Key takeaways
Reunion is a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean with excellent coastal and urban 4G from Orange Reunion and SFR, and growing 5G in the main towns. The volcanic interior, the three dramatic Cirques of Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie, and summit trails above 2,000 m have limited to no signal. A Roamix Reunion eSIM connects you to the best available network on arrival at Roland Garros Airport and benefits most visitors who are not on a French or EU plan that roams free. Note that shark risk restricts swimming to lagoon-protected beaches on the west coast only.
- Orange Reunion leads in 5G coverage and widest coastal reach; SFR Reunion is a strong 4G alternative.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival at Roland Garros Airport and connects to the best available local network.
- The Cirque de Mafate is entirely off-grid and accessible only on foot or by helicopter; Cilaos and Salazie have limited signal.
- Swimming is restricted to lagoon-protected beaches on the west coast due to shark risk; the east and south coasts are unsuitable for ocean swimming.
- Reunion uses the euro and applies French regulations; it is not an EU member for roaming purposes, so most EU SIMs are billed as outside the EU.
Best way to get data in Reunion
For most international visitors to Reunion, a Roamix eSIM is the most cost-effective option, with local network speeds along the coast and towns without the 'rest of world' roaming surcharges that most European carriers apply.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most international visitors outside French carrier coverage | Instant activation at Roland Garros, connects to Orange Reunion or SFR for the best available signal. Particularly useful for visitors on non-French plans. |
| French carrier roaming (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free) | Best for: French residents on inclusive packages | Some French metropolitan carriers include Reunion in their national data package. Verify with your French operator before relying on this. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Long stays needing a local number | Available at Orange and SFR shops in Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre. Requires identification. |
| Carrier roaming (non-French international) | Best for: Very short trips | Most European and non-French carriers bill Reunion as 'rest of world' rather than EU, which can be expensive. A Roamix plan is more economical for any stay beyond a couple of days. |
International hotels in Saint-Denis and west coast resorts offer good wifi. Mountain refuges in the Cirques have no wifi or a very basic satellite connection at extra cost. The Cirque de Mafate refuges have no connectivity of any kind.
How much data you need
Data needs in Reunion are moderate for coastal tourism and high for safety-critical mountain activities. Front-load all trail information, refuge contacts and emergency numbers before entering any cirque.
3 to 5 GB
One week west coast beach and Saint-Denis cultural trip
Coastal navigation, restaurant bookings, beach activity reservations and social uploads in a well-covered coastal area.
6 to 10 GB
Two week hiking circuit including the Cirques
Large offline trail downloads, refuge bookings, volcano eruption watch and communication at points with signal.
20 GB or more
Remote work base in Saint-Denis
Video calls, tethering and uploads on Reunion's strong 5G, combined with beach and hiking activities.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download the Rando Reunion offline trail pack for the GRR network before any multi-day hike. The Mafate cirque has zero signal for its entire duration; complete all logistics in Cilaos, Hell-Bourg or the cirque entry points.
How to set up a Reunion eSIM
Install your Roamix Reunion eSIM over wifi before departure. It activates automatically when your phone connects to a Reunion network on arrival at Roland Garros Airport, so you land already online.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Reunion eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi at home.
- 3
Label it Roamix and set your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in Saint-Denis and the eSIM connects automatically to Orange Reunion or SFR.
Works on eSIM capable devices including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. Your phone must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically. If data does not start after landing, enter the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode off and on.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix profile. Enable roaming in mobile settings and restart if needed.
Visa and entry for Reunion
Reunion is a French overseas territory and region, so entry is subject to French and Schengen immigration rules. EU citizens travel freely. Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and most other Western countries enter visa-free for up to 90 days as they would enter France. Note that Reunion's status means standard Schengen rules apply, not a separate Reunion visa.
- eVisa or ETA
- No eVisa or ETIAS is required for most nationalities as of 2026. Check the current ETIAS rollout status before travel, as it was not yet mandatory for all eligible nationalities at the time of this guide.
- Passport validity
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay in Reunion.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel and sufficient funds may be requested at immigration, in line with standard French entry requirements.
Keep digital copies of your return flight and accommodation confirmation accessible on your Roamix eSIM for immigration if requested.
