Practical information Réunion

Since Réunion is a French department, no visa is required for French and European nationals. A valid national identity card is sufficient for French citizens. Travelers from outside the European Union must check the requirements applicable to French territory according to their nationality, generally identical to those for entering mainland France. The passport must be valid for the duration of the stay. No special customs formalities are required when traveling from mainland France. For travelers coming from third countries, a declaration may be requested upon arrival regarding agricultural and animal products, as the island has strict measures against invasive species.

No vaccinations are required to enter Réunion. French routine immunizations should be up to date, particularly DTP. Dengue circulates in epidemic episodes, transmitted by tiger mosquitoes active during the day: plan for repellent and long clothing at dusk, especially during the rainy season. Chikungunya remains possible but rare since the 2006 epidemic. No malaria on the island. Tap water is safe to drink everywhere. For high-altitude hikes, good physical fitness matters more than any prophylaxis. Caroline systematically recommends a pre-travel medical consultation if you plan to climb Piton des Neiges.

Expect €90 to €150 per day per person excluding international flights, in comfortable mode with car rental, varied accommodations and mixed dining. The Paris-Saint-Denis flight ranges between €700 and €1,400 return depending on season, more expensive in July-August and December-January. A night in a guesthouse in the Hauts costs €60-90 for two with breakfast, a beach hotel in Saint-Gilles rather €120-200. A full curry in a snack bar is found at €10-12, versus €25-35 for a menu at a guesthouse. Car rental starts at €30 per day, a 4x4 necessary for the Plaine des Sables at €70-90.

The austral winter, from May to November, offers the most favorable conditions: dry weather, clear skies on the peaks in the morning, coastal temperatures of 22 to 27°C. September to November also combines humpback whale season, when they migrate up to nurse their calves in the waters off the West from June to October. The austral summer, from December to April, is hot and humid, with a real cyclonic risk from January to March that can block hiking for several days. Litchis are harvested in December, mangoes in January. For climbing Piton des Neiges, favor May to October: nights are cold, down to 5°C, but the sky is clear at sunrise.

Car rental is the recommended mode of transport. The island is 70 km in diameter and the coastal road that circles it can be driven in 4 hours without stopping. Allow double the time to reach the Highlands via winding roads: 2 hours from Saint-Louis to Cilaos with 400 hairpin turns, 1h30 from Saint-Benoît to Plaine des Cafres. A 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is necessary for the track to Plaine des Sables towards the volcano. The Car Jaune network connects the main towns but poorly serves the Highlands. Mafate can only be reached on foot, in 3 to 5 hours of hiking, or by helicopter from Éperon, expect 110 euros per person.

Réunion is overall a safe destination, equivalent to a French metropolitan region. Petty crime exists in Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre at night, no more than elsewhere. The main risks are nature-related: swimming outside supervised zones on the west coast has been prohibited since 2013 due to shark risk, but the Ermitage lagoon in Boucan remains safe as it is protected by the reef. On hiking trails, weather changes are rapid: bring appropriate equipment, start early, and check Météo France forecasts. In case of volcanic eruption, the prefect closes access roads. Our English-speaking team in Saint-Denis will provide you with this information in real time during your stay.