eSIM Reunion: prepaid data on Orange for the volcano, the cirques and the coast
Reunion is an island of extremes in the Indian Ocean: the lava fields of Piton de la Fournaise, the deep green cirques of Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate, black-sand beaches and the busy streets of Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre. Hikers, divers and road-trippers land at Roland Garros airport wanting forecasts, trail maps and car-rental confirmations, not a roaming surprise from a home carrier. A Reunion eSIM from GlobaleSIM is bought online, installed over Wi-Fi before the long flight and connects automatically on arrival, while your own number stays live on your primary SIM.
Networks and coverage in Reunion
The eSIM Reunion plan connects to Orange, one of the island’s main operators, and your phone joins it automatically as soon as you are on the ground. Coverage is strong around the coastal ring where most people live and travel: Saint-Denis, Saint-Paul, Saint-Gilles, Saint-Pierre and the road that links them. Inland, the cirques, the high plains and the trails toward the volcano summit are steep and remote, and signal drops in and out on any network, so download offline maps and each hike’s route before you climb.
Installing your eSIM for Reunion
- Order online; the QR code and instructions arrive by email, nothing is shipped.
- Install over Wi-Fi before departure using Add eSIM on iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel.
- After landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it; your primary SIM keeps your own number.
- Hotspot and tethering are supported for a laptop or a travel companion’s phone.
- Top up any time in the GlobaleSIM dashboard or app; 24/7 human support is on WhatsApp.
Тарифные планы, цены и срок действия
Reunion prepaid data plans start from $4.5 for 1GB and go up through 2GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB and 20GB. Validity depends on the size: 1GB is valid for 7 days, 2GB for 10 days, 3GB for 14 days, 5GB for 21 days, and the 10GB, 15GB and 20GB plans for 30 days. A one-week trip built around a couple of hikes, the beaches and restaurant bookings works well on 3GB or 5GB. A two- or three-week island tour with daily navigation, photo backups and calls home suits 10GB, and a longer stay with a shared hotspot in a rented villa calls for 15GB or 20GB. Validity begins only when the device first connects to a supported network in Reunion, so install as early as you like.
Звонки и номер телефона
The data plan on its own does not include calling, though WhatsApp and FaceTime keep working over data and your existing number stays reachable on the physical SIM. If you would rather have a real phone number to book a volcano guide, call a mountain gite or receive SMS codes, add a voice-minutes bundle (+100, +200 or +300 minutes) at checkout and a dedicated international phone number, US +1 or UK +44, is issued to you for calls and SMS.
Tips for mobile data in Reunion
Most visitors rent a car, and traffic around Saint-Denis and the coastal road makes a live navigation app worth its data. Weather changes fast between coast and heights, so check forecasts and trail conditions each morning. Card payments are common in towns and supermarkets, while some mountain gites and roadside stalls prefer cash. Hotel Wi-Fi is fine, but in the cirques it is rare, so keep the eSIM as your main line. Data works only inside Reunion; it does not carry over to Mauritius or mainland France, so plan those legs separately.
Why GlobaleSIM for Reunion
Reunion is a long way from home, which is the point of buying before you go: one prepaid data plan at one clear price, Orange coverage from the moment you land, hotspot sharing, an optional phone number and human support around the clock. The Reunion eSIM is compatible with any carrier-unlocked eSIM device, including iPhone 11 and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel.