Town in Réunion, Reunion
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Réunion's beach resort on the west coast: lagoon swimming, surfing at Roches Noires and easy access to hikes and the rest of the island. Pricey French food and sharks near unprotected coast.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,250–3,380Comfortable, one person · €2,000–3,000Details
- Best time to goMay–NovWarmest: Feb, 29°CDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe in most towns; locals drink it.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$34–68Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Saint-Gilles-les-Bains centre (port and seafront) | Restaurants, bars, dive shops and boats |
| L'Hermitage-les-Bains | Quieter beachside stays near the lagoon |
| La Saline-les-Bains | Residential beach area with surf and family stays |
| Boucan Canot | Surfer's beach with bars and short-term rentals |
Apps that work in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Works on the west coast; fewer drivers late at night |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber Eats | Covers Saint-Gilles and Saint-Paul |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Cars Jaunes: Intercity bus timetables
- Taxis: Taxis are metered and need booking by phone; ride apps are limited outside Saint-Denis and the west coast.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Reunion.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere. Carry some euros for market stalls, small snack bars and mountain refuges.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: French bank ATMs are common; foreign-card fees come from your own bank.
- Tipping: Service is included; leaving small change is optional.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless cards work widely.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- French rules apply: EU/Schengen citizens need only ID; many others are visa-exempt for 90 days but Réunion is outside the Schengen area.
- Visa and entry rules differ from mainland France; confirm with French authorities before booking.
- Direct flights from Paris and Mauritius; no separate arrival card.
Emergency numbers
Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, E · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Orange, SFR and Zeop shops require ID; EU roaming from French plans usually applies. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Reunion
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.