Money
Currency: The euro has been the official currency for the French overseas region of Réunion since January 1, 1999. 1 euro corresponds to 100 cents.
Currency abbreviation: €, EUR – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
Banknotes are available in the values 5, 10, 20, 150, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in the nominal amounts 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Credit Cards: American Express, Diners Club and Visa as well as some Eurocard and MasterCard are accepted.
Travelers checks: Travelers checks should be made out in euros.
Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Health and diseases
Current note: After an epidemic-like accumulation of Chikungunya fever , the new cases have dropped significantly. However, the risk of illness remains. Chikungunya is a viral disease that can be transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease is manifested by fever, rashes and massive muscle and joint pain. The incubation period is usually 2 to 4 days, deaths are rare. The symptoms usually subside after a few days. The joint complaints only last for months or even years in particularly severe cases. Adequate mosquito protection (during the day and at night) should be observed. There is no vaccination protection.
Vaccination protection: Vaccination protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A is recommended, and for long-term stays over three months, hepatitis B is also recommended. With special exposure (stay in the country, hunting, jogging, etc.), vaccination protection against rabies and / or typhoid can also be useful. These and other questions should be decided in a personal consultation with the tropical doctor or the vaccinator with tropical and travel medicine experience.
HIV / AIDS is present worldwide. Infection in this country can also be a problem and a danger for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a considerable life-threatening risk.
No risk of malaria.
General precautionary measures: Hygienic eating and drinking (only boiled, nothing warmed up) and mosquito repellent (repellents, mosquito net, covering clothing, behavior) can prevent traveler’s diarrhea and other infectious diseases (e.g. hepatitis A, typhoid, bacterial dysentery, amoebic dysentery, lambliasis, worm diseases). Careful food and drinking water hygiene measures should always be carried out.
Health care: Réunion has very good medical care and an efficient emergency service. There are numerous hospitals and every city has an outpatient clinic. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) applies to nationals of EU and EFTA countries. Treatment takes place on presentation of the EHIC. This regulates the care and reimbursement of costs in the event of illness for EU and EFTA citizens. EHIC has replaced the previous E 111 form since January 1, 2006. Note:The new card does not include repatriation after a serious illness or accident abroad. The statutory health insurance companies are not allowed to offer this service. A return transport is only paid for by private travel insurance companies. You should inquire with the health insurance company about the benefits and whether additional travel health insurance is recommended.
An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected appropriately for the temperatures.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Summary of transportation in the country
Plane: It is possible to charter planes at Saint-Denis airport for a sightseeing flight over the island.
Ship: Several shipping companies operate coastal traffic around the island. You can rent boats in the ports.
Cars: The road network is generally good, the petrol station network is dense (petrol stations are closed after dark). The traffic rules are the same as in France, but the drivers on Reunion are more sporty. The main route is the north with the south of the island. The island can be easily discovered by bus, taxi or rental car.
The bus connections are inexpensive and very well developed. The city buses run mainly in Saint-Denis, the yellow minibuses cars jaunes run between the cities. The buses are well equipped.
can be booked at the airport, in Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre. Documents: An international driver’s license is recommended.
Taxis are quite expensive, so make sure that the taximeters are used.
Tourist highlights
Beaches: Especially on the sheltered west coast there are wonderful beaches with yellow, black or white sand. Some of the most beautiful can be found near Saint-Gilles, Saint-Leu and Etang-Salé. Most of them are flat coral beaches.
The place of Cilaos used to be a hiding place for escaped slaves. From the mountains Le Bras Sec and Ilet à Cordres you have a magnificent view of the island.
A specialty on the island are the three cirques. These are huge mountain basins with a diameter of about 10 km, which were eroded into the rock by erosion: Mafate in the northwest, Salazie in the northeast and Cilaos in the south. Several organizers in the capital Saint-Denis offer day tours to these natural beauties.
Perhaps the most beautiful (but certainly the wettest and greenest) cirque is Salazie with its waterfalls, particularly the Voile de la Mariée near Hell-Bourg stands out. The beauty of the rugged landscape of the Grand-Ilet is unique. The highest mountain of Reunion, Piton des Neiges, can be reached in a two-day hike from Hell-Bourg.
The secluded, mysterious Cirque Mafate can only be reached on foot or by helicopter. From the valley you can visit the former colonial capital, Saint Paul.
Tours to the still active La Fournaise volcano are probably the biggest attraction of Reunion. Despite regular eruptions, the volcano can be approached at the shortest distance.
From the Nez-de-Boeuf (ox nose) you have a beautiful view (if no fog prevents the view) over the Rivière des Remparts, Plaine des Sables and the Belle Combe Pass, 1,000 meters below . It is possible to explore the Enclos Fouque crater in one hike. The active craters Bory and Brûlant are also interesting.
Tours that show many native plant species are easy to organize.
Saint-Denis: In the capital of Reunion, visitors can visit historic boulevards, the Great Mosque, a city garden and the Sainte-Marie cathedral. Furthermore, the Natural History Museum and the Leon Dierx Art Gallery (with a collection of French Impressionists) are also worth a visit.
The area surrounding Saint-Denis offers some interesting excursion destinations, for example the forested mountain range La Montagne. You can also get to Le Brûlé by road. From here you can follow a forest road to reach Roche Ecrite, the highest peak on the northern part of Reunion. When hiking to this summit, it is advisable to plan two days.