Entry requirements are subject to French immigration law. Verify at the French Consulate or france-visas.gouv.fr before travel.
When you land in Reunion
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How people message here
French SMS and WhatsApp are both widely used in Reunion. Reunion Creole is the everyday spoken language but all written and digital communication uses French. Facebook Messenger is popular among local communities.
Do you need a local number?
A local Reunion number is not needed for tourists. All hotels, tour operators and mountain refuges communicate via WhatsApp or phone with any international or French number.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two-factor authentication while using your Roamix line for data. The emergency number 112 works on any SIM with network access.
Airports in Reunion
RUN
Roland Garros Airport
Saint-Denis
Free wifi available in the terminal. The airport is on the north coast 12 km east of Saint-Denis, the main gateway for long-haul flights from Paris and regional connections.
With Roamix data active on arrival, book your rental car shuttle or taxi to Saint-Denis and download the Reunion island hiking trail map before leaving the terminal.
ZSE
Pierrefonds Airport
Saint-Pierre
Limited wifi at this smaller airport on the south coast. Pierrefonds serves domestic and regional flights to Mayotte and other Indian Ocean islands.
Pierrefonds is the gateway to Piton de la Fournaise and the south coast. Use Roamix data to confirm your rental car booking and download the volcano eruption watch app before landing.
Apps and internet access in Reunion
Reunion has a fully open internet with no restrictions on any platform. All mainstream apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There are no internet restrictions in Reunion. French telecommunications law applies and all platforms are freely accessible.
WhatsApp, works
Works fully for messaging and calls; widely used alongside French SMS.
Google Maps, works
No restrictions; download offline Reunion island map including the interior cirques before hiking.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over data and wifi.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X all work without restriction.
Getting around Reunion
Getting around Reunion requires a rental car for almost everything beyond Saint-Denis. The island's mountain roads and hairpin coastal routes are spectacular but demanding. Public buses (Car Jaune) connect main coastal towns.
Rental car
Essential for exploring Reunion beyond Saint-Denis. The Route du Volcan, the Cirque de Cilaos hairpin road (430 bends) and the south coast Route de la Montagne all require a car. Use Google Maps for navigation on main roads and download offline Reunion maps for interior routes.
Car Jaune public buses
Reunion's public bus network connects Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre and main coastal towns. Services are infrequent and not suitable for the cirques. Use the Car Jaune app or website to plan routes over Roamix data.
Hiking and foot trails (GRR)
Reunion's Grande Randonnee Reunionnaise (GRR) trail network is world-class. The GRR1 traverses the island including the Cirques. Signal is available at trailheads in towns but disappears in the Cirques. Download the Rando Reunion or Wikiloc offline trail packs before every hike.
Helicopter tours
The most spectacular way to see the Cirques and the active crater of Piton de la Fournaise, especially during eruptions. Book helicopter tours through Saint-Denis operators. Use Roamix data to check eruption status and confirm flight availability.
A rental car is almost essential for visiting the Cirques, the volcano and the south coast. The Route du Volcan closes during eruptions; check eruption status over Roamix data before heading up. Download the offline route before any mountain drive as phone signal can be unreliable on the hairpin sections.
Money and payments in Reunion
Reunion uses the euro, which is the practical benefit of its French overseas territory status. No currency exchange is needed for eurozone visitors. Cards are widely accepted across the island.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted at supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and most shops across the island. Mountain refuges in the Cirques and small rural vendors are cash-only. Carry some euro coins and notes for market stalls and trail refreshment points.
- ATMs
- ATMs are widely available at banks and supermarkets across the main coastal towns. ATMs become rare in the Cirques; withdraw cash in Cilaos or Salazie town before any hike.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at most modern retail outlets. French payment norms apply throughout the island.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory but is appreciated. French norms apply; rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving EUR 1 to 2 is a common gesture. Mountain guides and refuge staff welcome a tip at the end of a multi-day hike.
Daily budget
Reunion is priced at French metropolitan levels. Mid-range dining costs EUR 15 to 30 per person, hotel rates EUR 80 to 180 per night. Mountain refuges in the Cirques cost EUR 18 to 25 per person for a dormitory bunk and dinner.
