Free | 3 days in a van on Reunion Island
Day 1 - A Starry Night at Maïdo
In a van, it's perfect for watching an incredibly sparkling starry night. In the morning, the sunrise behind the mountains is simply breathtaking. The panorama from Maïdo offers a stunning view of the Mafate cirque, with its rugged peaks, deep valleys, and remote villages nestled in the mountains.
The parking area is flat, and it feels safe. Be aware, though, that it gets very cold at night. Our van wasn’t well-insulated, and the blankets weren’t warm enough.
Day 2 - A Breathtaking View of Salazie from Our Bed
This was the perfect spot to sleep: the area is flat, the temperature is ideal, and the view from the van is just unforgettable. We woke up peacefully, alone in the middle of the mountains.
The village is just down the road, convenient for grabbing a takeaway Creole meal and using the restroom before nightfall.
Day 3 - Falling Asleep by the Sea at L’Hermitage
We didn’t sleep very well here; it was November, and it was extremely hot. We cracked open the van a bit, but the spot felt less secure compared to the secluded mountain locations.
We chose this spot to take advantage of the beach showers and restrooms.
Bonus - A Night at the Volcano, an Adventure on Mars
We didn’t do this because, when renting a van, you have a limited number of kilometers. However, some friends did it and loved the experience. You have two options: either stop along the volcano road and find a spot to stargaze, or head to the more crowded Pas de Bellecombe parking lot and watch the sunrise over the volcano.
Tips pour votre réservation
💰Small to medium budget
https://www.yescapa.fr/
💰💰High budget
https://www.blacksheep-van.com/fr/
We opted for a rental on Yescapa and took out additional insurance to be covered. The van was sufficient, although changing in such a small space was a bit tricky. On Reunion Island, you need to pay attention to the vehicle’s insulation and air conditioning, as it gets very cold in the highlands and, depending on the season, very hot in the lowlands.
Day at La Saline Beach ➡️ Night at Maïdo ➡️ Day in Salazie ➡️ Night in Salazie ➡️ Day in Mafate ➡️ Evening at L'Hermitage Beach
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