Saint-André City
City in Réunion, French overseas region
Saint-André fronts Réunion's eastern shore with sugarcane fields, Hindu temples and a Saturday market stacked with samosas and boucané. Visitors use it to reach coastal beaches and the island's cloud-carved interior roads.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Saint-André at a Glance#
Costs: $90-150 per day (island pricing) - relatively expensive - flights and island prices push budgets up.
Safety: Mostly safe with routine precautions - generally safe; normal seaside-town petty theft occurs occasionally.
Best Time: May-November (drier season) - drier, cooler season from May through November is best for outdoors.
Why Visit Saint-André?#
On Réunion’s windward coast, Saint-André offers a blend of Creole, Tamil and French influences that attract food and culture travelers. The town market (marché de Saint-André) serves fresh island produce and spices used in local cari, while Séga music and Tamil festivals underscore the area’s multicultural traditions. Nearby vanilla and sugarcane landscapes, together with coastal beaches and access to interior hiking, make it a good base for exploring the island’s diverse natural and cultural riches.
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
Best Time to Visit Saint-André#
Saint-André is at its best in the dry season (May-October) for hiking and beaches, with clearer skies and safer trails. The wet/cyclone months bring dramatic scenery but higher rainfall and disruption risk.
November - April
22-30°C (72-86°F)
Hot, humid wet season brings heavy showers and lush growth; some mountain trails muddy and seas rough, but waterfalls and tropical vegetation are spectacular.
May - October
18-25°C (64-77°F)
Cooler, drier months are perfect for hiking, canyoning, and beach time-trails are safer, scenery clear, and outdoor plans rarely derailed by intense rain.
January - March
22-30°C (72-86°F)
Peak cyclone risk brings stormy seas, heavy rains, and travel disruptions; avoid remote mountain routes and watch forecasts closely when planning trips.
Saint-André's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with hot summers (peaking in February) and warm winters (coldest in August). Temperatures range from 17°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1588 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 262 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.7 m/s | 3.0 extreme | 13.1h |
| February | Very Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 258 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.8 m/s | 2.9 extreme | 12.7h |
| March | Very Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 227 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.9 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 179 mm | some cloud | 82% | 2.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.5h |
| May | Excellent | 20° - 26° | 23° | 110 mm | some cloud | 79% | 3.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| June | Excellent | 19° - 25° | 22° | 86 mm | some cloud | 78% | 2.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.8h |
| July | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 71 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.2 high | 10.9h |
| August | Excellent | 17° - 24° | 21° | 73 mm | some cloud | 77% | 3.3 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.3h |
| September | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 51 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.7 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.9h |
| October | Ideal | 19° - 25° | 22° | 44 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Excellent | 21° - 27° | 24° | 71 mm | some cloud | 75% | 2.8 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.0h |
| December | Very Good | 22° - 28° | 25° | 156 mm | some cloud | 75% | 2.7 m/s | 3.0 extreme | 13.2h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
How to Get to Saint-André#
Saint‑André on Réunion’s northeast coast is reached via Roland Garros (RUN) near Saint‑Denis, then by taxi or the island bus network. There’s no rail on the island, so buses and cars are the only public surface options.
Roland Garros Airport / Saint‑Denis (RUN): Roland Garros (RUN) is Réunion’s main international airport located near Saint‑Denis. To reach Saint‑André from RUN you can take a taxi (~€30-60, 25-40 minutes depending on traffic) or use the island bus services.
Pierrefonds (ZSE) / Small airports: Pierrefonds (near Saint-Pierre) and smaller airfields serve inter‑island or domestic flights; these are less convenient for Saint‑André than Roland Garros.
Train: There is no rail service on Réunion; ground connections are by road.
Bus: Réunion’s public transport network (operated by Car Jaune / Citalis depending on area) links Saint‑Denis and Saint‑André. Bus routes between the north coast towns run regularly; fares are generally a few euros and travel time from Saint‑Denis to Saint‑André is about 25-45 minutes depending on service.
How to Get Around Saint-André#
There’s no rail on Réunion, so travel depends on buses, taxis and rental cars. For most visitors buses cover the basics, but taxis or a rental car are recommended for flexibility.
- Airport taxi (~€30-60) - Taxis from Roland Garros to Saint‑André are convenient and widely available at the airport. Expect a 25-45 minute drive and prices in the local euro range; confirm the fare before departure for fixed‑price trips.
- Public bus (Car Jaune / Citalis) (~€1.50-4) - The island’s bus network serves Saint‑Denis, Saint‑André and other coastal towns. Buses are the cheapest option; services can be slower and less frequent on weekends. Buy tickets at stations or on board when allowed.
- Car rental / Driving (~€35-70/day (rental)) - Renting a car is the easiest way to explore Réunion beyond main towns-roads around the coast are good, but mountain drives need caution. Parking in Saint‑André is generally available.
- Taxi / Private transfer (~€40-80) - Private transfers and taxis are commonly used for door‑to‑door trips, day tours and airport transfers. They are pricier than buses but faster and more reliable for fixed schedules.
- Walking - Saint‑André town centre and the coastal areas are compact; walking is the best way to explore markets and the main beachfront areas.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Saint-André#
Town center / Plaine des Palmistes vicinity - €25-65/night
Saint‑André has basic guesthouses and rental rooms; budget choices are modest and often family-run.
Budget guesthouses - Booking.com listings - Small guesthouses and rental rooms in town
Airbnb listings in Saint-André - Private rooms and affordable rentals
Saint-André center / East coast - €70-140/night
A few comfortable mid-range hotels and well-reviewed guesthouses provide better amenities and island hospitality.
Mid-range hotels on Reunion Island (Saint-André area) - Comfortable local hotels and guesthouses
Local mid-range guesthouses (examples on island) - Good balance of comfort and local charm
Saint-André / West coast for luxury - €150+/night
Saint‑André itself has few top-tier luxury hotels; for true luxury stay on the west coast (Saint‑Gilles) where resorts concentrate.
Luxury hotels are concentrated in Saint-Gilles and Saline-les-Bains - Higher-end resorts elsewhere on the island
Top luxury options in Saint-Gilles (nearby coast) - Best for premium amenities and beach access