Local tips for Reunion
- Language
- French is the official language and used in all formal settings. Reunion Creole (Creole Reunionnais) is the widely spoken everyday language between locals and is not mutually intelligible with other French Creoles. English is limited outside international hotels. A French translation app downloaded offline is strongly recommended.
- Food
- Reunionnais cuisine blends French, Indian, Chinese, Malagasy and African influences into a rich creole tradition. Try carry (Creole curry with rice and rougail tomato sauce), rougail saucisse (sausage stew), bouchons (steamed pork dumplings), and the achards pickled vegetables. The local rhum arrange (infused rum) is drunk as an aperitif.
- Plugs
- 230V, Type E and F plugs
Apps worth having
Rando Reunion
hiking
Official hiking app for Reunion's GRR trail network with offline trail maps, elevation profiles and mountain refuge contacts for the Cirques.
Observatoire Reunion (OVPF eruption alerts)
safety
Live eruption status for Piton de la Fournaise from the official volcanic observatory; essential before driving the Route du Volcan.
OPR Shark Observatory
safety
Official shark risk bulletin app for Reunion; swimming is only safe in the lagoon-protected west coast beaches when the shark alert is not active.
Safety and health in Reunion
Reunion is generally safe for tourists. The main physical risks are the volcanic and mountain environment, not crime. Hiking in the Cirques and on the volcano carries real altitude and weather risks. The shark risk along the non-lagoon coast is serious and well-documented; multiple fatal attacks have occurred on the east and south coasts.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active along the coast for eruption alerts and shark risk bulletins. In the Cirques, inform your mountain refuge of your route plan before going off-grid in Mafate, and always carry the rescue service number (196) written offline.
- Health
- Healthcare in Reunion is French standard and excellent. The CHU Felix Guyon hospital in Saint-Denis and the CHU Sud hospital in Saint-Pierre handle serious emergencies. Travel health insurance is still recommended for remote hiking and water activities.
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink throughout Reunion. Mountain stream water should be filtered before drinking. Sea swimming is only safe in the lagoon zone on the west coast between Boucan Canot and Saint-Pierre; the east and south coasts have strong currents and shark risk.
Networks and coverage in Reunion
Reunion has two main operators, Orange Reunion and SFR Reunion, both offering 4G LTE along the coast and in all main towns, with 5G expanding in Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Gilles and Les Avirons. The volcanic interior including the Piton des Neiges summit approaches, the three Cirques and the high lava plains around Piton de la Fournaise have patchy to no signal. A Roamix Reunion eSIM connects to the strongest available network on arrival at Roland Garros, especially useful for visitors on non-French plans, as Reunion's status as a French overseas territory (and not an EU member) means most EU SIMs charge 'rest of world' rates rather than EU Roam Like At Home rates.
Orange Reunion
Largest operator on the island with the widest 5G coverage along the west coast and best reach into the interior valleys including Cilaos and Salazie. Best overall choice for island coverage.
SFR Reunion
Strong 4G and growing 5G on the west and south coasts. Good coverage in Saint-Pierre and the south coast towns. Competitive for urban data speeds.
Free Mobile Reunion
Growing presence on the island using Orange infrastructure. Competitive pricing for local users but more limited coverage than the two main operators.
Telco OI
Local operator serving the island with 4G in main towns. Used primarily by local residents.
- Typical speeds
- 5G in coastal urban areas delivers 50 to 200 Mbps. Coastal 4G runs 20 to 60 Mbps in town areas. Interior valleys get slower 4G or 3G.
- 5G
- 5G is live with Orange Reunion and SFR along the west coast from Saint-Denis south through Saint-Paul, Saint-Gilles and Saint-Pierre. Interior towns have 4G.
For the coastal circuit from Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre, Orange gives the best coverage. For hiking in Cilaos or Salazie, ensure you download all trail maps, mountain refuge contacts and emergency numbers over Roamix data before entering the Cirque. For Mafate, treat it as entirely off-grid.
The Cirque de Mafate is entirely off-grid, accessible only on foot via mountain passes or by helicopter. The Cirques of Cilaos and Salazie have limited signal in the main villages. Piton de la Fournaise summit trails above the Pas de Bellecombe viewpoint can be patchy. The uninhabited Plaine des Sables lava desert has no signal. Reunion's networks use standard French LTE and 5G bands. Any eSIM-capable unlocked smartphone works without band compatibility concerns.
