Garros (RUN) near Saint-Denis, or into Saint-Pierre on regional flights.
There is no special vaccine requirement for entry, but routine vaccines should be up to date. If you will have close animal contact, seek medical advice about rabies.
When to go#
The short answer is May to November for drier hiking weather and lower cyclone risk.
| Months | What it is like | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| May to September | Drier and cooler, roughly 18-26°C | Best for hiking and outdoor days, and the busiest season. |
| April; October to November | Warmer and more humid, roughly 20-29°C | Weather can swing, so keep plans flexible for showers. |
| December to March | Hot, very wet, and cyclone season | Storms can disrupt travel, and mountain trails may close. |
Cyclone season typically peaks between January and March.
The classic trips and what they cost#
Most first trips combine a west-coast lagoon base with at least one cirque, then a Piton de la Fournaise day in the south and plateau. With limited buses outside main corridors and no trains, many travellers build the trip around a rental car.
Prices are rough totals for one person travelling alone, and don’t include international flights.
| Trip | Route | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Saint-Denis (1 night), Saint-Pierre (2), Piton de la Fournaise and La Plaine des Sables, plus L’Ermitage lagoon | $600-$1,000 per person cost estimate from itinerary) |
| 7 days | Saint-Denis (1), Salazie and Hell-Bourg (1), Cilaos (3), Mafate hike (1), Saint-Pierre and L’Ermitage (1) | $1,600-$2,800 per person cost estimate from itinerary) |
| 14 days | Saint-Denis (2), Salazie and Hell-Bourg (1), Cilaos and Mafate (3), Saint-Pierre (2), Piton des Neiges approach (1), Piton de la Fournaise and La Plaine des Sables (1), L’Ermitage lagoon (1), Saint-Philippe (1) | $3,200-$5,000 per person cost estimate from itinerary) |
Day to day, budget travel runs about €26-40, mid-range €70-132, and comfort travel €158-264 per person. Coastal resorts and organised volcano or boat trips are usually the priciest days.
Reserve mountain gîtes and popular west-coast hotels well ahead for May to September.
Réunion in a nutshell#
- Capital: Saint-Denis is the capital, and the main arrival hub is Roland Garros (RUN).
- People: About 777,000 people live on Réunion.
- Money: The currency is the [Euro (EUR)]. Cards work in towns, but bring cash for remote gîtes and market stalls.
- Daily budget: Typical mid-range travellers spend about €70-132 ($80-150) per day, while backpackers run about €26-40.
- Electricity: Electricity is 230V, 50 Hz, with plug types C and E. See [Réunion plug types].
- Emergencies: Police is 17, fire and rescue is 18, and an ambulance is 112 or 15.
Don't forget to bring#
Hiking shoes
Trails into Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie are steep and rocky. Bring sturdy shoes for mud and slick sections after rain.
Light rain layer
Showers are common outside the drier months, and cyclone season is very wet. A packable shell helps on exposed ridge walks.
Warm layer
High ground around Piton des Neiges and the cirques gets noticeably cooler. Pack a layer even if you are staying on the coast.
Mosquito repellent
Dengue and chikungunya occur on the island. Use repellent, especially at dusk, and keep rooms screened.
Cash for markets
Cards work in towns, but remote gîtes and market stalls may not. Use ATMs in main towns before heading into the interior.
Plug adapter
Réunion uses type C and type E plugs at 230V, 50 Hz. Check your chargers and pack an adapter if needed.
Good to know before you land#
- Getting around: There are no trains, and a rental car is the most practical way to explore.
- Road timing: The coastal ring road is easiest, but cirque roads are slow and winding.
- Swimming: Stick to supervised lagoon beaches, and avoid rough passes and currents.
- Food and water: Tap water is generally potable in towns, and street markets are a highlight.
- Hiking safety: Follow volcano alerts and weather warnings, and respect closures.
Plan the rest of your trip#
More Réunion guides#
First time in Réunion FAQs#
Is Réunion safe for tourists?
Yes for most visitors, as violent crime is uncommon. The main risks are road accidents, volcanic activity, strong sea currents and severe weather.
Do I need a visa for Réunion?
EU, EEA and Swiss travellers can enter visa-free, commonly up to 90 days. Non-EU travellers follow French visa rules and consular guidance.
When is the best time to visit Réunion?
May to November is the most reliable for hiking, with drier and cooler weather and lower cyclone risk. December to March is the wet season and cyclone season.
How many days do I need in Réunion?
7 to 10 days is a solid first trip, with time for the west-coast lagoon, a cirque hike and Piton de la Fournaise. A long weekend works if you focus on the south and one coastal base.
How much does a mid-range trip cost in Réunion?
Typical mid-range daily spend is about €70-132 ($80-150) per person. Seaside resorts and organised activities are usually the priciest parts.