{"id":92054,"date":"2019-09-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/candice-gives-us-10-reasons-why-reunion-belongs-on-your-bucket-list\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:52:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:52:40","slug":"candice-gives-us-10-reasons-why-reunion-belongs-on-your-bucket-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/candice-gives-us-10-reasons-why-reunion-belongs-on-your-bucket-list\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Reasons Why You Should Enjoy a R\u00e9union Island Holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Updated: September 2019]<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for something extraordinary and you need a change from the all-inclusive resorts in Mauritius, you need to put R\u00e9union<\/a> on your bucket list. The island offers visitors an astounding range of attractions. You can brave a visit to the Piton de la Fournaise<\/i>, R\u00e9union\u2019s active volcano or you can visit the three spectacular cirques (natural amphitheatres) which flaunt idyllic Creole villages. There are endless opportunities to relax on one of the beaches stretching over 17 kilometres of the coastline, and if you feel like more action you can lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails. Here are 10 reasons why you need to enjoy a R\u00e9union Island holiday.<\/p>\n

1. Ease of access<\/h2>\n

\"Roland<\/p>\n

R\u00e9union is one of the overseas territories of France<\/a>, but you can visit the island without a visa for a stay less than 90 days. It\u2019s very accessible with a 7-hour flight from Johannesburg. Air Austral<\/span><\/a> offers direct non-stop flights twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. Located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and about 200 kilometres southwest of Mauritius, the island covers a surprisingly large area of 2,512 square kilometres. The official language is French with Creole widely spoken as well. Before you go, brush up on your French as besides the St-Gilles area, English is very rarely spoken. The Euro is the local currency and the best time to go for <\/span>R\u00e9union Island holidays <\/span>is late April until November when it\u2019s cooler and drier.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. It\u2019s not a \u201cstay-in-your-hotel\u201d kind of place<\/h2>\n
\"picturesque
Photo credit: @amel_bcs<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

R\u00e9union is not a place where you\u2019ll spend your days lounging around the hotel pool or munching your way through an all-you-can-eat-buffet. It\u2019s the kind of place where you will be getting up with the birds and hitting the road to explore this magical island.<\/p>\n

3. Easy to see the island on wheels<\/h2>\n
\"saint
Photo credit: @lucas.cuff<\/a> via Instagram<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many of the top attractions are located inland, in the mountains, so it\u2019s recommended to hire a car. Don\u2019t stay in one place when visiting R\u00e9union – there\u2019s so much to see! Although the island is relatively small (63 kilometres long and 45 kilometres wide), it has excellent roads and highways (which are very well sign-posted). When you move inland into the mountains, your travel time will escalate due to the many hairpin bends, steep hills, sheer cliffs and spectacular scenery. Petrol stations are plentiful and petrol costs about \u20ac1.54 (approximately R25) per litre. Buckle up because you\u2019ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road and don\u2019t forget to pack your International and South African drivers licences.<\/p>\n

4. Awesome self-drive itineraries<\/h2>\n