Where to go in Reunion
Reunion rewards visitors with volcanic drama unlike anywhere else in the Indian Ocean: three deeply eroded calderas, an actively erupting shield volcano at Piton de la Fournaise, a 3,069 m extinct volcano at Piton des Neiges and a beach culture concentrated on the protected west coast lagoon. Connectivity keeps you connected in coastal towns and provides essential safety communication for mountain trails.
Best time to visit
April to November is the dry season and best for hiking, beach weather and Piton de la Fournaise visits. December to March is the hot and wet austral summer with cyclone risk; some trails close. August is peak tourist season.
Saint-Denis and the North Coast
Reunion's capital and main city, where the Prefecture building and covered market anchor the city center, the colorful Hindu temples and mosques reflect the island's multicultural heritage, and the Jardin de l'Etat's botanical collection provides a green escape. Roland Garros Airport is 12 km east.
- Marche Forain Saint-Denis
- Le Barachois seafront
- Hindu temples and mosques
- Jardin de l'Etat botanical garden
- Museum of History of Reunion
Best connectivity on the island. Excellent 5G across Saint-Denis city center, the seafront and the airport corridor. Orange and SFR both deliver strong signals.
West Coast Lagoons (Saint-Gilles and L'Hermitage)
Reunion's tourist coast, a 25 km stretch of white sand beach protected by the island's coral reef, where the resorts of Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and L'Hermitage-les-Bains provide the island's only shark-safe swimming. The reef creates a lagoon of calm turquoise water behind it.
- L'Hermitage-les-Bains lagoon
- Boucan Canot beach
- Roches Noires beach Saint-Gilles
- Maison Folio gardens
- Stella Matutina agricultural museum
Strong 5G and 4G along the entire west coast resort strip from La Saline to Boucan Canot. Signal is consistent on the beach and in the resort hotels.
The Three Cirques (Mafate, Cilaos, Salazie)
The three calderas formed by the collapse of Piton des Neiges offer the most dramatic hiking on the island. Cilaos is accessible by a spectacular hairpin mountain road and is famous for its wine, lentils and thermal springs. Salazie has the stunning Cascade du Voile de la Mariee waterfall. Mafate is entirely car-free, with no road access, reached only on foot over mountain passes.
- Cirque de Mafate (no road access)
- Cilaos village thermal baths
- Cascade du Voile de la Mariee Salazie
- Grand Ilet village
- La Bras Rouge waterfall Cilaos
Cilaos village has limited 4G. Salazie village has moderate signal. The Cirque de Mafate is entirely off-grid; there is no mobile coverage of any kind in the roadless interior. Download all maps and refuge details before entering any cirque.
Piton de la Fournaise and the South
The world's most active volcanoes measured by frequency, Piton de la Fournaise erupts several times a year, with lava flows visible from the Pas de Bellecombe viewpoint. The south coast town of Saint-Pierre is the second city, and the wild south coast road runs through black lava fields to the pointe of the Bois Blanc.
- Piton de la Fournaise summit crater
- Pas de Bellecombe viewpoint
- Saint-Pierre seafront
- Lave tunnel Cave Saint-Joseph
- Tropic of Capricorn marker
Good 4G in Saint-Pierre and along the Route du Volcan. Signal weakens significantly on the Plaine des Cafres plateau and drops on the summit calderas and lava plains. Download the eruption watch app before hiking.
Wild South and East Coast
Reunion's least-visited coast, where dramatic waterfalls including the Cascade de Grand Galet (Langevin) plunge through black lava gorges, sugar cane fields run down to black sand beaches, and the Wild South Reserve protects endemic cloud forest and the Grande Anse beach.
- Cascade de Grand Galet Langevin
- Pointe de la Table lava cliffs
- Grande Anse beach (not safe to swim)
- Plaine des Palmistes
- Forest Belouve fern forest
Moderate 4G in main east coast towns including Saint-Benoit and Saint-Philippe. The Plaine des Palmistes plateau and Takamaka gorge have limited signal.
