Mauritius - What To Pack

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Like many reputable holiday companies we are ABTA registered, our ABTA membership number is 65310.

We also use ATOL protected tour operators. However if you wish to use a tour operator who is not ATOL protected then we will take our supplier failure insurance on your behalf.

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Don’t forget that Réunion is part of France so visitors from EU countries should carry a European Health Insurance Card .

Credit cards are widely accepted and travellers’ cheques and cash easily changed at the many banks. You should be able to buy everything that you need in Réunion, although it is likely to be more expensive than in your home country. Mosquito repellent and suncream are essential. Sockets take two-pin continental plugs, so carry an adaptor if necessary.

Take light, comfortable clothing, with a smart-casual outfit for dinner in hotels. Include beachwear for the coast, not forgetting beach/swimming shoes to protect your feet from sea-urchin spikes and sharp coral. Some warm clothing will come in handy for the evenings, particularly in the interior. For the mountains (which can get very cold) you’ll need rain gear and really warm clothing; and also good hiking boots if you plan to explore the trails.

As ever, travel insurance is essential. If you plan to partake in any of Réunion’s many activities, such as canyoning or paragliding, make sure your travel insurance covers this.

MAPS Tourist maps of the island are available at tourist offices many hotels also have a supply. Tourist maps, including ones showing the main hiking trails and gîtes, are available online (reunion-nature.com, under infos pratiques/cartes). For hikers, map 4402 RT is widely available in Réunion and should be sufficient for most routes. However, if you want detailed maps for hiking, it’s best to get them in advance: contact the Institut Géographique National, 107 Rue de la Boétie, 75008 Paris, France. For more information, see Hiking, pages 269–72.

MONEY

The main French banks, such as Crédit Agricole and BNP Paribas, have branches in all the main towns. Banks are generally open 08.00–16.00 Monday–Friday. ATMs are widespread on the coast and you can withdraw money using Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Eurochèques. Credit cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels. If you’re travelling to the interior, take sufficient cash with you as there are very limited banking facilities.

The currency exchange rates in August 2012 were as follows: £1=€1.27, US$1=€0.81, Rs38=€1.

BUDGETING

Réunion is an expensive destination because so many goods are imported but with careful planning travelling costs can be kept down. Markets and roadside stalls sell fruit, vegetables and handicrafts at very reasonable prices. Eating out in restaurants is not cheap but camions bars (mobile snack bars) are a good option for those on a budget, serving everything from samoussas to pizzas.

You can keep accommodation costs low by staying in meublés de tourisme (self-catering holiday rentals, referred to in Réunion as ‘furnished flats’), chambres d’hôtes and gîtes (see Accommodation, pages 259–61). There is an excellent, inexpensive bus service. Taxis collectifs, which take passengers until the car is full, are far cheaper than ordinary taxis as you pay a proportion of the fare.

If you are staying in one of the island’s more upmarket hotels, expect meals and drinks to be pricey. Bars and nightclubs are also expensive: most clubs charge around €2–15 for entry and drinks are often around €.

Finally, you are bound to be tempted to try some of the many outdoor activities on offer in Réunion, so allow for some extra expenses.

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Mauritius - What To Pack

Reunion

Mauritius - What To Pack