Money Tips for La Réunion: Cash, Cards, and Budget Hacks

There’s nothing exotic about currency on La Réunion: it’s the Euro (€), just like in mainland France. The difference is that paying your way around this island isn't as straightforward as you might expect. Cards aren't king everywhere. ATMs aren’t always just around the corner. And costs can sneak up on you if you don’t think a few steps ahead.

I learned this the practical way: hitting ATMs before markets, budgeting extra for snacks I hadn’t planned on, and realizing early that a tank of petrol out here costs a little more than original calculations. Let me make it easier for you.

Here’s everything you need to know about money before you travel to La Réunion.

Currency: It’s the Euro, But It Feels Different

La Réunion is a French overseas department, which means you’re dealing with the Euro. No conversion headaches. But psychologically, prices feel closer to a remote island economy than Paris, meaning certain everyday things cost a little more than you might assume.

Expect prices similar to or slightly above small-town France, especially for:

• Petrol

• Imported goods (cheese, certain snacks)

• Restaurants outside urban centers

Fresh local produce, market food, and Creole meals stay affordable. Imported luxuries and brand-name anything? Not so much.

Cash: You Will Need It A Lot

This is the number one mistake new visitors make: assuming you can just tap and go everywhere. You can't. You’ll need cash for:

• Markets (Saint-Paul, Saint-Leu, Saint-Pierre)

• Food trucks and snack stalls

• Many gîtes and smaller guesthouses (even those that look fancy)

My real tip? Hit an ATM before you head toward smaller towns, markets, or into the highlands. Bring a buffer of at least €100–150 in small notes at all times.

Cards Are Good... Until They Aren't

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, petrol stations, hotels, and midrange restaurants. Contactless payment (sans contact) usually works fine too, but don’t bet your trip on it.

Expect cards to work less reliably at:

• Rural shops

• Village bakeries

• Snack bars

• Small local museums or gardens

Always ask if they take cards before you order, especially in remote areas or with independent guides.

Credit cards often won’t work at unattended petrol stations (where you pay directly at the pump). Bring a debit card with a chip and PIN, or plan to fuel up during staffed hours.

Tipping Isn't Required, But Sometimes It's a Nice Gesture

La Réunion follows mainland France’s tipping culture:

• Service is included in restaurant bills.

• Tipping is not expected at cafés, restaurants, or bars.

But if you had excellent service (a really friendly market vendor, a gîte host who cooked dinner, a guide who went the extra mile), rounding up or leaving a few euros is always appreciated, never awkward. We usually leave €2–5 in cash.

Unexpected Costs Travelers Forget to Budget For

Here’s where La Réunion sneaks up on you if you’re not paying attention:

• Park entrance fees. Sometimes small (€5–10) but add up fast if you’re visiting several sites.

• Petrol. Higher than mainland France. Especially expensive near Salazie, Plaine des Cafres, or Saint-Philippe.

• Picnic stops. Buying picnic stuff sounds cheap until you factor in market snacks, fresh juices, impromptu samoussas. It adds up.

• Parking. Free in most areas, but paid meters exist along popular beaches and downtown Saint-Denis.

• Cyclone Season Surcharges: Some gîtes and car rentals bump rates up subtly if you book last minute during high-risk months (December to March).

For stress-free trips, I recommend adding an extra €10–15 per day for unplanned food, parking, and small entries.

Smart Money Habits for La Réunion

• Withdraw at least €100 cash whenever you find a working ATM (don't just "top up" €20 at a time).

• Use cards at supermarkets and petrol stations. Save cash for humans, small shops, and remote stops.

• Keep small bills and coins handy because many vendors won't break a €50.

• Split your money and keep one stash in your bag, one on you.

• Fill up petrol before heading into highlands or rural South (stations are rare, especially late in the day).

In La Réunion, money doesn’t work against you, as long as you respect the island’s rhythms. Think ahead. Carry cash. Smile when you hand over a small note at a roadside fruit stall. You’ll leave richer for it, even if you spend a few extra euros here and there. Trust me: the memory of that €5 juice from a market in Saint-Leu or paying for the entry to a forgotten garden high in the clouds? It’s worth every cent.