Highlights
Piton de la Fournaise
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, in the island's south-east. A road crosses a lunar plain to the Pas de Bellecombe viewpoint, from where a trail descends into the caldera towards the crater. Access closes during eruptions, so check before going.
Cirque de Mafate
A vast mountain amphitheatre with no roads, reached only on foot or by helicopter. Small hamlets with family-run guesthouses (gîtes) make it possible to hike in for several days.
Cirque de Cilaos
Reached by a road with hundreds of bends, Cilaos is a mountain village known for hot springs, lentils, local wine and the trailhead for climbing Piton des Neiges.
Cirque de Salazie and Hell-Bourg
The greenest of the three cirques, with waterfalls such as the Voile de la Mariée, and the village of Hell-Bourg, with Creole houses and gardens.
Piton des Neiges
The highest point on the island and in the Indian Ocean, at just over 3,000 metres. Most hikers stay overnight in a mountain refuge and climb before dawn to watch the sunrise over the cirques.
Saint-Gilles and the west coast lagoon
A coral reef protects a shallow lagoon along part of the west coast at L'Hermitage and Saint-Leu, offering calm swimming and snorkelling. Saint-Leu is also known for paragliding over the lagoon.
Saint-Denis
The capital has Creole mansions along Rue de Paris, the Jardin de l'État botanical garden, Hindu temples, mosques and churches side by side, and a lively seafront promenade, Le Barachois.
The wild south
Lava flows reach the sea at the Grand Brûlé, with roads crossing recent flows. Inland, the Langevin river has waterfalls and swimming pools, and vanilla is grown in the south-east.
Interesting facts about Réunion
- The 'Pitons, cirques and remparts' of Réunion, covering much of the island's interior, were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010.
- Réunion holds several world records for rainfall over periods of a few days, set during tropical cyclones.
- As part of France and an outermost region of the EU, Réunion uses the euro, and its coastal road is among the most expensive roads ever built.
- The Grand Raid, including the Diagonale des Fous, is a famous ultra-trail race that crosses the island's mountains each October.
- Réunion's population descends from settlers and workers from France, Madagascar, Africa, India and China, and Réunion Creole is widely spoken alongside French.
Best time to visit
The austral winter, from May to November, is the dry season and the best time for hiking, with cooler temperatures and clearer mountain views; nights can be cold in the high mountains. September to November is particularly good. The hot, humid season from December to April brings heavy rain and the risk of cyclones, which can close trails and roads, though the coast is warmer for swimming.
Practical information
| Capital | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Languages | French |
| Plugs | Type C, E |
| Voltage | 230 V, 50 Hz |
| Emergency | 112 (also 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire) |
| Driving | On the right |
| Tipping | Not expected, as service is included, as in mainland France. Rounding up for good service is appreciated. |
Getting around
A rental car is the best way to get around: a coastal road circles the island, and mountain roads climb into Cilaos, Salazie and up to the volcano. Expect slow, winding roads and traffic around Saint-Denis and Saint-Paul at peak times. A bus network, Car Jaune, links the main towns, with local buses within communes. Many of the best places can only be reached on foot, so plan routes and gîte bookings for the cirques in advance, and check trail conditions with the island's official sources.
Staying connected in Réunion
Coverage is good in towns and along the coast, with 4G widely available and 5G in some urban areas. Signal is often weak or absent in the cirques, especially Mafate, on high trails and in deep valleys. Wi-Fi is common in hotels and guesthouses, though slower in mountain areas. As an outermost region of the EU, Réunion is generally included in EU roaming arrangements, but check with your provider. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
See Réunion eSIM plans · How to install an eSIM
Useful apps for Réunion
- Météo-France: Official forecasts and cyclone warnings, important before hikes.
- Google Maps: Driving directions; download the island offline for the mountains.
- Waze: Live traffic around Saint-Denis and on the coastal roads.
- Google Translate: French translation; most signs and menus are in French only.