La Réunion: A trip that promises an explosion of sensations

👉 Key figures

Surface area : Réunion Island has a surface area of 2513 km² km2

Population: 839,000 Réunionese live on the island. inhabitants

Time difference : + 3h winter/+ 2h summer

👉 Airports

Roland-Garros airport is 11 km from Saint-Denis. Expect to pay €25 to reach the city by taxi. There is also a shuttle service during the day (approx. €5). Completely renovated in 2013, it now boasts a modern style and quality pistes.

👉 Safety

Generally speaking, Réunion is a safe destination, in terms of the safety of people and property, provided you observe the basic rules of caution (avoid displaying jewellery and leaving objects in view in cars).

When hiking, make sure you wear appropriate clothing and follow the signs. Watch out for cyclones: in the event of a red alert, we strongly recommend that you avoid going out. Don't forget to keep yourself informed if you are travelling to Réunion during the cyclone season.

Take care when swimming too: the waves can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers, especially on certain beaches such as Boucan-Canot.

Since the shark attacks of 2012/2013, certain beaches have been closed to bathing or are supervised at certain times of the day. Be sure to obey the flags and to swim in complete safety, prefer beaches protected by the coral reef.

👉 Language

French is the official language, but most Réunionese use Creole, a language created by African slaves.

Formalities and visa

Réunion is an overseas department. An identity card is sufficient. Even children must travel with a document in their name. Minors living in France who travel abroad alone, or without being accompanied by at least one of their parents, must have authorisation to leave the country. This requirement also applies to Réunion.

👉 Religion

Catholicism is the main religion, but there are other religions as well, starting with Hinduism, which has a number of major festivals each year: cavadee, during which penitents pierce their cheeks and tongues with silver needles; teemedee, with fire walking; dipavali (festival of lights); holi (festival of colours); pongal (or pongol, thanksgiving). Islam is also practised.

👉 Currency

The currency is the euro, divided into 100 cents. Credit cards can be used everywhere and ATMs are legion (Visa and Mastercard). The same applies to traveller's cheques. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

👉 Getting around

A car is the ideal way to explore the island at your leisure. All the major rental companies are represented at Roland-Garros airport. Prices are similar to those in mainland France, as are rental conditions. Roads are generally in good condition, especially along the coast. But beware of traffic jams in Saint-Denis and between Saint-Denis and Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains, when city dwellers rush to the beach. The roads in the cirques are not for the faint-hearted: there are lots of bends and precipices.

You can also opt for a taxi (around €200 a day) or use the cheaper shared taxis.

👉 Health

No vaccinations are required before entering Réunion. The usual recommendations for tropical climates apply: stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke and protect yourself from the sun. Inland, don't forget woollens and rainwear, as hypothermia can also affect careless travellers.

👉 Electricity

220 V. Sockets identical to those in mainland France.

Tips

Tipping is generally included and haggling is not customary. However, prices can be negotiated in the markets.

👉 Telephone

To call from France, dial 0262 before the number.

To call mainland France, dial the ten-digit number.

👉 When to go?

Reunion can be visited all year round, except perhaps between January and March, as this is the cyclone season.

👉 What to pack

When packing for Réunion, you don't pack the same things as for Mauritius or the Antilles. Things not to forget include hiking boots, a waterproof windbreaker, a fleece, a hat, a water bottle, sunglasses and sun cream. After all, you can't come to Réunion without taking a hike, however short, or going for a walk around the volcano and the cirques. At these altitudes, the weather is highly variable and temperatures can drop very quickly. You can't even feel the sun beating down, and yet...