How Many Towns: I advise
three to four towns over a week. Roads are slow and winding, and each place deserves a full evening of market food and a morning wander before the clouds roll in. More than that, and you spend the trip behind the wheel.
Which Kind to Prioritize: Beach lovers should favor the
dry west coast, with sunsets over the lagoon and cheap grilled fish at snack stands. Hikers belong in the
highland cirques, where you wake to cold air, woodsmoke and trails starting at the door. Culture seekers should pick the
south and east, where Tamil temples, spice markets and vanilla sheds give each street a different smell. Cirque nights end early, so pack a headlamp.
What It Costs: Budget
US$55 to 100 a day (€50 to 90) for a shared room or basic gîte, market lunches, and a rental car. Dorms …
read more 👉 How Many Towns: I advise three to four towns over a week. Roads are slow and winding, and each place deserves a full evening of market food and a morning wander before the clouds roll in. More than that, and you spend the trip behind the wheel.Which Kind to Prioritize: Beach lovers should favor the dry west coast, with sunsets over the lagoon and cheap grilled fish at snack stands. Hikers belong in the highland cirques, where you wake to cold air, woodsmoke and trails starting at the door. Culture seekers should pick the south and east, where Tamil temples, spice markets and vanilla sheds give each street a different smell. Cirque nights end early, so pack a headlamp.What It Costs: Budget US$55 to 100 a day (€50 to 90) for a shared room or basic gîte, market lunches, and a rental car. Dorms are rare, and a gîte bed runs about €25 to 45. Car rental costs €25 to 45 a day, fuel adds €8 to 15 daily, and buses cost €1.80 to 3 per ride, but service thins out after late afternoon. A snack stand meal with rice and curry is €6 to 10, while a restaurant dinner runs €18 to 30. Most town centers are free to wander, and guided hikes cost €40 to 80.Safety and Culture: Réunion is safe by backpacking standards, with petty theft at beaches and trailheads as the main concern, so lock the car and take valuables. Shark bans on swimming outside protected lagoons are enforced, and you should respect the flags. Greet shopkeepers with “bonjour” before asking anything, because it matters. Mountain roads flood and slide in heavy rain, so check Météo-France alerts each morning. Sunday means closed shops in many towns, so shop for supplies on Saturday.