Travel Guide

Travel Essentials: Réunion

Before finalising your next big adventure devote some time to pre-planning to ensure you are as best prepared as possible. Included here you'll find useful 'Essential Info' with links through to the experts in Travel Health Advice, Visa Regulations, Government Travel Advice, Books and Maps.

To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.

Climate	Réunion enjoys an ever-lasting summer in a tropical climate with temperatures made milder by the East-South-East domineering trade winds. The differences in temperature and rainfall can be significant and vary according to altitude and wind exposure. The east coast (the windward coast) is damper because of the trade winds. The west coast (the leeward coast) is protected by massifs and so, much drier. The year is divided into two seasons. The dry and cool season from May to October and winter -only by name, except near the peaks - from June to August. The November to April damp and warm season has two thirds of the annual rainfall. Sunshine is ever-present throughout the year, even in the middle of the January to February rainy season. Altitude together with a whimsical relief and trade wind exposure generate countless micro-climates that make Réunion a very special place.
Seasonality	Peak tourist season is from April to May and during the French school holidays from late July to early September. Try and avoid travelling to Réunion during February and March, if possible, as this is the unpredictable cyclone season. The best period for hiking is during the dry season from late April to October, with May and June generally regarded as the best months.
National Holidays
24 Mar 2008	Easter Monday
01 May 2008	Labour Day
08 May 2008	1945 Victory Day
14 Jul 2008	Bastille Day
15 Aug 2008	Assumption Day
01 Nov 2008	All Saint's Day
11 Nov 2008	Remembrance Day
20 Dec 2008	Abolition of Slavery Day
25 Dec 2008	Christmas Day
01 Jan 2009	New Year's Day
National Events
Pandyale	Occurs: January In January join in with the celebratations for Pandyale, a Hindu festival with fire-walking ceremonies.
Chinese New Year	Occurs: January/February Chinese New Year occurs in either January or February when there are parades and firework displays.
Parasol Shrine	Occurs: August In August the locals pray for no more volcanic eruptions at the shrine of the Virgin at Parasol.