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If you thought all tropical islands were the same, think again and take a peak into the kaleidoscopic world of Reunion Island. A tiny speck between Mauritius and Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, it might not look like much on Google Maps but its diminutive 2500 square kilometres packs a real punch. Three sensational ‘cirques’, formed by ancient collapsed volcanoes, plunge into the centre whilst the active Piton de la Fournaise towers high into the sky, emerald forests give way to sparkling waterfalls and shimmering, sandy beaches rub shoulders with vibrant towns. Plenty for outdoor-lovers then, but with a heady mix of French, Creole, Indian and Chinese cultures that appear in everything from the food to the architecture and good dose of chic beachside R&R, Reunion couldn’t possibly disappoint anyone.
Reunion follows the same weather pattern as her neighbour, Mauritius, and much of ‘safari’ Africa. May to October is the driest time of year and every day is near picture-perfect. Temperatures are dreamy and hover around the 25-degree mark and rain is unlikely making it an excellent time for almost every activity from hiking to sunbathing. The sea temperature is still warm at this time of year too, so water babies will be happy – and the whales start to arrive in August. November to March is much hotter and more humid. Rain comes (usually) in short, sharp bursts and will clear up in hours revealing plenty of sunshine, but January to March can be particularly stormy with cyclones in the area and we don’t recommend travelling at this time of year.
The primary airport of Reunion is Saint Denis (RUN), a hub for most airlines arriving from Europe and Africa.
International flights
We would recommend booking your flights online in order to get the best rates. If you need any help or advice please let us know.
Domestic flights and transfers
Connecting between all the locations on your trip may necessitate a variety of modes: light aircraft charters, domestic commercial flights and road transfers. Please review the inclusions and exclusions on your specific trip page for details. If you need help understanding the best flights to book, please let us know.
From the moment that you land in Reunion you will be greeted and assisted to your onward connections. You will be looked after from that point on until you are transferred back to the airport in time for your departure flight.
Please consult your personal physician and/or a travel clinic preferably six weeks prior to your departure. Vaccine requirements vary based on your country of origin and your travel itinerary and your previous vaccination history. It is best to consult with your physician or the CDC website for guidelines.
Important vaccinations to consider and which may either be required or recommended are: Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B and Cholera, among others. Please always carry your "International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)" (or "Yellow Card") with you.
Yellow Fever
There is no risk of Yellow Fever in Reunion, however, vaccination is required for travellers who are arriving from, or have transited through, countries with risk of Yellow Fever transmission (e.g. Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda or elsewhere worldwide). This requirement can change unexpectedly, therefore we recommend carrying a Yellow Fever card with you at all times.
Communication
Reunion country code: +262
Calling overseas from Reunion:
From a landline dial 00 followed by the country code plus area code and number.
e.g. USA: 00 1 910 795 1048
When calling from a cell phone dial + prefix followed by the country code plus area code and number. e.g. USA: + 1 910 795 1048
Money
The currency on Reunion Island is the Euro. You can convert money to Euros at a bank or Forex Bureau, or withdraw from an ATM. Please note there is nowhere to convert money at the airport but there are ATMs. Please check with your bank for charges and advice when using international ATMs. It is advisable to have some cash for smaller shops and for tipping.
IMPORTANT: When bringing foreign currency (e.g. USD, GBP, EUR) into the country, be sure to bring new format (2009 and later for USD) with no damage or marks.
Gratuities
Gratuities are not compulsory or expected; rather it is a reward for excellent service. If you are pleased with the service you receive, you are more than welcome to tip your guide or the staff. Tipping is usually done at the end of your stay. You may tip the staff individually, give the tip to the manager to distribute or do both. Tips can be made in USD, GBP or EUR.
Gratuities suggestions:
Guides: $15 per person per day
Transfer drivers: $5 per person per day
Porters (if guide not present): $1 per bag
General Hotel staff: $10 per person per day
Waitstaff: 10%-15% (large group may incur automatic service charge, please check)
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself, as well as any dependents/travelling companions for the duration of your trip. This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities:
Compulsory Insurance:
a. Emergency evacuation expenses
b. Medical expenses
c. Repatriation expenses
Recommended Insurance:
a. Cancellation or curtailment of trip
b. Damage/theft/loss of personal luggage, money and goods
As a general precaution, we recommend you make several copies of your travel-related documents (passport, traveller’s cheques, credit cards, itinerary, airline tickets, insurance cover, visas, etc). Leave one set at home, and bring another set with you, and place it in a location separate from your originals.
Most nationalities will not require a visa to enter Reunion Island. However, please do contact the embassy or consultant in your home country to confirm visa requirements, as they can change often. Visa Central is also a good resource.
Climate
The island has a classic tropical climate with warm weather year-round. Summer is from November to May, during this period the temperature varies between 22°C and 35°C. Winter is from May to November with a temperature variance between 17°C and 26°C. The sea temperature varies between 22°C and 26°C. During summer, from November to April, the days are very hot and humid and although the temperatures drop in winter, the days are still balmy and warm. Reunion Island also has a cyclone season which runs from December to March, although this is rarely something you have to worry about.
Dress Code
Conservative/casual clothing is acceptable in the bigger towns and cities in Reunion and dependent on the climate. Comfortable beach wear is fine on the coast, just be sure to take sun cream because the sun gets very strong in the summer months. Generally speaking, light layers of clothing are the best items to bring with you, as well as a warmer jacket or fleece for the cooler evenings. A hat is also a must have!
What to Pack
Layers - long and short sleeve shirts and trousers
A warm fleece or jumper
A lightweight waterproof jacket
Comfortable but sturdy shoes
Flip-flops
Swimming costume
A hat or baseball cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen – a must!
Toiletries – most camps will provide shampoo, shower gel and soap
A small torch
Spare batteries, plug adaptors and charging equipment
A good pair of Binoculars
Books or a fully loaded Kindle / iPad for siesta time
Most camps and lodges will have a small medical and first aid kit, but we recommend bringing your own supply of essentials - cough medicine, plasters, vitamins, aspirin and paracetamol, and anything else you use on a regular basis.
Luggage
Please check with your airlines for the specific luggage restrictions relevant to your flight schedule. Many international airlines have a baggage allowance of 20kgs or more per person and commercial airlines generally permit two (2) pieces of checked luggage per person. The carry-on bag must be of such dimensions and weight as set by the airlines.
Electricity
In Reunion, the power sockets are of type E, which is a two pin plug, exactly the same as France. The standard voltage is 220/240 volts and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances in Reunion if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa). If the standard voltage in your country is in the range of 100 V - 127 V (as is in the US, Canada and most South American countries), you will need to bring an adapter/convertor combination.