Home - Travel Destinations - Réunion Island: Your First-Time Visitor’s Travel Guide
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Home - Travel Destinations - Réunion Island: Your First-Time Visitor’s Travel Guide
If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
The first thing that hits you on Réunion is the scale of the mountains. Mist rolls through the cirques like clouds brushing against emerald cliffs, and every step feels like walking through a painting. In Mafate, the world narrows to green valleys and distant waterfalls, trails disappearing into folds of rock and forest — a place so untouched you almost expect the wind to whisper secrets of centuries past.
Thr Island is known for its luscious green peaks, tropical growth, tumbling waterfalls, volcanic craters, soul-stirring panoramas, and dramatic coastlines.
Réunion is not just a place to see. It’s a place to feel, to wander, to let yourself be carried from misty mountains to sparkling beaches, from quiet forests to lively village streets, all in a single day. Every view feels like it was waiting for you, every moment a story waiting to be lived.
To begin with, the French volcanic island in the Indian Ocean has three beautiful cirques, namely Salazie, Mafate, and Cilaos. Each cirque has its unique identity with timeless landscapes.
DID YOU KNOW: Réunion National Park as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The coast is another world. Saint-Gilles’ lagoon glitters under the midday sun, turquoise waves brushing softly against the sand, and coral reefs shimmer beneath the surface like treasures hidden just for those who linger.
In the evenings, the beaches catch the sunset in golden reflections, and somewhere nearby, dolphins leap in playful arcs, as if rehearsing just for you.
Villages like Hell-Bourg charm without effort. Creole houses with flowering balconies line quiet streets where the scent of tropical blooms mingles with the earthy perfume of rain on stone.
At the markets, the colors and smells collide — vibrant vanilla pods, pineapples bursting with sweetness, spices that tickle your curiosity.
It’s impossible not to feel alive here, to move slowly, letting the island’s rhythm guide you.
Cilaos feels like a world folded inside the island itself. The mountains rise sharply all around, their jagged peaks often softened by drifting clouds. From the moment you arrive, the air carries a hint of coolness, a refreshing change from the tropical heat of the coast.
The town itself is a gentle surprise. Streets wind past pastel-colored Creole houses, cafes spilling their scent of freshly baked bread into the morning, and the distant murmur of a river threading through the valley. Everywhere you look, there are flowers clinging to stone walls, and terraces that seem to dare you to pause and take it all in.
Cilaos is famous for its thermal springs, and slipping into one of these warm, mineral-rich pools feels like a slow embrace from the mountains themselves. Beyond the town, the cirque opens into endless hiking paths. Trails curl along ridges where the view stretches for miles, and waterfalls tumble down cliffs into secret pools, each one more inviting than the last.
By evening, the sun sinks behind the peaks, painting the valley in soft pinks and golds. There’s a quiet magic here, a rhythm that makes you slow your pace, breathe deeper, and let the beauty of the mountains seep in. Cilaos is more than a stop on a map — it’s a place where the island whispers its heart, and you can’t help but listen.
Take a helicopter flight to enjoy magnificent panoramic views over the famous Cirques of Cilaos and Mafate. It’s simply amazing!
The official language is French, and it’s what you’ll see in schools, government offices, and most signage.
But daily life is much more colorful: most locals also speak Réunion Creole (or Kréol Réunionnais), a French-based Creole with influences from Malagasy, Tamil, Hindi, Portuguese, and African languages. You’ll hear it in markets, villages, and casual conversation — it gives the island its unique rhythm and flavor.
Additionally, some communities speak Tamil, Hindi, Gujarati, or Chinese dialects, reflecting the island’s Indian and Chinese heritage.
So a simple rule for visitors: French gets you everywhere, but listening to Creole makes the island feel alive.
Learn key phrases in French like greetings, asking for directions, or ordering food. Even simple “Bonjour,” “Merci,” and “Parlez-vous anglais?” go a long way.
Use translation apps—they work surprisingly well for menus or shop conversations.
In remote villages, hiking trails, or local markets, English may not be understood at all, so having a pocket phrasebook or app is very useful.
“Peak of the Furnace” (translated into English) sits at an altitude of 2460 m (8071 ft). It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and located within the Réunion National Park, a World Heritage site. The Furnace has a caldera of 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) wide. Inside the caldera are two craters. Namely, the Dolomieu crater and the Bory crater.
THE EXPERIENCE: Piton de la Fournaise rises in the distance, its volcanic slopes glowing red in the evening sun.
You can feel the quiet hum of the earth here, a reminder that this island is alive, always shifting beneath your feet. And then, after a hike, a waterfall suddenly appears, spilling into a natural pool so clear it mirrors the sky.
You pause, toes dipping into the cold water, the roar of the cascade filling every corner of the senses.
To describe Reunionese cuisine is quite challenging, so bear with me. If you take the French cuisine as a base and you add a bit of Indian, Chinese, and Malagasy customary flavors, you’re more or less there. Reunionese cuisine will tease your taste buds. Together with a tasty Vanilla flavor in most of their cuisine, you’re in for a treat.
Incidentally, when you spot “Brèdes” on a menu, please don’t assume it has to do with bread. Far from it. It is a local side dish prepared with the leaves and stems of various plants. For instance, Chinese cabbage, pumpkin, or chouchou, to name a few. They fry the ingredients with chili peppers, garlic, onion, and ginger. An acquired taste, for sure. One you should try!
They love their curries (or “cari”) which I am particularly fond of as they are super delish the Reunionese way.
