Cilaos

Entry requirements depend on your passport nationality. Reunion is an overseas region of France with its own entry arrangements that differ from mainland France, so check your specific requirements on the Reunion destination page at Yoogo before you book.

Reunion uses the euro (EUR), the same currency as mainland France. Cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels, though carrying some cash is useful for markets, small mountain villages, and rural areas.

Reunion is generally a safe destination with the usual precautions applying in towns and tourist areas. The main risks are natural rather than criminal, so respect warnings about ocean swimming, flash floods in ravines, and volcanic activity.

Hiring a car is the most practical way to explore the island, as the mountainous interior and scattered coastal towns are not always well served by public transport. The regional bus network links the main towns, while the winding mountain roads to Cilaos and the volcano reward careful, unhurried driving.

The cooler, drier season from May to November is ideal for hiking and exploring the cirques. The warmer months from December to April bring more rain and the risk of cyclones, though the coast remains green and lively.

French is the official language and is used everywhere in daily life, while Reunion Creole is widely spoken among residents. English is less common outside the main hotels, so a few words of French are helpful.

No vaccinations are routinely required for entry, but keep standard immunisations up to date and check current health guidance before travelling. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya can occur, so use repellent and cover up in the evenings.

As in mainland France, service is included in restaurant and cafe prices, so tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving a little extra for attentive service is a friendly gesture rather than an expectation.

Mobile coverage is good across the coast and main towns, though it can drop in the remote cirques and on high mountain trails. A French or local SIM works well, and an eSIM from a provider such as Airalo is a convenient option for data without roaming charges.

Reunion is a multicultural island where Creole, French, Indian, Chinese, and African traditions live side by side, and respect for this diversity is central to local life. A polite bonjour when entering shops is customary, and modest dress is appreciated when visiting temples, churches, and mosques.