Off the beaten path
A UNESCO World Heritage site within the Pitons, Cirques and Remparts inscription, this extinct volcanic caldera is the only permanently inhabited roadless area in France, where a handful of isolated villages are accessible only by hiking trails and linked by helicopter for emergencies.
Signal: No mobile coverage anywhere in the Cirque de Mafate. The only access is on foot over the Maido, Cayenne or Col des Boeufs passes, or by helicopter. Complete all logistics over Roamix data in Saint-Denis or Cilaos before entering.
One of the world's most accessible and most frequently erupting volcanoes, where the 2.6 km descent to the caldera floor and the 3 km hike to the summit crater puts you on the rim of an active lava shield that erupts several times per year.
Signal: Limited signal at the Pas de Bellecombe viewpoint. No signal on the caldera floor or at the summit crater. Check eruption status over Roamix data before driving the Route du Volcan; the road closes during eruptions.
The highest peak in the Indian Ocean at 3,069 m and the highest point in France outside mainland Europe, an overnight hike from Cilaos reaching the summit for sunrise, with views over all three Cirques, Piton de la Fournaise and the Indian Ocean.
Signal: No signal above the Cilaos trailhead area. The summit at 3,069 m is entirely off-grid. Book refuge de Caverne Dufour from Cilaos over Roamix data before beginning the overnight ascent.
Reunion's main barrier reef at L'Hermitage-les-Bains protects the largest and most species-rich lagoon on the island, where snorkeling reveals dense fish populations, sea turtles, rays and occasional reef sharks within the protected marine reserve just meters from the beach.
Signal: Strong 5G on the beach and in the L'Hermitage resort area. Underwater obviously has no signal; download your dive or snorkel guide before entering the water.
Reunion's most photographed natural landmark, a bridal veil waterfall plunging from the rim of the Salazie cirque directly visible from the main road through the cirque entrance, set against a backdrop of dramatic volcanic rock walls often cloaked in cloud.
Signal: Limited 4G in Hell-Bourg village in Salazie. The waterfall viewpoint on the RN2 road into the cirque has moderate signal.
A spectacular series of waterfalls tumbling through a black lava gorge on the Langevin River in the wild south, where the river pools are popular for swimming in the upper canyon sections away from the shark-unsafe coast.
Signal: Moderate 4G along the Langevin River valley. The canyon walls can weaken signal on some sections.
A vast red and black cinder desert at 2,200 m on the high volcano plateau of Reunion, where the eerie Martian landscape of ancient lava flows and cinder cones stretches to the horizon, the most visually alien landscape on the island.
Signal: No signal on the Plaine des Sables plateau. Download maps and the Route du Volcan directions before leaving the covered 4G zone on the approach road.
A primeval cloud forest on the Plaine des Palmistes plateau where giant tree ferns create a prehistoric canopy in the humid mountain interior, accessible via a trail from the Belouve forest gite, with views into the Takamaka gorge below.
Signal: Limited signal on the Plaine des Palmistes plateau. The fern forest itself is off-grid. Download the trail map in Saint-Denis before the drive east.
The thermal bath complex in the cirque village of Cilaos, fed by volcanic mineral springs, is the only thermal spa on the island, offering hydrotherapy treatments in a stunning cirque setting after a demanding hike. The village also produces Reunion's only wine.
Signal: Limited 4G in Cilaos village. Download the cirque driving route before entering; the 430-hairpin road from Saint-Louis has partial signal.
Arguably the most dramatic viewpoint in the Indian Ocean, a 2,205 m summit on the western rim of the Cirque de Mafate overlooking the entire roadless caldera below, with the Indian Ocean behind and the peaks of the three Cirques ahead, accessible by car or by a demanding trail from Le Guillaume.
Signal: Limited signal at Piton Maido summit viewpoint at 2,205 m. Good 4G in Saint-Paul at the start of the mountain road.
Events and seasons in Reunion
Year-round (most frequent April to August)
Piton de la Fournaise Eruption Season
Piton de la Fournaise
Piton de la Fournaise erupts on average three to four times per year, making any visit potentially coincide with an active lava flow. The OVPF observatory monitors seismic activity and announces eruptions in advance, with the Route du Volcan and summit access managed according to safety zones.