If you’re looking for a day-trip and you’re interested in cultural heritage, this is it. Saint-André is about 20 minutes (28 km) by car from Saint-Denis. It’s about one hour by bus.
The temple offers guided tours.
Location: 307 bis, Chemin Maunier, 97440 Saint-André, Réunion
If you enjoy good quality rum, then this is the place to complete your day in Saint-André. Find out some secrets about making rum from a distillery that produces two types of rum. Their main exports are to the European Union. They offer guided tours as well.
Location: 27 Chemin du Bois Vert, 73500 Saint-André, Réunion
Réunion Island is a place where faith and culture bloom alongside nature. In Saint-Denis, the cathedral of Saint-Denis de la Réunion rises with its white façade against the tropical sky, its cool interior a quiet retreat from the bustle of the city. In the lush hills of Salazie, the village of Hell-Bourg shelters charming Creole chapels, their walls draped in bougainvillea, each one a serene punctuation in the verdant valley.
Elsewhere, small roadside shrines and crosses peek from mountain paths, often near waterfalls or along cirque trails, offering moments of reflection in the midst of awe-inspiring landscapes. These sacred spots are more than buildings; they are part of the island’s rhythm, where the spirituality of the people blends seamlessly with the beauty of the land.
The Temple du Colosse, is a striking Hindu temple in Saint‑André on Réunion Island — famous for its vivid, multi‑coloured tower (called a gopuram) covered in intricate mythological carvings and figures.
It’s one of the largest and most remarkable Hindu temples on the island, built by Tamil craftsmen and dedicated to the goddess Pandialé.
Yes — Réunion Island really does grow vanilla, and you can visit vanilla plants and plantations there, which adds an enchanting, sensory slice of island life to your travel story. The vines twist through forest groves and tropical gardens, and the scent of real Bourbon vanilla in bloom is something you feel rather than just read about.
Plantation de la Vanille Roulof in Saint‑André — A family‑run vanilla grove where you wander among vines, learn how the delicate flowers grow and are harvested, and hear stories from the growers about this prized orchid. Guided tours show you every stage, from planting to preparation of the aromatic pods.
Plantation Vanilla Bourbon in Sainte‑Rose — Set in a lush forest high above the coast, this grove showcases vanilla growing naturally among trees and ferns. Guided tours take you into the heart of where the vines climb and reveal how pods are processed into the deep‑fragrant vanilla gourmets prize.
La Vanilleraie in Sainte‑Suzanne — Part of an authentic Creole estate where vanilla plants grow alongside tropical garden flora. Here you can feel the rich earth underfoot and walk among vines that fill the air with a whisper of sweetness.
Vanilla plantation in Bras‑Panon — This immersive experience invites you to step into a real vanilla farm, see the vines in their natural habitat, and even get hands‑on with parts of the cultivation process.
TAKE NOTE: Beaches aren’t all equally swim‑friendly
The south and east coasts have more rugged coastlines. On parts of the south coast, shark risk has curtailed swimming and surfing inside the main protected areas for safety reasons (swim bans are in place in some zones).
Réunion Island is geographically part of Africa.
The island lies in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and close to Mauritius, which places it in the African region.
An interesting detail for travelers:
Geographically: Africa
Politically: part of France
That means the island uses the euro, follows French laws, and feels very European in infrastructure, even though the landscapes are purely tropical.
Réunion is not part of Mauritius, but they are neighbors in the Indian Ocean. It’s about 200 km east of Madagascar and roughly 170 km southwest of Mauritius. Both are volcanic islands with lush landscapes, but Réunion is a French overseas department, so it’s part of France, and the infrastructure and services reflect that.
The island is generally safe for tourists. Petty theft can happen in busy areas, so standard precautions apply. Some parts of the mountains or coast can be dangerous if you stray off marked hiking trails or swim in rough waters—currents can be strong, and there are areas with sudden drop-offs. Stick to official trails and lifeguard beaches when possible.
Réunion has several small towns and villages, but it’s not densely urban. Saint-Denis is the capital and the largest city, while other notable towns are smaller and more relaxed. Towns are usually surrounded by spectacular nature—volcanoes, waterfalls, and mountains.
Saint-Denis – The capital, good for culture, markets, and restaurants, though less about beaches.
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains – By far the most popular for tourists: beaches, resorts, and diving/snorkeling activities.
Saint-Pierre – A lively town with a mix of beaches, markets, and local restaurants.
Cilaos & Salazie – Mountain towns in the interior; perfect for hiking and scenic stays but more remote.
Saint-Denis: Stay at a hotel with a good location, nice views and friendly service. The Radisson is just opposite the ocean >>
Saint-Pierre has a lot of beautiful options on where to stay >>
Roland Garros Reunion Airport (IATA: RUN, ICAO: FMEE) is the main airport and about 10 km from Saint-Denis.
Rent a car: public transport is limited outside main towns.
Mix a few days at the coast with 1–2 nights in the mountains to see the island’s dramatic variety.
Pack layers: the coast is tropical, but mountain towns can be surprisingly cool.
Try local Creole cuisine: samosas, curries, and fresh tropical fruits.
The correct name is Réunion Island.
Locally and officially it is called La Réunion, which is the French name used by residents and on government documents because the island is an overseas department of France.
La Réunion – official French name
Réunion Island – common in English travel writing
Sometimes simply Réunion
In conclusion: Rugged volcanoes, green mountain cirques, and bright coastal towns give Réunion Island its powerful character. A journey here brings dramatic scenery, French-Creole flavors, and unforgettable drives. For travelers seeking raw nature and warm island life, Réunion Island leaves a lasting impression.