Reunion

The island of Réunion is a tiny bit of France with a tropical twist, situated 500 miles (805km) east of Madagascar, deep in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Nicknamed 'l'Île Intense', Réunion is a dramatic, mountainous paradise created and shaped by volcanoes. The scent of vanilla, stretches of black sand beaches, forest-covered peaks, rushing waterfalls and an incredibly diverse and friendly population makes this overseas départementof France an idyllic destination.

The history of the island is reflected in its people. The Portuguese stumbled across the unoccupied island in 1513, but it was the French that descended in 1646 and stayed put. French exiles and colonists, Malagasy slaves, Chinese indentured labourers, Indians and Pakistanis have subsequently created a rich melting pot of culture, as well as the island's most widely spoken language, Réunion Creole.

Réunion was hard hit with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, as it lost significance as a stopover on the East Indies trade route, and today it relies heavily on mainland France for financial support. Its main industries are sugarcane, rum, vanilla, geranium oil for perfumes and not surprisingly, tourism. An interesting facet of the island's economy is the enormous gap between rich and poor; its high unemployment rate contrasting with an affluent elite. One's immediate impression of the place, however, is that the groups seem to live relatively equably side-by-side, with plenty of racial and religious mixing. That is not to say there has not been conflict caused by such socio-economic disparity, as seen in riots 15 years ago.

Réunion is home to one of the world's most active volcanoes, le Piton de la Fournaise, and has three major cirques: Cilaos, Mafate and Salazie. This provides breathtaking scenery and world-class trekking and canyoneering, with plenty of footpaths and daredevil drops to choose from. The island's beaches are not given the credit they deserve - the black volcanic sands at Etang-Salé are a treat (though the sand can be scorching in summer), the warm Indian Ocean is the colour of absinthe and the abundance of underwater creatures makes snorkelling a must. The popular St Gilles-les-Bains offers classic palm-fringed shores on a wide lagoon and Saint Leu has incredible surfing. For those who venture inland, small mountain villages, lush forests, rich birdlife and flora can be found.

Delicious local cuisine, local fusion music and dance, and quintessentially French sophistication are served up side-by-side in Réunion. Outdoor activities and plenty of relaxation are combined with a welcoming people and a magnificent backdrop, making Reunion indeed 'l'Île Intense'.

Climate

Réunion's climate is tropical, with temperatures affected by elevation. The average coastal temperature is between 64°F and 88°F (18-31°C), with temperatures dropping in the interior. Humidity is high. The island has two seasons: summer and winter. November to April is hot and rainy, while May to November is usually dry and cool and is the popular time for travel to Réunion. The cyclone season runs from mid-November to mid-April and the island is occasionally affected.

Money

Réunion is an overseas départementof France and therefore since 2002, the unit of currency is the Euro, divided into 100 cents. There are plenty of banks and ATMs on the island, and most shops and hotels accept major credit cards (though most require a minimum amount for payments). Travellers cheques are widely accepted, with Euros the preferred currency. Banks are open on weekdays from 8am to 4pm. Most businesses are required to display their prices in their windows and restaurants and hotels must have their rates visible from the exterior.

Passport Visa

Passports must be valid for length of intended stay. Travellers must have proof of return or onward tickets, sufficient funds or lodging certificate and all travel documents needed for onward journey. Schengen visa is also valid if endorsed "also valid for Reunion". It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required. Schengen visa is also valid if endorsed "also valid for Reunion".
• UK nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport endorsed as a British Citizen, British National (Overseas), or British Overseas Territories Citizen with Right to Abode is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey.
• Canadian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required. Schengen visa is also valid if endorsed "also valid for Reunion".
• Australian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to one month; a valid passport is required. Schengen visa is also valid if endorsed "also valid for Reunion".
• South African nationals require a visa to travel to French Overseas Departments, including Reunion; a valid passport is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Passports with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa are also valid, the visa does not need to be endorsed for Reunion.
• Irish nationals do not require a visa; a valid passport is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Schengen visa is also valid if endorsed "also valid for Reunion".
• New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required. All passengers must be in possession of a return or through air ticket and of all travel documents required for the remainder of the journey. Schengen visa is also valid if endorsed "also valid for Reunion".

Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.Visitors to Réunion should take precautions against mosquito bites due to illnesses such as dengue fever and the Chikungunya virus. A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers arriving from an infected area. Réunion's medical and sanitary facilities are very good. Most towns have doctors and clinics, while the principal hospital is in Saint-Denis. Tap water is usually safe for drinking. Public water sources are unsafe if labelled 'Eau non potable'. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK and most EU countries, whose citizens are entitled to low-cost emergency medical treatment on presentation of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Embassy Consulates

• French Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 944 6000.
• French Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7073 1200.
• French Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 1795.
• French Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (02) 6216 0100.
• French Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 425 1600.
• French Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 277 5000.
• French Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 384 2555.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4312 2222.
• British Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4451 3100.
• Canadian Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4443 2900.
• Australian Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4059 3300.
• South African Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 5359 2323.
• Irish Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4417 6700.
• New Zealand Embassy, Paris (also responsible for Réunion): +33 (0)1 4501 4343.