May
Fete du Safran (Saffron Festival) Cilaos
Cilaos
A festival in the Cirque de Cilaos celebrating the local harvest of lentilles du Cilaos, the island's celebrated lentil variety, and Cilaos wine, with tastings, market stalls and traditional music in the spectacular cirque setting.
June, three days
Sakifo Musik Festival
Saint-Pierre
Reunion's largest music festival, held on the south coast waterfront of Saint-Pierre, with international headliners across rock, reggae, maloya and electronic music sharing stages with major Indian Ocean and African artists.
July
Tour de La Reunion (Cycling)
Island-wide
The Tour Cycliste International de La Reunion, a UCI-rated professional cycling race circling the island across several stages including brutal mountain climbs to the Cirque de Salazie and the volcanic high plateau, drawing international teams to the Indian Ocean's most challenging road circuit.
September
Zembrocal Cultural Festival
Saint-Denis
A major multi-cultural festival in Saint-Denis celebrating the diverse origins of Reunionnais society, with performances of maloya, sega, maloye and Indian classical dance, food stalls representing all of the island's culinary traditions and a public market on the Barachois.
October, four days
Grand Raid de La Reunion (Diagonale des Fous)
Island-wide (Saint-Pierre to Saint-Denis)
One of the world's hardest and most celebrated ultra-trail races, covering 170 km and 10,000 m of elevation gain across Reunion's volcanic peaks, Cirques and remote trails from Saint-Pierre to Saint-Denis. Thousands of runners from around the world compete across the Grand Raid, Trail de Bourbon and Mascareignes formats.
October or November (date varies by Hindu calendar)
Dipavali (Diwali)
Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre and Tamil neighborhoods
The Hindu festival of lights, celebrated with particular fervor in Reunion's Tamil Hindu community, the largest in France, with firewalking ceremonies at Tamil temples across the island and public illumination of the Saint-Denis waterfront.
October
Semaine Bleue de la Plongee
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
The Blue Week of Diving, an annual diving festival in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains on the west coast, where dive clubs, underwater photographers and marine biologists come together for guided dives on the reef, competitions and a marine conservation showcase.
October
Semaine Creole
Island-wide
Reunion's week-long celebration of Creole language and culture, with literary events, storytelling sessions in Creole, music performances and culinary demonstrations highlighting the island's unique multilingual identity across schools, libraries and public spaces.
December 20
Abolition of Slavery Day
Saint-Denis and island-wide
The commemoration of the abolition of slavery in Reunion on December 20, 1848, a major public holiday on the island with concerts of maloya music (a UNESCO Intangible Heritage genre), street processions and official ceremonies at the Prefecture.
Through the year
- Spring
- September to November is the shoulder season with generally good weather, less crowded trails and the Grand Raid in October. Temperatures warm toward summer from November. Sea turtle season begins at Mafate adjacent beaches.
- Summer
- December to March is the austral summer and cyclone season. Hot and humid with temperatures around 28 to 34C on the coast. Cyclone risk is highest January to February. Some trails close and the Route du Volcan can be blocked. Not ideal for first-time visitors to the Cirques.
- Fall
- April and May mark the transition from wet to dry season. Weather stabilizes, tourist numbers drop and the Cirques become accessible as trails dry out. Good time for hiking with lower accommodation costs.
- Winter
- June to August is the dry austral winter and Reunion's peak tourist season. Piton des Neiges and the Cirque de Mafate are at their most accessible. Temperatures are cooler at altitude (minus 2 to 5C at the summit) and the coast stays warm at 22 to 26C. Grand Raid trail running event is in October.
Working remotely from Reunion
Reunion is a strong remote work option for French residents and those on longer European stays. The combination of strong coastal 5G, French regulatory environment, Indian Ocean scenery and direct flights from Paris makes it attractive for working travelers.
- Connection
- Orange Reunion 5G in Saint-Denis handles video calls and tethering reliably. A Roamix plan with 20 GB or more supports a full working week alongside hiking and beach activities. Coworking spaces are limited; most remote workers use hotel rooms or cafes in Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre.
Reunion is at UTC+4, which means it is 3 to 4 hours ahead of France and 8 to 9 hours ahead of US East Coast. Morning hikes align well with an afternoon Paris working session. Use your Roamix eSIM as a secure hotspot for sensitive calls on public wifi.
