A little more
Reunion.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Reunion: what to know before you go

Réunion is a French overseas department and region in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar: a volcanic island of huge collapsed calderas, an active volcano and lush, steep mountains. It is a walker's island above all, with Creole culture, food and a lagoon coast in the west. It suits hikers, adventure sports fans and travellers who want France with a tropical twist.

Where to go

• Piton de la Fournaise. One of the most active volcanoes in the world, in the island's south-east.
• Cirque de Mafate. A vast mountain amphitheatre with no roads, reached only on foot or by helicopter.
• Cirque de Cilaos. Reached by a road with hundreds of bends, Cilaos is a mountain village known for hot springs, lentils, local wine and the trailhead for climbing Piton des Neiges.
• Cirque de Salazie and Hell-Bourg. The greenest of the three cirques, with waterfalls such as the Voile de la Mariée, and the village of Hell-Bourg, with Creole houses and gardens.

Best time to visit

The austral winter, from May to November, is the dry season and the best time for hiking, with cooler temperatures and clearer mountain views; nights can be cold in the high mountains. September to November is particularly good.

Staying online in Reunion

Coverage is good in towns and along the coast, with 4G widely available and 5G in some urban areas. Signal is often weak or absent in the cirques, especially Mafate, on high trails and in deep valleys. Wi-Fi is common in hotels and guesthouses, though slower in mountain areas. As an outermost region of the EU, Réunion is generally included in EU roaming arrangements, but check with your provider. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.