Quick Facts About Réunion
General Information
- Capital: Saint-Denis
- Population: 895,000
- Languages: French & Réunion Creole
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Time Zone: RET (UTC+4)
Connectivity Overview
- Network Coverage: 4G/5G in cities & coastal areas
- Main Operators: Orange, SFR, Free Mobile, Telco OI
- eSIM Availability: Widely supported
- Average Speed: 30-60 Mbps
- Best Coverage: Cities & tourist areas
Benefits of eSIM for Réunion Travel
eSIM vs Traditional SIM Comparison
✅ eSIM Advantages
- • Instant activation at Roland Garros Airport
- • No need to find shops in Saint-Denis
- • Works immediately for island apps
- • Perfect for EU connections
- • Keep home number for banking
- • Easy hotel and tour bookings
❌ Traditional SIM Issues
- • Limited airport kiosk options
- • French-only instructions
- • Tourist pricing markups
- • Limited in remote cirques
- • Lose home number access
- • Cyclone disruption risks
Key Benefits for Réunion
Volcanic Navigation
Navigate volcano trails and cirque hikes easily
Island Adventures
Access maps for cirques, waterfalls, and hidden spots
French Territory Benefits
EU network quality and infrastructure
Cultural Sites
Stay connected at Créole villages and markets
Weather Preparedness
Essential for cyclone season communications
Transport Integration
Use apps for car rentals and coastal roads
Réunion eSIM Pricing & Plans
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Installation Guide
Pro Tip: Install your eSIM before arriving in Réunion or while at Roland Garros Airport WiFi. This ensures you can immediately access transport apps and start exploring the island!
📱 iPhone Installation
- 1.Go to Settings → Cellular → Add Cellular Plan
- 2.Scan the QR code from your eSIM purchase
- 3.Label your plan (e.g., "Réunion Indian Ocean")
- 4.Set as your default data line
- 5.Turn on Data Roaming (required for eSIM)
🤖 Android Installation
- 1.Go to Settings → Network & Internet
- 2.Tap "+" next to Mobile Network
- 3.Select "Download a SIM instead?"
- 4.Scan QR code and follow prompts
- 5.Enable the new eSIM profile
Network Coverage Details
Coverage Areas
Excellent 4G/5G Coverage
- • Saint-Denis & northern cities
- • Saint-Pierre & southern coast
- • Major tourist destinations
- • Coastal road circuits
- • Main hiking trail entrances
- • Beach resort areas
Limited Coverage
- • Remote cirque interiors
- • Deep volcanic areas
- • Mafate cirque (no roads)
- • High altitude peaks
- • Remote hiking trails
- • Cyclone-affected areas
Network Quality
Réunion benefits from French mainland network infrastructure with excellent 4G/5G coverage in cities and tourist areas. The island has strong coverage along coastal regions and in major towns. Remote cirques like Mafate may have limited connectivity. Most hotels and attractions offer WiFi as backup. Download offline maps for cirque exploration.
Travel Recommendations
Choose your travel style below to see personalized eSIM recommendations for your Réunion adventure:
Volcano & Cirque Trekker
Exploring Piton de la Fournaise, hiking the three cirques, and mountain adventures
Data Needs
Moderate (10-15GB)
Recommendation
Perfect for trail navigation, weather updates, and sharing volcanic landscapes. Download offline maps for cirque areas.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Book gîtes in cirques
- ✓Check volcano activity
- ✓Download trail maps
- ✓Monitor weather alerts
- ✓Emergency communication
Lagoon & Beach Explorer
Discovering pristine beaches, coral lagoons, and coastal adventures
Data Needs
Moderate (8-12GB)
Recommendation
Great for finding hidden beaches, checking surf conditions, and sharing tropical paradise photos. Coastal coverage is excellent.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Find lagoon access points
- ✓Check shark safety flags
- ✓Share beach photos
- ✓Navigate coastal roads
- ✓Locate beach restaurants
Nature Photographer
Capturing volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, and endemic wildlife
Data Needs
High (15-25GB)
Recommendation
Essential for uploading high-res photos, researching photo spots, and sharing Réunion's dramatic beauty.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Research sunrise spots
- ✓Find waterfall locations
- ✓Upload to cloud storage
- ✓Join photography groups
- ✓Scout volcanic viewpoints
Culture & Market Explorer
Discovering Saint-Denis, local markets, Créole culture, and colonial heritage
Data Needs
Moderate (10-15GB)
Recommendation
Perfect for navigation, cultural apps, restaurant discovery, and staying connected to local festivals and markets.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Navigate Saint-Denis
- ✓Find Créole restaurants
- ✓Book cultural tours
- ✓Discover weekly markets
- ✓Use translation apps
Budget Island Traveler
Traveling affordably using local transport and mountain gîtes
Data Needs
Low-Moderate (5-10GB)
Recommendation
Essential for finding budget accommodations, navigating Car Jaune buses, and connecting with other hikers. Many gîtes have WiFi.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Book mountain gîtes
- ✓Navigate bus routes
- ✓Find local eateries
- ✓Connect with hikers
- ✓Locate free viewpoints
Digital Nomad
Working remotely from tropical co-working spaces and beachfront cafes
Data Needs
Very High (20-30GB+)
Recommendation
Maximum data for video calls and remote work. Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre have excellent business infrastructure and 5G coverage.
