Transport
Airlines : Réunion is served by regular air lines: Air France, Air Liberté, Corsair and Aérolyon (Nouvelles Frontières), AOM, Jet Ocean Indian Air Mauritius, Air Austral. Different companies served since Europe the others islands of the Indian Ocean (Comores, Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles) where it is possible to go to Reunion by domestic flights.
Airport : The main airport is Roland-Garros Airport, which is located few kilometre from Saint Denis.
Transfers : A transfer can be provide by us, otherwise there are taxis but they are expensive and shuttle between from 07.30 am to 8.00 pm.
Formalities
Passeport : You will need a passport that is valid for at least the next 6 months.
Visa : Nationals of USA, Canada, New Zealand and most European countries may enter for up to three months without visa but Australian and other do require French visas. The requirements change regularly and it is recommended that you check with your local representative or French Embassy for the latest. It is usual for the authorities to request that visitors provide proof of an onward ticket and supply the name of intended accommodation.
Customs :
When entering the Réunion, passengers over 17 years’ of age are allowed the following duty-free allowance:
• 200 cigarettes, 50 cigares or 250g of tobacco
• 1 litres of spirits over 22 % or 2 litre for spirit under 22 %, 2 litres of wine.
• 50 ml of perfume or 250 ml eau de toilette
Detax for non EU passenger.
Please note that fruits, vegetables, seeds and meat products are considered as restricted goods and are prohibited from entering the islands.
When leaving the Réunion, the authorities restrict the export vegetable ( plants, flowers…).
Tax : A tax and tourist vignette is charged on the price of the rooms.
Health Requirements : No vaccinations are officially required for a visit to Reunion. For passengers coming from endemics countries: Yellow Fever and Cholera vaccination is compulsory. There is not malaria at Reunion.
Suitcases
Climate : Reunion has a hot tropical climate that can be split into two seasons; the hot, rainy, cyclonic summer from October to March; and from April to September, the cool, dry winter. The east coast has higher rainfall that the west. In the hills temperatures are much cooler, and can reach freezing point during night time.
For today's weather forecast see: CNN - Africa Weather Forecasts
Clothes : Light cotton clothes. Sweaters in altitude and good walking shoes are recommend
Electricity : Electric Power is 220V running at 50Hz. The Plug type used is: Round pin plug and receptacle with male grounding pin
Health : You must have your usual medication and sticking plaster. Don't forget cream for mosquito and for the sun.
Money
Currency : The local currency is the Euro
Change : You can get 1 Euro = 1, 27 Dollar or 1 Dollar = 0, 79 Euro
For today's exchange rate see: Oanda.com the currency site.
Credit cards : The more popular credit cards are accepted: Visa, Master Card, Diner's, Eurocard, American Express, Bleu Card.
Travellers’ cheques : Travellers cheques can be widely exchanged
Tipping : Service is always included buttTips are warmly received.
Communication
Language : The official language is French. Creole as the native language is also talked by the population. Many people speaks English.
Phone : Telephone dialing code to Réunion is 00262 and from Réunion to England 0044, to France dial directly the number.
Car : Driving is on the right hand side and and International Driving Licence is recommended. Car hire is an easy way to visit La Réunion.
Taxi et transports : The bus service covers most of the island and is comfortable and efficient. Mountain bikes and conventional bikes can be hired. Taxi are very expensive.
Agenda
Time : Reunion is 4 hours ahead of GMT. From France, there is 2 hours more in summer and 3 hours more in winter
Public Holidays : 1 January - New year's day, ,1 May - Worker's Day, 8 May: Armistice 1945, may-juin : Ascension; 14 july - Independence Day, 15 August - Assumption Day,1 November - All Soul's Day, 25 December – Christmas.
The same as “la metropole”, la France, with more different religious days: Le Cavadee, Guan-Di Festival, Chinese New Year, Tamoul.
Opening Time : Most businesses and shops operate between 0800-1200 and 1400-1800, Monday to Saturday.
Banks Opening vary from: 08h00 to 16h00 – Monday to Friday
Restauration
Food : The local speciality is the curry, a meat fish or shellfish ragout “mijoté” with garlic, onions, ginger, clove, curcuma and other local spices and served with rice; beans and a condiment called « rougail » mix of tomato, lemon pistachio
Water : The water is perfectly safe.
Good to know
Security : suggest you leave all valuables and passport hidden in the house. Carry only such cash as necessary when you go to the beach.
Useful addresses
Dodo Travel & Tours (Madagascar)
Immeuble Marbour - Antsahavola,
BP 12125 Ankorondrano,
Antananarivo 101 - Madagascar
Tél : + (261) 20 22 690 36
Fax: + (261) 20 22 257 05
Dodo Travel & Tours (Mauritius)
Queen Mary Avenue - Floréal, Mauritius
Tél: + (230) 698 68 09
Fax: + (230) 698 68 09
Airlines
Air Austral : www.airaustral.com
Air France : www.airfrance.com
Air Madagascar : www.airmadagascar.com
Air Mauritius : www.airmauritius.fr
Air Seychelles : www.airseychelles.com
Useful Telephone Numbers
Ambulance and Fire Brigade : 999
Hospital Victoria : 388000
Airport International flights : 384400 |
