Cilaos
Quiet country, sharp air and proper hiking.
Floating in a massive volcanic amphitheater five thousand feet above sea level, Cilaos demands a stomach for the Route des 400 Virages, a twisting mountain road that rewards travelers with crystalline air and a landscape of sheer basalt cliffs. Life here centers around the Rue de la Mare à Joncs, where the scent of slow-cooked lentils and smoked sausages drifts from creole kitchens. In the early morning, the village is a staging ground for the grueling ascent of Piton des Neiges, the highest point in the Indian Ocean. Between treks, you will see local artisans leaning over intricate needlework or tending to the distinctive vines that produce the town’s sharp, volcanic wine. Even as cloud forests swallow the sharp edges of the ramparts by mid-afternoon, the stillness of this alpine enclave remains profound.
Best time to visit Cilaos
The best time to visit Cilaos is generally summer for easier access, or winter for dramatic light and solitude. Peak season pushes prices and crowds up; shoulder season is almost always the smarter trade-off — you'll find the same restaurants open, the same scenery, and noticeably better hotel value on Booking.com.
How to get to Cilaos
Cilaos is in Reunion, Africa. Connections typically route via Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Cairo or Casablanca, with short onward flights to most destinations. Once you arrive, allow a day to settle in — most travellers underestimate jet lag and over-pack day one.
Things to do in Cilaos
Plan your days around hiking, wildlife spotting, scenic drives and photography. Build in at least one slow morning; the best memories rarely come from packed itineraries.
Where to stay in Cilaos
On Booking.com, properties in Cilaos start from around $155 per night. Filter by guest review score (8.5+), free cancellation, and your preferred neighbourhood. Booking close to the centre saves transit time and almost always pays for itself in extra hours actually enjoying Cilaos.
Cilaos travel FAQs
- When is the most reliable window for clear hiking weather?
- Plan your visit between May and October during the southern winter. You will experience cool, crisp mornings and much lower humidity, though you must start trails by 6:00 AM to beat the daily cloud cover that typically rolls into the cirque by noon.
- Is it feasible to rely on the yellow Car Jaune buses for transport?
- The 60 line runs frequently from Saint-Louis and is an impressive feat of engineering, but having your own small rental car is better for reaching trailheads like Le Block. Be aware that the road involves tunnels barely wide enough for one vehicle, requiring confident mountain driving.
- Which neighborhood offers the best balance of views and convenience?
- Staying near the town center allows you to walk to the thermal baths and restaurants, but for quieter vistas, look at guesthouses in the Bras-Sec area. This smaller hamlet sits further into the valley and provides more direct access to the forest trails and vineyards.
- What is the significance of the local lentils served in every restaurant?
- The Lentilles de Cilaos are a protected, small-grain variety grown in the volcanic soil of the cirque and are considered the finest in France. They are traditionally served as a creamy side to a 'carri' and are expensive because they are still harvested and sorted by hand on the steep slopes.