Essential Tips:
- ✓Find co-working spaces
- ✓Check beachside WiFi
- ✓Join nomad communities
- ✓Book monthly stays
- ✓Locate reliable cafes
💡 Pro Tip for Réunion
Réunion benefits from French network infrastructure with excellent coverage in tourist areas and cities. The island has strong coverage perfect for coastal exploration and volcano tourism. Cirque de Mafate has no road access and very limited coverage - download offline maps before entering. Piton de la Fournaise viewpoints have basic signal but coverage weakens near the crater. Cyclone season (December-April) may affect service - keep devices charged and download essential information offline.
Must-Visit Places in Réunion
🌋 Natural Wonders
- • Piton de la Fournaise: Active volcano & lunar landscapes
- • Cirque de Mafate: Remote mountain cirque
- • Cirque de Salazie: Waterfalls & Hell-Bourg village
- • Cirque de Cilaos: Thermal springs & hiking
- • Trou de Fer: Impressive canyon viewpoint
- • Cap Méchant: Dramatic lava cliffs
🏖️ Beaches & Culture
- • Plage de l\'Hermitage: Lagoon beach paradise
- • Saint-Denis: Capital city & markets
- • Saint-Pierre: Beach town nightlife
- • Saint-Gilles: Water sports hub
- • Saint-Paul Market: Weekly Créole market
- • Maison Folio: Colonial heritage
Network Providers in Réunion
Orange Réunion
- • Best coverage
- • 5G network
- • Tourist areas
- • Island-wide
SFR Réunion
- • Strong network
- • 4G/5G coverage
- • Urban focus
- • Reliable speeds
Free Mobile
- • Good coverage
- • Budget option
- • Coastal areas
- • 4G network
Telco OI
- • Local operator
- • Competitive rates
- • Island coverage
- • French support
Troubleshooting Common Issues
🌋 Piton de la Fournaise Connection
Popular viewpoints have basic coverage, but signals weaken near the crater and on lava fields. Download offline maps and volcano activity updates before visiting. The main parking area has decent signal for last-minute updates.
🏔️ Cirque Exploration (Mafate/Cilaos)
Mafate has no road access and very limited coverage. Download maps and book gîtes in advance. Cilaos and Salazie have coverage in villages but not on remote trails. Inform others of your hiking plans before entering cirques.
🌪️ Cyclone Season Preparedness
During cyclone season (December-April), networks may be affected by severe weather. Download emergency information, weather apps, and important contacts offline. Keep devices charged and consider portable chargers.
Emergency Contacts in Réunion
Emergency Numbers
- Emergency (EU):112
- Police:17
- Fire/Medical:18 / 15
- Mountain Rescue:0262 930 930
Useful Contacts
- Tourist Office:0262 211 600
- Roland Garros Airport:0262 288 000
- Cyclone Info:0897 65 01 01
- Volcano Observatory:0262 275 492
Important: Save these numbers before exploring remote cirques or during cyclone season. For volcano and hiking emergencies, contact Mountain Rescue. Always inform someone of your plans when visiting remote areas like Mafate cirque.
Cultural Guide & Etiquette
Do's
- Learn basic French greetings
- Respect Créole culture and traditions
- Try local cuisine (cari, rougail)
- Visit local markets early morning
- Respect volcano safety guidelines
Don'ts
- Don't expect English everywhere
- Don't ignore cyclone warnings
- Don't litter in natural areas
- Don't swim outside lagoon areas
- Don't hike alone in cirques
Language Tips
Basic French Phrases:
- • Bonjour - Hello/Good day
- • Merci - Thank you
- • S'il vous plaît - Please
- • Combien? - How much?
Créole Phrases:
- • "Bonzour" - Hello (Créole)
- • "Oté!" - Hey! (greeting)
- • "Mi aim a ou" - I love it
- • "Nana!" - See you later
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there coverage in the three cirques (Mafate, Salazie, Cilaos)?
Salazie and Cilaos have coverage in villages and main areas. Mafate, accessible only by foot, has very limited coverage. Download offline maps and book accommodations before entering.
Can EU residents use their home plans in Réunion?
Yes, since Réunion is a French overseas department, EU roaming regulations apply. However, some carriers may have fair use limits or reduced speeds. Check with your provider.
What's the data speed like in Saint-Denis?
Saint-Denis offers excellent 4G/5G coverage with speeds comparable to mainland France cities. Tourist areas throughout the island have strong connectivity for most activities.
Is there coverage at Piton de la Fournaise volcano?
Main viewpoints and parking areas have basic coverage, but signals weaken near the crater and on lava fields. Download volcano activity updates and safety information before your visit.
Can I use my eSIM for calls and texts?
Most Réunion eSIMs are data-only. Use WhatsApp, Skype, or other messaging apps for communication. Many locals use messaging apps and French is the primary language.
What about connectivity during cyclone season?
Major carriers have robust infrastructure with backup systems for cyclone resilience. Download important information offline and keep devices charged during severe weather. Emergency services remain operational.
What if I run out of data during my trip?
Most eSIM providers allow top-ups through their app or website. WiFi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions throughout Réunion as backup.
Ready for Your Réunion Adventure?
Whether you're exploring volcanic landscapes, trekking through dramatic cirques, or relaxing on pristine beaches, stay connected with reliable eSIM coverage throughout Réunion.